Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Viking69 on June 10, 2007, 11:17:00 AM
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Lois Fry called me the other night, Ted has been in touch with her from Idaho via satellite phone. The bear hunt self bow class went very well and the students hunted with their new bows. Lois told me that Ted's friend Curtis Kellar (and friend of many here at TG) took a nice bear. Congratulations to Curtis and the gang and hopefully we will see some photos after they come out. the country they are hunting is absolutely beautiful!
check out this thread for some photos!
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=038553
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Can't wait to see the pictures!
Congrats to Curtis!
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Sean - Thanks for the news!! Nice to finally get some word on what's been happening up there.
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Great news...but it doesn't surprise me a bit...that boy's a predator!! Congrats bud!!
Can't wait to hear more a check out the pix :clapper:
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nice one ck
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Congrats Curtis!!!!
Can't wait to here all the stories that come out of this hunt........and to see all the bows they created. :campfire: :archer:
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:readit: :thumbsup:
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OK Curtis!! Some good stories should be on the way :thumbsup:
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Let's hear it CK! Congrats!
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Nice!!!
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way to go curtis...congrats!
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:wavey:
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Congrata CK; can't wait to hear the story. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: .Congrat's
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Congratulations Curtis!!! Can't wait to see the pictures and hear the story.
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Way ta go CK!!!
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Can't wait to hear the story and see the pics bro. Couldn't have happened to a finer feller as far as I'm concerned. Hope you, Charlie, Ted, and the rest of the team are savoring every moment there.
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This is going to be good.
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Just off the phone with the MAN....WOW what a story to be tolt. Hope he's got clearance to land for fuel, cuz he's FLYIN HIGH. He hopes to be back on the keyboard "Wednesday" :scared: or a LONGER STICKER
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Oh boy, hand to claw combat! This IS going to be a good one! Way to go CK! :thumbsup:
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Charlie and Shaun just left here headed on East. Charlie plans to drop Shaun off early AM, (16 hours from here) tomorrow and be home tomorrow afternoon (23 hours from here). Wouldn't wanna be makin that trip and in the wrong direction to boot ;)
Sounds like CK had so many clothes on it's a wonder he could pull his bow :D Also sounds like a great time was had by all! The stories should be flying shortly.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Made a bow and killed a bear!
Dog, I made groceries, got the mail, cut the grass, shot the bows, gave the dog a bath, and thought I had a big week.
I gotta get out more.
Waiting to hear more...
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Wishing for Sweet Spot.... man this HAS to be great. That boy has some brass I tell ya.
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Just got home and need to unwind after 5 weeks of bear guiding but boy do I have some good pics to share as soon as I can , yes Doug I did get a good one with Curtis and all his clothes, he looked like a big guy for once.
Great stories to share but dont want to rob others of the fun so I will wait for them to post when they get back.
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I spoke briefly with Curtis this morning and heard him say he was still north of Salt Lake City. Cell phone service has been so poor we've not been able to get much discussion time in before we're disconnected. He should be home sometime Wednesday.
He talked more about the cooken' and eaten' than he did about the hunten'.
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Yep, when CK is around with a bow in his hand, I almost pity the critters.
Congrats!!!
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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Charlie and I rolled in to my place a few minutes ago and need to catch up on rest after a week in the Bitteroots and 1600 mile drive in a day and a half. All the story and lots of pictures will follow when we all get unwound.
The story of Ty Green and Ty Green jr. will show the progression form bang stick to stick bow with some banjo pickin' thrown in. Paul V from the Boston area will have a good tale about "Big Black", Curtis will tell about his encounter and me and Charlie will add color comentary.
Time for sleep...
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Great to hear you guys all had a fun and safe trip. Can't wait to hear the stories. I knew Curtis would outsmart them bearz they nothing but coniferous hogs and Curtis knows his hogs.
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Way to go CK, can't wait to read the story and see the pics......
David
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Ok carnivorous. Right. I was stuck on the "conifer.." portion of coniferous.
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Is he home yet? I'm dieing to hear the story.
