Shot my first grizzly 2 days ago. about 8' laid out on the snow (non stretched); 22" skull. Really nice bear. I do not believe it ever got above 0 degrees where I was hunting about 90 miles east of Uniaklete up in the mountains. Very deep snow and it was actually a bit to cold for the bears to exit their dens. We covered 30-40 miles a day on snow machines and this was the only bear we saw and he actually exited the den for the first when we saw him. I guess lady luck was on our side this time. A beautiful blond bear with brown feet and lower legs. The other hunter in camp killed a beautiful black wolf the first day out.
I am stuck in a hotel in Fairbanks until Monday when I can get a flight back home as they are all booked until then. Great hunt with exceptional tenacious native gides (these guys can ride a snow machine) and dig us flatlanders out when required (often!).

EZ

Congrats! Absolutely awesome! Please post some pics when you get home! I'm going brown bear hunting in Sept, can't wait!

dude....tenacity is what it is all about....sounds like an awesome time!

I would like to point out that blazing trails in the mountains on a snow machine is serious work for a novice rider. This may sound like a easy way to hunt but it is very physical. Not like the guys you see riding on the groomed trails on TV. Side hilling for miles and in out of creeks, going flat out to climb hills, going down hills so step it takes your breath away. Step off your machine and you may end up to your arm pits in snow.
I would not trade this experience for anything as it was one of two hunts in my life (North America) where I felt a guide was absolutely necessary. Not for the backing up of the shot but for the difficulty of the terrain, weather, unwavering commitment and resourcefulness of my guides required to make this hunt a success. These guys will push you to your limits and beyond but it takes +110%.
This is not a hunt for a candy a__. I would say that if I was to do it again I would like to be better on a snow machine.
The hunt and the friendships made will remain in my memories long after pulling the trigger on the bear.

EZ

Congratulations!
That sounds like a very physically tough hunt.
I got a mountain grizzly there along Ungalik Creek in the fall nearly 30 years ago. That was a physically dangerous hunt--mainly because the operator would land the bushplane on gravel bars and mountain tops. He seemed non-chalant, but suspect it was because of his choice of smokes.
Look forward to seeing your Pix.

Congratulations!!! Let's see picks!

Brett

Nicely done Clint. Now, get home and get some pics posted.

Again, congrats.

Congrats! Can't wait for hunt report with pix!

EZ,

When you return home, kiss the wife, hug the kids, take care of any immediate business. Then, post the pics, tell the story in more detail and regal us with the story, start to end. Also, who was the outfitter and what were the costs?

Alan

Guys,

I am home now. Slept in my own bed last night! I may have to have one of you guys posts some pics for me. This Mac I use does not work like it should via photobucket. I will start working on some dialog today and tomorrow.

EZ