Another interesting thing was the number of Bears that had tags in their ears. This Bear traveled over 85 KM's from where he was released, to get to our bait site. Was tagged in September 2021. Up till this year, we had never taken a tagged bear before.
Had record flooding last year, went straight from winter to mid summer, this year. Looks like you guys still got it done, though!
Tracked the bear, scaring a couple of bears off the bait as they were going in to track. 3 guys could not get it out. Sam stayed with the bear till 3 in the morning till we went back to camp for recruits. Hunters got bear out as sun was coming up.
Turned out it was Geologist's geoligizing for Lithium. She was yelling as she was afraid of bears.
Phoned the CO and he arrived and looked at video. Turns out the group had no idea we were there till they arrived at the bait from the thick of it. CO's went and talked to the group and all was fine then after. I also had a meeting withe the head geologist and went over maps so it would not happen again. They found nothing hopefull in way of Lithium.
Hunters stayed on bait for 2 more days. Saw bears but I moved them the last day.
We also, in April asked all hunters to bring their own sleeping bags since after Lotties Heart issues, beds were the hardest about cleaning cabins. So yes lots of challenges that our hunters, Saxon, Trenton, Lottie and I had to deal with.
This area was always a great area for Fall Bear hunting. All gravel and sand. Blueberries brought Bears from a hundred kms away to fill their stomachs. Spent the last 2 days checking potential sites and current baits for Fall 2023. Farthest Bait site was just measured at 51 KMs or 31 Miles from camp.
We start baiting in 10 days for this Fall. Got a load coming from Lucky Seven Bear Bait next Tuesday along with our popcorn recipe. I will post the Fall hunt on this thread.
We track our Bears at night for many reason. Like keeping predatory animals from feeding on the Bear and deer or because of the heat might render meat no good. But when tracking at night, even with hounds no weapons allowed. I will ask a CO what the answer is and let you know his answer to my question.
They have been turning fishing boats away at the border after inspections where mud etc was found. Save yourselves a hassle at the border and clean your boat before arriving at the border.
Here she is in the second picture in 2023. She has the same white patch as first picture.
***Highlife, you need to apply for your CITES permit. Contact me next week at 1-807-221-9793 for info to apply.
Looks like a great start to the fall season for you, as well.
We had just finished showing a group of hunters their baits. Bee lined it to Tim Hortons for supper. Got a call from Kef saying he shot at a Bear. Said will be right there. When we got to the trail head. Kef was waiting for us. Was dark by then. Gun unloaded and in a case as law requires when dark. Saxon and I start walking the trail to the bait which was a 300 yard trek down hill. We carried the Army gurney with us to get the Bear back to the truck.
We waited at the bait but no Kef... he was right behind us to start. Waiting a few more minute and here he came. Asked him what was taking him and he told us as he threw his leg over a downed tree, his leg was thrust into the tree and a branch size of my thumb tore a gash into the meaty part of his leg. His pant leg and boot was filled with blood. Then he said he's on blood thinners.
As soon as he said blood thinners I sat him down. Told him to calm down and raised his legs higher than his torso to slow pressure to his leg. I took off his Hunter Orange vest. Pulled up his pant leg and blood was gushing out. There was a fair sized gash. We took the hunter orange vest, wrapped around leg above wound and stuck sturdy stick in and twisted for a tourniquet. We twisted hard enough to slow the bleeding down. Then as we got pressure the way we needed it, Saxon ran to the truck and got what cloth clothing he had in his truck and put a packing on the wound, along with tourniquet.
As blood slowed right down I ran to the truck drove farther North to other truck and hunters. They were just getting ready to go in and track a bear when they saw me pull up. I grabbed my phone and dialed 911. No service. I went and climbed up a hill where I finally got a bar on my phone. It worked!! There's more but got to go and mix bait...
Now back to the Bear Kef hit...
We watched the Bear hoping he was going to take his last Breath, but wasn't happening. Saxon said he had an axe so we left the Bear and went back to the truck for the axe. Got back to Bear with the axe. I quietly snuck to within 8 inches of the Bears butt to take a swing at his head. Before I swung the axe we shut the lights off to calm the bear down. Few minutes later turned light on, lifted the axe high and swung hard using the blunt side of axe head. Smacked hard on the middle of the skull, bear came alive, pushed off a dead log with his back legs, and knocked me over backwards. OHHH $hit!!
We chased after Bear swinging, hitting the bear a couple of times then we lost site of him. We listened and picked out where he was. I went a little farther and fell in a Beaver channel of a dry beaver dam. Then I realized bear was only a foot or so from me but facing away from me. Saxon stayed above bear and me out of the channel. He couldn't get a good swing at the head as alders were in the way. Bear was vocalizing while I reached forward, took my arm and swept the small alders out from above the bears head and the head was exposed. Saxon took a swing and finally killed the bear with the axe. Hunters were behind us a hundred yards or so so we called back and forth to get back to the bait. Chased bear over 200 yards with bear circling back to original spot once.
