28 + Grizzly = 29
Contributors to this thread:Bears
From: huntinelk
06-Aug-23
Not a real big hunt story on this one, but here is the story of my grizzly hunt that completed my archery Superslam.
After reaching #28 last fall I was anxious to hunt and get after a grizzly to hopefully finish the 29.
Spring hunts were going to be tough this year due to my son graduating along with everything that comes with that and I wasn't willing to miss any of his senior year baseball games. I wanted ample time for the hunt and to not feel pressured to rush home so I didn't miss important life milestones.
I contacted Jonah Stewart and he offered up any time in early August that I could get there before sheep season started. I took him up on that and last November cashed in my AK Airlines miles for a first class one way ticket on Aug 2, I was hoping to not come home until my tag was filled.
As with most everything , time flew by way too fast and Aug 2 was here. Long but uneventful flights from Philly - Seattle - Fairbanks, slept a few hours in the airport then to Wright Air for and early afternoon flight to Coldfoot. After being picked up at the airport and getting everything ready and shooting bow at Jonahs Wiseman camp it was time to head out.
From: huntinelk
06-Aug-23
The plan was Jonah was flying gear into a camp and my guide Gabe and I were getting dropped off at a small air strip about 40 miles from camp to get flown in to a remote camp.
While driving towards the air strip a grizzly was spotted along the Haul Road within the archery corridor. There were 3 AK guides in the truck with me and all agreed that it was a shooter bear and we needed to make a move on it.
After dodging some traffic that included sight seers and heavy truck traffic we were able to make a move on the bear without an audience. The bear was very occupied digging roots and eating berries. After a few minutes I was 15 yards from a broadside feeding grizzly and what should be a slam dunk shot to complete the goal that I had come there to finish.
From: huntinelk
06-Aug-23
The bear was a bit downhill with his head down and behind a bush. As I began to draw he turned slightly quartering away. I settled the pin about mid body to account for the angle and triggered the release. To my surprise when the arrow hit the bear it knocked him flat to the ground. He gathered himself a bit and managed to stagger and roll a few times covering about 25 yards and was dead. Less than 5 hours from arriving in Coldfoot it was over. The short blood trail was as impressive as any I have seen.
From: huntinelk
06-Aug-23
Archery Superslam #44. According to those that are listed, I believe that I may be the first person from PA.
Information that I have gathered from the members of this website over the years has been priceless chasing this goal. Thanks to all those that have shared information and their own stories over the years. It has been truly appreciated.
Gene
From: t-roy
06-Aug-23
I heard that you had killed your grizzly, a couple of days ago. Congrats on the grizzly, and a HUGE congrats on completing your Superslam, Gene! A tremendous accomplishment!
From: Nick Muche
07-Aug-23
Fantastic Gene! Congrats again!!!
From: Stoneman
07-Aug-23
Congratulations on completing your Superslam!
I’m guessing you’ve compiled a substantial amount of hunting stories along the way. Maybe every so often you could share one on Bowsite. Pretty sure they would be well received.
From: Corax_latrans
07-Aug-23
Any idea why it was that the bear hit the ground so hard?
From: Ambush
07-Aug-23
"Any idea why it was that the bear hit the ground so hard?"
Bear saw it was Gene!!
Congratulations! You have joined a small and accomplished group of hunters!!
From: pav
07-Aug-23
Awesome accomplishment...especially for a dedicated bowhunter! Congrats Gene!!!
From: Zebrakiller
07-Aug-23
wow awesome congrats
From: BULELK1
07-Aug-23
Man-Oh-Man------->
What a beauty.
Congrats Gene,
Robb
From: WV Mountaineer
07-Aug-23
That’s awesome!!!
From: Nomad @ work
07-Aug-23
Great job! Quite the accomplishment! Congrats!
From: WI Shedhead
07-Aug-23
Congrats!!! Quite an accomplishment!!!!!
From: Altitude Sickness
07-Aug-23
Congrats
From: midwest
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene...outstanding!!!
