Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Brooks Range Grizzly Hunt

I remember the prior thread, but didn't realize that you drove. That added to the adventure and two nice animals.

Sometimes, after a great trip, there is a period of time where you aren't really accountable for your actions.

Here's your original thread.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/12070178

To say I'm jealous would be an understatement.

Heck, I'm jealous of your drive up there!

Sounds like an awesome time.

How did the .30-06 do?

-Jake

Great stuff Guy! Great too see you back!

Also, how did you like the Wrangler for that long of a trip?

-Jake

Jake - I take the Wrangler on long trips several times a year. Last spring it carried my wife and I on a 3,600 mile trip through the southwest including a lot of 4wd use on desert roads.

It's NOT the greatest highway car! Especially the two-door. A little "twitchy" with the steering. I transitioned from a full-size truck to the Wrangler six years ago, and though I like the little rascal, it wouldn't be my first choice for a long highway drive. It did just fine on the trip up to Fairbanks and back, but frankly that road is nice enough now that a Toyota Camry or whatever could do it just fine, be more comfortable, and get better fuel economy. It is an incredible drive, and I am so glad that I took the time to drive this time, instead of simply flying up again.


The 30-06 with the 200's did fine, once I hit the bear. First shot was a high miss. Second shot hit the right shoulder/upper leg. Broke that shoulder and dropped the bear instantly, penetrating into the chest too. Likely a killing shot, however the bear didn't agree. He fell at the shot, rolled and was back on his feet in a flash. I was already working the bolt and then made a bad hit, too high, just a "graze" as they said in the old western movies. Then I got a good hit as the bear turned away from me, and dropped him again. He stayed down. Somewhere in there my guide popped him with a 338 Win mag too. I was about to reload my 30-06, when Joey handed me his 338 and I finished the bear with a chest shot at maybe 15 yards. There was a lot of shooting going on in a very brief period of time, all of it at short range.

Recovered this 200 gr Partition from the bear while skinning:

Wish I could say that I made a one-shot kill on the grizzly, but that didn't happen.

Regards, Guy

Grizzlies are very tenacious of life and can excel at gymnastics when by a bullet.
Ya did good!

I've flown in that same Currier into the Chandalar river country, Wright Air correct? Congrats on a great hunt too!

I hate finding bullets in bears...

Close range, wounded bear + multiple bullets and multiple guns = "life insurance" + many good stories told in the future. Nothing to regret there. Sounds like a smart investment to me!

I had the luxury of 50+ yards and a river between me and my bear. Hit him hard in the shoulder with my first shot (good old 175gr CoreLokt) and he turned and took off to where he'd come (across a small shallow slough from willows). I pulled my second shot over his back like you did out of excitement! Subconsciously kicked myself in the "arse" and put the 3rd one where it was supposed to go. The third was probably not needed as he died in the slough BUT I did not want him getting back to those willows! We crossed the river to him, dragged him up the bank and gutted him as it started to get dark. I later spent a very uncomfortable night in the spike tent several hundred yards away and across the river. Bear trails in the grass and salmon carcasses everywhere! No bear fences back then.

Once listened all night to many bears arguing over the carcass of one of their own. By morning the only sign there had ever been a dead bear there was a little blood in the grass and mud.

I've been in on close to a dozen Brown bear and grizzly kills and I gotta say there's just something about those Brooke's range bears. Awesome story and pics.

Beautiful bear! Looks like you had a great trip, and most important, had a proper appreciation for the whole experience. Very well done!

Jeff

Friend of mine from New Mexico drove up two years in a row all the way to Pump Station 5 on the Dalton Hwy. This past summer he killed his Brooks range grizzly with his open sighted 300 H&H with Dave Leonard. I saw quite a few when working in Bettles.

Awesome trip!

I’ll never tire of looking at a bear like that. Beautiful Congrats to you and thank you for visiting the place we call home

Win win win, wonderful! Thanks for sharing...

What a great story and pictures. Thanks for sharing those. Glad you are back on the fire.

That great second photo, to see that country ahead, you gotta know you're not just going from point A to point B, you are on a path and a journey your smartphone cannot hold.

Thank you. That was taken on the "Top of the World Highway" in Yukon, as I was heading towards Dawson City. I thought it was one of the most impressive parts of the route.

Regards, Guy