Sunday, I returned from a week of hunting black bear approximately an hour and a bit out of Lillooet, British Columbia. This was my third hunting experience with Kevin Bracewell and his guides at BC Trophy Mountain Outfitters. My first trip, four years ago, was a highly successful hunt for mule deer during the November rut. Last year, I went in the spring for black bear, and had a great experience and took a wonderful cinnamon phase example of Ursus Americanus. This trip exceeded every expectation.
Upon arrival, the bears were just starting to appear after hibernation. For the first forty-eight hours we were encountering as many grizzlies as blacks - guaranteed to spice up a spot and stalk hunt. Approximately a third of the bears in this region sport color phases ranging from blond, through brown, to orangutan cinnamon. Late on day two, my guide and I spotted one of the latter, across a lake feeding on new grass. Not a huge animal, the color was compelling, and after a half-hour drive and kilometer stalk, we were positioned eighty meters above the bear. At the shot, he ran as if solidly hit. Upon reaching the shoreline, we saw him standing facing somewhat away at 185 yards. Assuming he was already hit, I wasted no time taking a shot off hand which dropped him instantly. I was surprised to find that the second shot - through the neck - was the only wound. Sometimes it is ok to be lucky. If you will just hit them, a 9.3x64 with a Swift A-Frame is a decisive load.
Two mornings later, we spotted a truly big black boar across the reservoir. This bear was in an area unreachable by roads and any hike would have been around ten miles on a down wind approach from the trail head. Not entirely practical. So, we decided upon an amphibious assault.
The reservoir was largely dry except for the Bridge river roaring through the middle of it (ready to deal with spring run-off). We hurried back to the ranch and dug out an old 12 foot skiff, a paddle, and an oar. We threw it all in the back of the truck and headed back down the lake for an evening look. Sure enough, at 5 pm the big black was back out feeding along the shoreline.
Thinking we might be able to pull off a stalk, shot, and recovery before dark, we threw caution to the winds and started carrying the boat 400 meters to the edge of the river. A mad battle against the current deposited us approximately 500 meters below and downwind from the boar. A careful stalk closed the distance to approximately 200 yards where I found a stump for a solid rest. the shot rolled him down the bank, but in a moment he was up and running. The second shot dropped him.
I know there are bigger black bears near agricultural areas, but this is the largest wilderness animal I have ever seen much less shot. We had to skin him on the shoreline. But head and cape with claws weighed 145 pounds back at the ranch. He is an honest seven-foot long black which I am confident weighed at least 375 pounds in spite of just emerging from hibernation. He is one of the finest animals that I have ever taken.
My partner, Rick, also took an excellent boar.
I cannot recommend more strongly Kevin Bracewell's operation in British Columbia. As noted, this was my third hunt with them, and I am contracted for a mountain goat hunt in the fall of 2019. Just terrific folks in spectacular country. http://www.bctrophymountainoutfitters.com/conservation-trips/hunting-trips/
Upon arrival, the bears were just starting to appear after hibernation. For the first forty-eight hours we were encountering as many grizzlies as blacks - guaranteed to spice up a spot and stalk hunt. Approximately a third of the bears in this region sport color phases ranging from blond, through brown, to orangutan cinnamon. Late on day two, my guide and I spotted one of the latter, across a lake feeding on new grass. Not a huge animal, the color was compelling, and after a half-hour drive and kilometer stalk, we were positioned eighty meters above the bear. At the shot, he ran as if solidly hit. Upon reaching the shoreline, we saw him standing facing somewhat away at 185 yards. Assuming he was already hit, I wasted no time taking a shot off hand which dropped him instantly. I was surprised to find that the second shot - through the neck - was the only wound. Sometimes it is ok to be lucky. If you will just hit them, a 9.3x64 with a Swift A-Frame is a decisive load.
Two mornings later, we spotted a truly big black boar across the reservoir. This bear was in an area unreachable by roads and any hike would have been around ten miles on a down wind approach from the trail head. Not entirely practical. So, we decided upon an amphibious assault.
The reservoir was largely dry except for the Bridge river roaring through the middle of it (ready to deal with spring run-off). We hurried back to the ranch and dug out an old 12 foot skiff, a paddle, and an oar. We threw it all in the back of the truck and headed back down the lake for an evening look. Sure enough, at 5 pm the big black was back out feeding along the shoreline.
Thinking we might be able to pull off a stalk, shot, and recovery before dark, we threw caution to the winds and started carrying the boat 400 meters to the edge of the river. A mad battle against the current deposited us approximately 500 meters below and downwind from the boar. A careful stalk closed the distance to approximately 200 yards where I found a stump for a solid rest. the shot rolled him down the bank, but in a moment he was up and running. The second shot dropped him.
I know there are bigger black bears near agricultural areas, but this is the largest wilderness animal I have ever seen much less shot. We had to skin him on the shoreline. But head and cape with claws weighed 145 pounds back at the ranch. He is an honest seven-foot long black which I am confident weighed at least 375 pounds in spite of just emerging from hibernation. He is one of the finest animals that I have ever taken.
My partner, Rick, also took an excellent boar.
I cannot recommend more strongly Kevin Bracewell's operation in British Columbia. As noted, this was my third hunt with them, and I am contracted for a mountain goat hunt in the fall of 2019. Just terrific folks in spectacular country. http://www.bctrophymountainoutfitters.com/conservation-trips/hunting-trips/
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