fly

I'd never look down on anyone who harvested an animal legally. High fences regardless of the amount of land is not for me (now if I lost the use of my legs that might change?). I love taking a B&C / P&Y animal as much as the next guy (or girl), but I'm learning that what makes an animal a trophy is not just antler or skull size. It's the effort the hunter puts forth to take the game. The satisfaction in combatting the elements and devising a plan that unfolds in the hunters favor. It's the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment one has at the end of the hunt that makes an animal a trophy for me. While bear hunting a local informed me that a bear was hanging out right off the highway eating a deer carcass that had been hit by a car. Although the bear activity was poor in my area I at first felt the rush of filling my tag. It lasted about 5 seconds. Then I thought I didn't travel 1700 miles to shoot a bear from my truck. Additionally I'm sure it's illeagel. Where's the satisfaction in that?

Summit open shot climber for afternoon hunts (light but not to comfy). Summit Viper for all day (comfy, but heavy). Gorilla baby kong hang on when the tree doesn't accomidate a climber.

So sad and terrible. Other than that I'm at a loss for words.

Looks great! Glad to hear you decided to go that extra effort and then have it pay off for you! That bear meat will taste extra special knowing it came from your extra efforts. It's not over till 1/2 hour past sunset on the last day.

Kathleen, I'll never stop thinking about a trip to Alaska. If it ever becomes more than thinking/dreaming you'll be the first to hear from me. Thanks for the tip on units 61 and 62 in Colorado Zirkel. Being a teacher means late August-early December is my busy time at work. It's hard for me to justify finding a sub or cancelling classes for a fall hunting trip. What I need is a dean that understands the fall schedule of a hunter. Since I teach in a school of nursing I doubt that will ever happen. This is why spring bear hunting is so attractive for me. Colorado sure is a lot closer than Idaho, maybe they will offer a spring hunt some day?

Gotta be happy with that!

I'll bet they never realized how much danger a cow moose can be. I wonder if they would have remained that cool if it had been a bear and cub? The cow must of not sensed them to be a threat. Last year a cow with a broken leg and a calf were hanging out close to people in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. People were getting pictures from 20-30 yards away. My thoughts were that the cow was used to people and did not sense danger. It was hanging around people to avoid mountain lions.

That's a true bear hunter there.

The folks in Idaho were great, but you can't beat the RT forum members. Thanks for the offer WaCoyote I may just take you up on it. I hunted unit 12 around the Lochsa river. We camped near the White Sands campground ~ Powell Idaho. The elevation was around 4,000 feet. There were more people hunting the area than I anticipated. A lot of outfitters. At this point I'm really just interested in harvesting a bear that isn't a cub or a sow with cubs. Size or color wouldn't matter. The biggest drawback for me is the expense in getting there. I pulled a travel trailer and averaged 10mpg. We went 1700 miles to Idaho. I believe WA would be about 2000 miles. The gas cost was about 1400.00 round trip. Cheap compared to flying, paying over charges for gear, and paying for a place to stay. Who knows what crazy amount gas will be next year???

Hi CB, I just got back and must say the bear hunting was a disapointment. My first bear hunt in Canada was in 2000 with an outfitter and I didn't see a bear. This trip I did it myself and again, I did not see a bear. There really are bears out there right? I mean other than in a zoo. My buddy Dave saw 2 bears on the trip. He had a big black come down the hill to his bait the day after we set it. He moved for his gun before the bear put his head in the bait can and the bear saw his movement. It bolted and never returned. He esitmated it weighed about 300 lbs. The second we bumped as we were setting up baits, Dave saw it, I only heard it running up the mountain. Idaho is 6-8 weeks behind on spring/summer. It snowed several days we were there including June 8th. The only day the temperature exceded 55 degrees was early in the hunt, the day Dave saw the big black. If it wasn't snowing it was raining (every day except the first). I asked the check station about bear harvest numbers and it wasn't just us. No one was having luck. Normally 60-70 bears are checked by the time we arrived on May 30th. Only 10 were checked since the season opened. When we left on June 8th a total of 11 bears were checked. The additional bear was taken on the same day Dave saw the 300 pounder. I spoke with several unhappy outfitter clients. Dave even heard a client cursing an outfitter (they were glassing a hillside) because the bear activity was so poor. That client needed a good kick. I've learned a lot on this trip and one thing is that I have a new found admiration for outfitters (at least the ones that I saw in Idaho). Those guys were working so hard, I know because me and Dave were doing the same work. It's just about the hardest hunting I've ever done. I hiked several miles (almost straight up) every day. The outfitters were doing the same. They were pulling every trick to get a bear for their clients. Nothing was working. I think most of the bears were still in hibernation. This was sort of a freak year from what the locals were telling me. People in Idaho and Montana are great. I made several contacts who were all willing to help a couple Illinois boys bag a bear. We also befriended a retired 65 year old from Oklahoma who has to be one of the toughest cowboys alive. Ron was his name and he hunts bears all over the country. He spends 6-8 weeks huntng bear (by himself) in the spring and fall. He sleeps in a 1-man tepee the whole time. He was a little upset when a rat chewed a hole in his tent (everything the man owned was wet). When everyones spirits were down Ron was always in the game ready to get you fired up. I'm going to take some time and reflect on the positives as well as the negatives. I do know that the disappointment of not harvesting a bear has not discouraged me or Dave. We are more determined to get a bear now more than ever. I feel a lot different after this trip than the one in Canada. If I can find a way to finance a trip next year you better believe I'll be hunting for a bruin. As far as gear and safety the trip went very well. The only mishap was a flat tire in Kansas City. That's pretty good considering the 3400 miles we drove. The 2000 watt Honda generator worked great as well as the treestand I purchased from a RT forum member. Dave had a cold when we left and the cold damp weather worsened his condition which is why we left a couple days early. I've got some pictures of landscape, Elk, Eagles, and some trout I caught. One pregnant cow Elk was 5 steps from my treestand, she looked miserable. Dave also watched an ariel combat between a hawk and an eagle over a trout the hawk had taken from a pond. I'll post later. It's good to be back. >Frank

After a years worth of planning and acquiring gear and knowledge I'm headed to Idaho on Wednesday with a friend for our bear hunting and fly fishing trip. I want to thank all of you for your advice, gear from the classifieds, and encouragement over the past few months. This trip is a pretty big deal for me since I decided not to use an outfitter and since this is the first time I've ever set out on an adventure like this. If the good Lord is willing I'll have some bear and trout pictures to share. If not, then at least a story.

Very nice! >Frank

Next month I'll be in the market. I suggest getting something with at least 30 mpg. I'll be looking for a Honda or Toyota (civic/corolla) 199(something). Can't afford a new one. I'll keep my F-150 for hunting and hauling, but the car will be my every day auto.

Great pictures! Congrats!

Great suggestions so far. One thing I'll add: You said other hunters will be close to the area you hunt. Chances are they'll be bumping deer on their way in. If you can find cover the deer will flee to set up there prior to the times the other hunters arrive and you may be in the chips.

I can shoot a dime every time at 50 yards with my Nikon buckmaster. This is the first I've heard of problems with the monarch.

Positive: I pray daily for God to guide my life, I'm organized and dependable, and I love my wife and kids. Negative: I should be more tolerant of people, I let guilt run my life too much, I hold things in to long and then explode.

My first time buying anythign from a RT member was a little nervy. I purchased a Summit Viper from whttlbucksteve. Communication was acceptable (but just barely). I think Steve is an honest guy, but should reply to messages/questions sooner. Since I don't know Steve I was sweating it out after not hearing from him for 3+ days. In his defense he did indicate he had modum problems. My check was cashed on May 2nd and I received the stand (Fed-Ex) on May 13th. The original agreement was UPS, but that really doesn't matter to me. I received the stand within the time frame I had told Steve I needed it. The stand is as he described. I'd give Steve a "+" (hesitantly). I'd encourage him to get his modum fixed and to check for and respond to personal message inquiries AT LEAST every other day. >Frank

Camo here.

Nice! Hope I have a bear pic to post next month.

I like to use minnows.

I'd confront the kid and when he denies it I'd tell him he missed one of your other trail cams and that it has his picture on it. Then I'd tell him he had one final chance to give it back before I went to the police with the picture. And that I'd be pressing charges for tresspassing and theft. If he still denies it tell him he has until the next day to confess. The more he thinks about it the more worrying he'll do. Then when he confesses and gives you the camera I'd go to his parents and probably the police. I'll be you won't have him tresspassing again. >Frank

Saved it as well. thanks

3.89 (this week). Goes up a dime every week. I'm driving my F-150 4X4 for now. When I return from Idaho I'll be looking into something cheap (2 grand) that gets 30+mpg.

So sorry to hear. Prayers sent.