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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539 |
Well after twelve days of hunting it was just not to be. Short of three days, SE Alaska offered steady rain including two storms that had us head 2 1/2 hours away into a calm cove for the nights/days. We knew the bears would be out early given the mild winter but it appeared a fair bit earlier than this first hunt. A number of boars were severely rubbed. I passed on a pretty 8 1/2' bear on the second day, saw a few 8'-ers with rubs and others less. We did catch and chow on crab and shrimp and, overall, the trip was a great experience. The other hunter, a great guy, also left without. The outfitter, guide and cook were great, food was top notch but the weather did suck. Oh well, working on a return for 2018.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
Ed been waiting to see how you did. Spring hunts can be as fickle as SE Alaska.
Glad you enjoyed the experience as SE is as glorious as it gets.
Good for you passing on bears that did not meet your standards!
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,126
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,126 |
Hey, you won, you went instead of staying home and dreaming about it. Great experiences in life don't come often enough. I'd rather look at bears than shoot them anymore anyway.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,770
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,770 |
Hey, and I wanted you to take me bear hunting again, Fireball2.
"Only Christ is the fullness of God's revelation." Everyday Hunter
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2012
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Ed,
I've been waiting to hear a report too. So sorry it was not to be, but as you already know, it's an experience of a lifetime.
Looking forward to pictures if you have any to share.
Good to hear you're back safe and sound.
Bob Enjoy life now -- it has an expiration date. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
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Bummer abut the weather! Still, it beats sitting in Boerne and watching it rain. Better luck next time! Ben
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
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Glad you had a good hunt. Sorry you didn't score.
I've always been different with one foot over the line.....
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,017
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,017 |
Too bad about the weather. That would get old in a hurry.
NRA Benefactor Member
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,126 |
Hey, and I wanted you to take me bear hunting again, Fireball2. Anytime Rich.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,726
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,726 |
Like you said, spring bear hunting can be hit or miss. This time it was a miss, but I hope you had a great hunt. Good on you not just shooting something below your standard.
NRA LIFE MEMBER GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS! "Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46,900 |
sounds like most of my trips to mass, after bluefin tuna. out of 4 trips up there the weather has been against me on 3 of them. the last trip weather was perfect but the fish didn't cooperate. still have a great time regardless being with good friends and making new ones is rewarding, a tuna would only be icing on the cake.
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,686 |
Sorry to hear the weather didn't cooperate with you, Ed. Glad to hear that a good time was had in spite of the weather.
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them." -Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
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Ed, sorry no harvest. But a successful hunt does not always mean game meat in the freezer.
You have returned home safely with wonderful memories.
Better luck on your next hunt.
James Pepper: There's no law west of Dodge and no God west of the Pecos. Right, Mr. Chisum? John Chisum: Wrong, Mr. Pepper. Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there's the law. And sooner or later they find God's already been there.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,179 |
That's a real bummer. I'm sure it was still a great experience, I know it would be for me.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,590 |
Sorry to hear about the weather. It's hard enough getting the bears to cooperate let alone mother nature throwing wrench after wrench into the gears.
Pulling the trigger is but an instant to a memorable hunt. Sounds like you had a good camp and great experience and got to see some bruins, so there's little doubt you're filled with anticipation to return!
WWP53D
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 43,519 |
Sounds like you still made good of it, Ed. Sorry about the weather.
Slaves get what they need. Free men get what they want. Rehabilitation is way overrated. Orwell wasn't wrong. GOA member disappointed NRA member 24HCF SEARCH
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
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Darn ED, I was sooooo hoping you would score. powdr
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
It ain't called a temperate rain forest for nothing.
Still nothing like the air in SE
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
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Sorry Ed. It will make it that much sweeter when you go back and get one.
Buy once, cry once.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sounds like it was still a good trip.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 95,303 |
Darn the luck EdM.
2018 will be here before you know it.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
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Sorry to hear you didn't connect on a bruin this trip, Ed! That always sucks, but it's happened to any/all of us.
You pay your money for such a trip not to kill an animal, but to hunt that animal. Hunting and getting aren't the same thing. I know you know that, not tryin' to preach at ya... just for some reason I'm thinkin' this morning of all the elk tag soup I've had to choke down...
"I'm gonna have to science the schit out of this." Mark Watney, Sol 59, Mars
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,581 |
No bear taken, but I'll bet you treasure the memory of those storms...
"Chances Will Be Taken"
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
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SE Alaska offered steady rain including two storms . . . Sorry about that weather Ed, the first part of May really sucked. I made it out on the boat this past weekend as was able to make the first trip of the year to our cabin (betwixt Juneau and Petersburg). Three back-to-back-to-back days of clear skies and record breaking temps. We had a 7-7.5 footer walk by the first night right at sunset. Had to run him off with the .44 before he caused any trouble - I didn't want a "holy" inflatable raft.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,539 |
Appreciate the replies gents. I knew what could be ahead and so it turned. When I returned home my youngest said, "so you didn't score for the first time in how many hunts?". He then wanted the details of each stalk. It was more than good.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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