Kyle and his father-in-law went on a shared black bear hunt in Northern Alberta, each having one tag. As I was scheduled to go to New Zealand a few weeks later, I couldn’t join them, but was kept up to speed via the InReach. I think the exchange that took place via satellite will put you right there with us, one in a bug-infested stand in the boreal forest, the other in a living room near Calgary, probably watching a hockey play-off game.
Saturday, May 26, 6:31 PM
“First night in the stand. Barrels are 12.5 yards from me.”
“That’s probably close enough eh? Hope you get some action!”
“Got a small bear at 10 yards! Man, I want to shoot it! Haha, he’s just hanging out.”
“Don’t do it! You have nothing but time. Shoot him on the last day.”
“I won’t. But he’s still here! I got some cool video though. 2 bigger bears in now. Idk what to do!! They look real nice.”
“Are they as tall as the barrel?”
“The one is real close. Wish I could send you pics.”
“What can I say? I f you like it, shoot it! But what are you going to do the next six days?”
“I know haha. I think I’m gonna pass. At least for today. Take the pics and see what Wes says. This is the coolest thing ever though.”
“Good thinking. They will likely be back tomorrow.”
Sunday, May 27, 1:37 PM
“Sat this morning on a site a big bear hit yesterday. He didn’t come in. But we had a big sow right in camp when we got up.”
Sunday, May 27, 10:08 PM
“Doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen tonight, couple of small bears, one looked bigger but he wouldn’t come into the bait. Stayed out at 60 yards or so.”
“All pretty exciting! A big one will make a mistake!Hope the bugs aren’t too bad!”
Monday, May 28, 6:42 PM
” New site tonight. Had two small bears come in the first half hour. Nothing since. This stand is so uncomfortable compared to the others; Idk if I can sit here for another 4.5 hours.”
“Haha did they not provide a cushioned lawn chair? Just think about how you can play up that aspect in the story once you shoot a big one.”
Tuesday, May 29, 6:14 PM
” I just missed 🙁 I can’t believe that.”
“Dang! Stay put though, he may come back. On TV they always come back.”
“My heart was pounding a million miles, I rushed the shot I needed to calm down get composed and then shoot. Makes me so mad!”
“Now you know how to do it. There will be another chance. How far was he? Did he rush off hard or just loped away?”
“15 yards. Just loped away. What happened was I didn’t pay attention and my bottom limb tip hit my leg as I shot. I’m sitting in a blind with the bow between legs.”
Can you turn in your seat so your knees are pointing to the right so you have a more ‘normal’ posture and your bottom limb is not between your legs?”
Tuesday, May 29, time unknown
“I did it!!!!!! I killed a bear holy crap shaking”
“Woohooo!! Yah baby!!!! That is super!! We are cheering in the living room!!! Dang! Well done!!
Tuesday, May 29, 11:04 PM
“Complete pass through only ran 10 yards and died. It’s not a giant bear but it’s a nice one and a beautiful hide.”
Wednesday, May 30, 7:47 AM
“Good morning! Stopped shaking yet? So awesome that you got one!! Congrats man! Did FIL get into the big bears yet?
Wednesday, May 30th 8:50 AM
“Haha ya still can’t believe I actually did it. He’s out on stand now trying for a big guy”
Wednesday, May 30, 1:45 PM
“Dalin just shot a big bear. We’re tagged out now. Time to hunt wolves”
No wolves wanted to play a part in this hunt, and the guys flew home having shot two marvelous bears; Kyle with the recurve. Not only did he kill the first gopher between the two of us, placed first in a traditional shooting league first, he also got the first shot at a big game animal last fall, and now he is the first to actually kill one. I should never have told him about traditional archery. 🙂
