Our Brown bear hunt that was schedualed for spring 2009 has now been moved up to 5 weeks from today.
We will be hunting with Barnof expeditions (Jim Boyce)
It should be a wild time. this is our first hunt to Alaska and a long time dream for both Dad and myself.
Though the time line has shortened and it has left me scrambling to get equipment and permits.

I am haveing a VERY tough time finding good rubber boots. Jim suggests Knee high with a Air Bob sole. Then I have a problem with huge calves and super wide feet.

I am not sure on rain gear yet either. After reading this forum I have come to the decsion that nothing works that is both breathable and waterprof. I was out shopping today and came acroos a nice rubber jacket (Carhart) I was thinking of takeing that in my Day pack and putting it on if we are just sitting or on the boat. Any hiking will be done in my regualr hunting jacket. I have had this jacket out Salmon fishing and only seems to leak around the seams and only when it is really comming down.
There is a possibility that I will not get my Form 6 (I am Canadian) Any thoughts on useing the guides guns? He says he has good equipment and we are welcome to use it. He wants dad to use his 300 WM and wants me on a 375. I know its not the ideal sittuation, but I think I can make it work. I was thinking about getting a extra few boxes of shells and just banging them off the day we arrive by plane. Between here and ther, I was just going to get out as much as possible with my 300 RUM.

The fitness program started within 4 hours of Jim calling and asking us to move our date. At present it is one mile a day with a goal of under 15 minutes, followed by a light pack then a heavey pack and finaly doing some hills the last week. Its been a long winter and my first night (Saturday) it took close to 30 minutes. Tonight I was down to 20 minutes (Sunday)
I didnt feel sore this Am, but I could feel it last night.
I will be in Sitka for a whole day. Can anyone recomend any thing good to go see? Any great charachter restaurants? Good Hotel?

What would you expect the fishing to be like around Sitka at that time of year? I would expected it to be slow, but is it even worth trying? How about Steel head? Are they running at that time of year?

Wow so many things to do and so little time

Anyone have a suggestion on a video Camera? How do you find the cameras are effected by the salt water? Any sense in bringing my Nikon D70? If I wreak that I might as well stay in Alaska and not come home.

Thanks for any help guys

Jamie

Oh yeah, and hints or tips on extra equipment would be great. You know, things that just make it all a little easier.
I already have the Duk tape packed, it saved our butts in the NWT when the guide dropped the gas cap over board. I still think he just wanted to head back to camp and not make that run in the little boat.

Thanks
jamie

This is the hunt with your dad right? I typed out a long reply last night and the system had an error and didn't post it (but deleted it).

Basically I had written to consider taking Xtra-Tuff boots and rubberized rain gear, which is what the locals use. The rain gear is made by Helly Hansen or Grundig. That stuff just plain works and you will not get wet from the outside but you will sweat a bit. It's better than gore-tex, especially if you sit down in the wet and do any crawling on a stalk. It will also hold up a lot better in the brush than the gore-tex will.

I also suggest neoprene gloves, a good fleece watchcap, and something to keep the wind and wet off of your neck. Smartwool makes a nice neck gaiter that I really like and I recommend the Smartwool socks.

100 percent agree with what Yukon said.

Regarding the D70 - did your guide say you will be doing a lot of walking? If so you may end up leaving that in camp.

The good pocket digital cameras have much less weight and bulk and they take decent short movies also.

Thanks Guys, I just sent dad a Email adding them to the request list from Cabelas the Smart Wool socks.
DO you recomend there "2" pack. Its the one with the liner.

I just booked flights as well. Air Miles are a wonderfull thing! We have to fly Alaska. Calgary-Seattle to Juneau to Sitka. Comming home is a direct flight to seattle then straight to calgary.

I am haveing a heck of a time finding ammo, so I have made up my mind, we will be useing the guides guns. He has a better scopes and that way I dont have to drag my guns through customs and airports.

Dad is sounding very excited at this point. Its tough sleeping for me. Surprisingly we dont have much shopping to do, other than the boots and some rubber rain gear.

WOW is this going to be great or what!!!

