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Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
#5918740
09/08/15 09:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200 |
My brother Ken and I just returned from Nome, Alaska, after a successful hunt for fall grizzlies. It was my second hunt with Tom Gray and Alaska NW Outfitters (I connected on a B&C spring bear with Tom 6 years ago) and Ken's first. The hunt was tougher than expected because the usual run of silver salmon had petered out, so the bears weren't concentrated along the rivers. We had to cover lots of ground to find the bears, which were feeding on this year's bumper crop of blueberries. We hunted on ATVs, a first for me, which proved a Godsend because we covered up to 50 miles daily in search of the scattered bears. On the fifth day, we spotted a big chocolate boar, and when I went to retrieve my rifle from the soft case bungeed across the front rack of the ATV, I found to my dismay that the stock was broken into 2 pieces--apparently from our brush-busting through the thick alder patches--and I had to borrow Ken's .338 to make a one shot kill, using Tom's shoulder for a gun rest. It squared 8' 1.5", a very nice grizzly indeed! On the seventh day, Ken nailed a gorgeous blonde bear that absorbed three 250-gr Swift A-Frames before succumbing right at the edge of the alders; had the grizzly made it to cover, it would have made for an interesting bit of close-quarters sorting-out. Brother Ken absolutely loves bear hunting. His 7'10" grizzly now gives him a brown, a black, and a grizzly from Alaska in just 4 years. Nome's gold mining history is everywhere you look, and old dredges and tailings are scattered willy-nilly across the landscape: Many of us remember--and not fondly--the Cold War. Military installations, most inactive now, abound: This muskox bull is within the Nome city limits....and has the right of way: Crossing the Stewart River on the Yamaha ATVs: Hunters like wild blueberries almost as much as the bears: We had to bushwhack through numerous willow and alder patches. Our rifles were bungeed cross-ways in soft cases on the rack in front of the handle bars. I think a close encounter with a steadfast alder limb was the cause of my broken stock: My poor rifle stock. Had my brother not been there with his rifle, I guess I would have tried to repair it with epoxy and hope for the best. Or more likely, I would have borrowed Tom's .30-06. If ya wanna survive in Alaska, you gotta be tough: Tom spots a grizzly down on the Flambeau River. False alarm....it turned out to be a solitary muskox bull. He's out for the count. Time to unload: Yours truly and Tom Gray with my 8'+ trophy. Note the tattered remnants of the weather-proofing electrical tape on the barrel muzzle of Ken's .338WM: The obligatory bear paw picture: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_1704_zpsqjrno11z.jpg[/img] Fortunately, Ken's bear fell just short of the alders: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_1168_zpsp2zdv7ng.jpg[/img] Ken's beautiful bear has the "Toklat Grizzly" coloration. This color is fairly common around the Denali area. The haircoat is quite blonde with a chocolate hump and dark legs, a very desirable and attractive color phase: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_6321_zpssn8gzho5.jpg[/img] I include this picture to show the plug of fat extruding from the bear's abdomen. Like our Texas hogs, a bear's ample subcutaneous fat can plug up the bullet's exit hole and block a good tracking blood trail: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_6350_zpsrjlkosma.jpg[/img] Tom, Ken, and yours truly salting my bear hide: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_1754_zpstjf4giv6.jpg[/img] I can't resist tossing in a photo of my 2008 spring grizzly hunt with Tom Gray. This slug squared nine feet and scored 25 9/16". It is my second-largest trophy of my hunting career and currently sits at #125 in the B&C all-time book: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Old%20Hunts/LastScanp.jpg[/img] More muskoxen, two calves: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/DSCN0048_zpspeqtctlf.jpg[/img] More blueberries. A good time was had by all: [img]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p186/dawaba/Grizzlies%202015/IMG_1673_zpscpqdnouy.jpg[/img]
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918758
09/08/15 09:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503 |
That really sounds like a great experience.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918793
09/08/15 10:15 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,403
Chunky Dunk
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,403 |
Great story and pictures. Great trophies!
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918803
09/08/15 10:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,527
7ARanch
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,527 |
Great story and pics! Thanks for sharing.
Destroyer 340; Easton Flatline; Grim Reapers Not as Mean Not as Lean but still a Marine
Billy Bob: My nose is dripping on my balls...
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918862
09/08/15 11:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,239
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,239 |
Congratulations on a great hunt. Way to adapt and overcome.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: Creekrunner]
#5918910
09/08/15 11:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,517
SnakeWrangler
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,517 |
Congratulations on a great hunt. Way to adapt and overcome.
