Bear, first morning hunt

[Guy Miner]

OK - you're right - I got out of bed late, and was late for starting my bear season... Ah well, must have been tired! And to cut the suspense - No Bear for Guy today. That's okay too. I had a great morning.

Put the .375 Bear Bopper and some Noslers in the Jeep and headed into the hills, a couple of hours after I'd planned. Going up one favorite road, I found there was a washout! In recent weeks we had some tremendous thunderstorms, and it appears that there was a flash flood in one ravine. Rocks, boulders, logs, trees & mud washed over the road.

This is one photo of the debris from the ravine. This is not the road, just the debris that came down from above:

Found a beat up little 2wd Toyota with a flat tire in the debris field. Looks like he tried to go through and a sharp rock cut his tire. The Jeep trundled through, no problem.

Got up to about 6,000' and did some glassing:

I've taken mule deer out there! Have seen bear there as well...

Beaver pond, below the debris field:

Saw quite a bit of wildlife, just no bear. Mule deer, rabbit, grouse, a Really Big Hawk, a mess of tree squirrels and a few ground squirrels and one critter I only got a glimpse of, probably a Pine Marten. Wish I could have snapped a photo of it, very cool looking. I'll likely be back out either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Guy

 

[OU812]

Guy that sounds and looks a very productive hunt with nary a shot fired.

Bill

 

[dkmlever]

Beautiful area. I bought a bear tag for the first time here in CO, don't really know how to go about it, figure if I get lucky I will bump into one as the season overlaps the elk season.

 

[DrMike]

It is refreshing for the soul just to spend time in the mountains. Those are, as always, great pictures that create tremendous desire to be done with all I'm now doing and get to the hills.

 

[FOTIS]

Great pictures as always Guy.

 

[RiverRider]

It is refreshing for the soul just to spend time in the mountains. Those are, as always, great pictures that create tremendous desire to be done with all I'm now doing and get to the hills.

Yes, this photos are great.

It's been quite a long time since I was out west and trekked into real mountain country, and looking at those photos and reading your commentary brought back to me the feelings I used to get when I was much, much younger...as an adolescent, still ignorant of social constraints and such I was inspired to feel like I was truly as free as I could ever be in an environment like that. I had forgotten what that felt like.

I think I really do need to get out more.

 

[sask boy]

Those are some beautiful photos in prime territory
Good luck on your next trip out.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[JD338]

I'd say you had a wonderful hunt Guy. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

Great pics! Good luck finding Mr. Bear.

 

[Guy Miner]

Bears are safe today, and for a few days. Too much going on to break away for the hunt. Maybe later in the month I'll get back to it. Long season, Aug 1st - Nov 15th. Of course they get harder to find after the deer hunters hit the hills. Ah well... At least I got out yesterday.

 

[bullet]

Guy, are you sure you are not dead and don't know you are in heaven???? Just asking..... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

Dang guys - I appreciate the compliments, and am sorry I let the camera battery die before I got to the wildflowers blooming up close to 6,000' - it's still wet and spring like up there, while it's 90 - 100+ degrees and dry down in the valley.

Camera battery is on the charger even now. Wish I had some time off, but am working the next four days, 12 hour shifts for three of them, then in on overtime for a shorter time on the fourth day. Hopefully shorter.

Might be able to squeeze in some hunting Monday or Tuesday. Maybe... We'll see.

Guy

 

[Greg Nolan]

Guy,
I think it must be time to do some early (two months) scouting here because those pictures sure make a person want to head for the high country. Thanks again for sharing.
Greg

 

[OU812]

Some of my best hunting memories never required a shot fired.


Bill

 

[SJB358]

Some of my best hunting memories never required a shot fired.


Bill

Heck yeah, just being in the mountains is almost enough!

Great pictures Guy! Very nice, hope you are able to close with a big bruin!

 

[Hegland]

Great pictures, as usual, Guy. Keep 'em coming!

Good luck with the rest of your season, when you get a break from protecting the flock.

 

[Guy Miner]

Heading out again this evening with my son... We'll see...