I have been looking for a PB hunt for several years. Then COVID hit. I even bought a replica PB mount at the SCI auction several years ago that I have obviously never had built - yet. Like many hunters, I figured I might go with Shane Black with Canada North Outfitting so my wife and I made a plan to talk to him at SCI years ago. We walked up to his booth and I said I was interested in a PB hunt. We started talking and then he saw my name badge. He immediately interrupted himself and said, “Oh wait, you’re Scott L!” “I’ve heard you’re a big trophy hunter. I don’t think I have any bears that you would be happy with. I only have one area with the size of bears that I think you would be interested in hunting and it’s $55k and I’m booked up there for a couple years. In my other areas, you would have to be happy with an 8.5’ bear so I don’t think that would work for you. I do have a donated hunt in the Saturday night auction in that best area but I think it might sell way above the normal $55k price.” I was shocked! I told him I usually look to the outfitter and guide to tell me what to expect from the area I am hunting. I was flabbergasted by his statements and my wife and I walked away!
I had only spoken to him once before clear back in 2001 when I was looking for a Stone’s sheep hunt, back when he was a part owner in a BC outfit called BC Safaris. I don’t think he remembered me from that conversation. I ended up booking Stone’s sheep with Art Thompson of Gundahoo River Outfitters instead and had a fabulous hunt.
I can only guess by his statements to me at SCI that he had heard that I guide some people to big 10’+ brown bears on the AK Peninsula and/or that I had taken a B & C Dall’s sheep in the Chugach Mountains in Alaska? As for the Dall’s ram hunt, I did switch outfitters when the guy I was booked with moved from the Chugach area to a different area in the Wrangle Mountains. I had my heart set on hunting in the Chugach, like some of my friends had done. Had he heard that I switched outfitters? I have no idea. My wife, normally quite soft-spoken, said, “I don’t want you to hunt with that guy. Let’s look for something else.”
I think I found a great spot, local guide and different outfitter. To be continued…