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Another bear by canoe
#6881330
09/07/17 08:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,408
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,408 |
Back in December last year my wife and I made the leap into cottage ownership and lucked into a nice little cottage on a beautiful piece of land on a small lake about 15 miles west of Powassan. We back onto 10s of 1000s of acres of public wilderness and my thoughts immediately went to bear hunting. It is primarily a family cottage place but in season serves double duty as a base to hunt from. A small taste of my little piece of central Ontario paradise: So this past spring I set up 2 bait sites on public. One was canoe access only via the lake and the other was either walk to or canoe to via a large beaver pond. The spring hunt was mostly a fail as I had a bad gout flare up that prevented me from hunting. Based on the action at the baits I did manage to figure out that the canoe bait on the lake was too exposed and hardly getting hit. This summer I relocated this bait further down the lake into a more protected/secluded area and activity picked up. I started baiting again the first week of August and had action almost right away. I used shaker/roller barrels chained to trees and filled them with a mixture of whole corn, molasses and jujubes. The sites were visited weekly and bait added as needed. At the lake canoe site I was going through about 220 lbs per week and at the beaver pond site I was going through 330 lbs per week. Delivery by canoe looks something like this: This is my canoe of choice when 2 people are available as it has an asymmetrical hull that makes it fast but also makes it awkward if you are solo. When solo I use my symmetrical canoe that you see further down the report. Fast forward to yesterday (opening day). I left home about 10am after taking care of a few work related emails and arrived at the cottage at about 130pm. I had lunch and headed to the beaver pond site at about 3pm. I set up SE of the bait on top of a ridge about 25 yards from the bait. My shooting lane is shown below: Normally you would see the barrel in this position: but the bears rolled it into the bushes on the right. At about 545pm I heard a ruckus that seemed to be coming from about 100 yards south of my position. The noise (mostly sticks snapping) carried on for about 15 minutes and I have no idea what was going on but fortunately it did not distract me too much and nor did it dissuade a bear from appearing from the west headed to the barrel. The bear stopped about 5 yards short of the barrel and looked like it was about to make me but gave me a hard quartering towards shot. I decided almost instantly that I would take it as this looked like the target bear I had chosen off my game cam pictures. I squeezed the trigger and the noise behind me stopped, the bear jumped and ran about 20 yards before piling up and starting the moan. I waited 15 minutes after the moan stopped and approached the bear and this is how I found it (less the tag): Fortunately the bear dropped about 3 yards from the canoe landing. He turned out to be a dry she. I got her loaded into the canoe without too much issue other than going over my right boot and getting a wet foot. All loaded: Approaching the landing at the truck: Getting the bear unloaded proved to be a little more problematic and I ended a little wetter with a tipped canoe: Once on shore I field dressed her and attempted to load her into the box of my truck. The plan was to drag her up some 12 foot 2x6s. Great plan in theory except for the six times she fell off part way up. Eventually I got her loaded. Once loaded I packed her chest cavity with ice and started the drive to the butchers. The butcher is a family friend and he was happy to meet me at the shop so I could get the bear directly into cold storage. The bear weighed 175lbs field dressed at the butcher shop so probably 225-235 live and is about the maximum size I look for when solo with the canoe. Time line was as follows: 6 pm - shot the bear 8 pm - loaded and on the road 1130 pm - unloaded into cold storage at the butchers And no story is complete without without the firearm details. 35 Whelen shooting 250 grain partitions hand loaded to 2500 fps. The rifle:
Last edited by Hirogen; 09/07/17 08:57 PM.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881333
09/07/17 08:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,624
SnakeWrangler
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,624 |
Very kool....thanks for sharing....
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881377
09/07/17 09:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,436
Choctaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,436 |
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: SnakeWrangler]
#6881384
09/07/17 09:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
Very kool....thanks for sharing....
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881391
09/07/17 10:01 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,469
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,469 |
Great job and photos. Thanks for sharing!
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881401
09/07/17 10:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,817
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,817 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881412
09/07/17 10:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881419
09/07/17 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 326
HuskerB
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 326 |
Awesome play by play! Thanks for sharing
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881421
09/07/17 10:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10,015
Old Rabbit
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10,015 |
Great hunt and like your pick on the cabin.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: SnakeWrangler]
#6881800
09/08/17 11:58 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,807
Deerhunter61
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,807 |
Very kool....thanks for sharing....
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881814
09/08/17 12:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,688
badger2b
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,688 |
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money." -Alexis de Tocqueville
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881825
09/08/17 12:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44,251
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 44,251 |
What is your favorite way to cook the bear meat?
“I never forget a face—but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.” —Groucho Marx
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Stub]
#6881854
09/08/17 01:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,408
Hirogen
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
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What is your favorite way to cook the bear meat? Slow cooker with some type of broth, spices, and potatoes. Also makes really good sausage.
Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.
-The Iron Code of Druss the Legend
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881885
09/08/17 01:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,299
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,299 |
Greatness!!! Thanks for posting!!
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881900
09/08/17 01:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,956
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,956 |
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6881907
09/08/17 02:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,242
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
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Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,242 |
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: TEXASLEFTY]
#6882020
09/08/17 04:28 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,224
Bee'z
The Beedazzler
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The Beedazzler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,224 |
Greatness!!! Thanks for posting!!
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6882033
09/08/17 04:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030
d.g.ruff
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,030 |
I love it when a plan comes together Hard work always pays off...Good Job!
Mmmm Hmmm
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6882224
09/08/17 09:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,836
R.M.
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,836 |
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6882358
09/09/17 01:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,005
JRJ6
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,005 |
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6882490
09/09/17 09:59 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,328
Stray Cat
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,328 |
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6884714
09/12/17 02:38 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,724
Txduckman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,724 |
Awesome!
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6884872
09/12/17 12:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Great hunt and story!
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6884894
09/12/17 12:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,698
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,698 |
Well done. Congrats on the nice bear.
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Re: Another bear by canoe
[Re: Hirogen]
#6887572
09/14/17 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,145
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,145 |
very cool. I just returned from my first to Ontario and it was amazing. Saw lots of bears and took a very nice one. Working on downloading photos to post...
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