ALASKA BROWN BEAR HUNT
Bears
I had a successful brown bear hunt on the Alaska Peninsula this past October and have had several friends tell me that I should post here on Bowsite. I haven't posted before so I'll be surprised if I don't screw something up in the process.
It was a 3-week trip door to door and I was fortunate to take a nice bear on day 14 of the hunt. I hunted on the Cinder River and the weather was pretty brutal even by AK Peninsula standards. I was happy that my friend Mark Gutsmiedl was able to join me on the hunt and was lucky to have Bernie Babcock from Wasilla as my guide. On the morning of October 20th at first light, Bernie got a glimpse of a bear on the river before it disappeared behind a bluff. Earlier in the hunt, we might have waited to see him again to better judge but at this late date, we made a play on what we only knew was a bear. Luckily the stalk went well and to quote Mark, the bear turned out to be a "Magnum". The big boar approached on the gravel bar across the river. He stopped facing us at about 45 yards for what seemed like forever before continuing in our direction. As he got to about 35 yards and lowered his head, I drew my bow. Instead of staying on the gravel bar as I had hoped, he diverged from the river in a little side creek that we couldn't see. As he disappeared, I let-off and moved a few feet to clear the brush and ranged a tuft of grass in the only possible opening up river that he could re-appear. I was afraid that he would take to the brush and be gone but he appeared in the opening in a matter of seconds. As he walked back to the river, I released an arrow that struck the bear perfectly. We gave him just under an hour but found him only 45 yards in the brush where he no doubt collapsed in a matter of seconds after the shot. It was by far the best weather day of the hunt and by taking the bear in the morning; we had all day for pictures, skinning and packing.
We thought we had several minutes of awesome video but unfortunately most of it was lost due to moisture in the camera - I guess. However, we did get the kill shot on video. I will attempt to post some pics and hopefully that clip.
Beautiful bear, congratulations!
Welcome to Bowsite.
Holy waaa that a good lookin bear
Very cool, congrats. What do you figure that hide weighed?
Beendare - don't know but he was fat. Consensus was he had to be close to 1000#
Correction - misread Beendare's question. Hide was probably 100 lb or a little more without the head.
Just because it seems like the thing to do, I really wanted to say something nasty and derogative to welcome Blake. However, for a guy who has a sign on his trophy room suggesting that if you voted for Obama, you're not welcome, I can’t bring myself to it.
Nice bear Blake.
now that is a bowsite debut for the ages. well done.
Tremendous bear! Congrats!
Wow what a brute! Blake congrats and welcome to Bowsite!
Congrats & thanks for sharing Blake!
Nice gear you're wearing ;o)
Carl
Congrats!!!!
Just make sure "ROWDY" doesn't show up somewhere on the internet poised behind that great bear... LOL :)
the dog
Congrats that's an awesome bear!
pointingdogs - like to see him jump in this pic.
Wow! What a monster!!! Any chance you have a pic with your hand beside the bear's paws? Those things look like pie plate size.
Congrat's, Seen one like that in 2008 moose hunting with Gary LaRose on the Cinder. That was when I knew that some day I will return to hunt Brown Bear!!
Magnum for sure. Congrats Blake.
Wow what a great bear. Congrats to you. Welcome to Bowsite. I think we see a pic of this sign. I love it. Lol
Can't believe you finally jumped into the Bowsite campfire. You are a brave man, just kidding. Anyway, mighty impressive critter and I believe one of your finest hours as a bowhunter. Glad to see you share this with the Bowsite clan. I will say as a long time friend of Blakes if you think this Bear is impressive you should see his Trophy Barn. Congrats Tom
Holy cow, what a bear! Looks like you would have to make 2 trips just to pack the hide out! Congrats, & welcome to Bowsite!
Great bear, I can only imagine how that day felt.
But I don't get it, what do you have against Obama?
Magnum for sure! Big, big bear! Do you know what his skull measures? Thanks for sharing.
Awesome bear! Can't wait to see the video of the kill shot. I see you used Maxima Reds. What BH did you use?
That bear is huge!! Congrats!!
Nice!!
Crazy8s, look like FMJs to me.
Wow! Congratulations on a true hunt of a lifetime!
My hell--what a bear!!
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
awesome kill and congrats!!!! i like the pics as well.
Super Nice-- what did he square out to ? Congrats-- Well done n welcome to Bowsite
Wow, congrats that is an amazing animal that is on top of the bucket list. Thanks for sharing the pics.
A dream come true for every bowhunter. Congratulations!
Wow... Welcome to the Bowsite and congrats on your bear! Great story and great picts as well!
Congrats on a great bear!
DJ
First of all, thanks to all for congrats and kind words.
Deacon and Clutch - Skull was measured and entered at 26 0/16" P&Y. Squared 9 1/2 feet (no stretch) - 117" wide x 111" long.
Crazy_8s - like Nick said, I do use FMJ 400 with 100 grain G5 Striker.
Box - don't really have the paw next to my hand. Here's the closest I have.
Holy crap man that is super impressive not only the bear but having the composure to make the shot!!!
Outstanding and congratulations!!!!!
What a Bear! How do you top that?
Congrats
Last fall when you sent this to me I got so involved in your pictures and story I burned my pizza!Congrats
Wow! Incredible bear. Well done and thanks for posting! Welcome to Bowsite:)
Awesome bear and great story too. Congrats!