From: Bliz6
07-Aug-23
Congrats again Gene!
From: Mad Trapper
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene!
From: Boomer
07-Aug-23
Gotta love when it comes together quick! Congratulations.
From: Bou'bound
07-Aug-23
Great job thanks for sharing. What an an Accomplishment.
From: HUNT MAN
07-Aug-23
Way to go Gene
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
07-Aug-23
That’s awesome Gene! Congratulations!
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
07-Aug-23
That’s awesome Gene! Congratulations!
From: Charlie Rehor
07-Aug-23
PA rocks. Some of the very best bow hunters in North America. Congrats Gene.
From: Shug
07-Aug-23
Congratulations!!
From: sticksender
07-Aug-23
Gene you're in some elite company now. Huge congrats again!
From: brettpsu
07-Aug-23
Awesome! Congrats Gene
From: Kurt
07-Aug-23
Congratulations Gene! Fun following along with your hunts over the years…on Bowsite, texting and at the conventions. “44” has a real nice ring to it!
From: Supernaut
07-Aug-23
Way to go Gene!
A great feat for any bowhunter and especially cool that you are a fellow PA bow hunter.
From: westgak
07-Aug-23
What an accomplishment! Congratulations. I’ve always enjoyed reading your hunt recaps.
From: Boreal
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene! That's awesome!
From: iceman
07-Aug-23
Huge congratulations, Gene!
From: DEMO-Bowhunter
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene! Well done!
From: Lewis
07-Aug-23
Congrats great job that is a very impressive blood trail Lewis
From: Dale06
07-Aug-23
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing.
From: njbuck
07-Aug-23
Gene, congrats again. You put in the work and dedication and that has paid off. I also want to thank you for all the advice you have given to me whenever I may ask. For you long list of accomplishments you sure don't have any ego and it's a pleasure to know you. Congrats #44!!!
From: Shrewski
07-Aug-23
Just a tremendous accomplishment. Congratulations. Beautiful bear too.
From: Earltex
07-Aug-23
Wow! Congratulations. What a way to finish.
From: carcus
07-Aug-23
Congrats, what BH were you using?
From: tobywon
07-Aug-23
Awesome!! Congrats on a great accomplishment!!
From: Ron Niziolek
07-Aug-23
Huge congrats, Gene. Amazing perseverance to arrow the 29!
From: bigswivle
07-Aug-23
That is crazy. Congrats
From: tobywon
07-Aug-23
Awesome!! Congrats on a great accomplishment!!
From: Mike Ukrainetz
07-Aug-23
Congratulations!!
From: huntinelk
07-Aug-23
Thanks for all the comments, it's been an unreal experience. When I get caught up from traveling, I will answer any of the above questions then post pics of 28 more animals.
From: TMac
07-Aug-23
Well done Gene! Quite the accomplishment and an interesting way to complete it.
From: Rackmastr
07-Aug-23
Congrats on an amazing accomplishment!!!
From: Willieboat
07-Aug-23
Congrats hell of a accomplishment
From: JohnMC
07-Aug-23
Congrats! Lots of time and effort went into accomplishing that I am sure.
From: Matt
07-Aug-23
Congratulations.
Not only did you finish your slam, but by killing your bear so quickly you were spared to potential indignity of spending the week trying to keep up with Gabe on the tundra.
From: Bowfinatic
07-Aug-23
Well done Congrats on that achievement
From: rapids
07-Aug-23
Absolutely fantastic hunt and completing your Super Slam!
From: Brotsky
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene! What an amazing accomplishment!
From: Ned mobile
07-Aug-23
Congrats Gene. An incredible accomplishment. Your motivation and persistence is admirable. It has be fun to watch your success unfold toward the superslam completion!
From: Bowfreak
07-Aug-23
Congrats on a great bear and an amazing accomplishment! When you post your other photos it would be great if you could also provide a hunt synopsis.
