First off don't write a book and have too many pictures (>8). I won't let you post, refers you to hit the back button and then everything you wrote is gone. Gotta fix that one guys.
It was a good week and we ended up going 6 for 7 on bears.
Here is a shot of Snake River Rufus and his bear. It ended up being a dry sow, but it was hard to tell. She had a pig of a body. While Rufus’ ears were still ringing a nice colored bear came into the site. Bummer. This may have been the bear shot by Scott on the last night (see below). It was great to meet Mitch and I am looking forward to hearing about how his bear rug works out. Something about a stripper’s fantasy or something. Mitch opted for the beach camo during the pictures with guide extraordinaire Dustin, but it was better than the jail suit he had to wear in the field.
This next four bears were all taken by archers from the Great Falls, Montana vicinity. They, along with Rufus, were a great crew to share a camp with.
Here is a shot of Scott and his bear. He had a bear at the site the night before, but it would not cooperate and gave him no shots, although the video turned out great. The next evening he wasted no time and hammered this bear when reach up a tree. The bear looked at Scott when he drew, but it was too late. The arrow zipped through and smoked the barrel on the other side. When I first saw the video I thought those Bowtechs were a bit on the noisy side. The bear ended up going about 20 yards before he piled up.
Tony shot the biggest bear of the week. It had a 19.5” melon and will look good in his shop. Tony is the proprietor of 3D Archery in Vauhgn, MT and since I am writing positive things about him I will be getting a new Bowtech for ½ price. Remember Tony, I can edit this if you don’t come through. This bear played the bait for a couple of nights before he came in for the shot. He was visible, but stayed to the shadows and offered no shots until Thursday evening. Tony was shooting a 45# bow, but that didn’t keep the arrow from passin’ through and piling the bear up within 90 yards. Stop in Tony’s shop in about 6 months and see the full mount.
Here is a shot of Bob and his bear. Bob didn’t think his bear was too big, so I volunteered to help haul it out (whatever, I just wanted to see a dead bear). Well it ended up being bigger than he thought, so no one was going to throw it over a shoulder. Instead, we cut two poles and four of us carried it out over our shoulders. This technique does not work well on a narrow, rocky trail, but we got it out without any twisted ankles. The drive there did cost one rear tire though. This bear ended up 6’3” and was just shy of 19”. This was a score for team Hoyt. Bob and I were the two Hoyt shooters and everyone else was Bowtech’ing. This bear went only 7 yards.
Dan took this bear on the last day of the hunt as well. He demonstrated enormous patience and passed on a smaller black boar that came to the site about an hour before he took this beauty. I am not sure what this one ended up measuring, but he will certainly make a great rug.
Everyone in camp had a great time, even Dave who came back without a bear. He demonstrated amazing character and maintained a positive attitude throughout the week. He also befriended 3 squirrels that entertained him nightly while on stand.
Now for our bear trackers. Although they did not get any tracking done they did keep the couch warm until we got be to camp.
Here's to you Stormy and Ben.
It was a good week and we ended up going 6 for 7 on bears.
Here is a shot of Snake River Rufus and his bear. It ended up being a dry sow, but it was hard to tell. She had a pig of a body. While Rufus’ ears were still ringing a nice colored bear came into the site. Bummer. This may have been the bear shot by Scott on the last night (see below). It was great to meet Mitch and I am looking forward to hearing about how his bear rug works out. Something about a stripper’s fantasy or something. Mitch opted for the beach camo during the pictures with guide extraordinaire Dustin, but it was better than the jail suit he had to wear in the field.
This next four bears were all taken by archers from the Great Falls, Montana vicinity. They, along with Rufus, were a great crew to share a camp with.
Here is a shot of Scott and his bear. He had a bear at the site the night before, but it would not cooperate and gave him no shots, although the video turned out great. The next evening he wasted no time and hammered this bear when reach up a tree. The bear looked at Scott when he drew, but it was too late. The arrow zipped through and smoked the barrel on the other side. When I first saw the video I thought those Bowtechs were a bit on the noisy side. The bear ended up going about 20 yards before he piled up.
Tony shot the biggest bear of the week. It had a 19.5” melon and will look good in his shop. Tony is the proprietor of 3D Archery in Vauhgn, MT and since I am writing positive things about him I will be getting a new Bowtech for ½ price. Remember Tony, I can edit this if you don’t come through. This bear played the bait for a couple of nights before he came in for the shot. He was visible, but stayed to the shadows and offered no shots until Thursday evening. Tony was shooting a 45# bow, but that didn’t keep the arrow from passin’ through and piling the bear up within 90 yards. Stop in Tony’s shop in about 6 months and see the full mount.
Here is a shot of Bob and his bear. Bob didn’t think his bear was too big, so I volunteered to help haul it out (whatever, I just wanted to see a dead bear). Well it ended up being bigger than he thought, so no one was going to throw it over a shoulder. Instead, we cut two poles and four of us carried it out over our shoulders. This technique does not work well on a narrow, rocky trail, but we got it out without any twisted ankles. The drive there did cost one rear tire though. This bear ended up 6’3” and was just shy of 19”. This was a score for team Hoyt. Bob and I were the two Hoyt shooters and everyone else was Bowtech’ing. This bear went only 7 yards.
Dan took this bear on the last day of the hunt as well. He demonstrated enormous patience and passed on a smaller black boar that came to the site about an hour before he took this beauty. I am not sure what this one ended up measuring, but he will certainly make a great rug.
Everyone in camp had a great time, even Dave who came back without a bear. He demonstrated amazing character and maintained a positive attitude throughout the week. He also befriended 3 squirrels that entertained him nightly while on stand.
Now for our bear trackers. Although they did not get any tracking done they did keep the couch warm until we got be to camp.
Here's to you Stormy and Ben.