Jamie

BTW please keep the hints and tips comming

You might throw in a few chemical heat packs. They could bring a little relief to cold, wet hands on some stretch of beach.

Good idea to use the guide's rifles. That will really cut down on some anxiety and his should be setup right. He's a very experienced operator.

I definitely recommend one of the small digital cameras and some memory cards. Fill up those cards with photos! I also recommend a little vial of Dramamine. The guide will have some but take your own just to be safe. One of those goes a long ways towards keeping you from getting sea sick.

I don't wear liners under the Smartwool but some guys do. Wouldn't hurt to have them with you in case you need some help with your feet. Speaking of that, take a little first aid for your feet too. Your feet will sweat in those rubber boots and get rubbed after awhile. You'll want to take care of your feet at the end of the day.

CG,
A suggestion on the boots. La Crosse used to make a boot called a Burly, and one called a big burly or something like that that were a lot bigger in the calves than the normal one. Don't know if they still do, but you might want to check with Cabela's.

Good luck on your hunt. Are you running around like a chicken with your head cut off??

Wear ExtraTuffs and Impertech and you will stay dry and warm but like YD said, you will sweat some if your doing any kind of walking. Put the first shot in the shoulders and don't let him get back up! Good luck!!

quote:

Originally posted by Calgary Guy:
Its tough sleeping for me.

Ambien

Calgary Guy,
YD is dead on in regards to raingear (HH is hard to beat).In all my trips to Alaska one of the most useful items have been a neck gaiter or wool scarf,you will use it.A lightweight headlamp comes in handy on the long walk back to camp even though you will be there in the spring. At some point it will be a struggle,Alaska is tough hunting,use the mind over matter thing(the bear doesn't mind and you don't matter)That's what a guide told me one time about 5 hours into a 7hr. a stalk that seemed straight up a mountain that did not have a top LOL.My father and I leave May 8 for the peenisula and 2 brown bear hopefully. Have a great hunt with your father.
Thanks
Wesley

CG- I second what Alasken says- You will not accommodate a wide foot in the Extra Tuff - His suggestion on the "Burly" is on target. You can get them w/the air bob. I have both pairs mentioned and a few others. Bass Pro, Cabelas and all others should have them. Good Luck!

.......The burlys are a pretty good boot and are wider than Xtra Tuffs ...Xtra Turrs are tougher but the sole on the Burley,s offers a little more support .......A Huge item is your spy glasses .......You don,t really need more than 10 power but they need to be brite and crisp ., water , fog and shock proof comes in real handy also ... synthetic long johns ..Basically the only thing you need or want cotton clothes for is town ..Synthetic and or wool will keep you alive and comfy ...Being cold and wet can lead to being miserable ......you don,t want that .....Are you going to be staying on the Napinthy , If Jim still has that boat , you will want a pair of sunglasses .. If the wx is clear , the glare off the water is pretty harsh ...a good pair of pig skin gloves are a good thing to have on .. You can grab ahold or Devils Club with good leather gloves .. Neoprene is definately not devils club proof .. Pig skin doesn,t get slimy when it gets wet like cow hide does ....I,de bring a couple Ace bandages , they can come in real handy .....Felt insoles for your rubber boots ., You can dry them in the engine room but if you have 2 sets you will be ok if you forget one night ......White liner gloves are nice to have with for the skinning .....If you have time you can usually get anything you forgot @ Orion,s or Murray Pacific in Sitka....You can get all the rain gear you need in Sitka ....Wind pruf fleece of one type or other in VERY GOOD .. So is wool ...Fleece drys a little quicker .....Have a great hunt ....

Make sure you shoot the guides gun a few times when you first get there to make sure it is sighted right for you.

I would shoot it how ever many times you are used to shooting your 300 ultra in one session.

