2010 Moose/Bear HuntNovember 26, 2010

Eduardo Portela traveled to Icy Bay from Madrid, Spain. His hunt for Moose/Brown Bear had been delayed by more than a year when he was implored by his local government to cancel his trip in 2009.  This season he arrived into the hunting camp on September 10.  No time was wasted in getting him into an excellent spike camp for Brown Bear. The Silver Salmon were running strong and the bears were active as they fed on them. However, as often is the case, it wasn’t Brown Bear that was observed from the hunting stand. It seems that a small group of bull Moose were gathering their cows in preparation for the breeding season. The rut was just starting and would be at its peak in a few short weeks. Two bulls were with this small group of cows that would make any hunter envious. One was estimated to be at or over 70 inches. Obviously, the Brown Bear hunt was put on hold and a hunt for Moose was planned for the evening. Eduardo arrived at the stand early in the evening hoping for a chance to take a bull that would measure the magic 70 inches. It wasn’t long before a good trophy was sighted from the stand that was an estimated 60 inches. Now it was decision time. Should he take a great trophy that was there and easy to shoot? A bull that you could drive right up to with the ATV and save a couple of days of hunting time? Or wait for a once in a lifetime bull that could possibly measure the magic 70 inches? Eduardo chose to take the “Bird in the Hand” approach. One shot and the trophy bull was on the ground. Now the hard work began! The crew arrived and had the bull processed and hanging in the meat shed in four hours.

All of the activity in the Salmon hole made a change of camp necessary before they could continue hunting for Brown Bear. The next day they set up in Garrett’s bear hole. It’s his favorite Brown Bear feeding area. Traditionally camp is set up and the hunters walk a short distance each afternoon to a log jam. The bears come out late in the evening to feed and usually continue through the night. The hunting technique requires one to snuggle into a spot in the log jam and sit silently and motionlessly for long hours waiting for the bears to come out and feed. Needless to say it tests your patience and your nerves to have these large predators within twelve yards at night when you can just barely make them out. If you’ve never heard a carnivore tare flesh and crunch bones at close range, you’ve missed one of hunting’s great thrills. Eduardo will never forget his long night in the log jam! H was rewarded with a great bear that squared out at 9 foot 4 inches.