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Was a pleasure hunting with you guys last week. 1600 miles in a day and a half makes all day on a plane seem nice."Big Black" will have to wait for another day.Still working on my Barry Whites. Watch out for C..G..W.. !!
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As the big wheels hummed against the ebony asphault the eastern skyline was giving birth to a new day. Willie Nelson was singing a song about blue eyes and rain on the radio and I finally had El Paso in my rear view. My emotions ran dark and gray as I felt myself tumbling back to earth after an epic ride across the ragged edge of the Northwest. I'd crossed the land of the Hopi. the Yute, the Yavapi, and the Souix. I'd stood flat footed on the Nation of the Navajo where the Red Man still stands in numbers so strong it's difficult to believe they could have ever been defeated. I'd ridden the knife edge between the heavens and shot an arrow at the moon. I now wondered if it had been real at all or simply a dream of an imaginative man. I suppose time may tell but for now a much needed rest becons me. Good night. CK
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The Littlefeather legend strikes again. Congrats, Curtis.
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Pretty darn cool and that is just the start!
Way to go CK.
Chris
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Charlie and I stopped at Vance (Iron Bull) Brewer's place and were joined there by Curtis a couple days later. All of us, well maybe not CK - but at least us geezers, needed to tune up our shooting before facing bears. There is a great gopher population in central WY and we had at it. One place we hunted had this sign and the picture had to be taken. The gopher was released right after the photo was taken.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/BearHunt07090.jpg)
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Dang, with an intro like that, you just KNOW this is going to be good! Terry might as well make room in the Classics section for this tale!
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Bring on the stories and pictures. You guys were hunting in the area that I grew up in. In fact, when I was 16 I killed my first deer not too far from where you guys were hunting. So come on and make me home sick! :thumbsup:
-Fritz
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I always like to take a highway pic as I head into any adventure. As I look back later I find that it reinvigorates and takes me back to the excitment that lead me into the hunt. This is a very important and intricate piece of any adventure for me.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Hwycalls.jpg)
The trip was long as expected. Anyone can imagine the physical stress of driving 36 hours to reach a destination. I won't even dwell on it. I did manage to reach Wyoming on the second day. A meeting at Vance Brewers was in order as we wasted no time before heading out to punish the tiny ground squirrels better known in these parts as gophers. I love this pic. Mut and Jeff.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/CT_CK_e.jpg)
My new love. She is beautiful isn't she? She gives me the cold shoulder most of the year but my heart longs for her since I've gone.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Wyomingmountains.jpg)
After a good nights rest and some awesome hospitality(and pork ribs) we were off to meet with destiny and hopefully a few bears along the Idaho skyline.
I'll not go too into detail about this trip as Charlie will be spinning a golden web later. I'll plug in a few words there as the story sees fit. The first night in Idaho we'd meet the rest of the hunters and head off on the following morning. The bear gang.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Beargang.jpg)
Thats all for now. As you can imagine I've got tons of work to get caught up on. First order of business is a trip to the Vet with a very sick dog. Good day! CK
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"Mut and Jeff" LOL
more please :goldtooth:
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Looking forward to the tale guys. So far it's shaping up for a good one. I'll get a early congrats in for you CK :thumbsup:
I was thinking bout you & Charlie yesterday. Cindy & I retreived the gear & grocerys we couldn't get to on the edge of Hells Canyon. Could of used a couple expert misery whip operators cutting the down trees outa the trail. :D
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Welcome back fellas. Waiting impatiently for more tales :pray:
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Ya what Brian said!! Looks like a super trip!! Wheres that bear? :thumbsup:
Brent
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I am on the edge of my seat already!
:campfire:
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Originally posted by hormoan:
Looks like a super trip!! Wheres that bear? :thumbsup:
Brent
I bet you like to eat your dessert first too! :biglaugh:
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My second night on stand was cold,wet and windy. About 8 pm I got a feeling there was something there. Looking behind me I saw a rather large black colored bear walking up the hill away from the bait. The wind was downhill from the bear to me. He stopped before going out of sight and lifted his head to check the air...