Well its only one more week.
Bags are starting to be packed. Shopping should be done. My Rubber boots will do. GRRR
I went with Lacrosse Burleys. They are just a smidge to small. But I will make them work.
Permits are all done.
Cities
Alaska export permit
Alaska Brown Bear permit
Alaska Hunting license
Brown Near Tag

Lots of paper work with this one.
I had to go buy all new base layer stuff as my old stuff was way to big. The new stuff consists of Smart wool socks and liners, Sitka gear long johns and Under Armor top.
Also some new Rubber rain wear (Carhart) will be coming with us.
It sure is exciting knowing Dad and I will be hunting Brown bears in one week.
After much discussion we are going to use the guides guns once we get there.
I will be using his 375 and Dad will be using his 3oo Win mag. Both are topped with Leopold 1.5-5's.
I was starting to get stressed about the time line, so I decided that next Wednesday will be my last day of work. That way I can get all the renos around this house finished and get done with the packing. I hope to find some range time if this weather ever breaks. Right now we are looking at Blizzard conditions here in Calgary.
Its been a blast getting ready for this hunt with Dad. The phone will ring in the middle of the day with him or I wondering just how many pair of socks we should bring, or should we find some time to head back to the Hunting store. We were going to bring the Video Cam.. But I think we will stick with just 2 digital Cameras.
So much to do.. So little time.. If that is true, why is it taking so long to leave???LOLOL

Thanks
Calgary Guy

You are wise to have enjoyed the prep time. That's a big part of the experience when going to a new place. I'm looking forward to your hunt report.

The weather is between 35 and about 50 degrees, cloudy/rainy. That's about what to expect for your hunt.

You wouldn't happen to be in Juneau next Friday? I'm traveling through on the way to Seattle and laying over for about 7 hours in the afternoon.

Yukon. Sorry. I will not be up that way until Suday. and even then I only have 1 hour between flights.

Thanks anyhow
Calgary Guy

Guys what do you think the fishing will be like up around Baranof island at that time of year?

Thanks
Jamie

.......Fishing should be good for rock fish .. He should have some crab pots soaking , or a spot he puts some in.. . Might find some early Kings or some feeder kings ....The catch and release steeelhead run in the Sitkho River is fun , keep your rifle handy ........ If you get well away from where the fishing charter boats hit there may be ok Halibut fishing ...Definately want to buy a fishing liscense , You can buy a short term fishing liscense for a reduced price .....I would ask your guide if you will get to do some trolling or mooching for Kings and if even remotely possible get a king salmon stamp .... ....wear your PFD ,,, Have fun ..

[COLOR="Red"]It's views like this that make me want to be a better person[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Ok, who knows what this is?[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Now.. Thats a snow pack[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]And this is what happened just after we left, thank god we were not under it when it blew[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Goats from the beach, perhaps my next hunt???[/COLOR]

Guys, I just wanted to come back and say thanks for all the help Dad and I recieved for this hunt. Here is a Blow by Blow acount of what happened.


Ok, now I have some wind back in my sails and my clothes are being washed (Then Re packed) I thought I would share this journal with you. I am going to share it almost word for word, so you might get a bit more feel for the hunt.
A quick note to say I didnt start writeing this Journal till approx 1/2 though the hunt. Thats why you will see a few different styles and some dates will not match up

Here are the characters in this story
Jim Boyce, ½ owner of Baranof expeditions. Rough and tuff x navy seal, did a few tours in Vietnam (Gunsmoke is his boat)
Bob, assistant guide, head chef, and not a bad crib player
Burt, ½ owner of Barnof expeditions, great social skills, and a all round good guy (Shiras is his boat)

Sunday
Lots of flying, 3 Airports, Jim meets us at the Sitka Airport, Huge Brown Bear in lobby, Massive Salmon on the wall. I guy has to look at coming fishing up here. Do some shopping at Burt’ store in Sitka, he seems like a nice fellow.
Jim takes us out to the range to try out our guns. First time shooting a 375 for me.. Nice gun. Looks all beat up, but works like a charm. I wonder if all his other equipment is as rusty and beat up as these guns. Also shot 2 different Handguns and a HUGE 458. By Far the biggest gun I have ever shot. Check into a stupid NO SMOKING hotel, what’s up with Alaska and no Smoking. Weather says we cant fly out today, a bit of a bummer, but better than crashing.

Monday
Take float plane 65 miles south to the Southern tip of Baranof Island, great flight, low enough to see everything, Pilot was a good guy. No hunting today due to rules in Alaska. Jim is trying to get the boat down from Sitka, but high seas are making him stay in port. No matter, we all will head out later this afternoon on the "SHIRAS" Its the twin of Jims boat, he will meet up with us when he can. Nice lodge Jim has here, very comfortable. Not sure about the no paper down the toilet. (Waste basket in front) UGHH.. Oh well welcome to Alaska. Nice boats and good equpment, my worries were unfounded

Tuesday
Our first real day of hunting. Spent the night overlooking a grass flat, very comfortable. No bears, but plenty of action from the geese and birds as the tide came in. We managed to see 2 Geese beat each up right in front of us. What a racket. That was at less than 10 feet. Also these cool sea ducks with a Mohawk were diving down in the clear water and lifting up rocks, this was interesting to watch, because we had the ability to see under the water.
Dad is sure excited about this whole thing, I am concerned that he will wound a bear then his hunt will be over. Perhaps if that happens I can just throw away my tag and give him another shot at it. A few games of crib so far. We spend most of the day looking for tracks in the snow slides. They are tough to spot. No Bears

Wednesday
Jim shows up today, he yells out “Who is going to be my Victim†I volunteer as Dad seems very comfortable with Burt and Bob. We head off after the goat killer. Apparently this is a large Bear that Jim has been chasing for 4 years now, the only chances he gets are in the early season. We find some tracks, and lots of live goats, but no Bear. This bear has developed the knack of sneaking up on goats and pushing them off of cliffs. Jims story’s are very interesting. He tells of one time seeing the GOAT KILLER kill another Brown Bear in a meadow way up above. Now that would be cool to see.
No bears, one set of new tracks, tried some fishing.. No fish..

Thursday
Jim does have some good story’s. I wonder how Dad is doing. Its bothering me I am not hunting with Dad. Hell I came up here to hunt with him, not sit in some boat playing solitaire. Still no Bears. Just before dark I spot a Black spot on the beach, we unload the skiff and make our way to the beach in a driving rain storm. Turns out just to be a deer. Back to the boat, watch movies eat dinner and head to bed.

Friday
I mention to Jim in the morning we should go find the other boat, due to high mountains we have no communication, so we head over to a inlet where they should be, notice they left behind the Shrimp pots.. BTW these are very very good shrimp. And fun to fish for.
Other boat is not here, head back to the GOAT KILLER. AT this point I am ready to shoot a **** cub. I want to hunt with dad.
We catch the goat killer crossing a slide at approx 7 pm. He looks like a gig black submarine crossing that slide. Make our way over to him, get set up on a super high angle shot.. and he just will not stop. I am not going to take that shot. I want a standing shot or nothing. I will not waste off this tag. Jim is disappointed I didn’t take that shot. I just explained to him I wasn’t comfortable with it. I think he is very disappointed due to all the time he has invested in this bear and for one reason or another all his client chances have been blown.

Saturday
I spent last night wondering if I have made a huge mistake. I decide that no.. I was right in not taking that shot. But I did notice more than a few things I could have done in order to be better prepared.
#1 realize I had a 1.5-6 scope, that did not need to be turned down so low. that bear was at 120 yards against a white background, the scope should have been turned up.
#2 What the hell where my scope caps doing on, I should have taken them off in the skiff, but I was really intent on listening to my guide. He said don’t take them off till I tell you to. So I didn’t, and he didn’t tell me to. I took them off as I was pulling up my gun.
#3 quit waiting for direction from Jim.. Just be the hunter that I am, I have to use the tools I have learned over the past 25 years.
Though I am satisfied that I didn’t take the shot, I am not satisfied with myself. I will do better if I get another chance.
We motored over to dad later in the Morning, Imagine my surprise to see a Brown bear hanging over the back of the boat. HOLY ****!!! Big hug for Dad, High fives and I wanted the story told over and over.
That night we are back to the Goat Killer, as we are pulling up (I am in the Shiras with Dad) we hear Jim say he needs a hunter. (They spotted the GK on the high slope) The skiff races over and plucks me out of the boat, we head over to the slide he was spotted on.. Only to see him disappear into the trees heading for another slide a few hundred yards away. We make the run over and get set up in the exact same spot I had my chance from the other night. I was on my knees in the hard rocks for over one hour, the rain was coming down in buckets, I was keeping my gloves over the scope, but the rain was coming down so hard it was splashing off the rock into my face. No Bear.
I had a rant on the beach about how great this all was and the next boat that left this bay was going to get dynamited. **** it we were going to kill this bear. I was going on about how I was due, over 27 days being guided and I have ½ of a wolverine to show for it. Guided Salmon fishing with nothing over 29 pounds in the boat. Nothing comes easy for me, but we will make this happen.. I SWEAR TO GOD!!We were going to tough this out and get this bear. I had the guides just ****ing themselves laughing.
Skiff ride back was very rough, We had waves cresting into the boat from all sides.
I was laughing giggling, hooting and chuckling. I look back at Bob and tell him Timothy Treadwell was a PUSSY. Tim didn’t have the guts to come up here at the end of winter, that pussy would only come up during the nice summer.. Both guides are rolling with laughter.
Massive grin on my face, Salt in my mouth, Binos are soaked.. WOW What a adventure.
Reminder to self.. get out the water proof bag, this back pack sucks. Its nice to have good equipment, if you use it!!

Sunday
Bear spotted really low on slide we all bail into boat, get over there and find bear is way to small, he got as close as 10 yards. If I would have had a bow.. I would have taken him. The small male posed for pics, despite my past encounters with a grizzly in Alberta, I was not threatened by him at all. After playing in front of us for 10 minutes he stuck his nose in the air, stretched his neck to the heavens turned his satellite dish head up hill, all the while soaking up gallons of oxygen, pointed his snout at exactly the place the next bear would come out and melted back into the dark jungle of cedars, moss and devils club. As we were getting into the skiff, Bob spotted another black Brown bear high up on the slope. We make for another beach and try to wait him out. Unfortunately the tide was rising and we were standing behind a 5 foot hunk of slide snow. The tide kept coming and coming and we kept digging into this massive block of melting snow. I actually had to dig hand holds so I didn’t fall off my rock into the ocean. Finally the skiff returned as the ocean was approx ½ way up our calf’s and we were standing on the highest rocks. What a experience.
I am so fortunate to experience this place, these animals and these people.

Later that night we spent 5 hours sitting high up over the ocean in the bottom of a avalanche chute. We were surrounded by 20 foot high snow drifts, but the angle was so steep I could shoot up hill. We FROZE!! that chute is now called the refrigerator. We had to get down onto the windy beach in order to warm up. But on a positive side, due to hypothermia I managed to get a ½ hour of sleep. LOL

The Avalanches around here are just amazing, I have seen close to 40 of them, some so big they spilled into the ocean. Oh and if you want to see a goat run, just watch for falling snow, they can move like the devil when those slides start. We saw goats we could have shot from the beach, thats how steap the sides of these bays were. The Avalanches all start off with a huge crack followed by the sound of fighter jets flying over top of you. Very interesting to watch from a distance.

I have spent approx 60 hours behind glasses over the past little while. The outside of my nose is rubbed raw where it supports the rubber cups. Its worsened by the salt accumulating on the rubber. Even now I write this paragraph and then put up my glasses.

The weather has been a real mix of Gale force winds, High waves, Bright white mountains framed by a sky so blue that it inspires me to be a better person. The constant rain was a disappointment as it really curtails bear movement. Unfortunately this has been a hunt filled with stalks gone bad. I sit here on day 8 of a 10 day hunt, no blood has been spilled due to my actions. But there is still hope, I still have time, weather looks good & I only need 10 minutes and some good luck.

My guides are down to 2 from 3 and both are trying their best. All out, all the time. I feel like I cant let them down. If I fail on this trip, it will not be because I screwed up. Just mark it up to the nature of the game.

Before this hunt, I was asked by a wise man if I wanted to go kill or go hunt. Obviously I chose the hunt. This has been difficult and oh so rewarding. I wouldn’t have it any other way

The time I have spent with dad can never be repeated or replaced. Its unfortunate that he hasn’t been able to join me on the different stalks. I wonder if that is just the way it is when hunting these dangerous and spooky animals. I wish it was different, he deserves to come along.

