Forest Bows Brown Bear Hunt
Bears
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The last time i posted pics was in Juneau at the air port so i'll pick up there. I then landed in Yakutat and from then on had no cell phone service. I landed in cordova went in to town and got my tag and hotel room.
The room was at Reluctant Fisherman
Day One: Day one started with a short drive out to the city air strip
This is my guide Pete and the pilot Mike tring to fit all are stuff in the plane.
And wre off. we past the Copper river delta on the way down.
Still winter up the copper!
10 miles makes alot of difference.
This is Herring spawn right off the island. Those are sea lions and sea gulls eating the fish and spawn.
We are doing a fly by to check the landing, that is cape St Elias in the distance
We have to just miss the creek and then set her down fast so we can get stopped in time
oops that is not even my pic
now the pilot tells me that this is the first time he has landed here
now we have to pack all our stuff over the drift wood and back to some cover
Forest, Great pics. Can't wait to see the end results of the trip.
Rob, Rocky mountain beetle works
Time set up camp befor it rains
Now were off to do some scouting before it gets dark
i feel like i'm being watched
we found 6 of these in 3 days. They are Japanese glass fishing net floats. From the 40's
and they are worth $'s to the collectors ...
I brought my bow along with field points and blunts to make sure i was still on and my sights were ok.
the stump shooting was awesome!!!!
we came across 5 of these little guys and i was able to call them in to 5 feet with some lip mouse calls
this stump is 3 1\2 miles frome camp and this is were we turned around on day one. Remember this "big stump"
Day two: no bears on day one so we decided to climb up the hill be hind camp and glass all day
we sat there all day and no bears. I passed the time watching the sea lions on the rock in front of camp.
Day three: day three was the most exciting day yet. I only left the tent one time to piss and i thought the tent was going to blow away because i was not in it. 60-80 mph gusts and a stiff 40mph wind drove rain at are little tent all day and night.
Day four: It rained all morning and at the fist sign of it letting up we geared up and walked 4 1\2 miles down the beach like we did on day 1
we sat and glassed for the next 6 hours
Did you see any tracks on the beach sands?
Great pics by the way !!!!!
if we were to get back to camp before dark we needed to get going. The eagles were nesting above us and the sounds they were making were so cool.
6 glass floats???? SCORE!!!!!!!
Johnny yes there were lots. we started back and stoped at the "big stump" for a water break.As we were sitting there we heard sticks breaking and some thing coming down the hill.
did the higher tides drive up up in the driftwood and rocks for walking?
It was a sow and 3 big cubs
now we have a problem. They are between camp and us,we have to go 3 1\2 miles and it's getting dark. we watched them for 20 min and then decided to try to scare them away so we could get by. Thank God they ran back up the hill when they saw us walk out into the open. Johnny, at this time of night we were using the rocks and driftwood as kind of cover to spot and stalk our way back to camp.
We walk about 200 yards and Pete, my guide, stops and whispers "bear!". We both get down. Pete examines the bear and starts to range him. Pete says if we can get to that next stump he should be at 25 yards. So we drop our packs, I get an arrow out and knocked, we take about three steps, and Pete gets down and says "here he comes!" At this point I am thinking what do you mean here he comes?! Is he running at us, is he walking towards us, as I have not yet seen the bear. It doesn't take long for him to come into view. My first instinct is to ask Pete how far he is, "44", "39", I ask again, "24", Pete replies " if he gives you a shot, take it". I pull back right before the bear steps up onto a boulder, not 10 yards from me, head on. All I can remember is that my pin is in the middle of his chest just below his neck. His head is swaying back and forth as he makes eye contact with me. He pauses and I can tell he is going to turn and run. So I wait untill he turns to shoot. The arrow hits him very far back and disappears. He was quartering hard away at the time the arrow hit him. To my surprise he didn't make it very far before he lost his whole rear end! I have already knocked another arrow, pulled back, and asked Pete "how far?", as he falls back on his butt and bites at the arrow. "35" no sooner got out of Petes mouth and the second arrow was on the way. Perfect heart shot. Couldn't have placed it any better if I tried. He got his feet under him and went another 10-15 yards before he balled up. Pete started to yell "You got him! You got him! Hes down" as we walked slowly up to him his head was still up so I chose to put another arrow in him at 20 yards or less. That one definatly let the air out of him and his head went down and he was gone within a matter of seconds. Pete went CRAZY. Me being the first bowhunter he has ever gided for Brown Bears.
This is where he fell. sorry about the picture- I was a little pumped up.
As you can tell its going to be a long night- being 3 1/2 miles from camp and right at dark
And when I checked him in they measured his skull at 24 and some change
Congrats on a great bear!!! Thanks for the great pics and the story! Can you tell us what was your archery tackle on the hunt.
hoyt AM 74# with a 496 grn. arrow shutlle T 100grn heads.
Good job Forrest !!! Just fly in and set up a beach camp and get-r-done.
I like belly pictures !!!
What time did you get back to camp? I bet that hide and head weighed over 100lbs.
We skinned him and left everything there and got back at midnight. We went back in the morning and packed him out.
the guy who was going to film me and then hunt if there was time showed up the next day so i hopped his plane back to Cordova
Congrats on a awesome hunt and bear--Great feeling to have a successful hunt on such a truely great animal taken with a bow
seals at the mouth of the copper
I stayed at the hotel for 2 days and let my hide freze and brought it back with me.home 7 days early.
Congrats! What an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing!!
Great bear Forest, Congrats Again!
Great bear Forest.Thanks for the pics.
Great bear and story Forest.Thanks for the details and pics.
Amazing hunt and area. Thanks for the pics and congrats again!
Thanks for a great recap! Congrats!
Great job and pictures! Nice teamwork with the guide. It sure is nice to have them calling out yardages. Which outfitter? I like the tent hunt compared to staying on a boat.
Great Bear Forrest! You are SO BLESSED! That was an awesome adventure an great story too. Now I wanna shoot a BROWNIE! Mike
Good job Forest and thanks for taking the time to post such great photos and taking us along wiith you on such a great adventure. There is just nothing like a good bowhunt and a camera to document the event.
A big congratulations to you Forest. You did well.
I hope you have many more great bowhunts. BB
Another Bowsiter helps a great guide to his "first" client Brown Bear with a bow! You did well my friend! Congrats! 2010 will be a year you NEVER forget and it's only April!!! Charlie
Congrats Forest, what an awesome bear!
Congrats and thanks for posting your pictures and story been waiting since I heard you got your bear.
Have you decided on how you're going to have the taxidermist do the mount?
Again congrats one heck of a trophy!
Wonderful story. Love the shot sequence. I bet that was surreal.
Great stuff,will be doing the same fly up with my sons next month.
Thanks for sharing!
Any one want to know about the guide p m me. Great guy.
WOW!!!!!!!! Great Pix and story. Some people think they need to take drugs to get high. Heck, I got a buzz just reading the story, can't imangine what kind of rush you got stickin' an arrow in that thing. GREAT JOB
Wow!Thanks for sharing and congrats
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience and the scenery along the way. Pretty cool. Great bear.
Would you mind pm'ing me what the budget would be for this type of hunt? It looks incredible.
Congratulations on your awesome trophy and adventure. Thanks for sharing. Great job!
Good Job!! Thanks for the replay.
Forest, Thank you for sharing your hunt with us!
I could hardly "Bear" it, felt like I was with you on that beach, Great Story!
Ole Thumper
That was a real treat to see and read. Thanks for sharing your fantastic story with us and Congrats!!!!
Fantastic Forest. You'll relive every detail for a long time. That's a great bear and thanks for the the way you put your story together with the pictures. Super job!
Thanks I truly enjoyed this account of your hunt.
Well Done!!!
.
NICE!!! Congrats again Forest!!
Way to go forest!!! Love the story and pics.
Pat, this is the only place i post.
Forest on a scale of 1to10, what was your Pucker Factor? How worried were you about leaving your bear, overnight?
I wouldn't have been able too sleep, because of fear another bear would claim your bear!
Congratulations again!
Ole Thumper
Congrats, Great bear, love the story and pics. You have to love the shuttle T's have seen some great things from these heads.
Way to go. Thanks for sharing.HUNT
We put the hide up away from the carcass but with that sow and cubs there I thought the would be on it. The eagles sure were on it
Wow, way cool, many CONGRADS!!!
Thomas, it happend so fast that i had no time to pucker. I was just real zoned in on what i had to do.
Wow, great hunt....thanks for sharing. Did you get to take the net floats home?
Absolutely Cool! Congrats!
Awesome pics and awesome bear. Thanks for sharing
Forest, that is one of the greatest hunting stories I have heard in years. Thanks for taking the time to provide it to us.
Fantastic pictures and story. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jacob, i did get to bring 3 home. the one i took a pic of and 2 smaller ones
That is just incredible ... what a beautiful place, great picts and great bear. Congrats on your success. Amazing. Thanks so much for taking the time to share.
Congrats and "Thanks" for sharing your hunt. As you were downloading your pictures last nite, I sat there refreshing the screen waiting for the next picture and step in your adventure.
Jim were do you live? I got that hunt at the CBA auction last year.
Sorry for the double post. I'm in Loveland. CBA's a good group.
Congrats Forest! I read the story to my 5 year old son who was sitting on my lap as though we were there with suspense and all in my voice and when i got done he said "Dad can you read that story again." Thanks for sharing it was awesome!
Very nice!! Awesome accomplishment.
Congrats forest! Great story too!
Tom, send me a PM with your address and i'll send your son a pic. for his room. Forest
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us Forest! An outstanding trophy and awesome pics! What is the greenish stuff on the bottom of his pads? Is that what there pads look like after leaving the den or is it just sea weed or lichen?
Great hunt Forest and very exciting. Thank you for posting it on Bosite.
Tony. i think that green was coming off the rocks. Sea weed or moss.
dose any one know were this bear will land in the book? say he comes out at 24" even
Forest, Awesome bear Congrats,I have been following this thread from when you first started it in early April. I was very interested to see how you made out on your hunt, since I am headed to Alaska myself for brown bear in August. Where ever it lands in the book its still a great bear.
"does any one know were this bear will land in the book? say he comes out at 24" even"
I say the cover would be good starting place for it to land
Forest: From the 6th Edition Record Book, 2005 and subsequent 2, two year recording periods 25th, 2007 & 26th, 2009 it would be around top 30%! Number 1 is 29 3/16 and there are only about 130 total entries. Nice job!Charlie
Congrats Forest and thanks for the story. Awesome!
congragulations on awesome animal
Forest, Where in Colorado do you live? I live in Colorado Springs and assuming your not too far away I'd love to come and see your bear when its mounted. Are you doing a full size body mount?
WOW !!!! Congrats !!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job. Great story and pics.
Great job and thanks for sharing it with us.
Jaeger I live on the west slope by glenwood springs.I am going to full mount it. I'll have it at the cba banquet for sure next march
Really cool adventure and awesome story. Congrats on a trophy of a lifetime.
Forest,I've been seriously considering joining the CBA. Maybe I'll see ya there next March. Congrats again!
Jaeger63: Go to the CBA home page and check out the link on the right side of the Home Page! CBA is a very strong Club, did an awesome job hosting the P&Y Club Convention last year in Denver and a great supporter of Bowsite! Charlie
I was waiting for the part where your guide would say, "RUN FOREST, RUN!!" as that beast was closing...Great job, GREAT story!
Many congrats!
charlie those bears skulls of 29 inches dont look real ,, looks like a cave bear from many years ago, thats one giant bruin,,,,
Tony, pm me if you want. Forest
Quinn@work i cant get you pm to work. pm me your email add. and i'll hook you up. Forest
Forest good job congrats great photos.
Wow.....that is an amazing story!!! Great pics!!!
You are now my new hero. WOW, what an awesome story and pics. Thanks for taking the time and making me feel less of a man............lol. Great job.
Congratulations! Awesome bear!
Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Alen i saw a pig that big at your ranch ;}
Forest, Big Congradulations ! Those rocks and driftwood look like the perfect place to put the smack down on a big bear. Way to get it done ! Booner
Simply Awesome! Thank you for taking me along with you, the story and pics took me there with you.. great job, congrats..
This has always been a dream hunt for me and one day I will live it.............
Great story. Thanks for taking all the pictures for us too.
Great Job.... congrats...
i am going to bring this up and put mount pics on it.
those pics just did not turn out very well. I will try to take some better ones.
nice mount.........looks like he's "bellyin' up to the bar and asking for a second round. what a brute.
LOL Bou'!!!
But honestly Forest I LOVE that mount. One of the best I have seen from the front and looks VERY intimidating.
Nicely done and what an accoomplishment. Hats off to you!
Looks like he's hump'in that rock.
congras forest whats next for you
A turkey with my recurve! LOL
An awesome mount of an awesome bear! And seeing the pics with your story again is as exciting as it was last year. Thanks for sharing an unforgettable hunt!
Congrats Forrest! Awesome bear but we gotta work on your picture taking skills, maybe BB will give you some pointers, lol. Mike
Great hunt and great pics. Thanks Forrest.
---jim