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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: BigJim on June 21, 2024, 08:37:27 AM
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It has been some time since I have written about one of my hunting trips and its long overdue.
This story started about ten years ago when I met a young and extremely ambitious Social media developer from Alaska and we hit it off immediately! He and I have been on a number of hunts together and even though he wanted to sit with me in stand many times to film, I forbade it. I wasn't about to have him mess up any chance I might have taking an animal.
Austin has filmed and guided hunts for many years but never has had his "own" license. I had made many suggestions that he follow through with such since he enjoyed it so much and his budding family could certainly use the extra money! A couple years ago he decided to go after his license to find out that he had already met over half the criteria.
During this time, Austin had been telling me that when he obtained his license, I was to come up for a FREE brown bear hunt!
Skip forward to the beginning of this year.. The time had come. Austin was finally a licensed outfitter and he was pushing me to come on the bear hunt this year. I was reluctant as I am overwhelmed with work and underwhelmed with help. I was hoping to put this off until next year. Undenounced to me, my wife and Austin had different plans.
When I found out that I was to be going to Alaska, I asked Austin if he had room for other hunters.. at the time, it was suggested that that it just be me. Brown bear hunts require a guide to sit with the hunter and it was currently only him.
Fast forward to last week... Hey Jim, I have room and guides for no more than 3 more hunters... and the bears?... they are everywhere!
It took all of 48 hours to confirm flights for three friends who are benefitting from a short notice discounted brown/black bear combo hunt. This has exponentially increased the excitement for me as we can now harass each other for years to come over this experience! :biglaugh:
We leave on the 26th of this month and it couldn't come any sooner.. but I know on the day before I leave, I will wish for 2 more days to get work done. :deadhorse:
Austin (Mission Alaska Outfitters) has been sending us some pictures of bears. They are impressive! and have my name on them..I don't know about the whimps that are going with me, but I for one will be fearless! :saywhat:
In Austins area, he can legally bait browns and there is a two brown bear limit per person. He also has many black bears in the area. Combine all of this with some halibut and salmon fishing and it is going to be an experience for the ages!
Austin Manlick and I have been working together and he has helped me to build the company I have today.. its time for me to repay the favor for a well deserving friend!
More to come!
BigJim
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Good luck Jim !!
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OH YEAH!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice brownie....
Get a big one!
Shoot straight, Shinken
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Good Luck :thumbsup:
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Oh man, Jim, can't wait for the rest of the story. :clapper:
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WOW! Good luck.
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Good luck Jim and kill one at least as big as you.
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I can't wait to see the pictures and "hear" the story. It should be good! Good luck and safe travels sir!
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This is gonna be good! Two bears, salmon and halibut, wow. :campfire: :clapper: :goldtooth:
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I'm in for the tale.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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This ought to be epic!
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Exciting!!! Good luck!
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Woooweee that sounds like should be a good time no matter what! Look forward to more, good luck to yall
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Am certainly wishing you the safest and best experience.
Also, will be looking forward to reading your account of this wonderful experience.
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Alaska is a special place. Have a great trip and look forward to the stories.
Mike
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Good luck Jim, I know you will do well and can't wait to hear the stories live.
Pappy
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Boy that looks like a blast, Jim! Good luck to y'all!
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Thank Ya'll for the responses.. Luck is what you make of it.. and we are already lucky just for the opportunity to partake. However I accept the well wishes and vow to do my best with them.
BigJim
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:coffee: :campfire:
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:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire: Coffee's ready.
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bow , arrows and marshmallows - check I'm ready :thumbsup:
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I can't thank Jim enough for the invite and Austin for having me along :clapper:
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Well Drew.. I have to take care of my electrician! :biglaugh:
Bigjim
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Well, I am on my way.. sitting here at the Atlanta Airport awaiting my flight, I can't help wondering...
It will be an epic trip for sure but I'm unsure if I will be able to shoot my bow. Last night as I raised my left arm, I felt something in my chest snap! This is a first.. of all my self inflicted injuries, I've never experienced this. It feels as though I tore something in my pec muscle.
I was only able to shoot 3 arrows this morning and even though they all hurt like hell, they were kill shots. So I will take it easy and hope this is short lived!
