Alberta Bear Hunt - Post-Script
I hope all the visitors at bowhunting.net enjoyed my first 'on line' hunt series as much as I did experiencing and then writing about it. Sure, it would have been better (for all of us) if I had collected that trophy bear, but this is 'bowhunting' after all! The truth of the matter is, bowhunters don't always come home with the quarry they went chasing.
That said, it was a great hunt, and I can hardly wait to return next spring. The dates have been set for two weeks later then this season, in the area further back in the hills, and we'll have boats and a camp site on a large lake so we can also enjoy the great fishing opportunities these remote regions offer. I hope that some of our bowhunting.net friends will join me and take part in the on line 'rematch' story next June. (Interested in going along? Contact me at roygoodwin@comcast.net)
Our hunt was a great success. In addition to my opportunities, the other three bowhunters all harvested trophy class bears, and one fellow got a tremendous wolf. The story really didn't end there however. When we left the father and son team of Bob and Michael Castle arrived from New York. They were the only clients in camp, and I didn't get to actually meet them because I left two days before they arrived. There is a special story about their short hunt that I wanted to share with everyone however.
Bob had hunted with Eric in the past and taken a nice bear. This hunt was to be Michael's, with dad along for moral support. Michael is only thirteen years old, and this was to be his very first big game hunt. Dad was going to stay on stand with Michael and share this, his first, big game hunt. Michael would be hunting with a bow he had practiced daily for three months in preparation for this adventure.
When they got to camp, Michael was filled with anticipation, and wanted to hunt that evening. Given that darkness comes late up here in the spring (after 11:00 PM!), it was decided to get some stands up at the "Lobo" stand right away. Richard Case had taken his wolf off that stand, and seen a small bear, but no bears had been shot there. The bait was getting hit "hard" and there was good sign of a respectable bear. The stand had the further advantage of being close enough to camp so it could be set up and hunted on short notice.
With the stands set, Bob and Michael returned to camp for diner, changed and went out for the evening hunt. Shortly after getting settled, in came a respectable bear. He went right for the crib presenting Michael with a perfect broadside shot at just less than fifteen yards.
Michael did his job perfectly (I wonder if he'll come with us next spring and give me some pointers?), and the bear ran off quickly. A few seconds later they heard the tell tale sounds of the final "death moan", and knew that Michael's first hunt had been a success! They opted to stay on stand and wait for Jeff to pick them up with the quad and help with the recovery. Besides, Michael did have a second tag!
About half an hour later they heard the sound of another bear approaching. As they looked back, the large boar materialized from the darkness of the deep woods and headed right for the bait. Michael was going to get another chance!
Not sure what to do, they watched the bear take some food and amble off into the bush to enjoy his spoils. They weren't sure if they should use the second/last tag on the first night, nor were they sure if this second bear was big enough. After the bear left a quite discussion took place, with no immediate resolve to the issue at hand.
A little while later the bear came back. Again he came to the bait, and again they pondered the question of shooting or holding out. Again the bear left unharmed, and the discussions continued. Imagine the memories this father/son team will have of these few hours in the Alberta bush!
After another short time the bear again joined them at the bait. With ample time to ponder the situation, and plenty of time during the three visits to size up this bear, Michael decided to go for a "double header", and drew his trusty bow. Another well placed arrow, caused another bear to scurry off into the bush at Mark I.
Shortly after hearing this bear's death moan the team heard the sound of the quad approaching and came down from their lofty perch. The broad trailing job was a simple one by all accounts and they found both bears piled up with-in fifteen yards of each other.
Michael's first bear was a five and one half footer that would make anyone happy as a first bear. The second one squared over six and one half feet making it a true "trophy class" bruin that should make entry minimums for P&Y. The bad news is that Michael's six day, two tag, bear hunt was over in one night! The good news is that it was a tremendous success shared by a loving and supportive father and his very young son. My hat's off to the both of them!
Before breaking camp, both Jeff and Eric tried their hands at bear hunting. In all the years Eric has guided trophy bear hunts he had never taken one himself. That ended with one night at the "Border" stand as he took a six and one half footer. Jeff's was a little smaller, but still a good trophy!
What started out as an experiment to see how this new area would work out for spring bears hunts, turned out to be an incredible success. With very limited tag availability this area should produce trophy class bears for the foreseeable future. With a better understanding of the area, and by starting the hunts just a little later in the spring, there should be even more action next season. I know I'll be there, and I hope you all join me.