Thanks for sharing.
Russell
Welcome to Bowsite Blake! Congrats on a great bear! Mike
Congratulations... WOW!!!
Congratulations... WOW!!!
... sorry, I think I TBM'd my response :)
Well done! Thanks for posting
Wow what a monster! Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Oh Wow! That's friggin awesome!
I really hope to be able to do this one day.
Wow, what a bear! Congrats and welcome to Bowsite.
Amazing bear! Will be on a 15 day hunt this fall in SW Alaska and my partner will have two brown bear tags. Hoping to be in on similar results. Will be amazing just to see even if I'm not the hunter.
Awesome accomplishment and way to stick to your guns (pun intended) and go bow only.
Awesome! Congrats. Thanks for sharing with us.
CONGRATS! What a monster and hunt! Totally awesome. Hope you do a lifesize mount. Welcome to bowsite.
Amazing bear. This hunt is on my short(est) list!
Now that;s a bear, very nice good job with the bow beside congrates.
Blake, wondering if you still plan to post the video? Really hoping to see it!!
Also can you tell us more about your setup? Uow many grains was your arrow and how many pound bow were you pulling?
Thanks man!
Full body mount sounds like it would be awesome but that has to take up a ton of space!?!?!
I have seen the video. Blake makes a great shot.
Pyrannah - my arrow weighed a total of 440 grains. Pulling about 68-69#.
Downloaded to Bowhunting.TV and submitted as YouTube video but not sure where they're going. Probably just a delay in posting. I'm am attempting to embed a link here also.
What do you know, it worked. Not bad for an Aggie......
Great Video Nice Bear!!! Welcome to Bowsite.
Awesome bear! Awesome hunt! Kudos on the obama sign too.
Way to go, that's a giant bear.
Awesome Bear Blake. Congratulations you have accomplished something many only ever dream of or only attempt.
Awesome hunt, great shot. Thanks for sharing and welcome to BS
Congratulations !! Great looking bear
Monster! While he does look soft and comfy, how did you smell after laying n him... fishy?
Congratulations.
AWESOME! Great Job, Blake. #1 critter on my bucket list. Good to hear from you, hope you're well.
Scott
WOHOOOOO! Congrats on a great hunt and bear Blake!
Mark
super cool video.
what a perfect shot
That bear looked around like he knew he was in deep trouble right off the bat. so very well done.
welcome to bowsite. Great bear,great shot,great story... well done!!!
What a moment from your life to share. Thank you!
Blake a question: I don't care if other people laugh at me..... here goes: "Did you have a person with a rifle backing you up, just in case"? Thanks
the dog
pointingdogs - we did have a rifle nearby.
Congrats Blake!! Who is that crazy guy to your right in the cub picture?? LOL. I am glad you guys had an awesome trip. Nice video too.
Thanks Allyn. Just a rookie I picked up to go with me - not sure that he's ever spent much time outdoors. Kinda looks like a group photo of three stooges - don't you think. Seriously, Gutz is an animal and a great guy to hunt with!
Wow Blake, that is impressive!
Welcome to Bowsite...way to make an entrance!
Best of Luck, Jeff (Bowsite Sponsor)
Wow - what a hawg, it sure looks like he could use some hand errr I mean paw lotion. LOL
Blake, First off welcome to Bowsite !! Lots of great folks and knowledge with a touch of humor is here at your finger tips. Secondly your Brown Bear is a GIANT !! Congrats on a trophy of several lifetimes. Mark is a good guy and a very talented guide. I have no doubt that you have several fantastic memories from a trip like that.
Welcome
Best regards, Scott Alberda
great bear!!!! congrats!!!
Blake, Congrats on an awesome animal! I took mine on Kodiak a couple of years ago, with a bow as well, and I know how proud you are to have taken such a magnificent big game animal. I'm not sure I'll ever have a hunt that tops my brown bear hunt!. Congrats again and kudos to your cameraman for capturing footage that your sure to enjoy for the rest of your life!
Holy wow.... magnum indeed.... amazing. Congrats x 10.
Just as impressed with the Obama sign too.... =D
Welcome to the bowsite. Great pics, video and story, much appreciated.
Congrats on a great trophy!
Outstanding! Congrats and welcome to Bowsite. With that pot belly he looks like the Homer Simpson of bears.
Blake,
A big time congratulations to you on a fine bear.
Well done!
Welcome to Bowsite! What an awesome hunt and even more awesome bear!! I can't imagine the thrill that must have been. Congratulations
Blake,
Great Job!!!!
You definitly are not how Blacktail Bob described you when you and your son picked us up at the dock in POW 3 years ago.
I remember asking Bob "What does Blake look like?"
He told me to "look for the guy who will be walking around licking the windows at the cars parked around the bay?"
Once again great job and it is very awesome that you have it on video!!!
Congratulations on your bear! Looks like the adventure of a lifetime. Might as well give up bear hunting. That will be hard to beat. I'm sure he looked even bigger when he was closing the distance. Well done!
Great video!! Is that the arrow that I see trying to poke out of his hide on his left shoulder?
Jake - the bump you see on the left shoulder is caused from the broad head. It lacked about ½" getting to the hide.
Good to see another Aggie on here...especially one that can indeed upload videos. Great bear and congratulations on a great hunt.
Welcome & Congratulations on an awesome hunt and bear!!
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That is impressive Blake...well done and welcome to "The Site"
