Another BC bear hunt

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May 28th, 2019, 09:09 AM
kdp89

Another BC bear hunt- pics up!

I made it out to the west coast again this year to hunt black bear in northern BC. 5 of us, including my Dad, 2 brothers and my brothers BIL made the drive north to Fort St James where we jumped in on a logging road and drove another 3 hours to where we planned to camp.

When we first arrived it appeared that we were still early, with some ice on the lake and no greenery coming up yet, which made us nervous because the area which was covered in bear sign 2 years ago wasn’t showing any.

After a day and and a half of exploring some newly logged areas I put eyes on a beauty chocolate bear and the 308 put it down with one shot at 150 yards.

Around the same time that day my brothers BIL also shot a great chocolate measuring about 6’6” nose to tail.

Now my brother was getting a little antsy and was waiting for a good bear. The next evening we rolled past a beauty on the logging road and we’re able to drive past and sneak back to it, where he hammered his biggest bear to date. A monster jet black, a little short of 7’ with a skull the taxidermist say will likely make the BC record book.

After a little fishing and lounging we decided to head home early to meet the wives and hang out for a few days. On the way out we spotted another 6.5”er and my brother decided to tag out with this one. Another truly big bear with a skull that was short of book by 1/8”.

All in all it was a great trip with lots of success and some great Bull and Rainbow trout fishing mixed in.

http://i.imgur.com/O7Ksm4Z.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mI4S7qP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Nv8XFVI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GFsP9LW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fsxb1Co.jpg
May 28th, 2019, 09:18 AM
Bluebulldog

Sounds like a great trip.
May 28th, 2019, 12:08 PM
Snowwalker

You mean Dolly Varden not Bull trout right?:joker:

They are not even closely related, one is related to an Asian Char and the other Arctic Char.

Well you can tell the pure strains of the two apart, they also interbreed naturally and make hybrids. :whacked:

Good thing you only have to count fish and not tell them apart. :thumbup:

Don't know where you were fishing but I know lots of places want you to release these char, because they grow very slowly.
May 28th, 2019, 12:21 PM
kdp89

It’s funny you mention that. I was calling them dolly’s Butbwas corrected by a guy at the fishing shop out there. What was told is that the easiest way to be sure of the difference is that the Dolly’s are sea run and the bulls are land locked. We weren’t anywhere close to the ocean so that’s what I went with. Either way, a fantastic fighting fish!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowwalker

You mean Dolly Varden not Bull trout right?:joker:

They are not even closely related, one is related to an Asian Char and the other Arctic Char.

Well you can tell the pure strains of the two apart, they also interbreed naturally and make hybrids. :whacked:

Good thing you only have to count fish and not tell them apart. :thumbup:

Don't know where you were fishing but I know lots of places want you to release these char, because they grow very slowly.
May 28th, 2019, 12:26 PM
bellerivercrossbowhunter

Excellent!

My spring bear season starts this Sunday near Temagami. Our bears are not that big though... lol
May 28th, 2019, 04:49 PM
fishhawk

Sounds like a great time, congrats on the bears and you gotta love the 308.
May 28th, 2019, 05:19 PM
Deer Hunter

Sounds like a great trip. Congrats. Can’t open attachments.
May 28th, 2019, 07:05 PM
kdp89

Sorry guys, not sure why pics aren’t showing? If someone wants to tell me how to get them up I’ll post ASAP! Half the story is in the pictures!
May 28th, 2019, 07:12 PM
smitty55

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdp89

Sorry guys, not sure why pics aren’t showing? If someone wants to tell me how to get them up I’ll post ASAP! Half the story is in the pictures!

Join imgur, upload pics there. Click on pic and a window like this will show up. Click on copy bbcode and paste here in your post/
https://i.imgur.com/j8XBICC.jpg

Cheers
May 28th, 2019, 09:29 PM
kdp89

Got it. Enjoy
May 28th, 2019, 09:50 PM
fratri

Sounds and looks like a great trip..
Congrats on all the hunting success too :)
May 28th, 2019, 10:40 PM
Kilo Charlie

Looks like a great family hunt.

I'm hoping to become a BC resident in the next coupler of years.

Halibut, prawns and moose will be my grocery list, lol!
May 28th, 2019, 10:51 PM
tom gobble

Nice animals congrats
May 29th, 2019, 03:19 AM
Deer Hunter

Beautiful looking Bears. Again, Congrats
May 29th, 2019, 08:11 AM
kdp89

Thanks guys. It really was a great trip. I always enjoy exploring new country and I love BCs typical spot and stalk hunting. Being able to spot game from a distance and put a stalk on it is an exciting way to hunt!
May 29th, 2019, 09:58 AM
Articcat

congrats on some nice looking bears, great looking country out there on my bucket list also
May 29th, 2019, 11:02 AM
Fox

How is the meat on those guys?
May 29th, 2019, 11:55 AM
Species8472

Looks like an awesome trip. Congrats on some great bears.
May 29th, 2019, 12:23 PM
kdp89

What I have had so far was fantastic, though for the most part we make sausage and pepperoni.
The need to cook to ‘well done’ kind of takes away my desire for steak cuts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

How is the meat on those guys?
May 29th, 2019, 12:59 PM
Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdp89

What I have had so far was fantastic, though for the most part we make sausage and pepperoni.
The need to cook to ‘well done’ kind of takes away my desire for steak cuts.

Ya, trichinosis can be a very bad thing apparently. The only bear I have eaten tasted more like beef than venison ever will, turned some into breakfast sausages with pork and maple syrup and then stewed up some.

I know that they are very dependent on what they eat as to the taste, a friend in the Yukon said that coastal bears in the fall are horrible but even Grizz inland are good as long as they are not gorging on salmon.
May 29th, 2019, 07:07 PM
Deer Hunter

Bear back strap........Mmmmm, don’t mind a roast either. No problems if you take care of your meat properly, cool it down ASAP and in the freezer.
May 29th, 2019, 08:24 PM
Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Hunter

Bear back strap........Mmmmm, don’t mind a roast either. No problems if you take care of your meat properly, cool it down ASAP and in the freezer.

Just make sure it is cooked well, no rare bear.
May 29th, 2019, 11:52 PM
Kilo Charlie

Best bear I ever ate was entire hips of bear professionally brined and smoked into ham. People went back for thirds.
I do have a friend who makes incredible Swedish meatballs as well.
June 9th, 2019, 01:27 PM
MDR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

I know that they are very dependent on what they eat as to the taste, a friend in the Yukon said that coastal bears in the fall are horrible but even Grizz inland are good as long as they are not gorging on salmon.

I agree, inland Grizzly is a good meal. As far as black bear goes, it has a place in my freezer as well. I picked up one this spring and will save my second tag for the fall. See some hunting reports on here finally!
June 11th, 2019, 06:41 AM
toddy

Looks like a great trip!