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Monthly Archives: November 2013

3 Guys, 3 Bears…One awesome trip!

07 Nov

There is nothing more fun for a hunter than taking a long road trip with the guys and getting away from it all. The difference between the average ‘getting away from it all’ and a hunter’s ‘getting away from it all’ is that the hunter’s version often times includes a stand and some great harvest stories. This rang true for Dave, Tim and Jason.

On September the 7th they arrived at my front door with weapons in hand and excitement in their eyes. Though it was Dave’s second hunt with us, it was both Tim and Jason’s first time hunting a bear. Dave had acquainted them with what to expect and the basics of our operation and much to the boy’s excitement, we were providing them all with baits that seemed to be jam packed with bruin.

The first night came with all guys coming to camp empty handed but Dave letting us know that his bait was just a Bear Highway….they were everywhere! Tim had heard a bear and Jason had yet to have any sign of.


The following night had proven fruitful to both Dave and Tim, taking their trophies earlier in the dusk hours. Jason had heard several sounds around him but had yet to spot. He was fine with that though as the following day was his birthday and he felt that a birthday bear would be that much more fitting.

The next morning as the boys began to prepare their bears, Jason prepped and began that drive to his stand. Thoughts raced through is head as to what his day would hold and how he was going to handle harvesting that bear.  Early that evening, I spotted the truck pulling in, my heart was wild with anticipation….had he gotten his birthday bear? As Jason emerged, his face was pulled with a frustrated look and the color was drained.

“I missed!” was all he said.

After a few minutes of silence, Jason filled me in on the adventure.

“I was just opening my pb and j and having a bite. I saw a set of ears pop up and slowly put the sandwich on my lap. I lifted my gun just as the bear emerged to my right and he stood and sniffed the air…I think he wanted my sandwich! He dropped and began to lick the tree directly broadside and I fired……the bullet went low and right below. No hit but just hit the ground. I have NO IDEA what happened! The bear took off like a bat out of hell and that was it. I sat for about thirty minutes and had to get out of there. I am so frustrated that I know I couldn’t shoot proper a second time. Tomorrow I am taking my .270.”

SAM_0016 (640x480)
With that we both agreed that this could happen to anyone and that it’s better than wounding and wasting a bear. I knew tomorrow he would have a different plan.
The next day Jason came in for his coffee and sat quiet. The thought of the day’s play could be read in his eyes and it was obvious that today he woke up with serious intention.  Dave and Tim decided to load the boat and spend the day kicking back while Jason set out as tightly wound as he could be.
The day wore on and not a truck in sight. As the night fell, Jason arrived with a tired, defeated look in his eyes.

“Nothing. I didn’t see a thing today. It was a long day.”

I knew that the events of the day prior had made today seem much longer but I knew that his determination hadn’t left.

The following morning, Jason met with Terry and they came up with the new game plan. It was a variation of the original but the outcome was planned the same….Come home with a bear!
As Jason left for the day, we all settled back into our daily routines, me in the lodge, Tami back to marketing and Terry back out to the baiting.
At 3:12pm a black truck made a hasty entrance to the resort and straight over to cabin 6. Jason was back! He was energized as he exited the truck and fists pumped the sky!

“I got it! It’s down!”

With a couple of high fives and congratulations I could just see the pride in his eyes. He had finished the group with 100% success rate! As he tied the tell-tale orange flag for the other two on the lake to see, he began to load the truck with retrieval supplies.

As they all arrived back with Jason’s bear, the camaraderie was thick. Each were successful and each just as happy for each other as themselves.


Like I said, when a hunter ‘gets away from it all’ it’s what they come away with afterwards that counts!

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Posted by on November 7, 2013 in black bear, hunting, Wawang Lake Resort

 

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Bear Down! The legend of Squeekules.

05 Nov

It often amazes me what people do in their stands while in wait.  Some nap, some eat, some even make shadow puppets….not Jamie, nope not Jamie.

Jamie’s hunt began just like everyone elses, with optimism and excitement.  He knew what he was waiting for and he was prepared for what to do when it got there…..boy did it take its time!!

