I came back home wednesday. Report in progress. Enjoy one photo:

Looking forward to it!

thanks

Kodiak Brow bear hunt

Period: April 19th – 28 th 2012-05-04

Area: Uyaak Bay http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sta...ntmaps/575/db117.gif

Outfitter: Munsey’s bear camp
http://munseysbearcamp.com/
Guide: Mike Munsey

Gun: winchester 375 ( from Park Munsey )

Dear Friends,
This is the report about my hunt in Kodiak island:

I reached the camp on April 20, after two full days of travel and an overnight stay at Anchorage. The flight was: Milan-Amsterdam - Minneapolis - Anchorage - Kodiak - Camp. For a total of five airplanes taken!.



We started hunting the next day. With the Mike’s Boston whaler we reached the Amook island, situated in the center of the Uyaak bay. From the beach we began to observe the mountains on the opposite coast, about one or two miles away, remaning there for the entire day. Glassing for so long is difficult and tiring. But my guide has never stopped, always with his Zeiss on the eyes.





He is also very good at identifying the bears even away. What I was not able of doing.
It must be said that Mike Munsey lives in the area most of the year since he was born. He then knows to perfection the best spots and where to look.



The spring was still late with a lot of snow that covered the mountains.




We continued glassing for several days, spotting a total of eight bears. A relatively small number that surprised even Mike but, in addition to the large amount of snow, even the weather sunny and almost warm, really uncommon for Kodiak, probably limited the movements of bears during the day.

We also tried to climb the mountains but we saw only one small bear.


Mike then decided to continue to observe from the beach and he was right. The morning of the seventh day he saw, about halfway up the mountain, a bear intent on pasture.Looking of good size he has decided that we had to try to get closer.
After a walk of about an hour we arrived in the area.
The wind was in our favor. Walking very slowly we came where the animal was sighted.
After few steps the bear, which was lying in the alders to sleep, got up suddenly about ten feet from us, and tried to get away in the thicket. Fortunately it stopped for a second to look at us. I was able to shot at this point. The 375 belonged to Munsey Park ( the Mike’s dad) has done its job to perfection, stopping the bear in place. Very exciting. After a couple of more shots ( just to be sure he was dead) we reached him.
A wonderful mature boar, 12/15 years old , with a perfect light brown color coat, almost honey-colored.











I finally got my kodiak brown bear, dreamed for twenty years. It's fun to say that, at the beginning of the hunt, I had told Mike that I was not very interested in the quality of fur, but I'd like to take a bear in a dark color. Needless to say that I am now fully satisfied of my bear hehehe.

For this trophy I have to thank only Mike Munsey, for his dedication, for the hard work he has done, for the knowledge of the area and the great experience. Do no forget that he was always on time when we had to leave in the morning. I never had to wait a minute.
I have to say that in this hunt the work of the guide has been determinant, more than in all the others hunt I’ve done. My contribution was limited to a quick shot. So much that, although I can say that now have un extended experience, this is perhaps the only hunt in which I can say that I am sure that, without Mike, I would not take anything.
Other interesting thing to say is that, despite everything that I had said, was absolutely a hunt who requested great physical effort. Sometimes we walked for a couple of hours, without much effort, thanks to the ease of moving into the bush following the trails of animals (especially deer), another thing that I did not expect.


Lodging and food were also great.




I was in a very nice log cabin, built in the 2000, with eletricity from the generator, private room and a complete bathroom. Robin, the Mike’s wife, is a great coock, she different dishes everyday, fresh bread and focaccia daily. Services that I think are almost impossible to find in Alaska.


Last let me say that the nature of the island is simply unique. Whales, killer whales, seals, sea otters as well as thousands of seabirds and bald eagles everywhere.










And the fish? The day after the bear was taken we fished for a couple of hours taking 15 cods and this despite not being in a period when fishing is not good. Too easy!



Got my bear I left the camp earlier, stopping one day and night in Kodiak, at the Kodiak Inn, probably the best accomodation in town. Not far from the hotel I bought some delicious smoked salmon. The last night at the Millenium Hotel in Anchorage. Very interesting the hall with trophies with the most important animals in Alaska. Was my 46 birthday and I enjoined a dinner with my friend Eberhard Brunner the famous wildlife photographer.

Nice bear, Mario, congrats!

Kodiak is a fantastic, remote place.

How big was the bear? Looks 9'6"-ish or so?

congratulazioni Mario.

Great report and pictures too.

Mario....Congratulations on your bear!

Looks like a great hunt!

Well done, Mario!

thanks Guys.
Yes is over 9,5. Mike was waiting to measure the skin when is dry.

Sounds like you had a fantastic hunt, Mario. Congratulations on the bear! This hunt is one which is certainly on my bucket list!

Great looking bear Mario congrats! I am glad you had such a nice trip and the weather cooperated with you!

Congratulations Mario - very good hunt and a very nice bear.

Mario,

Big congrats! Beautiful bear.

Mark

Well done and nice report!

Mario, congrats on a nice bear!

Very nice bear! Glad you had a successful hunt! The photo of all of the tracks in the sand is quite a story.

Thank you for the story and photos.

Tim

Great report, thanks for posting! I want a bear on Kodiak pretty bad, but then again I want it all!

Greg

Congratulations on your great brown bear and also on fulfilling a 20+ year dream!

Thanks Guys
Yes Kodiak is definately a place to see.
Ann, I'm agree with you. Reading the tracks on the beach is a very interesting thing and also very good for understand what ther'is around.

Congrats! That's a beauty...

Mario not only a nice bear but enjoyed the nice photos of your hunt.

Thanks, Dirk

Hi just found this it was great congrats thanks for posting!!

Mario, fantastic big bear and report, thanks,

I don't normally comment on hunt reports, but those are stunning photos.

Thanks for helping the balance of trade!

I'm satisfied that you liked the photos. I'm a very terrible photographer...

GREAT PHOTOS MY FRIEND CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER EXTREME EXPEDITION

thanks Juan

Great report; thanks!

Mario, IT is sure nice when a dream comes true. fine shooting and great photos.

Mike

At last! A bear shot at close range, with one well placed round, on the 7th day of the hunt!

Well done, Mario! Beautiful pictures & a great hunt - congratulations!

Really nice Mario!

thanks Anton

Brilliant. Great looking animal.

Great Bear.
Thanks for sharing.

kodiak is a place to see...

What a bear great report with great photos. Thanks!