From: DanaC
07-Aug-23
Congratulations!
From: Lucas
07-Aug-23
Congratulations!
From: Rut Nut
07-Aug-23
WOW! You make it look easy Gene! CONGRATS! But.................................... I thought you were from Pennsyltucky?! ;-)
From: Frank Noska
07-Aug-23
Congratulations Gene! Good work! You are proof hard work and persistence usually pays off.
From: Chief 419
07-Aug-23
Congrats on #44 Gene! Great way to finish the Super Slam.
From: otcWill
07-Aug-23
Hats off to you sir. Truly amazing accomplishment. Congrats!
From: Bake
07-Aug-23
Congratulations! One heck of an accomplishment.
From: Medicinemann
07-Aug-23
Well done!!
From: Potro
07-Aug-23
Congrats Nice bear
From: deerhunter72
07-Aug-23
Seems like that one was really meant to be. Congratulations on a major accomplishment!!
From: caribou77
07-Aug-23
Congratulations! Incredible accomplishment
From: W
07-Aug-23
Impressive. Congrats!
From: RK
07-Aug-23
Gene. Absolutely Awesome. Congrats. A quest well done!
From: LWood
07-Aug-23
Congratulations, Gene!
From: Zackman
08-Aug-23
Congrats Gene!!! Helluva accomplishment!
From: Quack
08-Aug-23
Congratulations sir!
From: AKmtnhunter
08-Aug-23
Fantastic! Congratulations on an awesome achievement. I've hunted the Haul Road many times and a grizzly is at the top of my list in a couple weeks...
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Thanks again.
I used a Rage Extreme on this bear. I think due to the downward angle and solid impact on opposite shoulder is what knocked the bear to the ground.
Hopefully my next new species will be an alligator from FL using our own boat and gear in mid October
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Jan 2001, this lion was my first bow kill that wasn't a whitetail. My dad and a friend had the hunt booked and his friend backed out on him last minute, so I took the spot. We went on call and drove to AZ on short notice.
From: grape
08-Aug-23
Congrats. Thanks for sharing.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
August 2003, WY unit 61. Before the points system, drew 2nd year applying
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
April 2010 Holman Island. This was my first adventure type hunt.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
September 2010 AZ. I had killed a couple cows and a rag horn in the years before, but this bull was my first solid bull and still my biggest to date.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
October 2010. This woodland caribou was my first caribou hunt, was a short notice cancelation deal. Also a link to my 10 year "caribou slam"
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
November 2011 Prince of Wales. My first Sitka blacktail. We did a rent cabin and truck, hunt diy deal.
Also a picture of my biggest blacktail to date from November 2019, Kodiak Island. Drop off diy hunt.
From: Rut Nut
08-Aug-23
Very cool Gene! But who's that young kid with the Mt. Lion?! ;-)
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
First coues deer from Jan 2012
First coues deer from Jan 2012
January 2012 I killed my first coues deer in AZ with Duwane Adam's. I will have to dig that pic up and post later.
This is my biggest coues from Jan 2023 with Wards in Mexico
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
July 2013, NWT with MacKenzie Mountain Outfitters. Fannin/Stone ram and a link to my first made for bowsite thread,
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
August 2013 NWT with MacKenzie Mountain Outfitters. Mountain caribou. Same thread as above.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Sept 2014, Colorado. First mule deer , diy draw tag. Also a pic of my biggest mule deer to date, November 2021, Sonora Mexico
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
November 2014 , Jackson WY, Bison. I beat the odds and drew a bull tag. Link to thread.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Backtracking to June 2005, first archery black bear from Quebec, hopefully can find a digital pic to post. My best black bear to date from June 2012 with Bear Track Outfitters, hunt was from the bowsite charity auction.
From: BowJangles
08-Aug-23
Glad to see Jonah step it up! I was appalled that he put me in a spot that took me 9 whole hours to get a bear down. 5 hours is more like it!
Congrats again my friend! Can't thank you enough for all the advice over the last few years.
So when does Slam 2.0 start? lol
From: Adrenaline Russ
08-Aug-23
Congrats Gene!! Was great to be along for a small part of the journey in Nunavut!
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
2.0 will get underway just as soon as my mega millions number come in tonight.
Russ, we aren't done yet....
From: Shiras42
08-Aug-23
Huge accomplishment! Congrats and thanks for sharing.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Since my time-line is out of order, going to put whitetail in here. My first bow kill big game animal was a doe in Oct 1990, my first buck was Nov 1995. I can remember both like it was yesterday. This pic is from 2018 my best PA buck to date.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
September 2016, Quebec Labrador caribou, 2 years before the closure.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
October 2016, Kodiak AK, mountain goat. Link to thread.
From: Scoot
08-Aug-23
Incredible accomplishment- many congrats!
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
September 2017, Nunavut. Central Canadian Barren Ground Caribou with Webbers. I took 2 great bulls on this trip. Link to thread.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
September 2018, NWT, A/Y moose with MacKenzie Mountain Outfitters. Thread link.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
November 2018, Oregon, Columbia blacktail, diy private land hunt. Thread link.
From: Buffalo1
08-Aug-23
Congrats on the frizz and completing the Slam !! Well done.
From: Buffalo1
08-Aug-23
Congrats on the frizz and completing the Slam !! Well done.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
June 2019, AK, brown bear with Jonahs Alaskan Outfitters. Thread link
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
August 2019, Oregon, Roosevelt elk with Spoon Creek Outfitters.
From: Bowboy
08-Aug-23
Congrats Gene what a great accomplishment!
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
August 2020, California, Tule Elk with Nolan Twisselman.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
September 2020, Alaska, Barren Ground Caribou, drop off hunt out of Kotzebue. And a pic of my biggest bg caribou taken a year later
From: hunt'n addict
08-Aug-23
Congratulations on your great accomplishment!
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
August 2021, AK, dall sheep with Jonahs Alaskan Outfitters. Thread link.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
October 2021, Alberta, shiras moose with Anchor Bar Outfitters. Thread link
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
November 2021, Sonora Mexico, desert sheep
From: TXCO
08-Aug-23
Man congrats! What a great deal. Thanks for sharing all your animals in the slam too!
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
March 2022, Grise Fiord, polar bear.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
huntinelk's Link
Here is thread link for polar bear story.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
October 2022, Newfoundland, Canada moose
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
November 2022, Utah, California bighorn
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
Back to the grizzly at the top for #29.
From: Kurt
08-Aug-23
Some awesome animals Gene!!!
From: Beav
08-Aug-23
Congratulations Gene!!
From: Sivart
08-Aug-23
What broadhead did you use on the Grizz? Never seen blood like that on a bear. Congrats.
From: huntinelk
08-Aug-23
It was old style Rage Extreme with the plastic collar
From: Ace
08-Aug-23
Wow, awesome accomplishment, CONGRATULATIONS! Great write-ups as well.
I did a quick calculation, All I have to do to match your feat is live another 243 years at the rate I'm knocking animals off my list!
From: Drop tine
08-Aug-23
Amazing accomplishment, congratulations. Great stories and pictures as well. What was the most challenging hunt? Most enjoyable?
From: tkjwonta
08-Aug-23
Congrats Gene, what impressive dedication to get it done on all those great adventures with the bow. Takes a special breed, for sure. Well done!
From: IdyllwildArcher
08-Aug-23
Grats
From: TEmbry
08-Aug-23
You da man, love looking through all the pictures both old and new!
From: Rgiesey
09-Aug-23
Great post! Cool to look through all the pictures. Congratulations!!
From: orionsbrother
09-Aug-23
Congratulations! Good luck with your alligator!
From: BULELK1
09-Aug-23
Great pix------>
Thanks for sharing,
Robb
From: Fuzz
09-Aug-23
Congratulations on completing the Slam and making so many great memories!
From: T-rex
09-Aug-23
WOW - Congrats
From: Chief 419
09-Aug-23
What do you consider your hardest animal to get and how many trips did it take?
From: huntinelk
09-Aug-23
The hardest animal to get dead was the dall sheep, but that was due to operator error. That was overall the toughest hunt physically of all of them.
I killed a Canada moose on my third trip for them. Those hunts weren't too physically demanding, just was unlucky.
From: bowhunter24
09-Aug-23
Another awesome bowhunter for us not so awesome hunters to learn from, thanks for taking us on your journey!
From: CCOVEY
09-Aug-23
congrats on a hell of an accomplishment!
From: Stoneman
09-Aug-23
This went from a good archery story to a great one with the addition of pictures and links from your journey!
Thanks for sharing.
From: StickFlicker
09-Aug-23
Congratulations on your impressive accomplishment!
From: Taxidermy man
09-Aug-23
You were fortunate to kill your stone sheep in a Dall area for what I assume was for a Dall Sheep price. Two thumbs up and thanks for sharing your pictures!
From: Julius Koenig
09-Aug-23
So great, congrats!!
From: INDBowhunter2
09-Aug-23
Congrats again Gene. Been awesome following along ever since your bison hunt. And pretty cool that you killed your grizzly where I was hunting them this spring. Hell of an accomplishment.
From: ahunter76
09-Aug-23
Awesome & you have done in bowhunting what most will only dream of. Congratulations & may your journey & adventures continue & safe travels.
From: drycreek
09-Aug-23
You have been a busy guy ! Pretty exclusive club you just joined and well deserved. Congrats !
From: Catscratch
09-Aug-23
Holy moly!!! Congrats on each and every one of them!
From: kota-man
09-Aug-23
Congrats again Gene. Been fun following along. Good luck with the next chapter.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
10-Aug-23
Congratulations again Gene. I was super happy to see your text when I got back to Yellowknife. I look forward to talking to you soon!
From: AKmtnhunter
11-Aug-23
Thanks for posting the photos. Makes we want to get out there and get after it!
From: Bou'bound
11-Aug-23
Great thread gets better and better as it goes on. A rarity these days
From: Bou'bound
14-Aug-23
Great thread gets better and better as it goes on. A rarity these days
From: SBH
14-Aug-23
My hats off to you sir. Thanks for the recap, amazing.
From: JTreeman
14-Aug-23
The man the myth the legend.
—Jim
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
Bringing this up to put the ending to it. This weekend I went to Nashville with my wife for the modified GSCO one day convention this year. Like them or hate them they are the keeper of the Super Slam records. It was a great way to put the finishing touch to this journey. Again all the help, support and information during this journey given by fellow bowhunters was huge and wouldn't have been possible without a super supportive and understanding wife.
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
I was great to be able to join Tom on stage for his Super Slam presentation, another bowsite and bowhunting friendship.
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
More bowsite match making friends
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
I also picked up the plaque that said I completed the archery grand slam.
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
Jonah Stewart also received his gs plaque. I originally met Jonah on a Q/L caribou hunt in 2016 then ended up killing 4 species with him on this journey. He is a great guy and outfitter.
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
He is picture of my first ever archery buck, I had taken a couple doe before this.
From: huntinelk
05-Feb-24
To end it here is a picture of my high tech spread sheet that I kept track of this journey on since about 2009.
From: BOWUNTR
05-Feb-24
Outstanding... congratulations. Ed F
From: midwest
05-Feb-24
Congrats again, Gene. Hell of an accomplishment.
From: ND String Puller
05-Feb-24
Congrats Gene, hell of an accomplishment right there ! Thanks for posting all the pictures, lots of great memories in all of them no doubt!
From: Scoot
05-Feb-24
Outstanding! Lots of time and effort behind those pics!
From: JTreeman
05-Feb-24
Brushes with greatness. Congrats again brother.
—Jim
From: Kurt
05-Feb-24
Your spread sheet looks like mine Gene!
From: Treeline
05-Feb-24
Awesome! Congratulations on one hell of an accomplishment!
From: Cajunarcher
05-Feb-24
Huge congratulations on your super slam Gene! Glad I got to see you receive your award in person !
From: t-roy
05-Feb-24
Big congrats on a heck of an accomplishment, Gene! Well earned.
From: IdyllwildArcher
06-Feb-24
Grats!
From: sticksender
06-Feb-24
Happy for you Gene. Huge congrats on this incredible achievement.Dangit though...didn't know we were supposed to be keeping a spread sheet.
From: njbuck
06-Feb-24
Congrats again Gene! Now get to work on super slam #2!!!!
From: Adrenaline Russ
06-Feb-24
Congrats Gene! Was great to share camp with you for one small part of your journey.
From: Ned mobile
06-Feb-24
Congrats Gene. I remember that I was involved slightly in your pursuit by being with you in part in Canmore. And rennet I was so impressed with your Outback vehicle. Amazing accomplishment so happy for you
From: Ned mobile
06-Feb-24
Congrats Gene. I remember that I was involved slightly in your pursuit by being with you in part in Canmore. And rennet I was so impressed with your Outback vehicle. Amazing accomplishment so happy for you
From: TMac
06-Feb-24
Fantastic accomplishment Gene congratulations!
From: maxracx
06-Feb-24
Congrats on all of your adventures!!! Well done.
From: Smtn10PT
06-Feb-24
Wow, I missed this one the first time around! Congratulations on an outstanding accomplishment.
From: Mike Ukrainetz
06-Feb-24
That’s great! Goals like this keep us young, strong and alive!! If you don’t care about what you achieve, you become old, boring and dead.
From: BigOk
06-Feb-24
Congrats
From: JG
06-Feb-24
It doesn’t get much better than that Gene. Congrats. Amazing accomplishment
From: Westgak
06-Feb-24
Congratulations! Amazing accomplishment.
Thanks for posting the photos as well.
From: tthomas
06-Feb-24
Some top hands right there. Great guys, amazing accomplishments. Congrats to all.
From: Zackman
06-Feb-24
Congrats Gene! Serious dedication to get to 29
From: iceman
07-Feb-24
Congrats again, Gene! Well deserved!
From: DEMO-Bowhunter
07-Feb-24
Love the pics Gene!! Awesome accomplishment!
From: Scar Finga
08-Feb-24
Congratulations man, what an amazing accomplishment!!!!
Thank you for sharing all the photos and stories!!
God Bless,
Scar
From: pav
08-Feb-24
Congrats again Gene! The archery Super Slam is an outstanding accomplishment! Very happy for you!!!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
09-Feb-24
Congrats again Gene. I didn't realize what you were doing when you said you were headed to Nashville.... Now get the flight booked, I'm looking forward to a lot of great hunting stories!
From: BULELK1
10-Feb-24
Way to go Gene------>
You have always been a stand -up guy here on our bowsite.
Good luck, Robb
From: Bliz6
10-Feb-24
Congrats Gene!
From: tobywon
10-Feb-24
Great stuff here. Congrats and thanks for sharing!!
From: ki-ke
10-Feb-24
Pretty stinkin fantastic accomplishment! Congrats and thanks for taking us along.
From: bowhunter24
10-Feb-24
Congrats on your outstanding accomplishment! We mere mortals really enjoy the stories and pictures that are shared on Bowsite , so don't stop!
From: Ned mobile
11-Feb-24
Congrats Gene. I remember that I was involved slightly in your pursuit by being with you in part in Canmore. And rennet I was so impressed with your Outback vehicle. Amazing accomplishment so happy for you
From: goelk
13-Feb-24
gene congrats
From: ridgerunnerron
19-Feb-24
Congrats on achieving your Archery Super Slam! Quite a HUGE accomplishment. Not many hunters have completed an Archery Super Slam.