That was the last I saw of him that night. When we got back to camp Ted showed me a picture on his camera of what appeared to be the same bear. Big Black is back he said.Ted had seen the bear while baiting and managed to get a picture of him.The bear hadn't been seen for a while.These guys know their bears. He kindly offered to take the stand the next night if I didn't want it. :rolleyes: The next night was rainy but the wind was down. Big Black made his appearance again from behind and uphill.He came in nose down trailing and heading for the bait...
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Before I go any further I'd like to say thanks to you guys for always showing support in any of my adventure. It certainly is a good feeling to know you guys are always out there and willing to insert a kind word at just the proper time. Thank you! Your kindness is very appreciated!!!!
I'll not imbelish this story with too much color at this time. I must say that the colors inside my head formed from comaradrie, friendship, and fellowship on this trip will last forever. I'll save the color for the future pages of Bowyers Journal. I do hope you'll pick up a subscription and share in our lifestyle. I heard a friend of mine might write something up. :D
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Forrest.JPG)
As the evening shadows begain to grow long and the temperatures begain to descend into the uncomfort level I spot movement. Surreal is a great word to describe the next few minutes as the slowly unfolded. I'd spent many of the last few years wondering where the surges of adrenaline I once felt had gone. As this bear begain his slow lumbering in my direction I'd somehow rediscovered the adrenaline that had somewhere along the way been lost. I grasped for breath as the loud ringing in my ears was only eclipsed by the thunderous pounding in my chest.
I was sharing space in close confines with a bear! :scared: Somehow through this very shaking chain of events I'd reached for my camera. I'd tried to always capture my prey of film prior to taking their life. This is something I do for two reasons. If I make a mistake in bowhunting I can still capture my trophy on film. This assures that I've always reaped my rewards. The other reason is a simple show of respect in capturing his life and not only their death. I somehow find it eases my mind in knowing I'd taken a life once I've capture his life on film. Here he is in all his glory, his final minutes in the beauty of the place he called home.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Bearapproach.JPG)
The bear had made his mistake and I'd done what I'd come for. The gap was a mear 6-7 yards and the shot was as clean as humanly possible. It had severed the Aorta and passed both lungs. The arrow stuck 6" in the dirt the other side of him and somewhere within my shaken mind I'd thought I missed. It wasn't until my eyes cleared and the ringing in my ears subsided that I realized the true chain of events that I'd been graced with. Sometime you just know it was a blessing and nothing else.
And it was here beneath the giant Red Cedars in a dark canyon that the bear finally secumbed. To die in a more beautiful place would be hard to imagine. I can only hope he felt the same in his final moments.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Bearheropic.JPG)
I'm sure the shaken sound of my voice came as no surprise as I radio'd back to Gary and Ted, "Bear Down"! I'd traveled across a Nation to share this space with the bears. The Outfitter had done his part, the bear had done his part, and I'd somehow also done mine. This was one of the most rewarding moments I can remember. Also a blood trail through the dense folage that I will not soon forget. Sweet Spot was somewhere in Texas and I was on the ground with a wounded bear. I certainly could feel my heart that day. CK
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Great looking BEAR Curtis :thumbsup: ! And a great story also! Congrats on a fine trophy! Looks like he has really nice color also :thumbsup:
Brent
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:thumbsup: :clapper: Awesome Bear Curtis. Congrats Again.
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way to go, CK. What a great looking place.
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Beautiful bear CK! What a great feeling, huh? Congrats
-Vig
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Beautiful country, nice bear, great memories! Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Thanks fellas! CK
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Congrats CK, nice bear. Thanks for the story.
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Curtis,
Very Nice Bear!!!! And a great story also. I was wondering if you would mind telling what your bow,arrow,and broadhead combination was?