BigJim
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Got faith you will power through. Only takes 1 shot, be safe , can’t wait to hear about it all on your return. Pappy
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Hoping the best for you.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire: :pray:
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Save the shot for when it counts! Have fun :archer2:
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Request ice on the plane and apply asap. Tell them you popped something picking up your luggage.
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Also, if you have time, go buy some aleve and a bottle of water, the sooner the better.
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As it happens, my outfitter/social media guy's mother is a Dr. In the area. If that doesn't work, I will go to the veterinarian! :biglaugh:
BigJim
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Good option.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I need my daily update. :help:
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All hunters are in area now.. we will do a short sit this evening then head to Whittier for a trip on the salts to fill the freezer with fishes!
BigJim
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How's the injury Jim?
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The damaged muscle is still an issue, but far better than before.
I'm confident bears will die via arrow!
BigJim
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Hows the daylight up there ;) ? You aren't too far North of me, latitude wise, and we're getting about 22 hrs daylight at the moment.
With any luck, the Chinook will be coming in, and your fishing will be exciting, too.
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Good to hear about the hurt not being an issue.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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Thanks for the update. Best of luck and looking forward to the next installment. :campfire:
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We have been completely confused.
Is it day? Is it night? What day is it? :)
We have only been in camp a few days. The first day we spent fishing. 26 hours of road and fishing time kept us out of the stand.. Rick opted out of the fishing trip and was rewarded with an awesome black bear!
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Nice bear.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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Thunderchild Fallout...Very nice harvest....Congrats!!!
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Good Stuff ! :thumbsup:
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Hang in there Jim, I have Faith in you Big Guy. You"ll do fine when the chance comes and good luck with the Fish. Kurt
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It is now friday.. the hunt report is as follows: Rick took his beautiful black bear on his first sit and grazed a brown on his second sit.. he and his wife drove 5 days to get here so they decided to leave after that.
Jamie spooked a monster brown at 25 yards, had to pass on another with cubs and missed a black bear.
Drew unfortunately didn't get to see an entire bear.. but bits and pieces.
Drew and his wife and Jamie fly out tonight.
I enjoyed watching a small black bear for 20 minutes. He reminded me of my dog.. sweet and cuddly with a vicious bite!
Wind has been heavy and bad for most nights. I have two more days left.. fingers crossed.
BigJim
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Wishing you the best of wind, rain and luck.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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Good luck Jim!
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A late delivery of a special kind maybe in store... May it happen..
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Good luck to you sir! :thumbsup:
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Stay on it Jim, good luck
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As it often happens for bow hunters, I am home with wonderful experiences but no bears.
I sat Friday night on a bait that was across a river allowing for an 18 yard shot.. it was a tough night as it was raining lightly and the wind was less than ideal meaning a bit strong.
Austin .. my outfitter sat in a tree a few yards behind me but with a much better view of the area and a better ability to cover me with the rifle. He witnessed a bear chasing a moose cow only to give up when the moose jumped in the river. As the bear retreated past the bait, it stopped and let out a growl.. bear could have easily been shot with a rifle, but was out of site from my location.
Unfortunately the last night/morning to hunt came with continuous rain and strong winds. We decided to sleep in. I wasn't excited about loosing a bear because of a washed out blood trail.
All in all, it was a fantastic hunt with lots of camaraderie to include heavy harassment :).
A bear was taken, two opportunities were missed and a couple passes. The entire group has promised to do it again next year!
Thanks for joining me on this adventure, BigJim
Next up is Florida aligator in August!
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I'm so glad you had a great time. And yes, the alligator hunting should be an adventure also, best of luck. Please carry on with your hunts and let us know.
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Thanks for sharing, Jim!!
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Thanks for taking us along on a great hunt Jim! Get em' next year.
Keep us posted on those gators please. :campfire:
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So glad to know that you arrived home safely and enjoyed a rare adventure.
The complete hunting experience, excluding any harvest, is a true treasure to be forever held onto.
Thank you for sharing your hunt with us.
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Thanks for including us!!!
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I'm sure you had a great time! Thanks for sharing. :campfire:
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Thats why they call it hunting and not killing, thanks for the ride a long Big Jim. We all got to share and feel the anticipation and excitement of a fine hunt.
Good luck on the gators and please share with us again !!
:archer2: :coffee: