Forums46
Topics538,648
Posts9,739,530
Members87,100
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Spring Bear by Canoe
#6338189
06/17/16 03:48 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
|
OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378 |
Turkey season ended May 31 so I decided to try something new for the first 2 weeks of June. A self guided solo spring bear hunt by canoe. I have hunted bear before but not in this manner. We have some new rules this year regarding bait. The bait has to be a minimum 660 feet from anywhere you can get with a vehicle (including ATVS and tractors but not boats) and a minimum 1640 feet from any structure. So this was June 01 loaded up and ready to leave: At the put in (no truck access): Underway: In the canoe is myself (+/- 190lbs), 270 lbs of corn, 50 feet of 3/8 chain (more than needed but it was I had and I didn't want to buy new or cut this one) - 75lbs, 55 gallon drum +/- 10 lbs, 75 lbs of molasses, 20 lbs mini marshmellows, 6 lbs of peanut oil, scent attractant, blind +/- 15 lbs, assorted tools +/- 15 lbs. All told about 675 lbs including me. It was a good test to see how it would handle the weight of a bear if necessary. Ashore: Unloaded: All moved to the bait site: Looking up shooting lane towards the blind: All done and garbage all packed and loaded: So got the bait set up the afternoon of Thursday June 2. I than returned on the evening of Tuesday June 7 and set up camp for the night. Wednesday June 8 I started paddling at 2:45 am and was in the blind for 5am. The barrel was still upright so obviously no takers. Curled up on the ground in the blind at 10am and slept for 5 hours and than watched the bait until dark. Paddled out than broke camp and drove home to work the next day. The next visit up was Saturday night June 11. Set up camp again and than hunted Sunday am, Sunday pm, and Monday am. Barrel still wasn't touched so I was not optimistic. I headed back up Tuesday night June 14 and set up camp again. Hunted Wednesday am (yesterday) and pm. Barrel had finally been hit and was on its side about 6 feet from where I placed it. The wind on Wedesday was totally wrong (since it was the last day of the season I figured WTH I might as well try) and I spooked a mother and 2 cubs on my way to the blind in the morning. In the afternoon something came in but caught my scent as I just got a glimpse of something black taking off. So packed up this morning with no bear taken but some action and a few lessons learned. I need to add blinds/stands for multiple wind directions and I need to cut into the end of turkey season to make sure the bait is established soon enough. Going to try again for the fall season. Either way even though it involved lots of work and lots of bugs it was still an enjoyable experience. The hit barrel: About 40% of the bait was eaten in 3 days. I had 371 lbs of bait in that barrel (270 corn, 75 molassess, 20 marshmellows, and 6 lbs of peanut oil) so that corresponds to almost 60lbs a day!!! I also decided against taking the side by side and brought my RTBH instead (trail to the put-in was passable for it as well) . Figured if I got something big it would make dressing, skinning and transport and loading into the truck easier. To get the bear out of the bush to the lake I had recovery straps, a 2000 lb hand winch with 100 feet of cable, and 6 pool noodles. I figured I would ratchet strap the noodles to the bear and tow him behind the canoe (intact and dress him at the take out). Water was about 60 degrees so I figured it would also help get some initial cooling going The RTBH:
Last edited by Hirogen; 06/17/16 03:53 AM.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338201
06/17/16 04:15 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,649
Savage388
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,649 |
What an adventure! I am ignorant to bear hunting and was wondering what in the world are you doing with a chain? Then I saw the reason. If you killed one, then what? Do you eat it?
ODERINT DUM METUANT
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Savage388]
#6338206
06/17/16 04:29 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
|
OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378 |
What an adventure! I am ignorant to bear hunting and was wondering what in the world are you doing with a chain? Then I saw the reason. If you killed one, then what? Do you eat it? Yep eat em up. Bait technique is like a massive salt shaker chained to the tree. Bear rolls/shakes the barrel and bait spills out. Prevents the coons from getting any.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338211
06/17/16 04:56 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,804
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,804 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338241
06/17/16 10:22 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 274
jae011
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 274 |
awesome! My preference points are building for a north Wisconsin bear. I can't wait until I draw!
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338253
06/17/16 11:08 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,668
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,668 |
Looks like you learned enough to put the odds more in your favor next year. Great pics.
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338263
06/17/16 11:35 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,684
CitySlickerHunter
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,684 |
Keep us posted. BEST OF LUCK!
"I can't be over gunned because the animal can't be over dead"-Elmer Keith 10/30/2012 I VOTED for The American
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338322
06/17/16 12:57 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030
d.g.ruff
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030 |
That's just down right cool, man. Props to you for putting in the work. I hope you get a nice one!
Mmmm Hmmm
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338331
06/17/16 01:08 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,972
Dry Fire
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,972 |
Why no fishing rods in that canoe?
coffee spelled backwards is eeffoc. I don't give eeffoc until I have my morning coffee.
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Dry Fire]
#6338345
06/17/16 01:22 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
|
OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,378 |
Why no fishing rods in that canoe? Oddly enough that lake only holds smallmouth bass. The season in that zone does not open until June 25. Once open you can limit out (6 fish) with 3 to 5 pounders in a couple hours.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338372
06/17/16 01:54 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,544
SnakeWrangler
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,544 |
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!"
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: CitySlickerHunter]
#6338522
06/17/16 03:38 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806
Deerhunter61
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806 |
Keep us posted. BEST OF LUCK!
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Pitchfork Predator]
#6338549
06/17/16 03:56 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 344
rabbit_jack
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 344 |
Looks like you learned enough to put the odds more in your favor next year. Great pics.
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338608
06/17/16 04:44 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,789
Mr. T.
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,789 |
Great story, thanks for sharing it with us.
Cabin rental in Pagosa Springs, Co. Sleeps 10, If interested please PM me.
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338754
06/17/16 06:40 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,269
swmays
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,269 |
That's a heck of an adventure. Thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6338799
06/17/16 07:27 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
|
Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
thanks for sharing, is almost as good as getting the bear, love the story
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
|
|
|
Re: Spring Bear by Canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6339066
06/17/16 11:33 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,989
Michael W.
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,989 |
Good luck on the fall hunt. Looks like a great adventure.
A clear conscience is often the sign of a fuzzy memory.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|