Stickflingers, last week...rookies, big bears, and bloody arras.

[wapiti792]

Well after finally getting home to my great wife and children, I think I am ready to begin my tale. I hope that my camp mates will chime in and help me, as I am still spinning after this adventure.

I had the pleasure of traveling with a fellow Tradganger, and got to celebrate a bit with him as well...but before I get to that I want to tell a little about Ryan's operation there in Manitoba.

I have never had a guide. I have done trespass hunts and DIY, but after going to Stickflingers I could get used to it. It is a family-run business. From Ryan (the operator), to his Mom Bee (chief cook/charmer), and Dad Ron (comedian/bear guru), the camp is as warm a place as a fella could have 1500 miles from home. David, Ryan's young but very capable guide, rounds out the crew. He knows bears, too, and if you are lucky enough to spend time with that young man, you will find he is wise beyond his years and knows how to work. I gained much there from those fine folks: girth from Ms Bee's cooking, friendship from the guys, and knowledge about bears. Ryan told me the day I arrived I would know 10 more times about bears than I did before. He was right and I am so greatful...oh yea, bears. I saw some of those, too.

 
Like this young sow that came to check out David, myself and another camp-mate when we were tracking James' (campmate) bear. Oh that's another story...

The camp is a lake-based operation with a comfortable cabin, good food, and enough baits to rotate depending on wind direction. Ryan only hunts the baits with the right wind and is more than ready to hang a stand or move a hunter if need be due to a bad wind. That little sentence right there should be remembered. It comes up again later...

 
Gateway to bear territory

[wapiti792]

I didn't have this belly when I got there. Thanks to the cook I am hugging, I will need to do some treadmill work before I head to elk country in September.

 

 

After seeing the success the previous hunters have had the last few weeks, you know Ryan's concession has a ton of bears. You take that fact and a guide that knows his biddness, and you can guess what will happen if a hunter is put in the right place, at the right time, with the right bears....

 

Painted arras are so nice.

[wapiti792]

My first night on the stand was preceded by going with Ryan and two other hunters to check some baits and put out a couple of trail cameras. I got my first look as a rookie bear hunter of a bait that had been hit. Barrel turned over, scat and tracks everywhere. I also got a look at a ground blind near the bait. My first thought was "Man, that's close". It made my heart race a bit and I won't lie, some self doubt crept in, but quickly was buried in the moment.

Finally it was time for me to be dropped off. In true Ryan fashion, he brought along an extra lone wolf hang-on because the forcast wind direction was a little off. He wanted the best wind to hunt the bait, and his current stand was a bit too west for his liking. After hanging the stand, and a quick practice shot by me, Ryan went to attend to his other hunters. My first bear hunt was underway.

Not long after he left I noticed movement to the right in the thick birch and maple maze that engulfed me.

 

My first bear of the night slipped right to the base of my tree and made it's way to the bait. I got great video of the little guy and managed to keep my heart-rate under 200 most of the time he was around. It was not a bear I would shoot with my bow, but I got lots of video for my kids. This was my maiden voyage as a videographer and frankly I stink at it. More than you will ever know...

 

[wapiti792]

After awhile the young bear wandered off, came back and was joined by another bear his/her size. After enjoying the show the bears attitude changed. Both bolted from the bait and each climbed seperate trees. I knew something was about to happen, but I didn't know what. I had initially thought they had my wind, but a quick check revealed the wind to be right for this stand.

I then noticed a black blob floating though the bush and realized it was a bear, a much larger bear than the ones I had been watching. Slowly he made his way to the little opening in front of my stand.

   
Gonna leave ya hangin till morning...Long day on the road and I got so much more to tell that I can't do tonight. First thing in the am...

[JohnnyWayne]

[crotch horn]

COME ON MIKE!!!!! You are KILLING ME!! I need more!

[Apex Predator]

WE NEED MORE!

[jimmerc]

Oh Yea!!  

[Osage61]

Can't wait for the rest of this great adventure!! Good job on the story telling Mike  

[frassettor]

 Sounding great so far...

[agross1]

Great start and great photos so far..............now hurry up and give us some more.

[Jwilliam]

I can't wait to hear more !!!


Bill

[jcar315]

[Dry Creek]

Knock Knock come on please get up and finish the story.  LOL

[Ric O'Shay]

OK, 4 hours is enough sleep for anyone.....

   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I'll be back, This is starting to get good.

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by Ric O'Shay:
OK, 4 hours is enough sleep for anyone.....

     

[bendbig]

Ok it's morning already!  We're all waiting,

[IndianaBowman]

Ok Mike! That isn't nice at all!

Great story and photos so far. Can't wait to see the rest.

[bowtough]

Come on dude!