Adrenaline Rush in Manitoba

[need2hunt]

Hey guys! I was able to take this bruiser up at Adrenaline Outfotters in Manitoba last week... thought you night enjoy the pics and story.

ADRENALINE RUSH IN MANITOBA

On the flight to Winnipeg I stared out the window and wondered what lay in store for Bucky and I at Adrenaline Outfitters. Remembering the 2009 season at Adrenaline Outfitters, where Joe took a big color-phase bear plus Zendal’s unforgettable miss of a truly once in a lifetime bear, had my hopes running high and the adrenaline pumping.

When we arrived it didn’t take long to figure out that bear camp was going to be a blast as we had some of the best people in camp that you could ask for. First off there was POSSE member Bucky Beckham who I would be hunting and filming with. Throw in Rod, Russ and Joel who are not only the owners of Adrenaline but are also POSSE members and dear friends. Then we met a new friend, Dr. Denny from Ohio, who is one of the nicest and most positive persons I know. Plus we had the privilege to have David Brandt of Double B Outfitters in ND and his buddy Ray to round out the group. The week would consist of old stories told to new listeners, laughs, and of course some good ribbing among friends but for now it was time to hit the bed and try to get some sleep before day 1 of the hunt began!

DAY 1 – After eating a great breakfast and picking up a sack lunch for the afternoon it was back to the room to pull out the gear and make sure everything had made the trip without harm. After being relieved that it appeared I didn’t forget anything when I packed, I grabbed my Hoyt and headed out back to do a little shooting. After we pounded the Bemans into the target at 20 yards we knew that everything checked out and we were ready for the weeks hunt.

We headed out to the stand at around 1 pm, there had been a lot of rain there in the last few days so it was wet and cloudy and the winds were light and variable. We arrived at what was called “Clearcut Bait” and set up quietly, it wasn’t long before we saw our first bear. It was a 2 year old cub and as he entered the bait site he seemed a little on edge. After he fed around a bit he sniffed the air and walked toward us a little bit and then turned around and left, moments later we could make out him and his mama leaving through the woods. Our “variable” part of the winds for the evening played fits with us again just a little bit later as a good boar come in upwind from us. I wanted to size him up and chose to wait until he was closer to the barrel for comparison. As he stepped into the opening below us I could feel the wind switch and hit the back of my neck, blowing right towards the bait, only took one sniff and the jig was up and he was gone!

Now we have seen three bears in a matter of 45 minutes BUT we figured out that it just wasn’t going to work out with the variable winds. So just like when you hunt big whitetails we decided to back out of the stand and head back to the road to wait to be picked up. It’s hard to do on a paid hunt but it is well worth it, we lost one night to hunt but the next person to get the opportunity to sit there will reap the reward of a bears that weren’t made aware of the stand by our scent.

DAY 2 – We head out a lot earlier today as the dirt roads have dried out just enough for us to ride the quads a good 12 miles back to the new bait site for the evening. It was Bucky’s turn to hunt and all I will add to it is that this hunt consisted of a no, yes, NO with a slight beeping in my ears – hope that is vague enough for you, you’ll just have to read Bucky’s story to get the details!

DAY 3 – I want to preface this by saying that the events you are about to read equal out to one of my most memorable and enjoyable hunts of my life and that it is a hunt I will never forget.

As Bucky and I step up onto the stand platform we hear something running in, we pause to see a mama moose with her young baby headed our way. With our big camera on the ground tied to a rope for us to pull up and our smaller camera in the backpack the moose stop a mere 12 yards from our stand, most likely catching the scent of where we walked in. Bucky tried to get the small camera out of the backpack, and succeeded but the moose didn’t stick around long enough for the camera to cycle on, but that was the closest I’ld been to a wild moose and it was an awesome way to start the night!

About 15 minutes after we were settled in I decided to take out a “magic” sandwich from my lunch and eat half of it. I call it magic because it seemed every time we went to eat a sandwich in the stand a bear would “magically” appear out of nowhere. This time was no different as a sow with 4 teeny tiny cubs made their way past us and in to the bait site. This was my first time to see this year’s cubs and I had to laugh inside as the sow knocked the barrel and the one little cub was halfway buried with his dinner of corn! As they fed so did I, finishing up my half of the sandwich just about the same time they finished their meal and headed out from the bait site.

Shortly after, I noticed that Bucky was looking a little hungry behind the camera so I offered him the other half of the magic sandwich. He had just started to peal the saran wrap off when he looked over his shoulder and said “BEAR!” I turned to look and all I saw was a BIG blocky head coming our way and whispered “shooter” back to Bucky as he swung the camera around and I picked up my Hoyt!

The boar had swung around behind us and was slowly making his way down to the bait site. I drew back my Hoyt as he stepped out of the woods at 20 yards, but as things often go he stops with his vitals behind the one tree in the bait area. He turns towards us and starts walking toward the barrels. As he reaches them he is slightly quartering to me and I just need him to shift his back end around a little bit for a good broadside shot. As he starts to turn he plops down on his belly at the bait and start to eat, I let down and start the waiting game.

After 3 or 4 minutes he stands up, but this time he turns and walked off to our right where neither the camera nor I have a shot at him. Bucky shifts the camera out as far as the camera arm will let him to try to get into position as the bear starts walking down the trail away from us. I draw back and wait for him to emerge from behind the brush, as Bucky gives me the green light that the bear is in the cameras view, just seconds later he starts entering my shooting lane. He is walking away offering me a quartering away shot – I follow him with my Truglo Range Rover, making sure that I keep the pin back, aiming for the opposite shoulder. Then he STOPS! Giving me the opportunity that I needed! The pin is on it’s mark as I squeeze the trigger on my Scott release and send the Spitfire MAXX through the air!

The shot is perfect and Bucky and I watch as this monster bruin goes down a short 30 yards from where he was hit! After some celebrating we decide to go ahead and switch out spots as the evening was still young (5:30 pm), hoping that Bucky might get the opportunity at another bear. The right bear arrived later in the evening, but the opportunity didn’t, as the bear chose to check out and posture for my bear that was laying dead on the ground as opposed to coming into the bait site.

When I recovered my bear I couldn’t believe the size of this awesome animal. Over 400 lbs. squaring 6’ 10” and having a 20+” skull this surpassed my biggest bear and my wildest dreams. I was blessed to share the event with my friend Bucky behind the camera as well as celebrate with all my friends back at camp. We toasted with “Good Hunting, With Good Friends!” as everyone in camp filled there tags… well that is for Bucky, but that’s another story and you’ll just have to read it for yourself.

I would like to thank all the people at Adrenaline Outfitters - Rod, Russ, Joel and Shelly for doing all that they do to put their clients on great bears. To thank Ralph & Vicki for giving me the opportunity to not just be an employee at their company but the chance to enjoy what all of us do – hunting and the outdoors. To thank Bucky for being a great hunting partner as well as laying down some awesome footage for next year’s Bear’N Down 10. And lastly to thank Dr. Denny, David and Ray for being great people and making up the most enjoyable bear camp I’ve had the honor of sharing.

[toddyboman]

That dude looks huge!!! Congrats!

Sounds like a great hunt!

[bearguide]

great bear congats

[Randy]

Awesome bear Gary!! Congrats!! :cool2:

[colorado bob]

Now that's a BEAR----conglads---CB

[Prairiepredator]

That is a huge bear!! Looks like he has a beautiful coat on him too! Sounds like you had a great time!

[Diamond Archer 01]

Congrats on an awesome bear!!!!!

[Muleyman]

AWESOME BEAR! congrats!

[Cutter]

Nice pumpkin on that big bugger.Congrats.