Grandson Riley and I hunted the first three days of April but it was too early to find a bear. A few bears were just coming out, but we saw none, and our ex-guide friend we were staying with saw his first bear of the season while we were there. We hunted low, like the tide flat below, with snow not much higher elevation. Watched about 50 head of elk wade a river to reach an island mostly underwater at high tide.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_7875_zpsmokj19uw.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_7875_zpsmokj19uw.jpg.html)
Our host found a huge bear not far from his house that his neighbor saw as well, so we spent our last day watching where it had come out to feed the two days previous. Of course it rained and sleeted sideways for the six hours we watched while the bear stayed warm and dry in a wind protected thicket. He did not show himself anyway.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_7879_zpsfxb9osru.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_7879_zpsfxb9osru.jpg.html)
Riley got loose to return for three days over Memorial Day. We hunted places like the box canyon below, glassing for bears.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8112_zps8mvzd019.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8112_zps8mvzd019.jpg.html)
We hunted high this time, hoping for a hide not rubbed nor shedding in colder air at higher elevation.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8146_zpsplq3ogo0.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8146_zpsplq3ogo0.jpg.html)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8151_zpsm8h3jdrx.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8151_zpsm8h3jdrx.jpg.html)
Never saw the mountain below before and don't know the name. Way off from us.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8149_zpsvtkepv0t.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8149_zpsvtkepv0t.jpg.html)
The only working railroad logging operation in the world (so we heard) is in that area. Logging roads use the same bridge as the train. Why build two bridges? So we crossed a 200 foot high train trestle, long enough to make me uncomfortable. Photo taken from less than half way across.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8120_zpsmwjompxp.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8120_zpsmwjompxp.jpg.html)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8138_zpskcyxb2ju.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8138_zpskcyxb2ju.jpg.html)
Riley got a bear in his last half hour to hunt. He'd seen 10 bears and made a move on 7 of them before the 11th bear at the 11th hour.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8170cropped_zps2qh3fnhi.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8170cropped_zps2qh3fnhi.jpg.html)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/lokanagan/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8182_zpsqejanhan.jpg) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/lokanagan/media/scenics/Vancouver%20Island/IMG_8182_zpsqejanhan.jpg.html)
Thanks for posting
Great write-ups and congrats to you both!
Congratulations to Riley & yourself on the perseverance!! Nice looking Bear!! :yoyo: :yoyo:
Great story and the pictures are terrific.
Awesome pics. Mannnnnn that country reminds me of Ax Men's Rygaard Logging
Quote from: FinsnFur on May 30, 2015, 10:37:01 PM
Awesome pics. Mannnnnn that country reminds me of Ax Men's Rygaard Logging
Good eye! Vancouver Island is a continuation of the same country where Rygaard works, just north across the Straits from their base on the Olympic Peninsula.
I figured it was close, but not THAT close. :laf:
Beautiful area !
Congrats on the bear !