Goal Achieved

Since I had gotten the fever earlier this week, I drug my husband out of bed yesterday morning and had him pack out my bear by mid-afternoon! We had a cold morning with low fog to start off the day, but quickly warmed up on our climb up Skyline. The bear must have felt chilly as well as it was a couple hours before we spotted him start to feed across the draw on the other mountain. I led the stalk up the trail until we began our long side-hill trek. I didn't seem to notice how long we went, since I was very focused and intent on finding this bear. Pat cautioned me that we would likely find him in our lap as the hill rounded off, and we couldn't really see too far ahead of us. The slight breeze was going down the mountain-side and so I took a low, just above the tree line path. Shortly after Pat had us drop our packs to lighten up, I spotted some black ears just above us. I waved my hand frantically down by my side and tried to point all as my heart began to race and my breath suddenly left me. We began the stalk in earnest as we kept an eye on the bear who was oblivious to us. We followed him and got to within 35 yards and it looked good! After getting in position and having Pat help me by turning my scope down to 3 (everything was blurry at 9-power that close), I got the bear in my sights. He only had to pull up enough to show me his chest for a moment and I took my shot. He immediately began to tumble down the 40 degree slope (at least that's my guess). Pat was ready to back me up with his .44 rifle but as we later found out, my shot was an instantly fatal shot through the lungs. It took me a few moments to truly catch my breath as we watched and cautiously approached my new trophy!

I couldn't have had a more wonderful hunt or hunting partner! What an opportunity I had to scout a bear and follow through with success. The trip back out was a long, tough pack, and I'm so glad I have a strong, willing husband! Thanks, Babe!

We guessed this tub to weigh in around 300 lbs., and he squared out at just under 5'. That was what Pat's bear squared out at, but this one was a bit flabbier and weighed about 100 lbs. more, so his rug will be a bit fuller through the belly! This trophy will remind me every time I look at it of the wonderful hunt I got to experience with Pat. I'm sure I'll be reminded of how much work it was to get it out! It was worth it, and we'll enjoy that meat! (Seriously, it is fantastic, and the closest game to roast beef that I've ever had!)

Bears & Berries

With Pat gone again to Granite Point (a camp across the inlet), I took the last day that was forecast to be sunny & hiked up our familiar Skyline. My purpose was to pick blueberries and though it was the afternoon, possibly spot a bear! I was fortunate on both accounts, and before I got up to my intended berry location, I saw a moving black dot between trees on an open patch of low brush. It was only 1:45 or so, and I was surprised to see a bear moving about on such a warm sunny day. It has been getting quite chilly at night, so perhaps the bears know that winter is coming and are taking their opportunity now to gorge. Here are pictures that I took through my "knockers." Most of you would know this to mean binoculars, but our nephew Hudson has created this new shortened version that we have adopted! These were taken at quite a distance, but I have to say, if I'd taken my rifle instead of my .357, I'd been more than just tempted to go after it. This was actually the 2nd bear that I saw on my way down from the berry patch. I took a few moments to plan my solo bear hunt before I came back to earth and decided that may not be the best idea. He did seem to be a nice, shiny specimen of a bear and I guessed him to be around 5.5'. The bear that I missed out on last year was larger at a guess of 6', but I'd definitely take this one on. I'm hoping to have a chance at him when Pat gets home this weekend.

Here was a glimpse of where I was berry picking. All the burgundy plants are the blueberries, and well as some of the ones not yet changed. It was quite a lovely day and the colors are just starting to show off their glory. In about a week they'll be closer to their full potential. I picked, with the help of this berry-picker, about a quart & a half of blueberries. I don't know what I'm going to do with them, exactly, but they are delicious. It was quite a hike just for berries, but I got to spend the entire afternoon on a mountain shared only by a couple bears, and it couldn't have been more ideal. Oh, well, except that I had left my lights on and run the battery out when I got back to my car and had to flag someone down to jump my car. Praise God, a couple men pulled in to help me after I stood at the road with the jumper-cables waving!

North Slope Float Hunt!

For all of you who've been waiting, here's a few of the highlights of the past 2 weeks! We've finished one of the most incredible trips, and had so much fun!

Here Pat is working on my trophy 'bou. A gorgeous sunset!

Pat's wolverine!

My big Caribou!

Pat's black Wolf!