| |
News
Darrell and I just got back from one of the most awesome and challenging adventures we have been on in the last few years. When most
people think of Black Bear Hunting in the spring, they think of sitting in a treestand over a bait site or driving old logging roads. Well, black
bear hunting in NW Montana with Elk Creek Outfitting (www.elkcreekoutfitting.com) is a little different. Darrell and I both took our Mathews
bows and were hoping to send a Muzzy towards one of the bears we were planning on stalking. It did not take long to realize that the odds
of getting within bow range were slim to none. This was some of the most beautiful, but some of the most rugged country I have ever been
hiking through. The hunt was a 6 day hunt, however, Darrell just had a couple days before he had to return to the drilling rig (so he got first
shot). The first day Joe (camera man) spotted a huge chocolate bear that Tim (our guide) had been after the last couple of years. The
problem was, the bear was about 4 to 5 miles from any road and the hike was extremely steep. Darrell and I usually do not back down from
a challenge, so the next morning Tim took us about 2/3 rds up the steep mountain to spend the day glassing. About 3:00 pm we were
watching a herd of elk when Tim spotted a beautiful black boar about a mile away. The stalk was on. Tim got us with in about 240 yards of
the bear and we were not getting any closer. We had 10 to 15 head of elk and 3 to 5 deer in between us and the bear. Darrell waited for
the right shot opportunity and squeezed the trigger. You will have to watch the show to see what happens next.
On the last day of the hunt Tim and I had split up a few hundred yards to cover more ground. About 4:00pm Tim came around the corner
at a fast walk. "SLAM DUNK", Tim said. Tim had spotted a Red/Chocolate bear 200 yards below the logging road we were on. We snuck
down the closed road and got set up for the shot. You will again have to watch the show to see what happens next. I hate to say it, but
it was not a Slam Dunk.
Darrell and I had a blast hunting with Elk Creek Outfitting (www.elkcreekoutfitting.com). I saw 7 bears that week and 5 of them were color
phase bears. I would definitely say of all the places I have been bear hunting, if you are looking for a color phase bear you have to try Elk
Creek Outfitting (www.elkcreekoutfitting.com). Not to mention the area is covered up with all kinds of wildlife. We saw elk, mule deer,
whitetail, moose, and rocky mountain big horns. Thanks again Brent and the entire Elk Creek Outfitting Crew. We look forward to coming
back.
|
|
|
