The bear madness is over

[Jerry Russell]

All I can say is WOW. An insane year at bear camp. I am just starting the long drive home but there are a lot of bear stories to be told as a lot of bears hit the ground the last week including a giant from Lefty bait. I have amazing tracking stories to tell about my blood dog bear including two tracks of more than 1.25 miles. we ended up at 100% shot opportunity for all 32 hunters. When I get off the road and recover a bit I will tell some tales and post some pictures of this great year in bear camp. Thanks to all the awesome trad gang guys that shared a camp with me and bear dog.

[RIVERWOLF]

Very much looking forward to it Jerry !

[robtattoo]

Jerry, best time I've ever spent in a camp!
If you haven't already, save me a spot for next year. I have revenge on my mind.....

[Bobby Urban]

Good stuff right there Jerry - I am looking forward to the stories of Bear the tracking machine.  His twin sister is coming along very nicely except for her need to chew - Wow, does this little girl like to chew things  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Looking forward to the adventures fro your perspective.

[Tradtical Commando]

Jerry, it was some of the most fun I've ever had!

[Blueridge]

One of the best I have ever been on. Thanks Jerry . Will do that again .

[Terry Green]

Glad you made it back ok!!!

[Jerry Russell]

OK I am sitting back at home an entering a short recovery phase, lol.

Behind me are 4,200 miles of driving, a new transmission along the way. A little side trip to the ER with a kidney stone the felt like a small porcupine and some of the wildest bear hunts and encounters I have been a part of in more that 40 years of chasing bears.

I am always so conflicted when bear camp ends. I dearly miss my family but the friends you make there along with the power and beauty of the Mastigouche Wilderness makes it so hard to come home. My new camp there is something of such beauty that it is difficult to describe. I am still trying to get me bearings but will give my perspective as soon as time allows me to sit at a computer. One thing is for sure, it was a year of GIANT bears. Several hunters had encounters with P&Y bears and I am convinced some were B&C in size. I ran over 15 trail cams this year and many were in video mode. Man o Man did we see some monsters including one dinosaur that picked up a metal bait barrel with his mouth like it was a sardine can.

     


 Every single one of our 32 hunters at our two camps had the opportunity to fire a shot at a bear that made them happy and that is a great feeling.
We saw a ton of moose, deer, fox and some wolves.

I took a 9 month old Bavarian Scent hound puppy to bear camp with great reservations. A bit young for real life training but I promised myself that if it got to a point of too much pressure on him we would just use him on cold trails on known dead bears to help him mature for next year. I would soon find out that he would perform far beyond my wildest expectations. The exploits of the unbelievable blood dog on this trip are a stand alone story for later but one thing is sure. Several guys owe this dog a big fat steak.
 
   
 
Best of all were the relationships that were formed with many of you Trad Gangers. These friendships are a huge part of why I do what I do.

I will gather my thoughts for a recap story but will wait a little bit as several guys are still to post of their adventures. I don't want to spoil those tales. Another giant thank you to all that shared our camp this year.