All this time to think and relax has made me think of at least 2 sure fire Business ideas. I know each one could be worth millions. These ideas used to come to me all the time. Now that life is so busy.. Not so much.

Boat based Brown Bear hunts can be a “Gentleman’s†hunt. This one has not been that way. Its been a long 9 days living in a cramped boat with 4 other guys. I haven’t had a shower in 9 days..

Jims hunches have been proved right so far. we have just 1.5 hours of light left in the day. We moved approx 20 minutes south of the Goat Killer. I know now that the GK will not be killed by my hands.

Great stalk on a large Brown (9’) perfect dream setup. I took seawater to the knees in order to climb a large rock out in the ocean. I had to use Jims leg as a support, so that I wouldn’t slide off the rock. Bear made it to 50 yards and took a hard right into the forest. (He was behind a large blown down tree). He made his way to approx 30 yards in the rain forest.. No shot. Wind changed and the bear left. Great hide a XL claws on this bad boy.
Back to the big boat.
Only 20 minutes left in the day and we run across yet another bear. This one was approx 8’ we tried to sneak up on him, but he caught us out in the open in the skiff... No bear on the beach when we made it up to him. As a side note, this last bear was at a place called “Port Conclusion†I am wondering if this hunt is at a conclusion. In fact we were joking about “Port Conclusion†when the cry came out.. “BEAR ON THE BEACHâ€!! Yet another Stalk gone south.
In the words of our friend Ken.
NO QUIT AND NO SURRENDER. I hope he got to experience something like this hunt before he passed on. Ken was good guy. Not sure why he just jumped into my head, but I notice that he does from time to time.

Finally make it back to the lodge at Port Alexander. AHHHHHH Shower and a huge meal with fresh caught sushi. No time for stories.. I have to go to bed.

Wednesday
..Dad & I spot a bear at exactly the same time. I have been good on finding tracks high up on the mountain, but this is the first bear I spot. Yet another stalk goes sideways. And this time it is really a crying shame. The guide estimated this bear at 1200 pounds and might have topped out at 10 feet. He thought it was bigger than the legendary goat killer. Jim says perhaps the largest bear on the island, once in a lifetime kind of bear. PUKE!!!
This bear was so BIG when he made a small stream approx 10 inches lower than the grass he actually turned around and put his back legs in first. He didn’t walk across that grass flat.. He rumbled. WHAT A BEAR. Once he made the tree’s we thought he was to fat and lazy to climb straight up, so we ditched the skiff and made a mad scramble up the cliff (Approx 100 vertical feet on at least a 60 degree angle. This wasn’t climbing, it was like going up a ladder and when you finally hit a flat spot it was filled with that nasty devils club. We got above the only trail and laid out on some huge cedar logs. If this bear is coming, I will have to blast him at 30 feet.. Then Jim starts blowing on his deer call. SPOOKY doesn’t describe how I felt. Very vulnerable. But after 30 minutes.. No bear! AFter that climb I came to understand just why all of Jims guns have a beat up look to them.

Its 5:15 now on the final day, I have approx 4:15 left in my dream. But perhaps my dream has been fulfilled. I wanted a hunt and that’s what I got. I am not sad or disappointed. I am very proud of my effort and the effort of my guides. I find it very satisfying that no one gave up.
I wanted Dad to experience Alaska, and I wanted to do it with him. I wanted him to get his Brown Bear before his physical limitations’ made it a impossibility. Jim had plenty of stories of old guys who just couldn’t handle the rough beaches or getting out of the Skiff
This trip has been perfect, plenty of bears, insults, crib games and hanging out with Dad.

4 hours left.. Lets start taking this hunt serious and get me a bear!!

In the final hour I spotted yet another BB on the beach, we made a run at it. At least this one didn’t tease us like all the others. He left the beach when we were only 200 feet from the big boat.

