Becca's Kodiak Brown Bear Hunt 2016

[Becca]

We have been home a week, and I figured some of you would enjoy a quick recap of my recent Kodiak Bear Hunt. I have been busy with work and getting ready for the packraft rondy next week, so this will be more photos than writing. Luke and I spent 10 nights and 11 days with no one but each other, and celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary a little early. The trip itself was truly incredible, and we had an amazing time regardless of filling my tag.

To get to where we hunted we flew



And we floated



And we hiked



We got our camp set up



And saw three great boars the first day, but couldn't shoot due to same day airborne rules. We had high expectations for finding a good bear!

 

[Becca]

Then for the next week
We glassed a lot





And when we got too tired of glassing, we read



Or just enjoyed being together in a spectacular part of Creation




By the 8th day of the hunt, we had seen two small bears and two sows with Cubs, but nothing to bring home. Around 6pm we were headed back toward camp, figuring we'd had an incredible adventure and would be quite content with our trip even without a bear. We planned to portage our gear the following morning and begin the float to our pick up spot, since we weren't entirely sure how long it would take to float down there.

 

[Becca]

Suddenly Luke spotted a bear nearly 3 miles across the valley


Without much discussion we decided to make a play for it, despite the late hour. Less than 90 minutes later we were just below the stand of brush where we had last seen the bear. Suddenly, about 1000 yards out, I saw a large bear moving across the valley, downwind of us. We watched him go, and it was clear we would never catch up. Happy with our incredible trip together, and the adventure of at least going after a bear, I was completely satisfied to head back towards camp for dinner. Just then, Luke glassed up the hill into the brush and said "I don't think that was your bear, I think your bear is still in the brush".



Sure enough, the bear we had seen was napping just barely visible in a small clearing in the brush a few hundred yards away. We crept to within 180 yards, and both got set up on our packs. I told Luke I was only going to shoot if I had a good shot opportunity. I had my Kimber Montana .308 steady over my pack, and felt rock solid.

 

[Becca]

After what seemed like forever, the bear finally stood up and gave me a perfect broadside shot. I squeezed off a shot, and quickly jacked another round in to make a follow up, but before I could fire again the bear rolled down the hill into the brush.



Dead on the spot, with a single shot from my .308



After photos, we positioned him for skinning and then hurried to make for camp in the quickly fading light. We hit the tent in the dark, ate a quick dinner and went to bed.

The next day was a nasty Kodiak storm with bad wind and pouring rain, but we still had to skin the bear so we got up early for the 3 mile hike back over there. Not many photos from that experience, but we eventually got it skinned and I pulled the head out while huddled underneath a tarp shelter that was trying to blow off the hillside

My wonderful husband carried the hide (with feet still in it) and I carried the skull and gear. It took us all day to get it where we could float it out



The following day we still had to portage camp and gear to the river, but we finally got it done





Then we loaded up the PR49's and floated out to our pick up spot, concluding the adventure of a lifetime

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

What an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bonedalien]

holy smokes! so cool, and CONGRATS! on the bear, and more importantly your lives together.

 

[Whodat78]

Nice job! Congrats on a wonderful hunt!

 

[209hunter]

Awesome!

 

[ReddingArcher]

That's awesome!! Congrats on a hell of a bear and a great adventure.

 

[Bonedalien]

and a quick note to the fanboys. notice the Kifaru and Kuiu shelters nestled peacefully together

 

[Dameon]

Awesome hunt and congratulations on a dandy of a bear. I hope to go back someday for the bear and moose I wasn't fortunate enough to tag as a kid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BRobertson]

What a trip!!! Great photos!!

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Bob

 

[mod700]

Great pics., great bear, and a truly a trip of a lifetime ! your a blessed couple.
Mike

 

[tttoadman]

Congrats you guys. That sounds like one to remember.

 

[Matt Cashell]

And that ... is how its done.

Awesome job Moffats!

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Wow absolutely outstanding!!!! You two are a great couple, congratulations on getting it done together.

 

[JoshTX]

What an awesome trip. Thanks so much for the pics and write up.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Nice work!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Remington Hunter]

congrats to both of you!

 

[adventure907]

Fantastic!!!! Well done and congratulations to both of you!!!!