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.
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!
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.
Hey, and I wanted you to take me bear hunting again, Fireball2.
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.
Bummer abut the weather! Still, it beats sitting in Boerne and watching it rain.
Better luck next time!
Ben
Glad you had a good hunt. Sorry you didn't score.
Too bad about the weather. That would get old in a hurry.
Hey, and I wanted you to take me bear hunting again, Fireball2.
Anytime Rich.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That's a real bummer. I'm sure it was still a great experience, I know it would be for me.
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!
Sounds like you still made good of it, Ed. Sorry about the weather.
Darn ED, I was sooooo hoping you would score. powdr
It ain't called a temperate rain forest for nothing.
Still nothing like the air in SE
Sorry Ed. It will make it that much sweeter when you go back and get one.
Sounds like it was still a good trip.
Darn the luck EdM.
2018 will be here before you know it.
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...
No bear taken, but I'll bet you treasure the memory of those storms...
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.
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.