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918917
09/08/15 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,081
Elkhunter49
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,081 |
Thank you very much for sharing your adventure and photos with us! Congratulations to you and your brother on a great trip.... Baker
A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918928
09/08/15 11:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424 |
Congrats to you and your brother on a grand adventure
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918936
09/08/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,484
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,484 |
Congats on another great hunt with your Brother. Thanks for sharing it with us
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918939
09/08/15 11:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
One posted is limited on the number of pictures (10), Here you go dawaba. Great adventure. Beautiful story, country and congrats to both. Thanks for sharing The obligatory bear paw picture: Fortunately, Ken's bear fell just short of the alders: Ken's beautiful bear has the "Toklat Grizzly" coloration. This color is fairly common around the Denali area. The haircoat is quite blonde with a chocolate hump and dark legs, a very desirable and attractive color phase: I include this picture to show the plug of fat extruding from the bear's abdomen. Like our Texas hogs, a bear's ample subcutaneous fat can plug up the bullet's exit hole and block a good tracking blood trail: Tom, Ken, and yours truly salting my bear hide: I can't resist tossing in a photo of my 2008 spring grizzly hunt with Tom Gray. This slug squared nine feet and scored 25 9/16". It is my second-largest trophy of my hunting career and currently sits at #125 in the B&C all-time book: More muskoxen, two calves: More blueberries. A good time was had by all:
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#5918952
09/09/15 12:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179
therancher
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179 |
Congrats!! Great experience!
Crotchety old bastidge
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5918953
09/09/15 12:11 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,061
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,061 |
Thanks for sharing the adventure! Super photos.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919153
09/09/15 01:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 17,117
MikeC
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 17,117 |
Great story and awesome pics. What brand was your stock? I'd be pretty upset myself. Glad the backup plan worked out for you.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919179
09/09/15 01:56 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307 |
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919181
09/09/15 01:56 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Way to go guys! Looks like another great hunt. Congratulations on two fine trophies!
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: MikeC]
#5919194
09/09/15 02:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200 |
Great story and awesome pics. What brand was your stock? I'd be pretty upset myself. Glad the backup plan worked out for you. The aftermarket stock was made by Six Enterprises, a company which has gone out of business. Lee Six and Chet Brown were once buddies and started building synthetic stocks for bench-resters and soon branched out to include hunters as well. Unfortunately, Six and Brown split the sheets and both went solo. Brown Precision survived; Six Enterprises didn't. I have an extra stock, a B&C Alaskan, which I've already affixed to the barreled action.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919268
09/09/15 02:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205
LuckyHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205 |
Very Nice Sir.. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to both
Lucky 7 Exotic Ranch located in Eden, Tx. Well managed self sustaining herds roaming our 3,000 acre ranch. First Class Lodging, Ranch style meals and qualified guides. 30+ species.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919327
09/09/15 02:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,430
Bulldog4949
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,430 |
JB European Mounts Professional Skull Cleaning (806) 683-3739 jbeuropeanmounts@yahoo.com
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: SnakeWrangler]
#5919377
09/09/15 03:27 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034 |
Congratulations on a great hunt. Way to adapt and overcome. X's 3
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919398
09/09/15 03:39 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 31
Cobbershot
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 31 |
Sounds like that was an awesome hunting trip. Well done guys.
We don't have predators in Australia like bears, the type that will 'kill' back...well we have our cuddly koala, but he ain't exactly the type of critter that will kill you, unless a sizeable one falls from a tree and lands on ya head.
Would love to do a hunt of Alaska one day, but unfortunately that is way out of my financial capabilities.
Illegitimi non carborundum (Never let the bastards grind you down) It's been lonely in the saddle since the horsey died.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: Creekrunner]
#5919431
09/09/15 04:02 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
Congratulations on a great hunt. Way to adapt and overcome.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919603
09/09/15 12:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,404
Choctaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,404 |
Wow, very cool! Thank you for sharing the story and photos.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5919737
09/09/15 02:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
Congrats! Have to hear up for Colorado now.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: Choctaw]
#5920369
09/09/15 07:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
N.Tx
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463 |
Wow, very cool! Thank you for sharing the story and photos.
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Re: Home from the Hill: A Two-Fer on Alaskan Grizzlies
[Re: dawaba]
#5921385
09/10/15 03:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833
sparrish8
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833 |
When they score bears how do they get the score?
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