As he sat scanning the forest around him for any sign of movement, he spotted something from the corner of his eye.  I little red squirrel was climbing down the tree that was just six inches from his left.  Slowly this little red fellow crept while keeping a watchful eye on Jamie.  He made his way slowly onto the branch directly by his face and looked him in the eye.  Jamie gave little notice at first until he realized that this critter wasn’t leaving…he was perfectly happy to size up this human that was hanging around one of ‘his’ trees!

squeek

There they both sat in silence for a minute or two looking eye to eye, sizing each other up.  Finally Squeekules retreated and carried on down his tree to visit the forest floor.  He scurried around the moss and even over to the bait to check out its bounty.  Jamie watched as the little red fellow ran from one log to another and halfway up one tree and down to the next.  It amazed him that his new buddy was always in view.  It was really nice to have a distraction while waiting for his prey.

As the day came to a close and not a bear had been spotted, Jamie retreated down his tree to the sound of Squeekules chattering him a good bye.

squeek2

The next day started much the same with that slow climb and area inspection.  It didn’t take long for his little buddy to return and fill him in on the mornings events.  There the unlikely pair sat, looking at the bait and scanning the horizon.  The clouds started to close over and the winds picked up.  As the cold rain began to fall, with one last look, Squeekules climbed his tree to find some dry cover.  Jamie wasn’t so lucky.  There he sat in the rain as the temperatures dropped faster and faster.  It was cold and dark but he sat vigilant.  By the end of the day, he was cold, wet and it had appeared that the bear had won again.  He climbed down his stand and made his way out thinking about the time that he had spent up in that tree and his optimism was beginning to wane.  Would it be just as cold tomorrow?

As the sun rose the third morning of the hunt, the temperature was still crisp and those mid forty chills were setting in.  As he dressed for his hopefully short day in the stand, Jamie decided that he would change his weapon of choice.  Retired was his bow and up next was his muzzle loader.  He wanted to ensure that he would have a longer range if so much as one black ear made an appearance.

He made his way to his familiar perch and was happy to see that little Squeekules had already arrived.  There they both sat for a couple of minutes scanning the horizon for any sign of interruption.  The bait had not been hit and the area seemed quiet to any noise other than the rattle of the leaves.  Squeekules gave one last look before heading out for his morning routines.  Jamie sat in wait, the day stretching on.  He could see the little critter bouncing from one tree to the next and back again.  He seemed to be circling the bait and climbing the trees only to come back down again.    As Jamie stood to stretch his legs, here came Squeek, right up his tree and right beside him.  He seemed to just be checking in and making sure Jamie wasnt leaving his post and as Jamie sat again, that little squirrel jumped right onto his leg and ran down back to the bark of the tree!  Boy this little buddy was getting bold.

squeek3

The day was dragging on and his friend had decided to take up space all over Jamie’s tree.  He would leave to take care of his tasks and return to keep Jamie company, at times right behind his head and even right behind his back and against the tree.  The company was welcomed and the stand was becoming more bearable.

As his attention began to wane from his bait, Jamie began to search for his camera.  He desperately was hoping to catch a picture of his new friend.  As he shuffled through his bag, Squeek had began to make his way back to his tree and climbed up halfway up only to be interrupted.  Something was there….it was close and the squirrel knew it.  As Jamie’s attention was focused on that camera, Squeekules had run to the east side of the bait.  He made his way halfway up the tree and sat firm on a branch watching the trail.  Suddenly his tail stood firm and Squeek gripped his tree as he let out a loud chattering war cry.  Jamie looked to his direction and there it was….

angry squeek

That bear ambled in slowly but determined directly below Squeek.  That squirrel stayed braced to the branch and looked to Jamie for acknowledgement.  The two friends knew that the time had come.  The bruin was within range of the bait and began to deviate directly toward Jamie’s tree!  With a knowing look to the branches, Jamie’s eyes met those of this boar, its massive head making those beady eyes look even more pointed.  His hands held steady on his gun as the bear slowly turned and began back to the bait.  He had decided that Jamie was not a threat and his need for a snack was much more pressing.

A shot rang out and Squeek made a hasty retreat as that bear took its final breath.  That was it, the hunt was over and Jamie was proud of his 450lb harvest.  As Jamie brought his bear back and spoke of the hunt, it seemed that the hunt itself was a minor detail in the story of his unlikely friendship with a little red warrior that spent his days keeping him company and making that wait BEARable!

WOW what a paw!
446lb monster!

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Posted by on November 5, 2013 in black bear, hunting, Wawang Lake Resort

 

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BEAR DOWN!!! Quinn and Lucas Had a Long Night! Revisited

03 Nov

We figured we would revisit the highlights of the 2013 bear hunts for those that are looking forward to planning a 2014 hunt 🙂

In the sweltering heat both men knew that they might be in for a long, uncomfortable sit. Both resigned to the fact that being scent locked and camouflaged entailed long sleeves, pants and boot that would be working double time!

A typical view from a stand

Luke settled in confident that at some point during his stay, he would be bringing home what he had come all this way for.

As the mid day and early evening came on, Terry (the guide) had come in from a long day on the baits. It seemed much longer than usual and I asked him how it went.

“Well, we have a bear down.” Right away, the smile was over me, a ‘bear down’ is an outcome we as outfitters strive for and work painstakingly at before the hunter even arrives. Terry too was pleased.

“I was just on my way back up from the northern end baits when I saw a white truck in my rearview. I recognized it and pulled on over. Lucas was all in a mess, hot and concerned because he knew he had a bear down and he had no idea where it was.” Apparently in this 90 degree plus heat, Luke had taken his bear early (11 am) and had spent the last two hours tracking to no avail.

“Just by luck, I happened to be coming back just as he was coming to get me. He needed that bear tracked and that’s what we did.  We went back to where the shot was landed and to where she bedded down for a few moments.”  Luke was so happy that he had made contact and saw her ‘down’ that he let out a shout of excitement and that “YES!!!” quickly turned into a NO!  as that girl got up with all of her might and ran.

“We found the trail and it tapered off as we went on.  We cleared the direct line and went back to the bait to regroup.  I decided to check the small ravine to the right and Luke, the upper ridgeline to the left.  It didnt take long before I zoned in on one very small drop of blood.”  Terry’s eyes narrowed as he relived the moment.

“I was able to flag Luke over and we were hot on the trail!”

Hot was right!  Tracking in the mid day sun at 90+ degree temperatures was painstaking and uncomfortable.

“We were both amazed that there was so little blood.  He swore he heard a distinctive death moan and a final grunt….he KNEW she was down.  We walked for about ten minutes and FINALLY!!!  there she was, completely laid out under a small covering of brush.”

He smiled and you could see he was content that not only she was found but they could both get out of that blistering hot sun…..after she was field dressed.  Luke took no time in getting to work and analyzing his shot and finalizing the autopsy and arrow path.  He had deduced that he had run high but had hit both lungs.  A good, clean shot that had dropped her quickly.  Both men had a good laugh when they noted she had only gotten about 65 yards from the bait but was cunning in her route to be elusive.

“He did a good job.  He was an efficient hunter and he reaped his reward. He stayed behind to wait for Quinn to come off of his stand.  They should be in soon.”  And with that, Terry was off preparing for tommorrows bait run.

I watched the road anxiously for some time, measuring tape and camera ready for whatever was to come……The clock seemed to drag as I waited.  20 minutes turned into 2 hours and I was slightly concerned.  That sow needed to be processed asap, where were they?

Within minutes the white truck ambled up the road.  As they slowed I greeted Luke with all the congratulations.  He sprung from the truck and pointed…..”We brought you two for the price of one!!”

They SURE did!!  Quinn had downed a massive boar!  The truck bed was hanging lower with all the excess weight.

“RIGHT ON!”  I couldn’t hold back my excitement for the two of them.

Now came the real work!  Pictures, measurements and processing!  Quinn had shared that the hunt was relatively quick and uneventful.

“There was a snap of a twig and here he came.  You know he owned this house.  I barely let him reach the bait and I drew back and…….that was it!  20 yards and he was down.”  He made a point of looking to Lucas with a devious grin.

“I have to say, I was a bit worried.  I shot a bear before and he made the distinctive moan but we tracked and tracked and never found it, I was worried that this may be a repeat but there he was, down and done!”

It was a great night of stories including Shawn’s face to face encounter with his boar (that will be a story best saved for later), laughs and WORK!  As it was the very first time any of them caped a bear, all hands were on deck and they were all quick studies as I laid out the technique.  We made short time of Luke’s 225lb sow and Quinn and the rest of the crew were able to tidy up his 410lb boomer and hit the hay by 4 am.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Westpfahl’s Canadian wilderness adventure…….be assured there WILL be one!!

Quinn’s 410lb boar! What a beauty!
Luke’s first bear! 225lb sow

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Posted by on November 3, 2013 in black bear, hunting, Wawang Lake Resort

 

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Gear up: Best Hunting Boot Review

01 Nov

So tis the season!  While searching online for my next pair of field boots, I came across this fantastic post done by Outdoor Life Magazine.  A realistic review of several different boots including price 🙂  Talk about a treasure trove.

Remember, when searching footwear to take into consideration:

Climate
Terrain
Fit

NEVER purchase a pair of boots without trying them on and getting a good feel for how they physically feel.  Ensure that you leave enough room for the socks you intend to wear during the majority of your hunts.

boots

Boot Review: Best New Hunting Boots

In order to help you draw a bead on your next pair of boots, we tested a dozen pairs in three categories in Alaska.

A quick glance at this year’s crop of new hunting footwear reveals that although manufacturers aren’t slashing prices while at the same time improving the quality of their goods—as makers of fishing tackle and firearms have done in 2012—they have taken strides to make their boots lighter, more waterproof, and easier to break in than the offerings of recent years.

In order to help you draw a bead on your next pair of boots, we tested a dozen pairs in three categories in Alaska in early March. We wore the boots in snow, waded them through icy marshes, and used them to climb slick, rocky ground. See the results here.

irish setter

Irish Setter Havoc
Price: $199

Though it’s billed as a big-game boot, we found the Havoc to be agile enough for grouse and supportive enough for elk. The boot is available uninsulated or with 800 grams of Thinsulate. Boasting a short break-in period, these boots are an excellent all-around option this fall.

SCORE
Overall: * * * * 
Construction/Materials: A-
Fit: A-
Meets Intended Use: A
Innovation: B
Price/Value: B+
Weight (per boot): 1 lb. 14.9 oz.

Website: irishsetterboots.com

llbean

L.L. Bean Technical Big Game Boot
Price: $199 

Full of quality amenities—400 grams of PrimaLoft, a Gore-Tex layer, an antimicrobial lining—the most innovative feature of these boots is the Boa lacing system, which tightens with the twist of a dial. A reinforced toe-cap increases the boot’s lifespan.

SCORE
Overall: * * * 1/2
Construction/Materials: A-
Fit: C+
Meets Intended Use: A-
Innovation: A
Price/Value: A-
Weight (per boot): 1 lb. 14.9 oz.

website: llbean.com

wolverine

Wolverine Scout II
Price: $140

These boots are dependable, comfortable, and will do a great job in the early season or regions where the weather doesn’t get overly cold. The best thing about the Scout II is Wolverine’s new molded, angled track sole, which provided sure-footedness on snow, ice, rocks, and fallen logs.

SCORE
Overall: * * * 1/2
Construction/Materials: B+
Fit: B+
Meets Intended Use: A-
Innovation: B-
Price/Value: B+
Weight (per boot): 1 lb. 5.2 oz.

Website: wolverine.com

muck

RUBBER/NEOPRENE
Editor’s Choice: Muck Terrain
Price: $240

Brought to you by the original neoprene bootmaker, the 18-inch Terrain is rimmed with an adjustable neoprene dirt/snow skirt, and the upper features textured rubber guards that offer protection in places that get poked, jabbed, and scuffed the most.

Made from 4-millimeter neoprene, the boots are generously sized around the calf, allowing pants to be tucked in. It’s a stout boot, yet it’s still comfortable during longer walks. The soles stayed glued to treestands and the footboards of ATVs and snow machines.

SCORE
Overall: * * * *
Construction/Materials: A
Fit: A-
Meets Intended Use: A
Innovation: A
Price/Value: A-
Weight (per boot): 2lb. 8.8 oz.

website: muckbootcompany.com

bushnell

Bushnell Archer
Price: $170

A familiar name in an unfamiliar category, the legendary optics maker’s new Archer boot (one of eight hunting boot models for 2012) has a drawstring closure, a handsome suede finish, and a sole that practically adheres to treestand platforms. The warm, 3.5-
millimeter neoprene features a nice fleece lining.

SCORE
Overall: * * * 1/2
Construction/Materials: A-
Fit: B+
Meets Intended Use: A-
Innovation: B+
Price/Value: A-
Weight (per boot): 2 lb. 10.6 oz.

Website: Bushnellfootwear.com

lacrosse

LaCrosse 4x Burly
Price: $120

These throwback rubber boots are stable on rocky ground and feature lots of room to accommodate large calves or thick pant legs. With 800 grams of insulation and a much-improved molded sole, the boots are quite warm. The sizing is classic Burly—snug around the ankles—so you might need help pulling them off.

SCORE
Overall: * * * 1/2
Construction/Materials: B
Fit: B
Meets Intended Use: A-
Innovation: C+
Price/Value: B+
Weight (per boot): 2 lb. 15.2 oz.

Website: lacrossefootwear.com

bogs

Bogs Bowman
Price: $191

The ingenious side handles make pulling on the Bowmans a snap. Overall, the boots are reasonably durable, and the sole gripped both metal and snowy surfaces equally well. While there was not a lot of built-in structure to protect the top of the foot, these boots were comfortable to wear over long distances.

SCORE
Overall: * * *
Construction/Materials: B+
Fit: B
Meets Intended Use: A-
Innovation: B-
Price/Value: B-
Weight (per boot): 2 lb. 9.9 oz.

Website: bogsfootwear.com

kenetrek

MOUNTAIN HUNTING

Editor’s Choice: Kenetrek Mountain Guide
Price: $425 

A one-piece 3.4-millimeter leather upper and excellent lacing control combine to produce an accurate and highly adjustable fit. The interior is lined with luxurious, soft leather. The aggressive (nearly sharp) Vibram soles accommodate crampons.

The boot’s support is  second to none, and the build quality is extraordinary. The Mountain Guides will likely be the last pair of mountain hunting boots you’ll buy for a decade.

SCORE
Overall: * * * * 
Construction/Materials: A+
Fit: A+
Meets Intended Use: A+
Innovation: B+
Price/Value: A-
Weight (per boot): 2lb. 6.6 oz

Website: kenetrek.com

Lowa

Lowa bighorn Hunter GTX
Price: $450

This boot utilizes a proprietary outsole that incorporates a layer of textile in the rubber lugs to increase grip. A great choice for elk and sheep hunters alike, the Hunter GTX was easy to break in and displaced sweat like a dry sponge.

SCORE
Overall: * * * * 
Construction/Materials: A
Fit: A
Meets Intended Use: A+
Innovation: A
Price/Value: B+
Weight (per boot): 2lb. 0.7 oz.

Website: lowa.com

Schnee

Schnee’s Beartooth
Price: $339 

A soft leather collar and tongue combine to deliver incredible comfort. Using a compound exclusive to Schnee’s, the Vibram sole holds tight even on slick rocks. The 2.6-millimeter upper is triple-stitched, making this a killer value at under $350.

SCORE
Overall: * * * *
Construction/Materials: A
Fit: A
Meets Intended Use: A
Innovation: B
Price/Value: A
Weight (per boot): 1lb. 14 oz.

Website: schnees.com

columbia

Columbia Hell’s Peak
Price: $190

The Hell’s Peak provides impressive lacing control and a decent amount of protection, given its ultralight weight (26.4 ounces). They’re perfect for stalking elk or mule deer, but you likely won’t get more than two seasons of aggressive use out of these boots.

SCORE
Overall: * * * 1/2
Construction/Materials: B+
Fit: B+
Meets Intended Use: B
Innovation: A-
Price/Value: B
Weight (per boot): 1lb. 10.4 oz.

Website: columbia.com

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Posted by on November 1, 2013 in hunting equipment, Wawang Lake Resort

 

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