Brad's Live Polar Bear Bowhunt
Bears
Good luck on your first bear
the greatest hunting adventure in north america, maybe the world, all things considered.
good luck and thatanks for taking us along
This is going to be awesome! Best of luck Brad, looking forward to your hunt!
Brad,
Best of luck to you, my friend! This adventure will stay with you for the remainder of your time on earth. Drink it up......and don't forget to look for satellites crossing overhead while you are checking out the Northern Lights!!
Give me a call upon your return, I have some other info to share with you regarding this years Fall bow hunts.
Jake
Go Get Em Brad , best of luck to you !!
Good luck! Can't wait for the story and pictures!
Wow! Many of us will never get to do a hunt like this so thanks for taking us along! "Get er done" and stay safe! C
Brad
Good luck!!
Hunting Polar bear is an amazing hunt, the stark beauty of the ice pack, learning to deal with the cold and riding the dog sled. I am ready to do it again!!
John
Good luck up there. Stay safe and keep us posted. Jay
Good Luck Brad!!!!!
This is a true adventure.
Relish the moments! Good luck!
Very cool, looking forward to hearing all the details!
I love these threads!!!
OFFHNTN
I agree it is like when I was in elementary school and my Outdoor Life would come in the mail.....entertained for days! Good luck on your adventure!
OH WOW HERE WE GO !!! CANT WAIT GOOD LUCK !!
What is the potential for importing any part of his bear into the US, or is Brad a Canadian citizen who doesn't need to worry about it?
Man i cant wait to follow this thread. Best of luck!
if you read his hunt notes he indicates he is hunting an area that has historically been non-importable (even when importing elsewhere was allowed) and he believes his opportunity to hunt an importable bear may have passed in 2008.
he's going for the experience and if it means he can't bring some fur home so be it. i take my hat off to him for that attitude.
Thanks Bou. I didn't realize those photos were actually links to information. That is commitment to hunting something, spending that kind of money without any chance of brining any of it home.
Not bringing it home?
He will have the memories of a lifetime, enough photos to fill an entire album, the knowledge that he did something 99.999% of the people that ever bowhunted or ever will bowhunt have never and will never do.
I have shared some camps with guys who have the time, the ability, and the $35,000 to make this trip and they have said......if I can't mount it I won't bother hunting it.
Just blows me away that in their situation they would forego the experience because they can't put the stuffed bear in their basement.
I think he'll be bringing a lot of "it" home!
Brad really get's it and I hope he nails a big one.
Bou - You are more than entitled to your opinions, just as those who choose not to because they will not use any part of the animal are entitled to theirs.
Okay, so I am just a little green with envy! Can't wait to read all about it and it is something that is definately on my bucket list! Goodluck Brad, I hope you shoot a monster!
Looks like its relatively warm up there. -16 is a nice day this time of year. LOL
Brad hunted black bear with me several years ago in northern Sask. when he was finishing up medical school. He definitely qualifies as one seriously dedicated bowhunter, hope he is successful on this great adventure.
Looking forward to this one!!! If I read it correctly, he should be hunting today? Can't wait!
Good luck get home safe...
I hope Brad gets a monster out there on the ice. I also have a question as to what happens to the bear and hide if one is killed? habujohn
I was Brad's advisor when he was an undergraduate student nd his teacher in med. school. He talked me into picking up a bow for the first time when I was 60 years old. Now I'm hooked! I'm looking forward to his taking me on a "gentler" hunt some day. Few people live and breathe bowhunting like Brad. Good luck, Brad, and enjoy the experience.
mdj: You have really lucked out finding the bow no matter what age. Your resting heart beat can easily go from 60 to 180 at the mere site of a potential harvest. Enjoy the ride, you are amongst tens of thousands of liked minded souls! Good luck Brad!
Brad sent out e-mail updates for his Kodiak hunt several years ago. My kids clung on his every word when I read the updates to them each evening. Thank goodness real adventure still lives!
Been friends with Bradley a few years. You guys are in for a real treat with his updates. He is one very unique character, and his descriptive word usage is hilarious. Good luck Brad !! -Glass
Good luck Brad. Thanks for taking us along and sharing the experience with us. As for your guide's reservations about a bowhunter, don't even think about it, stay focused on your part of the hunt, it will all come together!!
Once I found out that you are a WV guy; I got a little more interested. I was glad to see that you packed your Mountaineer t-shirt! Got to keep the "eers" close to heart when away. Kill a big one!
Best of luck on this hunt!! Listening to your latest report it seems that you really have the mental aspect of this hunt nailed down. Good luck!!
WOW , just listened to the first two days. Thanks for doing this Brad and Good Luck to you! Bill V.
I agree with Pat. Guides up North are all about killing, just want to do it as quick as possible.
I was gonna go polar bear hunting this month too. I decided I needed something more challenging that required more resouces. I'm going varmint hunting the next county over.
Brad,
I just listened to the first two days of your post. I am amazed at the clarity of your phone messages as well as the length of each message. The newer satellite phone technology has really improved the quality of the transmission. It also seems like Pat's answering machine can accept longer messages, although that is just my opinion at this point.
Regarding the fear that you sense in the guides that are taking you for Ursus maritimus......I have a couple questions. How many bowhunters have these guys guided? What caliber gun are they using for back-up? Most important.....how experienced are the dogs? If the lead dog is a stud, and a couple of the secondary dogs also have quite a bit of moxy, I guess that I would be curious if what you are sensing is fear or just the utmost respect for nanook.
I can't wait to hear of your days adventures! Waterfowler, JM, Loesshillsarcher have already logged on to this thread as well. As successful polar bear bowhunters, maybe they can provide additional perspective.......another HUGE source of info for this hunt would be extreme bowhuntress....aka Michele Leqve. Since she has hunted in this very area, I'll send her a PM and ask her to post or PM her comments to you. I have the DVD of her hunt. I'll rewatch that video today and see who the guides were in that adventure.
If I can glean anything from that video, I'll post it here or send you a pm.
Jake
I would suspect due to Brad's preparation, that the guides/outfitter should have known that a bow was the weapon of choice. I would suspect that alot of archers have taken there polar bears in this area and that a fair number of the guides have experience with archers. The guides ancestors surely hunted with primitive weapons so a modern day bow should be a killing machine compared to theirs back in the day. Sure there is danger but with good dogs it should not be much of an issue. Fred Bear and Chuck Adams among others killed without the use of dogs. I am glad I had them. Has to be quite a bit different hunt without them I would think. I hope that the guides on Brad's hunt are just being dramatic. They know how effective archers can be. Don't let it concern you Brad just tell them you are going to get it done with a bow and thats the way its going to be. Like I said, they knew that before you arrived most likely.
Just listened to the 1st two days also. Like Jake, I was really impressed with the clarity of the sat phone. Brad, just listening to you voice on the sat phone transmissions the enthusiasm and your love of the hunt really come through! Good luck, we will all be on the edge of our seats waiting for updates!!!
Pat, that'a probably because cell service is the ONLY phone service they can get up there. But I hear ya' on spotty cell phone service.
Best of luck Brad. Waiting on pics and you to keep us informed on the hunt and hope you get a BIG BEAR.
I agree with Jake, the dogs make up 80% of this hunt. Their determination to pull that sled for 6-8 hours everyday in very inhospitable weather and then to willing fight one of the largest carnivorous in North America on a moments notice says volumes to me.
My guide and helper greatly respected those bears and advised I do the same but it was honestly one of the last things in the back of my mind when the moment of truth came. Shoot or go home as my Dad likes to say.
I was more concerned of the whereabouts of the dogs than the guide with the gun and the helper come to think of it,as I'm quite sure Brad will be when his chance comes.
Ned,
I agree that with Brad's level of preparation, the outfitter certainly knew that this hunter would be using a bow. However, as you know only too well, sometimes the outfitter doesn't always communicate such information to the guides that live in remote communities.
Let's assume that the guide DID know in advance that Brad is a bowhunter........I know that the female guide in Resolute retired a year or two ago. Perhaps there has been a similar type of turnover in Pond Inlet. If that is not the case, then you are probably spot-on.......but I would still ask before I left for the open ice.
Another point to consider....since this area has been non-importable for quite some time (as compared with the areas that have only recently been made non-importable), with the possible exception of Michele Leqve and now Brad, it is possible that the area was hunted primarily by Canadian residents and residents of Mexico and Europe......where the animals might still be importable.
To date, every dangerous game hunter that I have met from Mexico and/or Europe was a gun hunter. Obviously, there are exceptions.....I just haven't met them. Pond Inlet may not have seen as many archers as other areas, because the majority of polar bear bowhunters may have been from the the US......and the majority of them hunted where the bears could be imported (When they COULD be imported). Just a thought....nothing more.
Pat, you are probably right...Brad is probably on the ice now......but just in case the weather turned nasty and they couldn't get out, I thought that it might be interesting to check michele's video. Brad did take a satellite phone along as well as his cell phone, right?
I also agree that Inuit's do like to kill and get home in a hurry!
When you said that he wouldn'tt be interacting anymore because he would be out on the ice.......I panicked!! LMAO!! Satellite phones are the best!!
Does anyone else find it incredibly selfish to needlessly hunt a species whose worldly population is already in drastic decline?
The only way I could support this hunt is if it were the hunting of problem bears around populated areas and thats not the impression I get.
no; not in the least. next question.
Go get em Brad! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Andrew, You cannot be serious.
BoonROTO
NOT the place to bring this up. If you don't agree with it, STAY AWAY. This thread is to support Brad, not dispute personal feelings about hunting Polar Bears.
Good luck Brad, hopefully in the next 6-10 years I will be able to go on this hunt.
I am without doubt serious. I am a die hard hunter but I am a consevationist as well.
BOON, seems to me that you might be reading from AL Gore's talking points.
Polar Bears are NOT "in drastic decline" as you say.
OH, and Al Gore didn't invent the Internet.
And since the timing is a little tricky, I won't break the news to you about the Easter Bunny.
Best of Luck to you!!! Unbelievable experience.Be safe!!
Polar bears are not on the decline the last time that I read FACTS on the matter?
INDBowhunter2, this is the perfect place to bring it up. I can't think of another place it could be anymore relevant or necessary.
I don't want to disrespect Brad but I don't want to let something pass by that I strongly oppose. Especially while in the company of those that I feel are predominantly of good moral character.
The Topic of this thread is "Brad's Live Polar Bear Bowhunt" Not "Discuss someone's personal beliefs on Polar Bear hunting"
"I don't want to disrespect Brad but I don't want to let something pass by that I strongly oppose. Especially while in the company of those that I feel are predominantly of good moral character" If you truly do feel this way about disrespect, then you would not want to bring this up under this thread.
There are times when one must compromise one belief in order to defend another.
Guides afarid , that sounds like a disaster to me!
My intention was not to personally attack Brad and his decision to hunt a "vulnerable species", it was an attempt to make everyone stop and think about whether or not it is right to do so. Not everyone will come to the same conclusion but maybe just consider the fact that this isn't right.
I honestly didn't want to be a kill joy but I felt the need to say something. Now that I have said what I needed I will retire from his thread and leave you guys to your phlegmatic fun.
good..........bye.
go brad we're pulling for you.
Matt and I just want to stop in and wish you the best of luck on your hunt Brad. We'll be watching your progress.
In regards to your guide's skepticism toward getting in to bow range... That may have been the result of a bad experience with another bowhunter. It's quite easy to let a bad experience with one hunter carry over and affect your attitude with the next one.
We'll be awaiting your next update.
-Matt and Cheryl Napper
I think we have all gotten that surprised look from a guide when we step off a plane carrying nothing more than a couple of archery bows. This usually happens on Quebec and Arctic hunts, where like Jake said, the message just didn't get relayed. After a day or two of story telling around the camp stove they'll realize how serious and experienced Brad is and I think the guide and helper will be much more comfortable. When I was up there last year, I spent a lot of time talking to the Inuit about the Polar Bear population as I had heard so many conflicting views. They indicated the numbers were as strong as ever, and it was only the hunters that had become the threatened species. In fact, all 12 of the polar bear tags in the village I was hunting muskox out of had gone unused, a major hit to their income as a result of the importation ban. To be fair though, they did indicate last year was warmer than usual and that getting to the bears was more challenging than usual due to more open water. 2011 has been a long, cold winter, I am hoping this equates to a lot more ice and excellent hunting conditions for Brad.
I would like to know why instead of knocking someone for hunting a certain animal or useing a certain weapon why we dont all just get together and help each other as long as legal weapon or animal i support it.And good luck on your polar bear hunt I hope you get a good one we need to help each other not fight against one another.Just my two cents good luck and have a blast.
Good luck and shoot straight! You're on an adventure of a lifetime that very few get to experience.
Thanks for sharing your adventure with the Bowsiters. Very kind of you.
Just think, as each of us gets ready to call it a day, unless someone is camped out for Spring turkeys somewhere, virtually all of us will be in a nice warm bed in a temperature controlled room. Brad will probably be sleeping in a super thick flannel lined sleeping bag that is laying on top of a Muskox hide (fur side down).
For evening entertainment, the majority of us probably watched television. Brad probably unpacked the battery operated gear from his coat pockets (or pizza bag with hand warmers) and stuffed them into the sleeping bag with him (or he replaced the hand warmers in the pizza bag and left the gear in there). Then he laid in his sleeping bag and listened to the Inuits correspond with family via short wave radio......not understanding a word they said....especially if the guide is somewhat older.
I wonder how many days will go by before Brad really curtails hydrating himself later in the day!! No one wants to get out of a nice warm sleeping bag for a 0500 hour nature call!!!
Can you imagine how many times nanook will cross his mind tonight?......especially if one of the dogs starts to bark!! What a thrill.....
Pretty funny how BoonROTO doesn't even respond to the glaring evidence that dismisses his point of view. On more of a positive note thank you (BoonROTO) for retiring from the thread.
It is pretty evident from Brad's first call how excited he is about this trip. Hopefully he has good weather.
Boon is very misinformed and inappropriate.
I like the fear the guides has. I've been scared every time I've been in one on one sports and it helped me to operate at my highest level. Fear is good if you face and embrace it.
This Brad guy and his guides are out there facing the fear of hunting something that has them on it's menu. Extreme adventure and glorious memories for sure. Now, go run a pipe through one of those big white killing machines. Thanks for taking us along and good luck.
I'm loven it .... Brad hunted Sitka with us a couple years ago (he took 3) and all I can say is his lives the hunt, like few I have met.
I don't believe for a minute that he has "been getting fat, trying to land a steady job, and thinking of settling down and having babies"
But I do believe everyday he'll "be sharing a new tip for how kids can live safer, more productive, more careful lives"
Get'er done .... Brad
That's certainly food for thought right now Jake!
Best of luck Brad and thanks for putting it all on bowsite. Hunt of a lifetime for sure...maybe two lifetimes.
Never ceases to amaze me how unselfish some folks are with their time. Thanks, Brad. I will be following this through to its conclusion. Godspeed.
Third voice message is a MUST listen. Classic Mongold. Cuts the track of a 7+ foot bear and tells the guides that's not what he's looking for. As they realize who they're dealing with, Mongold says they understand this will be a long hunt, that will "involve suffering." Love it.
Looking forward to more details on the local evaluation of the bear population. My quick review of the literature suggests the declines on which importation bans are based are forecasts of trends because of sea ice changes. In the meantime bear sightings are up because they are encroaching on human populations.
Are there any parts of the bear that are allowed to be transported? Skull? What is the likelihood of Brad making a cast or Mold of the skull. This would be better than any other kind of reproduction I would think.
84
Thank You Brad for taking the time out of your hunt to keep us all informed. I will look foreward to each update.
It’s only been three days and the anticipation is killing me! Just to be doing SOMETHING while waiting for the next call from Brad, I estimated Brad’s arrow weights from his equipment list. If his arrow shafts are 27”, they’re real close to 410 - 415 grains.
Knowing Brad's extreme mental and physical preparation, his respect for his target, and his desire and willingness to get within 30 yards of what will be a very angry “Big! Big!” bear, I predict that his first arrow will hit the heart. The end of this story will come quickly.
I won’t be looking to practice in a “Bowsite Polar Bear Hunting Simulator” any time soon. (Can’t I just day-hunt from the lodge?!)
I spoke to the Inuit guide on my MuskOx hunt about polar bear population in that area---he expressed that the population of the polar bears are plentiful in his are--- no sign of any decrease in the last several years---GOOD LUCK Brad
One things that some folks forget (apparently including some bowhunters), is that species that are being hunted in North America are carefully managed. If there are permits, you can assume that their populations are in good shape for the habitat available. And one should also remember that having these types of hunts provides local people with an important source of income. And that income is vital in that it helps drives home the point that these animals are valuable to them and worth protecting and keeping around. This in turn helps prevent widespread poaching.
As for me personally, I can think of a bazillion other things I'd rather do with $35K. But I also understand that because of wealthy hunters like this, that the native people up there attach importance to their wildlife and will help keep sustainable populations alive.
The same thing is true in Africa. Where hunting is allowed (even for elephants), wildlife thrives (even elephants) because there are good reasons to protect them. Plus the money spent there helps pay for game wardens. In areas where hunting is not allowed, the game is poached or subsistence hunted into near extinction.
Good luck to our Bowsite hunter. Be safe and shoot straight.
P.S. What is the purpose of the Non-Importation regulations? Can anyone really boil that down to the real answer? I would think poaching a polar bear and getting the hide back to the States would be nigh impossible, and that a CITES permit of some kind would be enough to help regulate the activity. Can someone shed some light on this? I'm sure I'm not the only one with that question.
Friggin' awesome. Hopefully the patience of the Inuit rifle guides will match the determination of an archery trophy hunter. Sometimes that divide creates much friction if the hunt drags on.
Good luck Brad, and thanks for letting us hunt vicariously with you!
This is definitely going to be a classic!!! Go Brad go!!!
WARY BUCK as of May 2008 there on the threatened species list under the endangered species list . In canada they are on the species of special concern.
There is an estimate 20,000 to 25,000 wild polar bears , they range from russia to alaska canada to greenland , and some in norway,
The reason more bears are showing up in and around the villages is not because bear numbers are up , but there huntable food is scarce , louis
City hunter, are you questioning the hunt or trying to explain the non-importation status?
I equate the polar bear to mountain sheep in NE. Not a huge population, but certainly sustainable with proper wildlife management. In NE, that sometimes means two tags, one by non-refundable draw and the other by auction (I think $176,000 this year; that is hard to fathom but that money goes a long ways toward helping that population).
And I trust the fish and game people to set harvest quotas even for polar bear that keep those populations within healthy parameters for both the bears and the habitat. And I also know that license fees provide money for DNR projects which help study the bears and the hunt/guide fees provide money for natives, impressing upon them the need for them to appreciate the wildlife they might otherwise see as competition.
Wary u asked about US importation, i gave you the answer ,
What a fantastic way to start the day in the office! This is beyond COOL (No pun) Thanks Brad for taking the extra time & effort out of your hunt to post this! I'm sure this is as close as I will get to an adventure like this. Now the attempt to wrap my mind around my work load for the day...Tom
After listening to his reports for 4 days now I get the improssion that this is a real unfair hunt....for the bear. Not only does the bear have to deal with Brads's hunting skills but he really has to contend with Brad's attitude which is really over the top. Seems like he is having the time of his life.
So if you cant bring it home what happens to it? where does the meat and hide go?
you know things are looking good when he almost forgets to mention he actually saw three bear while out hunting. sounds like the area is thick with them......relatively speaking.
Chip, I believe you are correct! Brad is focused!
Sure seems to be cutting alot of tracks for "A species in serious decline"! Just sayin!!!
Pretty exciting hunt! I will also echo what Chris Durando posted as to having much the same impressions and conversations while in the Arctic a couple years ago.
I still remember standing next to a life-size 'maritimus' mount and feeling.....VERY SMALL.
Very interesting thread. I'm going to suffer the 82 degree temps in Hawaii for a while so will need to get on the Bowsite mobile to keep track of this.
G
I guess that would be about 100 degrees difference...... wow!
Same number as the posts on this thread. ;)
"I agree that with Brad's level of preparation, the outfitter certainly knew that this hunter would be using a bow. However, as you know only too well, sometimes the outfitter doesn't always communicate such information to the guides that live in remote communities.
Let's assume that the guide DID know in advance that Brad is a bowhunter........I know that the female guide in Resolute retired a year or two ago. Perhaps there has been a similar type of turnover in Pond Inlet. If that is not the case, then you are probably spot-on.......but I would still ask before I left for the open ice.
Another point to consider....since this area has been non-importable for quite some time (as compared with the areas that have only recently been made non-importable), with the possible exception of Michele Leqve and now Brad, it is possible that the area was hunted primarily by Canadian residents and residents of Mexico and Europe......where the animals might still be importable.
To date, every dangerous game hunter that I have met from Mexico and/or Europe was a gun hunter. Obviously, there are exceptions.....I just haven't met them. Pond Inlet may not have seen as many archers as other areas, because the majority of polar bear bowhunters may have been from the the US......and the majority of them hunted where the bears could be imported (When they COULD be imported). Just a thought....nothing more.
I also agree that Inuit's do like to kill and get home in a hurry!"
Hey Jake,
This hunt is being done in Pond Inlet.....I'm assuming through Titus, so the outfitter is a local. Being from this site he likely booked through Mark at BSC. It is the single best area in all the North to hunt PB....great guides and dogs as well. As good or better than Resolute and a better area. The reason that it has always been non-importable is the proximity to Greenland and their past practices of un-regulated hunting. When I hunt pb....this will be the location.
I can't remember the ladies name that hunted with a stick here a few years ago....Michelle maybe. Just before Stacey killed hers lol. She was on here at one time if I remember correctly. One of the nicest photos I've seen of a bear.....quite the sunset if I remember correctly.
tm
BoonROTO,
The polar bear populations are very stable and by all accounts increasing. While I was running hunts I had regular converstations with biologists as to where to find the bigger bears and their tendencies. They understand more than anyone the importance of "managing" these populations....taking the big males out is only helping the overall population....they ain't very nice to each other when they meet.....especially to cubs. Canada spends millions on reseaarch yearly. The ONLY country in the world that has issues importing them in the USA ;-)
Kinda makes me wonder who's running things down there...ohhhh, wait....that's right lol
tm
Kevin,
Would that be Titus Allooloo? If so, I spoke with Kathy less than a year ago. That sounds like a sad story...... The guides might be local, but if Titus is the outfitter, is he already considered "local"? I guess time does have a way of flying by......
Brad again referred to the fear factor that his guides have towards nanook in his third or fourth post. Sure hope that dogs are healthy and have the right attitude......I know that Brad sure does!
No one disputes Pond Inlet's polar bear numbers......we were wondering about how many archers may have hunted up there, as opposed to other areas.
I thought Richie may have went back to this area.
If it's not importable than what happens to it?
Hey Jake....that is where Titus is from. He was the Mayor there at 19....then into politics. He has been running the hunts there for a long time now....used to travel back and forth from YK.
He has moved back to Pond fulltime now. Yes....the situation that you speak of blew everyone away up here. Hunting and friendship aside....lets just say the respect meter took a nose dive.
I would say that in "modern days" there are very few taken with a bow....maybe 5%...just guessin'...and that might be high. I don't think there is a lot of experience anywhere with them.
I'm not there but with most of the guys I know...are very very aware of what these bears are capable of and leary of situations where a guys is trying to get within 40yds of one. Maybe a little is being lost in the translation and "fear" could be "concerned".
The dogs in Pond are fantastic!!!!! Very traditional community that is holding on to it's roots better than just about anywhere else in the North.
You guys doing this with a bow are nutz lol....Ned...you to :-) Cajones....Grande Ones!!!!
I was just addressing something to BoonROTO as he needs to get a clear message as to what's happening up here.....hopefully he'll get the bug and research it himself and become informed rather than reading what certain members of the media try to portray.
tm
tm
I was willing to leave this thread alone but numerous others want me back based on their comments so here I am. I would appreciate anyone that could provide me with credible research that suggests Polar Bear populations are well and good compared to their historical numbers. Everything I have read suggests nearly half of the 20 or so sub populations are decreasing rapidly in overall numbers. I don't support or consider "research" performed by organizations with ulterior agendas. So if you want to provide me with research study on Polar Bears funded by "BP" you can save it. Point me in the direction of some credible research indicating the opposite of what I currently belive to be true and I will consider it a possibility. I am not saying the research doesn't exist (as there are usually multiple opinions on hot topic issues) I just haven't seen it.
Additionally, I feel I have in the past and continue to treat you guys with respect and I would appreciate the same in return. I would think we could have conflicting opinions without being childish to one another.
Andrew
Love following these! Best of luck Brad, we are pulling for your success and safe return. But on the other hand if I am going to go I always wanted it to be at the hands (or paws) of a bear. :)
BTW, if you don't want to detract from Brad's thread(as some of you claim) feel free to PM me with your thoughts, opinions or even facts for that matter.
Ritchie killed his bear in Holman.....same year as Jake. In is red underwear if I recall correctly lol.
There was talk of him going to Pond the following year but I'm out of the loop on that arrangement.
Rus....you can have it mounted and put anywhere other than the US. You own it...hide, skull & baculum.
tm
I knew Richie had intentions of going again after his success in Holman but am unsure if he did in fact return. He may have been considering Pond or Boothia I dont remember. I have read in many articles supporting sustaining numbers of bears in most of the populations. In fact, I have never read in any articles that bear numbers were down. I cannot remember where I came across them. Andrew, can you tell us your source of info?
Sounds good!! But for some reason I feel like the bad guy here. There has got to be a nine footer or greater running amongst those 20 bears. Matter of time.
Andrew,
I should start by saying that I'm not trying to patronize you....it is a very difficult subject to search with all the fluff in the internet.
Ian Stirling is probably the foremost expert on polar bears in the world. He would be a very good place to start....particularly with the Govt. surveys. Google him and you'll get a ton of reading.
I do have to ask you: Do you honestly feel that Canadians are so backwards that we would continue to "hunt" a species that can not sustain itself?? Or the fact that the rest of the world does not have these same limitations?? Something is driving this down there and it is not above board. Why on earth would your Govt totally dissagree with every country in the world....including the one doing the studies. Keep in mind this is a place that just cancelled our caribou hunts....and there are admittedley 1M of them on the barrens.
I would ask you where you are getting your information about dwindling populations as there are no groups up there other than the Canadian Govt. dropping millions studying them. You should really look into the background of the sources you find on the net....lil' links like "Planting Tree's for Polar Bears" should set off flags.
There are definately ice issues with ice on Hudson Bay....but you do realize that it is approximately the same latitude as Edmonton, Alberta. It is only 1000miles North of Detroit....not what I would consider prime polar bear habitat compared to areas further North. There is a boat load of habitat from the North end of Hudson's Bay to the top of the world. Literally millions of square miles.....it's gotta be close to the size of the CONUS!!!
tm
ps....It was -6'F in Yellowknife this AM.....we are 500 miles South of the coast and our lakes are still frozen to the shores. It's a different world up here. I keep hoping this global warming thing comes to fruition lol.
Sorry Pat.... I was writing when you posted.
Please remove it if you care to do so.
Respectfully,
tm
Things are sure looking good so far. Can't wait for tomorrows update!
I would just like to say I think this is great. I am enjoying the daily updates very much and all the information on the hunt is great. Thanks
Kevin,
Richie killed his in 2006. I killed mine in 2007. However, I believe that you are correct in that he shot it in his red flannel underwear.
It just occurred to me that as thick as Brad's beard is, I wonder if he even needs face protection when is he walking about......no doubt about it when they are moving by snowmobile, but for normal walking, he might be toasty without it.
Just caught up on the sat phone calls. Great stuff!
I love Brad's energy and positive attitude...I am having happy flashbacks to Jakes awesome hunts!
Good luck Brad!
Either Brad hasn't phoned with a daily update, or Pat hasn't had the time to post it to the forum.......or perhaps it's taking that long to download the story!! While I certainly understand how difficult it is to make these daily telephone calls, I also hope that Brad can find the time to squeeze one in today!! I could use a Good Friday pick me up!!!
Thanks for that snippet of info, Pat. Now my imagination can REALLY go wild!! LOL!!
How great is this? Loving every minute and will be tuned back in tomorrow morning.
It's starting to shape up!!
Sleeping in a spot that had a shooter bear standing on it less than 12hrs before....they'll find him again!!!
I'm sure impressed with Brad's attitude. It's early in the hunt yet but he's sure keeping his head in the game. Alot of guys would have been screaming to get after that bear, but that right there is why you have a guide and an assistant. I'm sure that the assistant is the one wanting to "get it on", and that voice needs to be heard.....but experience should prevail. as it did here.
Had to laugh at the seal for supper comment. I'll eat young seal no problem. I don't wanna be in the house if old seal is being cooked.....walrus and I don't wanna be in town lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tm
I am surprised that Brad did not comment on what he thought about the flavor of the baby seal. Hope those guys are able to intercept the bear at the end of the big tracks!
For some reason my computer will not let me listen to the phone calls. Good luck to Brad he is on an adventure most of us could only dream of.
I know you cannont import bears, however what is one wanted to dontate the bear to a museum for display can you get a permit from the feds for that ?
Thoroughly enjoy following the hunt Brad. Thanks for taking all of us along on something most of us will never be able to do. Great stuff!
bghunter... when I first logged on I couldn't hear it either. Try going to the top of this page and click on Pats supporting link then click on day 1 day 2 ect. Thats what I had to do to get to hear it the first time I logged on and tried to listen to it.
Pat
Thanks for the information, but I am way to cheap to own one of those phones :)
Are u allowed to set bait , them polar bears can smell them seals for miles .
Good luck !! great thread and thank you for the sat phone updates !!!!
great update you tease!! We wait for sunday for the answer. Brutal!
brad is seeling lots of sign, many bears, has a one way ticket and as much time as he needs. this is a "when" hunt not an "if" hunt. hopefully the when is tomorrow.
Hey Brad, you sure bring back some memories. Chewing on the bones of raw frozen arctic char, dreading the thought of having to go to the bathroom and a little hematuria. I've experienced all of those. I awoke Easter Sunday several years ago to a beautiful morning and before the day was over I had my polar bear. So with this being Easter weekend I can't help but think that it should happen for you today. Wishing you the best. When you get it done get the heck off the ice! I got stuck on a drifting ice floe that took 3 days to get off of. It is a scary feeling when you are standing still and the GPS shows you are moving 15 ft per minute towards Russia. Good luck and be safe. Can't wait to hear the good news. Hey Jake, I can still hear the whiney sounds of those short wave radios as our guides were trying to talk back and forth from the hundreds of miles that separated us. Richie
Wow! This guy can sure tell a story! Can't wait for the next update. I'm headed out right now to pick up a pair of the warmest fuzzy bunny slippers I can find.
Are we on a bear hunt or doing a promo for the food network:)? I found his culinary report very entertaining. Brad really has his game face on every day and I am sure he will get it done real soon. This guy is really punped. And thank you Richie for giving me the medical termonology for what I had last week:)
hyrax, you're right - Brad can tell the story exactly like it is and still keep you on the edge of your seat. He's done this to his friends before, as those of you who got his brown bear reports know.
I think he's closin' in! Good luck, Brad.
My hat's off to Brad and all the other guys that take the time to call in these live reports from the field. When your hands are full with all the things that are necessary on this kind of extreme hunt, it requires a real commitment to slow down enough to pick up the phone and make that call. No easy production. Typically the satellite phone is wrapped up in a waterproof something and padded to protect from the harsh bounces and one battery is kept securely against your skin for warmth with the backup battery in a soft cooler or a pizza bag with maybe a daily handwarmer thrown in. And every few days sometimes hooking everything up to a solar charger. And all the while doing this in temperatures way too cold for fingers to function very long. Thanks again!!
Awesome hunt!! I have a question about the guides argueing about going after the big bear because he was heading for open water. Typically,do the guides know each other? Are they good friends or just know each other casually? How do they get hired?
My experience in dealing with the Inuit is the elders will decide right before hunting season begins who will be guides and who will be guides' assistants. You have to work as an assistant for quite a few years and with multiple guides before you are deemed worthy to be classified as a guide which is a big deal/honor. I have seen the guide and their assistant disagree many times. Because of the lack of interest in many of the young Inuit in hunting it is getting hard to find upcoming interested, enthusiastic and capable assistants. Doesn't necessarily bode well for the future. Many social issues are affecting the villages up north, not the least of which is the suicide rate among their teenagers is the highest in North America.
This just keeps getting better and better! Go team Mongold!!! I love the teaser at the end of the transmission. I have my warmest bunny slippers on now Brad, so ....???
SHOOT lol I WOULD SHOT THE FIRST 8 FOOTER I SEEN
Great Adventure! I'd have to run that 8&1/2 footer!! Good Luck & Happy Easter my friend!
He's sure having a good time! I think he has a big bear already spotted and is going to make his move on Easter Day.
waiting for an update. Thanks for taking us along Brad.
Hmmmmm! Normally silence is golden on thses phone in hunts. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Unless the SEAL meat he ate caught up with him !!!!
Passing blood .... Seal meat can be devastating to your system if your not accustom to it.
I hate to be shallow but I'm kinda losing interest. I hope he's having fun but pissin blood an eatin raw meat while freezing doesn't seem like my idea of a good time. Good luck Spunky! Mike
It sounds like all that bouncing on the ice , has shaken some stones in his kidneys , Happend to me when i rode my hardtail chopper on NY roads ,
i guess you florida guys just dont know how to have fun lol. looking forward to the update.
I'm thinking he got his bear today!
Will there be a Part II to the report...sounds like some danger was involved.
At least we got a partial update and he said he is back in his hotel room. Must be great news. Looking forward to the rest of the story, Brad! Thanks for keeping us posted.
ahh!!!! part 2 please!!!!
Drag it out to 11 pm, then cut it short. Hopefully part 2 will be up REALLY soon.
After listening to part 1 I have a funny feeling that the outcome is not what we are expecting. Hope I am wrong!
... They call that a cliff hanger
What!!! He gets cut off just when it starts to get good!!!! I know he's in the artic and all, but some of us are depending on this!!!!!!
He clearly kept talking. Why cut it off?
Interesting discussion. I have a beautiful [very legal] polar bear rug that was handed down to me. Every time I run my fingers through that translucent hair I dream of experiences like those that Brad is living. Dead bear or not, Brad is an extremely lucky man and we are afforded the opportunity to share in small piece of that luck by following along during this hunt.
JD1983 - the answer is because it is good for business.
I can hardly wait for the next update. hope it gets posted today.
since we were left hanging maybe it makes sense to try to guess.
my guess is the bear ended up dying............of lead poisoning.
.......and maybe a dog or two?
I think some dogs got mauled and Brad put the bear down for good with one shot before the guides put some lead in it!
if dogs were dyin' lead was flyin'
Hopefully the guides are alright!
Congrats Brad! If you're back in the Hotel your tag is filled!!
It's amazing on these hunts how we will research the "Best" area to fill a tag or the outfit with the "Best" success rate. But the guy who holds the back-up rifle, well we never interview or meet for that matter!
However the story ends it is successful as Brad was hunting "Adventure" and it sure sounds like one to me!! Congrats again my friend!
I think Pat just crossed the line from operating the Bowsite to
producing the Bowsite... :)
Rest assured Brad, your audience is not "diametrically opposed" to the biological and spiritual call to chase. And many of us know ugly, if for no other reason than the mirror. Continue! lol
What a bunch of crap to handle it like this. Tell us what happened(lol).
Just enjoy the fun of it. We'll know soon enough.
The natives are restless with good reason I believe.
Considering the fact that the Inuit guides were fearful of bowhunting for nanook from the get-go, it sounds like Brad is having one heck of an arctic adventure. In many different ways.....
While we all have a notion of how these hunts are supposed to unfold, the extreme conditions, the equipment, the animal itself, and several other variables all tend to exert themselves - sometimes at what we think is the worst possible moment. However, I think that many of us enjoy that "Murphy's Law" moment....because it will test our ability to think on our feet, and handle pressure.
I just wonder if the answering machine cut Brad off....or as Owl previously mentioned, maybe the truncated story of the hunt was an editorial decision. Either way, I look forward to the conclusion....
Pat, you must have posted just before I did.....
Since you didn't edit it....that narrows the possibilities. If Brad ended that transmission when he did, he might be keeping us in suspense a bit longer.
However, you said that you are working the second part of it, so I assume that means that Brad called a second time to give you "the rest of the story"?
Bowsite blue balls for sure! As Sammy Haggar once famously said, "Come on baby finish what you started, I'm incomplete!!!"
I have a crazy shade of blue goin on.
Suspense is killing me........
as I watched the play bar reach the end, I knew there was going to be part 2... Sounds like one of the guides shot the bear with his rifle. Great suspense for sure though.
Bx3 (Chris),
Brad doesn't post much on the forum, but I believe that he goes by "Mongold".
I'd say Pat is just messing with us, with his "appalling" comment, and that all went well ;-)
I was intensely listening and thought my PC screwed me !! Sounds like a hell of an adventure cant wait for part 2 !!!
You are killing me man! Come on part 2!
Part 2 just showed up gonna go listen now !!
Fantastic outcome....congrats to Brad.
I hope that my worst fears aren't realized and that he never got to shoot an arrow.....
Polar bear with no dogs.....what a rush! Congrats!!.....but I would definitely have a talk with your outfitter when time allows.
WOO_HOO Great job and great story Brad congrats!!!!!!
Unreal, that was a hell of a ride. Congrats
Great job glad it all ended well in the end. The only remaining question is how big a tip those guides got. you should have been able to save some money on that front.
on the other hand they told you on day one they wanted little part of this expedition with you carrying a bow so they were if nothing else honest and consistent.
WOW What a madman, My new hero Congrats!!!!
Glad that my worst case scenario didn't materialize. Congrats Brad, you had all of on the edge of our seats. I think you should read the riot act to your outfitter or booking agent. Thanks for taking us on one hell of a ride.
Thanks Jake.
Wow, that is very impressive. Congrats Brad.
Edit - I think that a thank you would be more appropriate from me for you taking the time to share all this and send reports.
Now thats AWESOME now I was expecting to hear that a gunshot rang out as the bear looked at Brad with ears pinned back. Now knowing the outcome I would imagine that even though there were no dogs and the plan was not adhered to, just being one on one with the beast was the ultimate !! And thinking back Brad wouldn't change a thing (except maybe his shorts) CONGRATS Brad !!! AWESOME hunt and Im sure a beautiful bear.
CONGRATS BRAD!!! Sounds like you wrote it out, then read it to us. Can't wait for the next report and most importantly......pictures!!!
OFFHNTN
Fantastic end! Congratulations Brad.
Unfreakingbelieveable!!! Congrats Brad, what an incredible hunt with a crazy ending! Hey, that guide totally had you covered from back at the sled with his .243, nothing to worry about there, sheesh! :^)
Congratulations Brad!! I thought for sure a dog got taken out and the guide shot him. Glad I was wrong. You said you would answer some questions. What is your plan or thoughts on being able to bring one back in the states? Good Job. Great story.
Congrats Brad! What unbelievable resolve you have Incredible!
Talk about man up. That is some serious brass!