At very last light we made our way back to the beach where the XXL bear was... He didn’t come back out. All 3 of us were on the back of the boat straining through binos trying to pick anything up through the darkness. No one is saying a **** word. Finally 10 minutes after we should have quit, Jim came over and said how he hated to see hunts end like this, we should have had a hide hanging from the rails. He said it was very strange that we got into the “ZONE†of 3 very large bears. He said most clients will not get a glimpse of more than one. the odd client will see 2 but to actually get great stalks on 3 big bears was unheard of. He said we just had a hunt of a lifetime but **** we should have gotten a bear.
I don’t know if I am very lucky to have had all these stalks or very unlucky in order not to have capitalized on them. I think I am lucky just to be here with Dad.


Well that’s he end of the hunting story. Sorry if its a bit disjointed as we didn’t have a crib board on the boat, and I had to keep writing in different parts of my coil note book.. After all, keeping score in crib games should come first.

Jamie

BTW, I would highly recomend Baranof Expeditions for anyone thinking of going. These guys just dont quit!!

[COLOR="red"]Dads 8'[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"][U]Looking a little rough [/U][/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Very Cool[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Burt, Jim, Dad[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]I like this pic[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Our home for 10 days[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]One of a thousand waterfalls[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Yes, it was that cold![/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Cool Pic[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]All skinned out[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]This is a very small snow bank[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Good track, thats my new toque[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]This was fun[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Big Nose[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Jim, Bob Burt. Just before a stalk on the Goat Killer[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]WOW[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Dad and I[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]I like this pic[/COLOR]

[COLOR="red"]Great kitchen in the right hands[/COLOR]

What a great story and pics just really getting me fired up as I leave for Sitka a week from today. I will be hunting with Scott McLeod and his ship the Prophet.

Your story is worth the price of admission for these hunts. I bet you are already making plans for going back for the big one you left behind.

Thanks so much for sharing and I will return the treat in a couple of weeks, Lord a willin!

Did they say most if not all the bears were out yet?

MuyGrande.
We were hunting the southernpart of Baranof Island. Basicly.. No bears but a few tracks the first 5 days.. Then all heck broke loose.
You should be in great shape.
Let me know if you want any tips on equipment.
All my gear worked to perfection.

Jamie

Jamie,

Great report. Great pics. Great hunt. Glad you had such a grat time with your Dad. Those SE boat hunters are very special in some incredible country.

Congrats,

Mark

...........Calgary Guy ,,,;;
Thanks for the best hunt essay I, ve read ,, Better than reading dozens of magazine articles ......It,s nice also because I know your 2 guides , Jim and Bert ....I,ve bought alot of guns from Bert and Nicky .....
I really appreciate how you got the country in the pics ., the vertical ness of it , and the rugged ness ... I hope everyone coming to southeast or the Sound will study your hunt report so they begin to get an idea on whats instore for them .... Baranof is a very photogenic place ......No pics of Shrimps .......Are you still pickin Devils Club out of your hands or did you have good gloves on ....
...... You should try being in one of the timbered ridges between 2 avalanche chutes when they come roaring down the mountain .....Definitely not flat land ....I am very sorry you didn,t get a bear ....

You made an important poiunt about being ready when you start hunting to be a hunter .....There are things a guide wants the client to be ,,, One of them , one of the most important is a good field shot , ,, Confident ,,,.,., I feel bad that the opportunities come and go so fast ... Bears , often times won,t stop moving .,., they disappear instantly ,,.,

I hope you get another and several more chances ............

The first pic is Annahotze and Slaughter Ridge ,,, Big Bear Mountain ...
The waterfall is Warm Springs ,.,
??

Jamie, thanks for the info and offer. As you probably did, I have been planning (read buying) for this trip for some time and only this weekend decided to switch rifles going from the 35 Whelen to the 338-06. It just became a confidence thing for me. I had both loaded for the 250 grain A Frame so each should be about the same as to terminal performance on Brownie. I know my guide prefers the 375 H&H but I am saving it for upcoming date on the Dark Continent and it has original pre 64 wood to worry about. Taking 3/4 length HH impertech for majority of protection as it will come well below the hippers. It is the skiff riding, mounting and dismounting that may be problematic for this 63 year old body but it seems to be coming around as I exercise daily.

Beautiful pics on your hunt and this is one reason I chose this area to hunt, I too want to take a lot of pictures as S. Texas just isn't SE Alaska!

Muy Grande.
Good luck on your hunt!!
The one e3xtra tool I could suggest would be a collapsable walking stick. Dont expect to bring it home with you, as I dont know if there is one tough enough to handel really tough treatment.
You will find it invaluable when walking the beaches. When I say beaches, dont be thinking MEXICO.. Think high boulders and the end of avalance chutes.
I will post up a quick run down on my equipment list.
Once again
GOOD LUCK!!

Jamie

Overall I was VERY impressed with all my equipment. Everything worked fantastic, nothing broke and it all worked as advertised.

I took
Carhart Rain Jacket. Its the one with the neoprene cuffs inside the arms. Very roomy.
Carhart Rain pants. These were the ones that had some stretch to them. Knees had extra rubber on them. No holes and I used them in some nasty places.
Sitka Gear Long Johns. WOW.. They were perfect. I loved the fit, as they had extra gussests in the crotch, that allowed plenty of leg movement with out binding
Under Armour short sleave top. I wore this for 10 days straight. No smell and it kept me warm and dry.
Insulated pants from Mad Dog. I loved these, but watch the smell after 10 days.
Camo polar fleece pants from Browning. I have had a pair of these for a few years and they are great. I sat in spongy damp moss for 5 hours, only a bit of damp came through and that was blocked by the Sitka Gear.
8x32 Leopold Binos. Worked great until last light, then I used the guides when he was busy.
8x42 Celestron Binos. This was the biggest surprise on the trip. These worked great I had all the guides give me some honest feedback. All were very impressed.
Extendable walking stick. This was invaluable. However a few times it came very close to breaking. I don’t think it could handle 2 hunts. But still this is a must have on the trip. Those aren’t sand covered beaches.. They are nothing but where the Ocean meets the mountains.
Dry bag.. YES YES YES I wish I would have started using my from the beginning
Smart wool socks and Smart wool liners. PERFECT (Medium weight) They dryed quickly and were well worth the $$$
Wind/Water proof toque. This was a god send. Its tailored to come down over your ears.

Gloves... Now this is where I have a issue. I found the Rubber insulated gloves made my hands way to cold. I have some that say "Waterproof" but my hands sweated in them. I finally went with leather insulated gloves, I know they get wet and are a bitch to dry out, but they work for me.

Boots. Lacroose Burly Knee high with the Airbob sole. I took a regular par of rubber boots, but my feet hurt to much, so I switched over to dads size 11 for the final half.( I wear a 9 or a 10) These are a must have.

I shot a 375 HH I cant tell you how effective it was but Dads 300 Win mag sure worked.

Please feel free to ask any questions.
BTW we took very minimum baggage. 2 of everything and that’s it. Well a few extra pair of underwear. Both of us were very happy with our equipment.
Total list
2 heavy long sleve shirts
2 pair of Sitka Gear long johns
1 Under armour t shirt
2 pair Smart wool socks
2 Pair Smart wool liners
1 insulated pair of pants
2 Browning fleece pants. (1 for hunting, one for hanging out in)
1 Fleece top
2 Touques
3 pairs of gloves
1 Hunting jacket (Shell)
1 Fleece Coat
1 Rain coat, With hood (All rubber)
1 Rain pant (All Rubber)

1 colapsable walking stick/shooting rest
1 Shell holder
1 Pair of binos, low power, wide field is best.
DONT CHEAP OUT ON THESE! Waterproof is a must
Mole skin
Tylenol, Advil
Ball cap with lights built in
Head lamp
Dry bag for Skiff
Rubber knee high boots (Air Bob sole)
Extra liners for rubber boots
Range finder if you have it
Extra Shoes for Boat
Knife

2 Pocket cams (2 MB memory cards)
1 Nikon D70 with Pelican Case 2MG Mem Card



Jamie
I will add to this if I think of anything else.
But for the most part, this is all you need. Dont worry about takeing a back pack on the Skiff. Use your dry bag for all the extra gear