Just returned from my 10 day brown bear boat hunt with Dale Adams out of Sitka. First time....had a wonderful time. Dale is a 1st class bear guide and a most enjoyable companion. Saw 50+/- bears...killed mine at 7 PM...last day of the hunt. The bears were all rubbed....unusual. F&G thinks the mild winter and minimal snow contributed to the problem. Mine has a few rubs that my taxidermist can mitigate with some dye. Still should make a nice rug. Skull measured by F&G at 23 13/16".

Congratulations Phil !!

I came here from Grafton 40 yrs ago.

Pictures please?

Jim

Congrats! A brown bear hunt is something you'll always remember.

Congratulations! Must be more to the story and pictures?

Ski+3

Come-on Phil,, your killing us!

Having trouble posting a picture. I'll email if someone will post it. Thanks.

Phil

sure email it to me at cscappaticci@comcast.net

Phil here you are nice bear!

Phil's bear

Thanks Chuck. A few more details....shot him with a .458 Win Mag, 300 gr. Cutting Edge ESP Raptor bullets, Leupold VX-6, 1x6, illuminated, 30 mm tube...great scope! 60 yds. Broadside double lung,he did his dance and came at us. Dale & I both fired, solid hits and he was done. The cook was with us and got it on video....sure hope I get a copy. F&G said average skull measurements on bears checked in to date was 22 5/8". Mine was bait bigger at 23 13/16".

Congratiulations Phil,,,he's a beauty..you gotta love those 458's!

Phil ; great looking bear. Looking at the timber behind you in the pic almost makes me homesick. ! If you could? Which island? Is Dale still using that Interarms 458 . ? Did u get an exit on the double lung? What load does Dale shoot?
Again, congratulations on a beautiful bear.
P.s. what did it square?

Chichigof Island, just around the corner from Peril Strait. Dale is shooting a nickel plated Win. Mod. 70 .458 Win Mag. with 500 gr. Federal Safari ammo...not sure what bullet. Same scope as mine...VX-6, 1-6 30mm, illuminated. Both of my CE ESP Raptors exited. On the first shot, I found one of the "petals" at the exit wound. I almost didn't shoot because the bear has some rubs. The fresh hide squared 8.5'.

Phil

. Great on all counts!! I've had very good success with the 300 gr X and TSX on brown bear from my 458 . And they give about half the felt recoil of the 500 gr loads. And they zoom right along.
I was thinking around 8 1/2' for a 24" skull. !!
How did you like Southeast?

It was a great trip....very scenic, the ocean is alive with creatures of all kinds. The whales were a little intimidating when close to the skiffs, but a wonderful sight to see! Enjoyed eating the fresh caught seafood as well as catching it! We had a great cook on board....a farm gal from upstate NY of all places. Outstanding food! It could become a habit....except for the 4 yr. wait for another bear tag and the cost. A trip I will remember.

Phil

Not all Game Management Units require a 4-year wait, and there are always boat-based black bear hunts.

Glad you had a good trip. I hunt with Dale and Alex almost every year. Good people in a great area.

We may have met in the hotel, I hunted the trip right before you for Black Bear.

To answer your question Dale normally shoots 500grn Aframes out the ole 4 5 8

Nice bear and picture. I'm 6 weeks away from a brown bear hunt in BC, and the sight of yours is kicking up the anticipation.

Great bear, Phil! Congrats! What make is your 458?

Fishdog, Yes, I think we did meet at the hotel....you were finishing dinner if I recall.

FFemt5287, My .458 is a Win Mod 70 that started life as a .375 that didn't shoot well, so...I replaced the .375 barrel with a Mod 70, 22" .458 Win factory take off barrel and had Dennis Olsen in Plains , MT do a work over for performance and dependability. Dale liked it, so I gave it to him as a tip. He seemed quite happy!

Phil