Alberta Bear Hunt



I'd like to share with ya'll this amazing and some what spiritual hunt of my life. This hunt was for and with my Dad. Before he died we talked about me going on a hunt with some of my inheritance. At the time I didn't know what kind of hunt I wanted to do. In more ways than one I felt like Dad was there with me. I thought of him and mom often and wondered how they would have loved the country side. After sitting for 7 hours in a tree stand on the last night of the hunt I was not real optimistic about going home with two bears, but I was alright with it. Doesn't sound like me, does it?

The hunt was top notch and very fruitful. The first night Danny and I both shot our first bears. Brian scored on the third night with his first. The fifth night Brain scored again. Night #6 was Danny's turn to tag out with his second bear. The final 7th night with about 10 minutes of shooting light left I thought I was going home with just one bear and then back in the thick timber a branch broke. It all happened so fast. Turn the camera on, grabbed the bow and saw this beautiful blonde bear come into the bait. After the shot I was a total wreck as evident on the film. Ya, I got the shot on film. It was dark when the guides showed up and we started tracking. There wasn't much blood and the guides were afraid it wasn't a kill shot. Something just told me that we would find this bear. About 80 yds. of hands and knees searching I shinned the flash light on a beautiful blonde bear laying dead. At that moment I turn to heaven to thank God and a flood of emotions erupted and Dad was there. My thoughts were that he nourished me with the desire and knowledge to hunt and fish. It was also his money that helped me finance the hunt and just maybe he helped to bring the bear to me in such a special way. I blubbered and cried a little then and back at camp when I told everybody this hunt was for Dad as much as me. It was such a special and blessed feeling that I couldn't help but think he even helped in finding the bear.

With all that said this hunt was for Dad as much as me.

He wasn't the biggest bear in camp but he became THE BEAR OF THE CAMP.

The photos are in the order of the story. Hope you enjoy....

FREAKIN AWESOME MAN!!!!!!!

Great story - congrats

Great! Nicely done.

That is an awesome story, Man I am never going to hear the end of it with Brian and Danny getting two bears. Congrats to you all.

Awesome man, seems like the hunt of a lifetime.

That's awesome. Great story, great memories, and some great looking bears. Thanks for sharing.

Great story, I'm sure your dad is proud!

Like the blond bear!!!

what a story! thats really great, congratulations!

ac

Hey Gary, I am not sure I can ever forgive you for shooting my color bear the day before I get there! I am glad you guys did good and had such a great time. We had an unbelievable week also. We all managed to get both of our bears as well, including Cal's 7'4 inch MONSTER! I am having computer problems, but when I get that straightened out I will post our hunt. Once again, congrats on shooting my bear!

Awesome story and awesome outcome! Congrats to you and your Dad!

Very Nice

Thanks guys for all the kind words.
Jeff, Thanks again for putting me in Alberta on that fateful day. I don't know if you heard that another guy in camp had passed on this bear because he thought it was too small. Boy did he feel bad when I brought this bear in. After everyone in camp saw the heart shaped blaze they were talking me into having a full body mount done. Speaking of a full body mount does anyone have any suggestions on a pose other than standing that would show off the blaze? After looking at the web sites of McKensie, Raylines and Van Dykes I'm thinking of a closed mouth or panting mouth either climbing or standing with head up for a pose.

Here's the blaze.




This shows the exit courtesy of the 3 blade Rage. Awesome broad head.

Here's the finished skulls of my two bears. The blonde bear measured 17 1/8" missing the Pope and Young 18" minimum. Still a good trophy to me though. The hides are @ the tannery as we speak. Yahoo!!!

so are you getting a full body mount done or just tanned

Yes, I'm getting a full body mount on the blonde and a rug done on the black. Brian and Danny are having a shoulder mount and rug each done on their bears.

Great story, and beautiful bear...if only one day I am so lucky to hunt such a beautiful animal!!

What about this for the full body mount? May show off the blaze pretty well:

Wow, that looks great. Beautiful bear. A picture of a full mount like yours is what I need to see more of in order to make up my mind on what to do with mine. Thanks hun73r.

Would love to say that the mount is mine, but it is not. Just thought it would look cool as a Blonde with a blaze that would be eye level for most people.