I have to start by saying the fun factor was at an all time high. We were all friends including the guides and outfitter, Ryan, David, and Mike. The weather wash great and the bugs not too bad, so we maximized are sits. The wind was out of east and south east which wasn’t the best for a lot of the stands, but there were certainly enough to occupy us. There was an occasional shift some evenings, but overall we had it good.
With that said, every one in camp was looking for that special bear to add in a significant degree of uncertainty to this style of hunting. For me I wanted a mature boar of at least 7’ hide square. This would prove very difficult as I saw ~ 50 bears at less than 30 yards at six different stand sites, but none met my standard until the final morning. I sat Determination, the place I killed the 8 footer last year, and was in the thick of things with all the sows and cubs right from the start. Then at 9 am, a very tall and long bear came in and took over the bait. It was very lanky, and I knew it was a seven-footer. Now was it a boar? I really do think it was, but it had a long narrow head and a face that was rubbed back to its ears. It had big feet, but it was just not filled out. As I let it walk out right under my tree, it brought back memories of last year when I recalled seeing that bear with the one I killed. I could be wrong, but I do think it is a boar that has had a good start on a huge frame and great potential once it fills out its muscle and skull. I hope someone gets him in a couple years.
I came home empty handed, but it was a great week. I saw bears, a wolf, many moose, including calves, and even a couple elk. I felt I had a good hunt and the uncertainty was definitely there for me, and I was excited every evening and could feel it would happen at any moment. I will let others tell their stories when they get a chance. Mike
Topic: Stickflingers Experience Learning so much..So far from home. Pics added 6-8 (Read 1449 times)
