Spring Grizzly Hunt
Bears
Heading up to Unalakeet Tuesday for spring grizzly. Can't wat! I'll be sure to post some pics of the hunt here on bowsite.
My dream hunt. Soak it all in and have a great time!
Best wishes for a great trip! Looking forward to your pics!
Looking forward to seeing your pics of the hunt.
Good luck! I'll be watching for updates.
Best of luck, please post lots of pictures.
Nothing like a grizzly at bowrange! Good luck!
Good luck Blayne...Kota flew into Unalakleet yesterday!
Mark
Following. Good luck, Blayne.
Lenny
What an adventure is about to unfold for you ! Good luck Sir !
Excited to hear about it. Good luck!
Good Luck Blayne! Can't wait for the reports!
Good luck on your adventure and stay safe!
Thanks guys! Packed and heading out in the AM.
Is the ice in, or is it open water?
Can't wait to hear how this goes. This too, is my dream hunt.
Good luck on your hunt! Take plenty of pictures. The hunt of a lifetime is only days away. Enjoy!
Jake,
I'm pretty sure the ice is out. I believe the guys at bowhunting safari consultants sent me an email stating this. Been so busy with family, work, etc. I only just started focusing on this hunt Sunday. Man I'm pumped to disconnect for a few days and chase bears!
Blayne
Congrats to you on taking on this adventure. Bear hunters get to see Alaska in an epic way. I went 85 on gun hunt and at the age of 28 could not fully appreciate the enormity of the event. I probably will not make it back with the ever increasing cost but have not taken a bow hunt off the bucket list. Until then I will live vicariously through you and fellow Bowsiters. Embrace it all, the wind, rain, and endless periods of glossing because it is part of the grand journey. Please share all so that we can partake. Good luck and shoot a big one so that we can gawk and beam with pride in your boldness.
That is a FUN hunt. Good Luck!!!
I'm back early! Incredible trip with tons of bears, great people and an awesome camp. I'll totally exhausted from travel and sleep schedule getting totally messed up. I'll work on posting details, pics, etc. over the next 24 hrs.
Congrats Blayne! Can't wait to hear about the trip
I'm ready to hear about this too !
Ha! Bigswivle....that's hilarious. Okay, sorry for the delay.
First off this was an amazing hunt. Eric Umpenhour runs a great camp! There were a total of 4 hunters (3 archery and 1 rifle). Having zero experience hunting Unalakleet I had no idea what I was getting into. We based out of one central camp and used boats to run the coastline. We traveled as far as 35 miles south of camp looking for bears. To say this is a target rich environment would be an understatement. I managed to miss a huge boar on day two, had a blown stalk and passed a smaller bear on day three and then shot my bear on day four. I'll get into the details of the stalk later. I had a GoPro on my head and captured some of the hunt on video (all except the actual shot).
One of the finer facilities I've had the pleasure of utilizing :)
Got some cool videos and pics of this little guy.
Plundering seagull eggs for breakfast. Also had the pleasure of eating bearded seal, and whale!
Glassing for bears from the boat.
We hunted all night and tried to sleep during the day. When I couldn't take it anymore I'd go for walks along the beach looking for fossils etc. I'd carry Eric's pistol. One of the guides found a mammoth tusk! Unfortunately I forgot to get a pic before I left.
I did find a mastodon molar...
Here's my boar before the final stalk. We watched him walk down the mountain to this inlet. Had to wait him out to figure out which direction he was going to walk.
Ha! Bigswivle....that's hilarious. Okay, sorry for the delay.
First off this was an amazing hunt. Eric Umpenhour runs a great camp! There were a total of 4 hunters (3 archery and 1 rifle). Having zero experience hunting Unalakleet I had no idea what I was getting into. We based out of one central camp and used boats to run the coastline. We traveled as far as 35 miles south of camp looking for bears. To say this is a target rich environment would be an understatement. I managed to miss a huge boar on day two, had a blown stalk and passed a smaller bear on day three and then shot my bear on day four. I'll get into the details of the stalk later. I had a GoPro on my head and captured some of the hunt on video (all except the actual shot).
So far --so good!
Happy for ya man
Good luck, Robb
Eric is an awesome guy and outfitter. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story. Congrats!
Congrats on a great trip, I cant wait to read the rest of it!
Congrats Blayne! Can't wait for the rest!
John Wilson spotted the boar up in the tundra while we were making our nightly 30 mile voyage down the Bering Sea coastline (cant remember the name of the sound). The bear was making his way down towards the ocean and closing the distance quickly. We slowly cruised into the bay and beached the boat. The only thing separating us from this brute as a small creek which turned into a bigger inlet. Which way was he going to travel was the big question?
After watching the boar for awhile and studying his every move, we knew this was an animal we most definitely wanted to pursue. He slowed his paced and finally committed to walking down one side of the inlet and we quickly got into position hiding behind a sand dune.
The bear disappeared behind a draw and when he reappeared he busted my guide. The bear turned around and walked off at a rapid pace. We dropped back below the sand dune and ran up the beach about 50 yds and popped over again.
The boar was curious and came charging back in looking for us intently and scouring our last location. Raising up on his hind legs, looking and then running in. (See GoPro footage...I took a still shot with him standing on his back legs looking for us). I waited until his was roughly 20 yds away, drew my bow and let my arrow fly. It was an absolute perfect shot passing through both lungs.
Slick trick did the job. He only ran about 80 yds before piling up. Unfortunately he rolled into the inlet and was completely submerged. His awesome spring coat doesn't look nearly as good wet!
Thanks Jake! These are a few low-res pics I have on my phone. Have better quality pics on my camera. This was easily one of my favorite top three hunts of all time. Awesome guys in camp, enjoyed the guides and got to see lots of critters. After I shot my bear I stuck around a couple days and tried to help my roommate on his hunt. The only thing I would do differently is bring warmer weather gear. It got cold sitting in those boats, especially when ice was present.
I envy you .... I really do. Most of us will never do that .... fantastic man, fantastic. That's going to be an expensive taxidermy bill :) do they eat well or ?? Black Bear is awesome
Little better quality pic
Awesome sunset while skinning out the bear!
Saint, Congrats! Did you take a back up bow on this trip? If so, did you send it up prior to your hunt or take it with you? Nice bear!
Congratulations on a successful hunt! He looks like a great bear. Rug or full body mount?
INBowdude,
I did not take a back up bow on this particular hunt.
Chief 419....lifesize!
Congrats on a great bear and fantastic trip!
That will be the highlight of your trophy room. Your comment about warmer clothing when riding in boats is spot on. I've only done one cold water boat hunt, but it does get frigid, especially around the ice. Thanks for sharing your pics and story.
Were you able to set any king crab pots? If you did, I hope that you were able to catch and cook them!!!
Very Cool indeed!!
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
Congrats ! and good shot.
Good for you. You are doing amazing hunts! Great pics! C
Amazing pics and hunt. Jealous for sure.
nice job that is a great trophy and better memory.
Congrats. Awesome hunt. Top 2 or 3 on my bucket list
Great recap and pics! Congrats again on a great bear!
#1 on my dream list. Well done!
CONGRATS BROTHER!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on a great hunt! Thanks for sharing.
Thx guys. This was a dream hunt for sure. I'm anxious to hear how the rest of the hunters did. Within one day of being back in CO that mastodon molar started to crack. Just spent the last hour sealing that bad boy up!
Awesome result for you, congrats!!!
Great job Blayne!!
Congrats!!!
Mark
Pete got the bear I had pictures of on the trail cam, 22in 7foot3in
Congratulation on a great adventure.
Thanks for sharing this adventure!!
Congrats! Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations! Awesome hunt. How can we view your GoPro footage?
ROLL TIDE !!! Congrats on a real beauty Blayne. A real trophy.
Sweet bear! Congrats again!
Awesome story Blayne! PM'd you...
Awesome man. Big congrats!
CONGRATS on an awesome bear and hunt!!!
Outstanding, congrats on an amazing hunt! Do you have any other big hunts planned for this season?
Awesome! Congrats! Thanks for sharing your story and pics.
Good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job Blayne, congrats!
what an adventure...... thanks for sharing.....
gotta love da bowsite!
Great job!! How did Kuiu products hold up? Thinking of purchasing a few items.
Congrats! How awesome is that. I'm going to make that hunt a reality someday. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations, Blayne! Great bear!
Lenny
NJ Buck, I have a Quebec boy hunt and I drew an outstanding shiras moose tag in WY. I'm sure I'll squeeze something else in :)
Goelk, I've had pretty good luck with most Kuiu stuff. On extended, heavy load hunts I really don't like their packs but for day packs etc. they're pretty good. Base layers aren't the most durable, I actually like first lite a little better. Everything else has been great.
Once things settle down at work I'll put together a little video and post it here!
Thank you for sharing your awesome hunt!
Congrats on a great bear and thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to the video....