Good to know it ended well despite the fact that it didn't follow the "usual" script. That's hunting, huh? Brad, I'm not surprised you on took the ultimate one-on-one challenge straight up, no hesitation.
Congratulations to you. You'll remember this one vividly forever, I'm sure! Thanks for sharingit with us.
That's crazy, that they completely abandoned you when you were within feet of a polar bear!
Awesome! Congratulations, Brad!!!
That is some great news!! Bet the guides will never look at bowhunting the same way. Congratulations!!!
Wow, that is unbelievable. Talk about having the adrenaline pumping through your veins! I can't wait to hear more and see some pictures.
Awesome job Brad! Can't wait for pictures!
Thanks for taking us on the adventure Brad. Incredible conclusion to the story.
WOW Congratulations and thanks for taking us along!!!
Anxiously awaiting some pics!!
Congrats! Thanks for taking us along on a great adventure. After message 7 I was expecting to hear tales of an empty quiver and a chase after a wounded bear and/or the bear being finished with a rifle. All in all, there was nothing "ugly" about the kill, but moreso the hunt and lack of follow through by the guides. Way to get it done!
Matt
One of the greatest adventures ever posted on bowsite. Thanks for allowing us to follow along and congrats on a trophy of a lifetime!
Awesome, way to go Brad!! Or maybe we should give you a new Innuit name like Ballsosteel?
Way to go Brad, Congrats, Thanks for taking us along! Bill V.
I was worried about something ugly happening for a second, on that earlier call and w Pat email. Knew Mongold wouldn't let anything get between himself and a polar bear. And figured the bear would have to at least catch him first, then tear into him before he let anyone shoot the bear. Can't wait to see your pictures. Guessing the guided didn't film this. Would of loved to put this down on tape.
Awesome story and congrats on the trophy !!
Talk to you when you get back, Glass
Absolutely incredible! !! Congratulations on the hunt of a lifetime!
Wow!!! Thanks for sharing Brad!! I know that this is the closest I will ever get to hunting a polar bear. Some of these live hunts are great.
Brad you are crasy!! Congrats
Congrats Brad! I hope to hunt polar bear some day. It will not be with the outiftter that you used. As Jake said, I would have a very candid talk with him.
Now that's one of the best stories I've heard on the Bowsite:-) Great Job Brad!
While I am sure they were not welcomed in the moment, the omissions of the demurring guides will come to be appreciated. Look at it like this: Brad got his bear with a side order of
mettle.
Still, neither the time nor place to have an impasse. lol
Great job, in spite of the "guides". Way to get 'er done, and thanks for sharing with us!!
WOW!!!!!
Not sure what was ugly about that finish. except maybe that you could have been killed. Guess the guy loves his dogs more than his clients which is probably true for most of the people up there as they really depend on their lead dog.
Thanks again for taking us along and glad it worked out the way it did. I'm looking forward to pictures and hearing what the guys thought about it in the end.
Congratulations and thanks for taking us along!!!
Wow--that was awesome! You tell a great story Brad!
Scott
WTF Can't open it at work. Can someone give me the skinny, come on?????????
Wow!!! That's some seriously intense moments there and awesome story telling!! Had me sitting on the edge of my seat!! Congrats!!
Tom I can't open the Damn thing either!!
Wow,Brad!...Your the Man!...."Sick -man" that is!...Thanx for sharing your "Ugly/Sick"day!....You,ve cured alot of "Blue-Balls" here back home! Celebrate Life with Gratitude! Chuck W.
Wow!! Brad really is a bad_ss!
"My A$$, I shoot with rifle...!"
Brass cajones, my friend, brass cajones!
Congrats, Brad!
I have a tip for them guides dont eat yellow snow .
Couldn't take it! Ran home and listened!! Way to go, Brad!
If you ask me it was absolutely perfect that he was able to do it without the dogs. How much cooler can it get than that. It reminds me a little of Chuck Adams going after his after the dogs were beaten down and the guide was a useless as teets on a boar.
Way to go Brad. Show 'em how its done.
Why is there so much confusion about what non-importable means?
I have wondered if it is possible to purchase a mounted specimen or a hide if it is already in the states legally. Say from an aging hunter's collection or from a musuem or something like that. Although it is not the hunters actual trophy, it could be a likeness.
Absolutely Amazing! So many ways that could have went down but you made it happen Mongold! Way to go!
WOW! What a story. Walking out to that bear took some serious stones!! Congratulations!!
Extremely cool adventure. Talk seizing the moment when it was presented. Not many would have done what you did and you certainly earned and owned that bear. Regardless whether you can bring it home or not, that bear is yours and no one else's. Well done to you sir
Brad,
Congratulations!!!! Looking forward to seeing the pictures!
It seams every polar bear hunt is a little bit of a “Cluster” some are just bigger : )
It is hard to explain the feeling of being within 20 yards of a big boar with nothing but air between you, and him just standing on all fours staring you in the eye. That was what I remember most about my hunt, other than him running straight at me until the dogs cut him off. Makes you feel small. You did a great job on your commentary.
John
John 20 yards is close sounds like a blast
Brad,
You are totally crazy - like the grizzly man, only different. You put only yourself at risk, which is admirable. I believe you have no wife and kids so I have no issues with your choice to take the risk, because you clearly planned and prepared for this. I also would not have felt bad if the bear did take two leaps and kill you before he took his last breath.
Please talk about how you feel with regard to your guides? Obviously you and them were not on the same page. If you feel they did not uphold there end of the deal I would limit the size of their tip.
Congrats on a great hunt and great animal. Thanks for taking the time to take us along via BOWSITE.
Even great predators measure their opponents. That bear watched the whole thing between Brad and the others unfold. When Brad came upon him alone he did not want to engage with Brad. He was tired and at the mercy of the aggressor which was Brad. That bear watched Brad and sized him up based upon his actions and body postures. He knew that Brad was advancing with confidence. Brad won the standoff before the first arrow took flight.
Years from know when Brad is lying in his death bed he can think of this and smile. He killed the bear.
All men die. Not all men really live!
Brad,
I hope you were prepared for death before this hunt - it seems like you were prepared for everything! I for one will wait until I am old to take these types of risks - when no one longer depends upon me. And should I perish on one of my adventures all who know me can be happy that I died doing what I love. For now I'll continue doing things as safe as possible. Thanks for sharing your story.
this is cool i love bowsite
Thanks for taking us along - congrats on your success.
WOW congrats!!! hope they have a wheelbarrow up there big enough to put your balls in so you can get back home.
Bowhunner has a great understanding of this situation. I agree completely with your statement. Like possibly other Bowsite members, I have stared death in the face on a few occasions that were similar, but of course not a polar bear. But, an equally large animal that could just as easily have killed me as that bear could have killed Brad. There are times when the outcome is determined before the final event takes place. However, what really happens is that the final event begins before the final aggression and action takes place.
Brad must have diamond studded titanium cojones! He not only stood his ground, but advanced. And he advanced with a plan and supreme confidence! He controlled and used the adrenalin rush to feed his confidence and ability.
Brad is the fiercest predator of the Arctic! No longer is Nanook the fiercest predator of the Arctic.
As for those bozo guides, they did Brad a favor. He did not know it at the time, but they did. I would love to see a video of those bozos while Brad took care of business! When he met up with them after killing the bear, he should have decked both of them. As it is, i bet the called him the inuit version of "Sir" for the trip back home. As to their tip - he should tell them "Don't smoke in bed!". That is about the only tip they deserve, and it might save their sorry coward a$$es from future harm.
There will be Inuit legends of the white man who slayed the white bear face to face with no dogs and no big backup gun.
I do not know Brad, but greatly admire him for going through with his hunt. He went there to hunt and kill a polar bear and he did so through adversity and the cowardice of his guides. I am rarely impressed, but Brad impresses me greatly.
I look forward to seeing photos and a big Bowsite celebration! Thank you to Pat for creating Bowsite and featuring this live hunt. This is certainly one of Bowsite's best and will be very hard to top!
Congratulations Brad!
Were the dogs really that tired? Or was it the guides excuse to not get any closer to the bear?
I've been around bear dogs before, granted not polar bear chasing bear dogs, but the closer they get to the bear the more amped up they are.
You got some serious stones, Brad. Thanks for taking us along.
holy cows the guy shot a bear not godzilla
Either what Bowhunner said or maybe the bear felt this guy's not a threat until he gets REALLY close at which point I'll get up and deal with it. For instance, a dog at 40 yds isn't yet an immediate threat I'd think.
Regardless, our Bowsite hunter was aggressive, remembered in the heat of the moment to tell the guide NOT to shoot, felt advancing was the thing to do, knew when it felt best and where he was to that elusive point of "diminishing returns" and then made what sound like to be to outstanding shots under less than ideal circumstances (cold, adrenaline, etc.). And I can't recall, but if the bear was still laying down, that's a more complicated shot selection in my opinion.
In many ways, it is his shooting I'm most impressed with. Either way, congratulations on a job well done and thanks to Brad and Pat/Bowsite for taking us along.
Brad, How sweet it must be !!! Thanks, Bob
Thanks Brad. I will have trouble sleeping after this one. Very exiting. You make us all proud to be bowhunters.
Thanks again, Alan
Unbelievable---I call BPM to see if he found out any news of the outcome this morning---I couldn't get the last sat ph transmission where I was on my mobile--hundreds of outcomes were going thru my mind---then I finally get a text saying what happened---Great job Brad
Since I know absolutely nothing about polar bear hunting with or without dogs, is it possible that the tired dogs could have made the situation more dangerous for the hunter? I don't know, regardless, it was one hell of an adventure to ride along on. Congratulations!!
I would think the dogs wouldn't have been much more tired than the bear was. No matter if you are willing to just walk up and start slingin sticks.
Kind of reminds me of when Kurt Russell as Wyatt Erp just stood up and walked out shooting.
If you can pull it off it's ballsey. If you die it's something else all together.
I hope this does not end here. it would be great to have a post hunt interview taped where he could go into great detail on the hunt and the events that occurred at the end. there is so much more drama to share if it ends this way.
Congratulations - you personally accomplished more than your initial goal. Personal opinions - declining the rifle shot was certainly the right call. Telling the guides not to shoot under any circumstances crosses the line of reason. Ask Pat on his grizzly hunt.
Very well done Brad , look forward to hunting with you again .
Sounds like the guides basically did not like the idea of bowhunting, and were hoping when the moment of truth came, Brad would cave and use the gun. Um, not.
I'd have told them the same thing, no rifle unless that bear was mauling me.
I wonder if they would have intervened if it had gone after him...................
If the guides have had little to no experience with modern bowhunters I think we could/should understand their hesitation and grave concerns...but they did comply with their clients wishes. Still puzzled by the "tired dogs" suggestion however.
Man. Over already. I'm going to miss the daily updates. Best live hunt yet. Thanks again Brad for taking us along.
Curious if the guide with back up had enough energy to provide the service or did he stay back on the sled resting with the dogs????
I have a sincere two-part question for Brad (when he gets the time):
1. I have very little (almost zero) knowledge of polar bear hunting. Having said that, was this bear just too exhausted to do anything when you got into bow range (I believe you said he saw you and knew you were there). I mean, is that the basic strategy, to run the bear into exhaustion...?
2. Did the guides decline to let the dogs go (he said they were too tired), because he felt the dogs lives would be, even more endangered, because of their inability to defend themselves....because they were just too tired to react quickly enough....?
Thanks, and congratulations.
Way to go Brad. You only live once make the best out it in the moment of truth. Maybe the bear thought you were going to offer him a bottle of Coke.lol Mike
Just got a chance to listen to the audio... Pretty intense! I have seen what a bear can do to an individual. My neighbor was killed by a black bear and I was 1st on the scene trying to help her. My dream hunt would have been to kill a big grizzly bear or a brown bear with my bow... Not so much anymore.
Brad, you are very brave and thank God you are a good shot. Congratulations on your success.
What is "Jake's Magic Target"?
Prior to Brad leaving on his polar bear bowhunt, I sent him a piece of high density 9 pound foam from a Delta target. The sheets of foam are about 5 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide and they are only 2-3 inches thick.....yet until they are shot out, they stop anyone's arrows.
Prior to any remote hunt, I always cut off about a 14 or 15 inch square of the stuff and pack it in my carry on or my check on bag.....especially for sheep and goat hunts, where it can be tough to find a place to practice without trashing an arrow. It is one of these smaller squares that I sent to Brad.
I didn't take any foam to the arctic with me, so I had to cut several chunks of snow with my snow knife. I stacked the chunks on their sides, one in front of another, until I had enough pieces to stop my arrows. The use of foam would eliminate the need for Brad to do the same. If I had known of the foam back then, I would have taken it with me....it really is handy.
brad you are a brave man sir thanks for taking us along with you .one on one with a bow you got huge balls sir congrats
Switchback.. Yes I do live in Saylorsburg.
WOW! what a hunt, that takes a lottttt of balls thanks alot for a great story!!
Early on in the hunt Brad said something about, "expecting he would be facing the bear alone at the moment of truth, and was OK with that." The guides did not disapoint him.
Brad, again thanks for sharing your adventure with Bowsiters. The satellite calls really helped to envison what you might be experiencing. A real quality job of the hunt and the reporting of the hunt. It was truly exciting.
Thanks for the great hunt Brad !!!!
Jake, how come I didn't receive my foam from you in the mail before my muskox hunt--you knew I might be riding in a sled--what's up with that????????? why you treat me different???? Bou, did you get any foam from Medicineman in the mail before your hunt????
Clutch,
This isn't the type of foam that will prevent hematuria....this foam is so tough, it would probably CAUSE it!! LOL!! ....and Bou DID get foam from me....foam on the goggles, foam in the boots, foam insulation in the VAETREX liner.....ha!!
yes if it ends this way it is very anti-climactic. so much more to know and learn because of the unique nature of this hunt and the specifics of the kill.
since brad does not spend much time on the site we may be left hanging. hope not....... it has been such a fun ride to this point.
I'm sure he'll post some photos. Let's give him some time to get home and decompress.
Wow. Thank you so much everybody.
Just got home yesterday and had a chance to look through the response here -- very overwhelming for me.
I phoned in Day 9 yesterday afternoon and Pat posted it late last night. . . answered the more prominent questions there and attempted to address some of your concerns.
You will absolutely have photos. In the next few days I'll be sending the best ones to Pat and he'll be incorporating them as a part of the feature itself for everyone to enjoy.
Again, thanks so much for your encouragement and support!!
Big congrats Brad! It has been a terrific ride. Cant wait to see the pics of this adventure.
Really enjoyed the last call. High class, no blame, positive person. Hard to find these days and saying that "the animals are the true heroes" was something I had never heard before but actually made me smile when I did.
Honestly the best all-around thread/hunt etc I have read.
Best of luck in your future!
I want the commemorative t-shirt. At the top it'll say,
"The MONGOLD way"
There'll be a photo of a menacing polar bear. Below that,
"My ASS, I shoot with rifle!"
Thanks for the ride. You are one classy guy!!
Awesome last message, it shows what a class act Brad really is. Good luck on your upcoming sheep hunt Brad. Although, with your attitude, and your extreme physical conditioning, it is the sheep who will be needing the luck!
Brad: You are wise beyond your years! Great last update! We look forward to the pictures and continued successful adventures. Bowsite Rocks! C
Thanks for including us, really looking forward to the photos.
Enjoyed it Brad! , Congrats on the Bear, looking forward to the Pics. Thanks for taking the time for the updates.
Congratulations on a tremendous hunt and memories of a lifetime! Looking forward to seeing photos!
We want pictures from start to finish!!! :)
OFFHNTN
Awesome ride Brad. Congratulations. Can't wait to see the pics.
is there an ETA on the pictures that Pat got getting posted?
I've been sorting and editing the photos. My laptop contracted a virus on the way home, and its' affliction has slowed my progress significantly.
Just sent the first batch to Pat. I'm delivering them sequentially/chronologically, just as the hunt unfolded. Each photo is also accompanied by a little caption/tidbit. Our goal is to incorporate them into the feature itself in a high-resolution format.
Some of the shots are decent, and some of them are fair but their interesting subject matter prompted me to include them here.
More over the next few days. Hope you enjoy.
wild1, I didn't overlook your questions. These are very good questions actually. See responses below.
"1. I have very little (almost zero) knowledge of polar bear hunting. Having said that, was this bear just too exhausted to do anything when you got into bow range (I believe you said he saw you and knew you were there). I mean, is that the basic strategy, to run the bear into exhaustion...?"
- The main principle of persistence-style hunting is that the animal is run into exhaustion or that the animal is over-heated and stops to rest. Having said that, this was certainly not a pure persistence-style hunt. I definitely do NOT believe that he was too exhausted to do anything when I got into bow range. My suspicion is that a combination of annoyance with his pursuers, fatigue, over-heating, and a complete lack of fear of anyone and anything caused this bear to stop. We will never know the answer to the question of why he didn't charge or retaliate upon my approach. Part of the magic of hunting lies in the sheer volume of "Unknown" that the hunter faces day-to-day. This separates hunting from other pursuits and extreme sports. This bear's behavior and response, in my mind at least, falls within the realm of the Unknown. Although I most definitely used his body language/apparent disposition as a guide for my actions and timing, I cannot pretend to know why he did what he did.
"2. Did the guides decline to let the dogs go (he said they were too tired), because he felt the dogs lives would be, even more endangered, because of their inability to defend themselves....because they were just too tired to react quickly enough....?"
- Honestly, I think he was trying to bluff me with this statement -- to bluff me into either taking a longer bow shot or utilizing the rifle, thereby making his life and the situation easier and safer (in his mind). I believe that both of my guides were genuinely nice guys and that they were interested in my safety. I'm uncertain as to his degree of concern for the dogs' safety, but my suspicion (based on multiple other pertinent observations) is that this was not a factor. Had I protested, I'd like to think that he would have actually turned the dogs loose. I didn't really give him time for that. Understand that the situation unfolded extremely quickly. I found myself less than one hundred yards from the bear. It may sound irrational, but I wasn't about to dally around with tired dogs and a hesitant guide at that point. The rest is instinctual -- I was just doing what I do in the situation I had been given.
Enjoyed this thoroughly! Can't wait to see the pictures and buy the t-shirt. :)
- Honestly, I think he was trying to bluff me... ...I believe that both of my guides were genuinely nice guys and that they were interested in my safety.... ...It may sound irrational, but I wasn't about to dally around with tired dogs and a hesitant guide... ...I was just doing what I do in the situation I had been given....
I get it. There is no 2nd guessing a man's instincts in such a circumstance, since a.) you were successful in making a clean kill and b.) you didn't die in a failed attempt to kill the animal.
Mr. Wapiti - Amen to that statement! LOL
APRIL FOOLS! Brad probably never even went polar bear hunting. He is probably scared of bears. He's probably not a rugged daring guy at all. He probably doesn't even like camoflage or flannel. He probably eats those thin little pancakes too.(I won't say the name).
I think he did this all from his garage. Yep, he used one of those big commercial fans to create background wind noise. I thought I heard a T.V. going in one of those remote reports. If you play day 4 and turn it up you can faintly hear "Dancing with the Stars" playing in the background. It took me a while but I'm on to you Brad. If your name is really "BRAD".
How does a guy walk with such HUGE balls?
Many congrats. Looking forward to the pictures.
Brad, really enjoyed this thread and your hunt. I just want to say that it is very refreshing to see a very honest, genuine, and humble hunters approach to a hunt of this magnitude! I don't know you personally, but I can see your colors well enough from where I sit behind my keyboard. Congratulations to you Sir, and thank you so much for sharing your time and story with those of us who share your passion.
Thanks again!
84
Truly an outstanding accomplishment in my mind...I would have nowhere near the Nads to pull that off, nor do I think I would want to. I'm just not quite THAT adventerous. Kudos to you!!
With that in mind, I have to wonder, even after your explicit instructions not to shoot, with no dogs and the instinctive spontaneous will to approach with only a sharp stick in your hands, did you somewhere in the back of your mind know that if needed, these guides WOULD step up to save your life? I would have to think that for even a fleeting moment, you would have to think about that. In the heat of the moment maybe not. Just curious.
I am also curious what they thought they were going to do with a .223 against a POLAR BEAR?!!!! (besides Pizz it off?) Thanks for the adventure.
Totally awesome hunt!!!!Thanks for sharing will there be any pics?
I just got the chance to listen to the whole hunt! A Big Congratulations!! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us! Look forward to the photos!
they must like light calibers. my guide on a recent muskox hunt got his polar bear last year. 10' 7" monster...............with a .22-250. one shot in the head at 30 yards.
I think most of the guys have guns for seals and that is all they use and so that is the back up gun for bears too.
Still checking back here waiting for a few pictures!!
Fricken awesome man!!! Just encouraged me to push myself a lot harder. Thanks man.
Bowsite must be monitoring traffic and photos will show up when traffic drops off...
Non-importable must apply to digital imagery as well. Heck of a neat thread either way. Really quite an accomplishment
Hey, I I was only kidding about Brad making this polar bear hunt up. I'm waiting on the pictures too. I check here twice a day. It was a clean finish on the bear but we are suffering out here.
the cap to one of the best threads ever. great photos brad
X3 what Bou said - WOW . . . just, WOW!
As some of you have already discovered, the photos are up and viewable as a link directly from the main feature page.
I'm no master photographer, but I do take a lot of photos and sometimes I get a decent one. We utilized a total of 30 shots from the trip. They are arranged sequentially, in nearly the exact chronological order in which they were taken. There are of course trophy photos, but I also included a few scenery pics, action shots, and photos that contained what I thought was interesting content. I included a little narrative/caption with each photo that gives some details about the pic itself and, in some cases, includes tidbits about the hunt that I wanted to fit into the phone updates but couldn't. Pat did an excellent job of incorporating/formatting these -- the sizes are big enough to appreciate the shots but not so big as to compromise load-times.
In any case, I apologize for the delay in getting these out there. Things have been a tad crazy here -- I'm trying to log lots of running mileage and we're sequentially planning another trip (leaving tomorrow night). In any case, I hope you find them worth the wait.
Thanks again for following along.
Thanks, it is inspiring to read about and see the pictures of a great adventure. What a wonderful world we are a part of.
Brad, absolutely a great hunt and the pics! What can I say? Totally awesome!
Larv
Great pics and captions!!
Brad, you have a knack for the written word. Enjoyed the photos as well.
I had the pleasure yesterday to visit the great medicineman's gameroom and lay eyes on his polar bear. One word describes it - unbelievable! This is the same word that describes Brad's pictures and report. Many thanks for taking the time to take us along. Well done.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and finishing what in my mind is the best semi-live to date. The beard in the facemask was a hoot! This one had it all humor adventure, danger and a happy ending. Top noch Mr. Brad. Thanks for sharing this special hunt with us.
I thought of doing a live hunt on my Unit 9 Az elk hunt this year. After this it would be like following the Super Bowl with reruns of Barney Miller.
Great pics Brad. I also like your favorite very much.
Bowhunner, It would be cool to follow a live unit 9 hunt. hope you do it.
Tom, Awesome new handle man!!!
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your hunt with all of us Brad. We've thoroughly enjoyed your photos. The picture of the whole seals packed on the sled really brings home the nature of the hunt. It gives a whole new meaning to "lunchables"!
-Matt and Cheryl
Outstanding photos and story, thanks very much for sharing!
Great Story and congrats on taking an absolutely incredible animal!
Brad how big is that bear cause in the photos he or she dosent look that big louis
On the last day's update he said the bear conservatively squared around 8'6" or 8'7".......and it was male
The pictures are excellent quality, but don't do a bear of that size justice. would be nice to see some different angles, but with the carcass freezing and all options get limited quickly.
Whats the skull size thats the real deal .
