DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 36,899
- 5,056
BlkRam and I invested a 22-hour day Friday scouting the region in which we are looking for a grizzly this fall. The drive into the area was about eight hours (up at 3 and on the road by 3:45; home the following morning at 2 a.m.). It will be a challenging area as it is more densely wooded than our own AO. Nevertheless, we wanted to explore an area we had never hunted--and we found it.
I didn't take any photos (having forgotten my camera), but as we actually hunt the area, I will be certain to include photos of the hunt. We counted twelve black bears, the first of which was easily six and a half feet. He was long and lanky with a large melon, caught in the open staring stupidly at us and wondering what to do. That didn't last long, however. I chose not to pull the trigger on him as we were about three hours from the nearest community, and it would have meant losing precious time in order to care for the meat and hide. We also saw a lynx and a wolf pup early in our exploration. I'm encouraged by the possibilities. Draw odds were 0.4:1, which tells me that the remote nature of the zone and the lack of competition ensures a largish grizzly population--provided we can find the bear we want. It will be demanding, but that is the nature of the hunt.
We can get high into the mountains and have numerous clear-cuts to glass in order to find the game we are looking for. We are in hopes of picking up caribou and a young moose, as well as a good black bear while in the region. I am certainly not adverse to tagging an elk and perhaps a whitetail.
I carried my 9.3X64 yesterday and had my 270WSM in reserve. When we return next month, I plan on carrying my 358 Norma Magnum. I ruined my 8X68S sixing die (don't ask) and am waiting on a new decapping unit. If I get it in time, I should be able to carry this rifle with me for that hunt. If not, then the 350 Rem Mag will likely accompany me. The 9.3X64 is shooting 250 grain ABs at ~2750 fps. The 270 WSM shoots 130 grain E-Tips at ~3250 fps. The 358 Norma Magnum is being focused on 250 grain A-Frames at ~2800 fps. And the 8X68S is receiving attention for a 200 grain A-Frame at ~3000 fps. The 350 Rem Mag shoots 200 grain TSXs at ~2750 fps. Any of these will work quite well on bears and what have you.
I trust I'll have a more complete report early this coming month. However, I'll keep the forum apprised of progress as we move somewhat deliberately toward this hunt. Gil's wife, Susan, asked that we allow her to take the first black bear and the first caribou, which we are more than happy to allow. I have dibs on the grizzly (of course) and on the first fork-horn moose we see. My wife prefers that I shoot young moose, and being old and somewhat senescent (senile (?)), I'm only to happy to agree to her request. Should be a great hunt with great friends.
I didn't take any photos (having forgotten my camera), but as we actually hunt the area, I will be certain to include photos of the hunt. We counted twelve black bears, the first of which was easily six and a half feet. He was long and lanky with a large melon, caught in the open staring stupidly at us and wondering what to do. That didn't last long, however. I chose not to pull the trigger on him as we were about three hours from the nearest community, and it would have meant losing precious time in order to care for the meat and hide. We also saw a lynx and a wolf pup early in our exploration. I'm encouraged by the possibilities. Draw odds were 0.4:1, which tells me that the remote nature of the zone and the lack of competition ensures a largish grizzly population--provided we can find the bear we want. It will be demanding, but that is the nature of the hunt.
We can get high into the mountains and have numerous clear-cuts to glass in order to find the game we are looking for. We are in hopes of picking up caribou and a young moose, as well as a good black bear while in the region. I am certainly not adverse to tagging an elk and perhaps a whitetail.
I carried my 9.3X64 yesterday and had my 270WSM in reserve. When we return next month, I plan on carrying my 358 Norma Magnum. I ruined my 8X68S sixing die (don't ask) and am waiting on a new decapping unit. If I get it in time, I should be able to carry this rifle with me for that hunt. If not, then the 350 Rem Mag will likely accompany me. The 9.3X64 is shooting 250 grain ABs at ~2750 fps. The 270 WSM shoots 130 grain E-Tips at ~3250 fps. The 358 Norma Magnum is being focused on 250 grain A-Frames at ~2800 fps. And the 8X68S is receiving attention for a 200 grain A-Frame at ~3000 fps. The 350 Rem Mag shoots 200 grain TSXs at ~2750 fps. Any of these will work quite well on bears and what have you.
I trust I'll have a more complete report early this coming month. However, I'll keep the forum apprised of progress as we move somewhat deliberately toward this hunt. Gil's wife, Susan, asked that we allow her to take the first black bear and the first caribou, which we are more than happy to allow. I have dibs on the grizzly (of course) and on the first fork-horn moose we see. My wife prefers that I shoot young moose, and being old and somewhat senescent (senile (?)), I'm only to happy to agree to her request. Should be a great hunt with great friends.
