It’s finally here. What a relief. The 2012 Pasha Lake Cabins Bear Hunting Season kicked off this past Wednesday and it started with a BANG… literally. But, before I can tell you about this week’s events, I have to let you know what we have been up to for the last month.
As we do every year, we began bear baiting in late July. It was hot and after looking over our favorite clear cuts, I became a little anxious with the amount of berries that were all ready ripe. There were blue and raspberry fields as far as the eye could see. And all the observable scat told us the bears were taking full advantage of the easy pick’ins. The more we ventured, the more berries we found, and it told us more of the same story.
Randy’s Son (Trey) – also opening night
With that in mind we came back to camp and regrouped. Everything indicated we had to get into the deeper woods, near water and low laying cedar swamps. So we tapped and retapped Google Earth and it became clear where success would come from. Once we mapped out our plan it was time to hit the ground and start putting our theory to the test.
After the first week, things were so, so. During the second week, we started to see a little more activity, but nothing really impressive. Once the third week hit, there was no doubt our game plan worked. Baits were getting hit 24/7, with multiple bears on most baits. With our more than 28 trail cameras, there was little doubt to as to what was happening. Bears were feeding for extended periods of time and then leaving, only to return and start munching away again. And the size of bears has been astonishing. If we harvest ½ of what we are seeing, it will be a record setting year.
Jim – 5th bear in as many years
On Tuesday, the Randy Gibbs crew from Iowa showed up and were very excited for opening day. So, we issued all the licenses and paperwork, had them draw their baits and headed out to hang stands. Later, the boys wentto the field with thoughts of “rug steaks” with great anticipation.
Fortunately it didn’t take long for them to start seeing action. They were in their stands by 3pm and both bears were down by 6pm. Not sure, but I think most people would call that a good start?
Randy’s was an extremely old sow that tipped the scales just over 255 and Trey’s was a nice boar that hung at 175lbs. The sow’s teeth were so old and decayed, she had rubbed her second tooth (the one used to age the bear) past the gum line. Also the amount of fat on her was like nothing I have ever seen, and I have processed a lot of bears. What a way to get the season going… 2 hunters and 2 bears.
Trophy – still out there
And if you thought for a second it couldn’t get any better, you’d be mistaken. Kyle Grosshuesh from Kiel, Wi released an arrow that found it’s mark into the biggest black bear we have ever seen. A boar that tipped the scales at well over 500 pounds, and it literally broke our scale. The trophy is by far the biggest harvested in Pasha Lake Cabins history and, had we been able to confirm it’s weight, may have been a provincial record. There is such a neat story that goes with the kill that I can’t do it justice in this short report. I’ll write up the details and post them after the season.
Add to our season total 3 more bears from last night, bringing us to 8 bears, and things are looking fantastic.
If this first full week gives us any indication on how the rest of the season will play out… hold on to your hat and get me some 5hr Energies, because sleeping won’t be an option. Not only that, but I’m going to need a whole lot more freezer space.
Until next time….