All and all this was a good trip. Jim and I only
saw the one bear he shot between us. I was expecting a lot more from
the bear on this trip, but hey - that's hunting. We saw some very
pretty and rugged country. We got to spend a week on the mountain and
Bud our guide feed us and took care of us well.
The outfitter had been hunting this area for a few
weeks and had shot many bear in this area. I think he said 30
something had been shot with about 1/2 of that being found. That's not
a very good average for the hunters, especially when you consider that the
longest bait I sat was no more than 40 yards for the bait.
I don't know what to think about not seeing a bear on
this trip. To me it seemed like there was just to many hunters on the
same mountain. I can't imagine that many bear being pulled out of the
same area. The guides and outfitters swear that the number of bear
taken shouldn't matter with the way they were baiting. I do know that
the bear carcass below my bait was hit the last 2 days when I wasn't there.
There were more bear on the mountain, but I can't help but think they'd been
getting a heck of an education with hunters coming and going from baits for
a month.
Tim the owner of Boulder Creek Outfitter told me that
next year he was going to have more high camps and spread out the hunter on
the mountain more. I think that would do a lot to increase the odds.
The guides did something I'd never heard of to bait
the bears. They had a pit for the bait. They used grease for
restaurants and poured some grease in the pit. They built a small fire
over the pit and covered the fire with green bear grass to get it to smoke.
Next they poured more grease on the green grass and really got a smoke
going. They said that burning grease smell would pull bear in from
miles. I believe them I just think that by the time Jim and I got
there the bear had all gotten an education on the coming and goings of
hunters on the mountain.
All and all I enjoyed the trip, and the hunt. I
expected to see bear but again that's hunting. I take the good with
the bad, it's still a week on the mountain. The guides, wranglers and
cooks were all GREAT. I've played the guiding game many years ago and
I know what it takes to take care of hunters. They all did a great
job.
If you have any questions about this hunt, the outfitter, or anything
else feel free to send me an e-mail and I'll answer any questions you have.
Troy 6/28/03
troylass@attbi.com
