CANADA: First Hunt In Canada

[CAustin]

Wow Charlie congratulations! Not only 2 really phenomenal bears but a great hunt in a great place! Can't ask for better than that! And to get a color phase that big is a really great, rare accomplishment

Those two together are going to be great trophies. Have you got the taxidermy figured out yet?

Bob,
For now I am having the taxidermist up there get the hides tanned and the skulls cleaned. They will call for instructions once that is complete. I will do at least two rugs but the guides and the outfitter think the choc bear should be full mount. I may have to go back to work to pay for all the taxidermy.

 

[CAustin]

Well done Charlie. You have to be happy with that set of results.
Lac La Biche certainly has some good bears.

I really am more than happy. Canada has a big secret when it comes to bears in this area. I am thinking of putting together a group hunt next year for my SCI chapter and take several guys to this camp. They can take as many as 12.
The people in Canada were all nice and helpful in the airport and at the hotel.
Now that I have done this one time I know what to do on arrival and departure……and it’s very easy.

 

[tay50]

Great report Charlie, and 2 very nice bears, I was in Manitoba bear hunting at the same time you were hunting, we went 9 for 9 on bears. It's always nice to find good honest outfitters that deliver on what they say, we found our guy 4 years ago, we have a standing booking with him each year now. As a matter of fact all his tags are spoken for each year by return customers, sounds like you have found your bear guy.

 

[Fatback]

Congrats on that fine color phased bear. I’d have to agree with your outfitter/guides, a full body mount of that beast would be awesome. That is truly a very unique trophy. Course it always easy to spend somebody else’s money.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, certainly looking forward to the pics.

 

[HankBuck]

WOW - really great Bears - I’ve been on 4 Canadian black bear hunts over bait and Never saw success like You had CONGRATULATIONS !! I always went to Quebec and most bears were small (average taken in camps was 150lbs although they rarely weigh them and always estimate “high”). Like in Maine, bear over 200 lbs are rare although my friend took one that scaled 356 lbs. If I ever do another baited hunt - would add the extra effort & cost and go to Western Canada like You did (ALberta; Saskatchewan, Manitoba).
You really had exceptional success, you were well prepared and made your shots count - also judged your bears accurately.....All well done !

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like you had a wonderful hunt. Some very nice bears.Gotta say they have you set up close to the bait sites. Be a good place for a double rifle. Good shooting. Congrats
Bruce

 

[cls]

Congratulations on a very successful Alberta bear hunt! You took two exceptional bears. I know that area well as I have hunted in that area and have a place just South. Thanks for the report.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Bravo Charlie. That is a fine bear pair. Color phase are my favorites, and it’s cool to see one from Canada.

Full body mounts would be cool, but skulls and rugs always look great when done properly.

Congratulations again.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Excellent hunt and report. Congratulations on two wonderful bears. How were the bugs?

 

[CAustin]

Sounds like you had a wonderful hunt. Some very nice bears.Gotta say they have you set up close to the bait sites. Be a good place for a double rifle. Good shooting. Congrats
Bruce

Exactly my thought. Why not take my 470 NE and pop a bear with that beast.

 

[CAustin]

Congratulations on a very successful Alberta bear hunt! You took two exceptional bears. I know that area well as I have hunted in that area and have a place just South. Thanks for the report.

You guys have kept the secret really well. Canada could become my new addiction for hunting.

 

[CAustin]

Excellent hunt and report. Congratulations on two wonderful bears. How were the bugs?

Bugs almost non issue. The last day in camp the sand flies were out but not bad.

 

[CAustin]

So to finish up this report let me share that Thursday and Friday I caught up on my sleep and stayed in camp. I was given the option of going out with the guides as they baited up sites but that really didn’t interest me. By Friday morning the smoke from all the fires in the province started to settle in the area of Goodwin lake. It looked like a foggy morning really and one could not see across the lake where that had been easy to see before. By Saturday morning when we started the journey back into town the air quality was bad. It even had me coughing some. Arrival back at the Coast Nisku Inn at about 4. I checked in and had lunch with a couple of the Oklahoma guys before they went on to the airport. A hot shower and sleep was welcomed that evening. I checked out at noon and the shut was waiting to take me to the airport. Check in with United was a little slow but no real issues. Luggage got tagged and I took it over to the scanner section. When they gave me the thumbs up I proceeded to passport control and for the first time ever I got a young officer who was funny and really wanted to see pictures of my successful hunt. He said sir you got two good bears. I thought I was done but he escorted me to a secure room which turned out to be United States Customs and Border Control. Only one guy working and there were ten or twelve hunters ahead of me who were taking their hides home with them. I have to say the man worked his butt off to get everyone’s stuff scanned and forms filled out. Guess who was last. Yep he finally called me up checked my passport and asked me to be at the gate in case there was an issue with my gun case as he was going down stairs to check all of them. Well no problems and the plane was boarded up on time. As we took off the smoke was so bad that you couldn’t see the city of Edmonton at all. It was almost as if the clouds went from the ground up to 30,000 feet. Lunch was the same pitiful cheese plate we had on the way up but I added a bourbon and coke to make it a good experience. The flight to Denver was easy and when I got there I went and hung out in the United Club until my flight back to Kansas City.

I will be back Canada!

 

[Art Lambart II]

Charlie, that was a great hunt and report. Trip says count him in on next years hunt.

 

[Nyati]

That was a great hunt Charlie, congrats !

And thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Ragman]

Congratulations on your hunt Charlie, I was afraid the fires might have ruined it for you! For some reason my phone won’t let me see your 2nd bear pics but your first one is a tank. And good for taking the opportunity at the neck shot. The last bear I shot was feeding in a standing oat field and the only chance I had was the neck when he poked his head up when I fawn bleated at him. He never took a step.

 

[CAustin]

Charlie, that was a great hunt and report. Trip says count him in on next years hunt.

Does that mean his dad wants to go?

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats on some great bears my friend!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Does that mean his dad wants to go?

Better take Grand Dad too

 

[CAustin]

Congrats on some great bears my friend!

Thank you Charles. Looks like you had a great trip to the Holy Land.