Bill
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Certainly Bill. The bow is one of Mark Horne's Brushbows, one of the smoothest, fastest, and most forgiving bows I've ever shot. Specs are 58" 45#@26.5"....My arrows are carbon and weigh a tad over 600 grains tipped with Zephyr Sasquatches including the bleeder blade. The Sasquatch is a head that I've been testing this past year and have found to be one hell of a hole opener. This is the 14th animal I've shot this combo on. Only two of the shots didn't go completely through. I am a big believer in a heavy arrow with these light weight bows. I don't worry about tragectory arc do to my short shot distances. Hope that helps. CK
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/ck/Bearnbow.JPG)
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Gee, for leaving out all the color you sure know how to put some vivid images in my head! :cool: Great story telling again CK :thumbsup: From the looks of that hole in the shoulder that bear couldn't have gone far.
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Thanks Curtis!!!
I thought that was one of Mark's Brushbows. He sure makes some nice bows. I received my 50# Traditionalist about a month ago. I love it!!! My next bow will be a Brushbow. I was wondering if 50# was enough for bear, I guess so!! :biglaugh:
Thanks, Bill
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Way to go Fedder!Bet this'n will stick with ya awhile!I can sorta picture you and sweet spot bookin' thru the timber with Mr.Bruin hot on yer heels! :scared:
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Curtis was walking tall and savoring the rush from that bear. We all shared in the excitement and good feelings around camp.
Here's CK visiting with one of our guides - Toby
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/BearHunt07251.jpg)
Cool rainy weather set in for a few days and the mornings were foggy. Morning in the Bitterroots comes early this time of year. The outfitter chided us that we must think we were in elk camp 'cause we were up with the birds and swilling coffee. You would be too if it looked like this from the porch
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/BearHunt07167.jpg)
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The rain broke one late afternoon. 9PM and the promise of better weather.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/BearHunt07195.jpg)
Paul (PV) will surely fill us in on the rest of the story about Big Black. Here's a teaser in case you doubted he would stick to the chase of this big one that had been eluding Weitas Creek hunters for two years.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/BearHunt07217.jpg)
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CK, Awesome hunt! Nice to be able to put a bear notch in that brushbow :thumbsup: Doc
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Congrats Curtis.... Great job!
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Thank you, I really enjoyed this story.
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GREAT STORY! Congratulations..can't wait for the rest of the story........Don and Sky
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Excellent!!!
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Paul's turn, Paul's turn!
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Nice....very nice! :thumbsup:
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Awesome..bet it only gets better.. :campfire:
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Very nice story and bear Curtis. Here's hoping that the adrenaline stays with you. I live for the rush of being close to any animal. That's what keeps us going in the hot and cold.
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Curtis,
As always an awesome story. I felt as if I were there with you. Congrats on a great bear.
Donald
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congrat's on the BEAR
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...He crossed my trail and got to 5 ft from the bait and blew out.Watched his big butt haul out wondering if that was my last look...
The third wet night on stand he didn't show. 7 hours on stand not a bear in sight and no place in the world I'd rather be.
The fourth night was dry and warmer. I caught a glimpse of him downslope at 7pm. The wind was swirling as he cuts back into the timber. Over the next 30 minutes I heard a couple of logs crack downslope. At 7:30 his head appeared from the cover about 50 yds downslope.He stood for a while checking the air and stepped out in the open. My first good look. He's big and confident and in no hurry. The heart starts a pumpin.The bear trail he's on leads to the bait. The trail is on my right side. Perfect for a lefty.If he stays on the trail the shot will be 5yds. He starts up the trail and my heart goes to predator mode. I no longer can hear it and all my focus is on the Spot.He stops. He decides to check the wind on my downwind side and cuts into the thicket on my left below me. I stand and face the tree and wait for him to show again.His head appears at the edge of the thicket 25 yds away checking the wind.He starts to circle I start my draw. He stops. I stop. He starts to circle again and I see my nock pass through the Spot. The bear bolts without a sound. I wait for the crash or moan. Silence...
My heart is back. I can hear it through my ears. The tremors begin. I thank the creator for this time and place and pray that my shot is what I think it is.
Ted arrives just before dark. I couldn't get the radio to work. I show him the arrow and take my stuff to the truck before joining him in the search. I whistle he whistles back not far from the arrow. When I get to Ted theres the bear.Ted says "Congratulations you got Big Black"
I thank the bear for his life and
Ted,a fine man with a knife, makes short work of the skinning and butchering.He is also younger and stronger than me. Those hills are straight up in Idaho. Thanks Ted!
