The Three B's

[TheTone]

Dang nice bear, congrats Randy. Looking forward to seeing it on TV.

[Bwana]

Way to go!!

Have to say it is great to see someone who is truly happy with his critter instead of the "oh yeah, I shoot one like this all the time. No big deal look" that is so often the norm.

Way to go Big Fin!

[smalls]

Umm...wow. Very nice fin. I've been out three times in the last week and have yet to spot a bruin, you guys who find and get on these bears have a tremendous amount of my respect!

[Big Fin]

Well, back after two more days of bear hunting. Gotta go on a business trip, but when I get back, we will be after it again next Tues, Wed, and Thur.

Yesterday was a complete bust. The closest thing to blizzard conditions you will find in May. Not that cold, but at that elevation, it was snowing, not raining. The real killer was the wind. It was hard to find a good glassing place that was protected from the wind.

Plenty of hiking and glassing. Waded enough creeks to make me feel I was a sourdough prospector.

Wish I had some good pics to show, but the weather kept my camera in my pocket.

By dark, we had spent more than enough time in the wind and weather. Was very glad to get off the mountain. Did see some elk.

The camera guys were filming us coming off the ridge via headlamps, and they were almost run over by a cow elk. The elk ran within a few yards of both of them. Something was chasing her, as she was completed winded with her tongue hanging out from running. Wish we could have filmed them and their response to the elk.

Was hoping better weather would come today. It did. Partly cloudy, with warmer temps and no moisture.

But, with the nice weather, comes more hunters. Ran into two other vehicles carrying four bear hunters. Can't blame them for being out in the nice weather. But, they seemed to be driving the roads and glassing from the trailheads. Not sure how you shoot a bear from the road, but maybe you can, just never tried it.

Today's wildlife variety was pretty amazing. Two bull elk in velvet, a herd of cow elk, bunches of muleys and whitetails, three skunks, one ruffed grouse who drummed on a log next to us while we glassed in the evening, and the most impressive animal was a very big mountain lion sneaking along the opposite hill, looking for some easy dinner. That was the first lion I have ever seen while I have been hunting. Very cool. Glad the cameras were with us. But, no bear.

We did see some more fresh bear tracks, but not the guys who were making them. Had hoped with the cool clearing evening, we would find a bear. Glassed lots and lots of country, but no luck. Knowing how hard we have hunted on some days and seen nothing, makes me feel really lucky to have found and shot the one I did.

Not sure how many miles of walking and hours of glassing will be needed to find another bear, let alone another good boar. Hopefully not too many.

Nice to be home and have a break tonight. As much as I like being in the woods hunting, the terrain can wear on a guy. Yup, call me a wuss.

Time to hit the rack and head for the airport in the morning. If I can get the pics downloaded off the camera before leaving, I will post a few more.

Will be ready to go after the bears for another round when I get home early next week. Hope Lawnboy doesn't get antsy and shoot one over the weekend.

Lawnboy (Bart) on the lookout for big blondie. We know he is here, just need to find him. Before someone else does.
Attachment 7615


Figured I would quit taking pictures with mountains in the background. Might give people too much evidence of where to go. But given how many trucks were at the trailhead yesterday, I think enough people already know about this spot. Gotta love the snow......if, that is, you are looking for some real exercise. Postholing through packed/melting spring snow on steep north facing slopes is really good for the quads and glutes.
Attachment 7616

[Ridge Runner]

Congrats on a nice bear.

[Spitz]

Sounds like fun Fin. I couldn't make a trip into that area without running into at least one skunk. Wasn't sure if it was me or my hunting partner attracting them, but they seemed to be everywhere.

[Moosie]

Originally Posted by Big Fin

A touch to his eyes with a stick did not elicit a blink. We was done.

I like how eloquently you write and then throw in sum Good ol' redneck !!!

Kick "A" Bear....

And forget what B'Fin says... Lawnboy, Smoke ol' Blondie !!!!!!

CONGRATS GUYS !!!

[camo308]

Nice bear... all the work paid off and made it worth it.

[oleefish2]

Great hunt and good luck on the rest of the bear hunt.

[shortside]

Awesome bear! Congrats!

Good to see Bart out keeping the dream alive! That is some nice glass he is looking through as well. Back when I knew Bart, he and his wife lived in a Storage unit! I kid you not! (well a house fenced in with a bunch of them anyways...)

Shortside

[Lawnboy]

Well I finally have time to write something. I wish that I was more like Fin and could write even into the wee hours of the morning. When I got home I had to do a lot of make up with the kids and wife.

It's been a fun couple of days. I was soo excited for Randy to get that bear! I will admit though on the way over to him I was kicking myself for saying "sure you can have the first crack" As soon as he said he saw a bear and I finally got a look at him I knew it was a keeper. Randy made an awesome second shot with the bear booking it out of there. I suck at running shots so I probably would of missed him anyhow.

Yesterday was pretty awesome seeing all those different animals. The lion was pretty intense to see. Really a once in a lifetime opportunity. This episode is really going to have some great footage and incredible scenery. I can't wait for the series to hit the airwaves. It is truely a lot different than any other show on Tv. It won't have the biggest animals and you might see some hunts were they get skunked but it's the real deal. It's the same type of hunting that we all do. We will all be able to relate to what is happening.

Fin has really put his heart into it and I know it will do great. He calls me a bear expert but I'm far from that. I have had some good friends that have taught me a lot. I told him that he needs to show me the ropes on a whitetail hunt next. I've never shot a whitetail.

Anyhow well hit it hard again next week and hopefully I can find a bruiser. Moosie I'd be in deep doo if I went out this weekend and shot one without him and the camera boys. Thanks for the temptation though

Good Luck to the rest of you guys.

[Moosie]

I Ain't skeered of the B'Fin.... Want me to come over and Shoot Blondie with ya

[Lawnboy]

I'm a little skeered of Fin. He does my taxes and could put a big hurtn on me if I'm not careful. Were getting rain tonight and supposed to be in the 70's on Sat. That means more green.

You better get in your truck Moose if you want to go out this weekend.

[Big Fin]

Last night was a complete bust. Sorry Lawnboy. Making TV is messing up our hunting.

Now that warm weather has hit Montana, the forest is the playground of the drunk and stoned. Never saw as many morons in my life, as I saw yesterday afternoon.

Back into to town this morning for some more rations, and to catch up on the affairs of life. Leaving in an hour to go find a big bear like Critter Gitter's budy shot.

Lawnboy is the trigger man. I feel bad that when we first started this hunt, the conditions were perfect. Not now. Winds blew really hard yesterday. It is too hot, 80F+. I am think the bears are hanging low in this heat, and coming out to fee at night. But, given I am not a bear expert, what do I know.

Hopefully camp is still standing when I return. The number of drunken fools hanging out next to camp last night was more than I could handle. If they are sleeping off a hangover, I am thinking I might have to turn up the noise factor to get them up and at 'em.

Earlier in the hunt, we were focusing on the green areas, which were few. With all this warm weather and melting snow, everything is green. Definitely makes it harder to narrow down the locations.

Oh well, we are hunting, and that is all that matters. Last day is today, so I hope Lawnboy can put one on the ground.


Too much hill, not enough bears.
Attachment 7661


Always smiling, even when the hunt is screwed up.
Attachment 7662

[thecrittergitter]

Well, how did the hunt finally turn out for you? Hope Bart found one, I'm still on the lookout for mine..................I gotta quit letting my buddies shoot firstLOL

[Big Fin]

Originally Posted by thecrittergitter

Well, how did the hunt finally turn out for you? Hope Bart found one.......

The bears seemed to all crawl in a hole. Bart was a great sport and due to the weather being so uncooperative, it seemed that we spent more time working on the TV show, with interviews and scenic shots, than we did with finding bears.

So, it ended up being a blast, but only one bear to show for it. Next year, I owe Bart a bear. But, he claims we are now even, as he shot the bull when we elk hunted last year.

Originally Posted by thecrittergitter

..................I gotta quit letting my buddies shoot firstLOL

I think that is what Lawnboy was thinking also.

Good luck finding that big one Critter. I think you are too nice when you take all your pals to these spots and let them do the shooting. But, it sure does allow you to spend a lot of time in the hills.

[Lawnboy]

Should be a great show. I can't imagine there are too many spot and stalk bear hunts on TV. It was a fun time and yes sometimes making TV sucks but oh well. Thanks Fin.

Hey Critter let's go find a bear. Seems we have mutual friends. J Maus showed me your picture and I told him that I had seen your bear story on Huntalk. He shot a dandy on the weekend.

Good Luck to everyone.

[sean baxter]

Thank you for sharing your adventure easy read made it very enjoyable and yes the photo proves your joy and success, you should be smiling.God giving you the ability to hunt every day,Just one question? Where does one find a wife that lets you hunt everyday?

[Big Fin]

Originally Posted by sean baxter

.......Just one question? Where does one find a wife that lets you hunt everyday?

Rember the age old axiom - "If the Queen isn't happy, the is no peace in the Kingdom."

It requires me to do a lot of other things to keep peace in the Kingdom, such as:

• Take her walleye fishing at least three days a week in the summer.
• Stay out of her hair in the fall while she is trying to get all her housework done.
• Buy large volumes of firearms when she is worried about political outcomes influencing here ability to "keep and bear arms."
• And when we argue, she is always right. I have concluded that I am more interested in peace than justice. I don't really care about being right, if it affects my "kitchen pass" that allows me to hunt a lot. I mean after all, being "right" is way over rated.

Where do you find one like that? Hmmmm. She does have a sister, but I guess she is spoken for.

[Big Slick]

Very nice bear, pics and story. You just have to love the BIG smiles!!

[dan.kirkpatrick]

what a hog,nice chocolate faze too,very nice,look forward to the episode.how many pounds?aprox?

[Big Fin]

Originally Posted by dan.kirkpatrick

what a hog,nice chocolate faze too,very nice,look forward to the episode.how many pounds?aprox?

No idea what it weighed, but it was a good one.

That episode aired last year. To see it, you would need the Season One DVD.