Stickflingers bear hunts pics

Michael Arnette · June 11, 2018, 03:51:17 PM

Well thanks Mike for posting pictures!
Now for the story:

Brandon and I arrived in camp without much time to spare after some difficulties getting in the road. Time to stretch our legs and take a few practice shots. On our way the the first sit it started to rain and rained off and on all through the hunt. Slow going but all saw a bear or two though and headed back to camp to find that Ryan had shot his bear.

Day two I sat PRB and had nonstop action! Lots of sows cubs and small/medium boars offered shots which I passed. I had a great encounter with two bear cubs who sniffed me out while I took a nap. I think I scared them more then they scared me when I woke up!

Day 3 was rainy and cloudy the whole hunt and I say fishing lake when giant sow and two tiny cubs made an appearance at last light.

Day 4 was the day, I saw an unprecedented number of bears for that area and the 11th bear on the who made an appearance was the giant. He came walking down the loggoing road And I knew he was a good sized bear when he got within 50 yards. I prepared for the shot as he tried it in at a fairly brisk pace. My wind had switched and was blowing directly towards the bait...I was actually contemplating moving stands when he showed up. As he continued on his route I knew he would come into my scent trail So I took the first shot I could get ever so slightly Corrine towards me and tucked in tight behind the shoulder. It was after I took the shot that I realized how big he was...The arrow zipped through his body and It felt like everything exploded in slow motion. Just the sheer size of the bear was amazing and made everything appear almost unreal.

He ran into the brush and then emerged about 40 yards down and collapse Just out of sight about 50 yards away. I heard several agonizing death moans...not a fun sound to hear and then silence. From my shot to the silence was probably only 15 to 20 seconds.

I got down from my stand almost immediately and as I walked up on my bear he just kept growing! What a bear! My guide Manuel and I pulled an all nighter getting the bear out and taking pictures.

Etter · June 11, 2018, 06:25:17 PM

That bear is an absolute giant!

MnFn · June 11, 2018, 06:46:49 PM

Thanks for the story Michael. Very happy for you. It looks like a great trophy. When you see a big one after watching twenty or so average bear, there is no doubt. I still remember my first glimpse of the bear I shot last year. I hope I never lose that memory.

Ryan's is such a great place.

Michael Arnette · June 11, 2018, 09:03:31 PM

Quote from: Biathlonman on June 11, 2018, 06:08:45 AM
I swear I saw Mike's bear at elk rub last year...

He wasn't far from elk rub actually and had some pictures at whitefish. I shot him at fishing lake although he hadn't been seen there

Wannabe1 · June 11, 2018, 09:09:29 PM

That's a biggie!

beemann · June 11, 2018, 09:24:51 PM

Thanks for sharing. Nice work I love bear hunting.

Steve O · June 11, 2018, 10:15:56 PM

Bruiser of a bear Michael. I'm glad you got him

Fletcher · June 11, 2018, 11:34:07 PM

Congrats Michael, on a great bear. I need to reconsider the slightly quartering to shot.

Fletcher · June 11, 2018, 11:39:39 PM

Jarhead, could that have been the Lost Lake bait? Ladder stand toward the 4 wheeler trail and a ground blind opposite to the west.

JARHEAD1371 · June 12, 2018, 08:49:17 AM

Yes, Lost Lake stand. The bear started to come in on the trail from the east, right behind the stand, but circled around and walked in on the trail right next to the ground blind. He actually crashed through the downed tree on his way out.

lt-m-grow · June 12, 2018, 11:22:08 AM

Congratulations there Michael. Looks like one heck of bear. What did he square? Hard to tell because we loose so much perspective with a cellphone pic.

Michael Arnette · June 12, 2018, 02:39:49 PM

Quote from: lt-m-grow on June 12, 2018, 11:22:08 AM
Congratulations there Michael. Looks like one heck of bear. What did he square? Hard to tell because we loose so much perspective with a cellphone pic.

We did a dorsal cut on the skinning so it wouldn't let us get an accurate measurement. If I had to take a modest guess I would say 7' 6" ?

The skull is going to be getting into Boone and Crockett territory. I took a green score that got me pretty excited but we shall see.

Either way I'm pretty happy with lots of bear meat!

lt-m-grow · June 12, 2018, 03:15:15 PM

That is cool. Congrats again.

cacciatore · June 12, 2018, 03:43:06 PM

Congrats Michael!

cacciatore · June 12, 2018, 03:44:46 PM

Congrats Michael

Ray Lyon · June 12, 2018, 03:48:00 PM

Flingblade · June 13, 2018, 01:47:55 PM

Great bear Michael! Congrats!

Sockrsblur · June 15, 2018, 10:39:28 AM

I had a great time at bear camp this spring. I didn't bring a bear home in a cooler but camp was rich with great company and bear experiences

shooting bows, comparing gear, while making new friends and laughing at stories makes a week in Birch River fly by. Our new to me guides were a pleasure to hunt with and fun to get to know while learning from, thank you David and Manny!

I saw close to 40 black bear while on stand. The interactions and close proximity of the bear is a joy to share. I was able to ride along on Eric's backcountry recovery as well as Brandon's and Michaels bear in camp. With three bear down camp life was a great experience I fully enjoyed.

Guys it was great sharing camp with all of you. Please drop me a note at every excuse:) I'll put a few photos up simply because they are fun.

Sockrsblur · June 15, 2018, 10:51:35 AM

I love spring bear camp

the guys, the sights and sounds, the experiance.

BowMIke · June 15, 2018, 12:21:41 PM

I enjoyed my time in camp too! I already knew Jim and Michael and met Eric, Ryan and Brandon in camp. It was fun hanging out in camp and comparing notes on bears we had seen.
Here's a picture of a young sow who came by to visit.[attachment=1]
I'm already on the list to return for another fun trip!