Curtis a fine story on your bear and thanks for taking the pictures for me.
I understand computers about as well as I understand Chinese so if anyone has picture of Big Black they would like to share please do so. I haven't got picture posting on this site figured out.
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Someone help him out with the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/IMG_0069.jpg)
Hopefully this is right!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/IMG_0059.jpg)
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Congrats to both...great story telling....
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Congrats again on the awesome bear Paul. It was cool to be there! CK
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Great story and pics guys...thank you for taking us along. You really got me pumped up for my bear hunt that starts next Friday!
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Way to go Paul! Congratulations on a great looking bear! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing!
Brent
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Way to go Paul!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Congratulations Curtis and Paul! Nice bears, great stories and nice pics; thanks for sharing!!
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Congrats guys!!
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Congrats guys and thanks for the great stories
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As usuall it takes weeks for all the stories to filter out. not to mention the pictures. Its hard enough to get back to the swing of life on the outside after 6 weeks but then to try and get all the photos taken care of, WHEW!
Ya know when we are old and cant do this any longer , it wont be the animals we took that we remember but the guys we shared camp and good times with . These weeks guiding and sharing a beautiful place with a great bunch of guys will remain long after everything else is gone. Thanks guys.Heres a good picture of Curtis with as many clothes as he can fit on, funny the longer he stayed the more he looked like part of Idaho (http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0165.jpg)
Heres a great one of Charlie deciding it was warmer in the cabin not to mention dry.
. (http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0164.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0182
Here is Shaun rolling a cig while Tyghe plays the banjo , note the 55 Kodiak and the hat against the cabin, this one looks great in black and white.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0175.jpg)
Curtis messing with Charlie
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0182.jpg)
Charlie thinking there is a bug on him.
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x295/photos4work/IMGP0183.jpg)
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great pic's :bigsmyl:
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Great photos, Guys. I'm ready to go back and I've only just returned.
Curtis, congratulations on your bear! I recoginze the view form that spot. Toby and I hung that stand the week before you arrived. I was concerned that it was a little too exposed and somewhat close, but I guess it worked! The night I hunted it a bear approached from directly behind the stand and winded me, giving a loud woof before thundering down the hill. Great looks at Stellar's Jays from that spot, too.
Hats off to Gary, Ted, Toby, and Jesse for putting on a great hunt! The hospitatlity was terrific and the Weitas Creek area is as marvelous as it gets.
Ted, I got those Raptor woodies flying like darts...just needed a little more weight up front.
Best to all,
Ron
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Great Stuff Curtis...thanks for sharing! :)
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Taken from Curtis's bear stand, here's a shot of a Stellar's Jay with ground squirrel in the background.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/rwr8/CopyofBear_Hunt018.jpg)
This was the fastest and luckiest ground squirrel I've ever met, jumping the string repeatedly until our quivers were empty--only to re-emerge and mock us.
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/rwr8/CopyofBear_Hunt193.jpg)
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I love that last photo, since I have been de-quivered by grouse before.
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Here's the master showing how it's done... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/IMG_0051.jpg)
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nyron that pic is too cool
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nyron, that last pic is just too damn funny! Thanks for sharing.
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Congrats guys! Way to go! And a big T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U for sharing. Waiting patiently for my next adventure... :banghead:
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
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Congrats guys.....and thanks for sharing....much appreciated from one that would loved to have just been there.....and that would have good enough.
:campfire:
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Just catching up on this thread, great stories and trophys guys. See Curtis, you can survive in the North. It's not all bad, no snakes an chiggars and ticks! The barz will never eat some skinny guy like you! Moose hunting just another couple hours north by 737 or 42hrs by F250!
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Thanks for the great story. I only live a short drive from Idaho. Next time this kinda thing happens let me know. I will cook, shoot the breeze, shoot some bows, photograph or whatever else will get me into camp. Have a good day and keep 'em in the middle, TMG. :campfire: