2025 Bear Hunt Day 7 - 10 Years Later

I woke up definitely feeling like I could have slept in.  The late nights and early mornings can be challenging.  But there is absolutely nothing, zero, nada to complain about.

After breakfast Thomas took Waylon and me out for fishing.  We went upriver above the rapids (not sure the term is correct since there are no "rapids" this year), and hit several bays.  It was a phenomenal day of fishing.  We hooked into pods of pike through the morning with enough slow sections to keep us slightly humble.

I think Waylon caught about three fish to my one, but I remained stubborn to my spinnerbait when I probably should have switched to a spoon like Waylon was using.  I did not really like the movie A River Runs Through It, but I find myself overthinking that pike are supposed to be caught on spinnerbaits, much like how one fly-fishes plays a role in the movie - probably a symptom of getting older...

I did hook into the largest pike I've caught in a few years, bringing in a fat 37" pike.  Watching it hit right near the boat was quite exciting.

Dave had taken tagged-out hunters upriver, so there were only a few of us for lunch.  Then a nap and it was out for bears.

Weather was cool and cloudy.  Forecast was for some rain, but it looked like we would be just outside of it as it drifted south.  I loved the cool weather and decided to chance it and not bring rain gear.

I felt oddly optimistic as Drew took Rebecca and I upriver.  The scenery was stunning.  The cool temperatures got my blood going.  Wind was non-existent.  Even the cloudiness seemed right.

Rebecca was dropped off at Greer Lake.  I was sitting in the boat waiting; the loons were wailing and laughing in the distance.  It was a rare, beautiful, magical moment.

With low water we had a longish walk to Gas Can from where Drew beached the boat.  The bait had been hit since being filled previously in the morning.  I got easily situated as Drew left me alone for the afternoon.  A grouse was loudly drumming and this continued through the early afternoon; I had not previously heard this in the fall.

I was dozing a little bit when I was brought back to alertness by movement to my left.  A bear was nosing through the woods, headed into the bait.  It got to the small clearing, looked in my direction and did a 180, turning back into the trees.

I watched it for several minutes as it wandered a bit, then lost sight for a short time.  It returned, and made its way once again to the bait.  After walking it, it took a quick bit of spilled popcorn before nervously high-tailing it out to the right.

For the short time I had a good view of it, my impression was of a good bear, but still thin and young.  I didn't want to overthink at this point.

About an hour passed before another bear came in from the right.  This bear was not the same bear as the first one, and was confidently bold.  It scrambled around the barrel before making short work of the logs and started eating.

I watched the bear while my mind fought for what to do.  I knew it was not a monster, but everything about the bear screamed 'pretty good.'  It was not real long, but it was very fat for its size.  It was tall enough to see over the barrel, even  when it was in the depression the barrel was in.  It had to struggle to get its head into the barrel.

But every time I looked at it through the scope, it shrunk...

And then there were the rationalizations - both positive and negative.  I'm 100% good with a good bear.  I'm not sure the freezer has room for a whopper?  But with good weather, no reason not to hunt more?  I think I really do want to go home with a bear?  My mind went back and forth at least 87 times.

I went on my first bear hunt in 2009.  That hunt ended on the exact stand I was on.  I thought about how excited I was then ... how excited the 2009 me would have been to see a bear like this ... of the infinite lessons since that 2009 kid was sitting on this spot in Manitoba, one of the best lessons is cooling down while hunting; one of the worst curses is overthinking.

After about an hour the bear turned to leave toward the right.  I saw the bear fully in broadside.  Decision made.  Good enough won out.

After the shot, the bear ran a few steps and I heard it crash.  I knew it was over.  I waited as long as I could and got down out of the treestand.  I easily found my bear.  It was a beautiful, stout black bear; I was happy.

After grabbing a couple pictures, I put out my orange on a tree and got back in the treestand.  I knew it would be a long wait.  But temperatures were nice and there was a bear on the ground, so even if it was a bit tiresome, it was also almost spiritual.

I spent quite a bit more time thinking about 2009 vs. the current day.  I was so fortunate to be able to go on a bear hunt in 2009, and that is still true today.  I found it serendipitous that my first and 10th bear were taken from the same stand; that may have been a very small reason (of many) in my decision to shoot.  I'm not the same person I was in 2009 ... at all.  But I still am me.

Right around sunset I heard a boat come in.  Chris and Drew came in to get me.  We took some pictures before loading my bear into the sled and making our way to the boat.

Coming around that last bend before camp, the moon was peering eerily through the clouds as the lights of the dam glinted in the distance; I let myself have one more bit of nostalgia as I thought back to the same journey in the freezing cold temperatures in 2009.

Back at camp Rebecca had taken a near carbon copy of my bear with a beautiful white tie.  Waylon had taken a pretty good bear as well.  As my bear was almost done and in the freezer, Bill came in with a whopper of a boar.  Everyone had tagged out.  The guides were happy so many bears were taken with light left, and very little tracking was needed overall.

Everyone else had eaten so Bill and I ate dinner while talking with Chad.

We all still had two full days to fish.

I went to bed filled with memories ... and much gratitude.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 6 - But Not For Us

"There is hope.  Hope enough.  Infinite hope.  But not for us." - Franz Kafka

After an egg bake breakfast, Bill, Sam and I went out fishing with Dave.  We all casted for pike, trying a few bays up and around the rapids.  Fish numbers were pretty good.  And both Bill (33 inch) and Sam (30 inch) caught pretty decent pike.

Bear camp is falling into a rhythm, and it is an easy rhythm to get used to.

After a shore lunch (at camp), Lockler took myself and Neil out for the afternoon.  I was dropped off at the Perdushney (I've given up trying to learn how to spell that) bay stand.

After the single stand the previous afternoon, it was really easy to get comfortable.  Once alone on the hillside, something just felt right.

I've previously wondered whether a deer stand can have good feng shui, and came to the conclusion that it can.  I think this is also true for bear stands - or bear situations.  I was on the river, instead of a road bait.  I was back in a double ladder stand.  I was using my rifle again, instead of my shotgun.  Weather was cool and temperate - if a bit windy with a hint of a few sprinkles.  Things just felt right.

At least they felt right until I looked back and saw that as best my ability to search, I've never seen a bear while in this stand.  There is hope...

But not for us.  It was a quiet sit all afternoon.

Back in camp after getting picked up, five bears were down.  I won't remember them all (there are still a few people who I really haven't met), but Faith shot a decent one and Neil shot a bear while heading into the stand.  This leaves four of us (I think) with tags, including Bill and Rebecca.

Pork pot roast ended the night before turning in to hope for the second half of the week.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 5 - Four Well-Behaved Cubs

I woke up to steely, grey, cool morning.  I thought about trying to sleep more, but coffee was calling my name.

After pancakes for breakfast, Carter took Sam, Bill and I out for fishing.  We spent the morning casting for pike.  Fishing for me was a bit slower than the previous day, but I think the boat overall did better.  Both Bill and Sam caught quite a few pike.  I caught my first smally for the trip, even if it was rather small.  In one of the most miraculous fishing saves I've seen, I watched Carter grab Bill's snapped fishing line and hand-bring in a decent size pike.

Weather stayed cool and misty.  Forecasts were for the afternoon to get better, which was good since the mist was almost worse than rain.

After lunch, Carter took myself and Rebecca to road baits for bears.  I was dropped off on Duck Pond, where I had sat the previous year.  It is a single ladder stand, which I don't mind - although it does make the afternoon nap a near-impossibility.

Carter baited the barrel and also dumped a load of green apples.  He had not even walked out of the area before I saw a flash of black to the right.  Two cubs came in as Carter left.

One of the cubs was absolutely the smallest cub I had ever seen while hunting.  It looked like a small house-cat compared to the other cub, which was still one of this year's.

The little guy was feisty and really, really wanted popcorn.  Despite its size, it found a way to get the logs out of the barrel and munch away.  A third cub showed up, but only for a few seconds before it left.

Weather stayed cool and the mist dissipated, but it was somewhat windy at times, making it hard to hear.  I kept my eyes open for momma bear, but never saw her.  I did hear a bear making the contented "ungd" sounds so I originally thought she may have been in the area.

In one of the cutest things I've seen cubs do, the little cub eventually just scrambled inside the barrel to eat popcorn.

What I was most surprised about is that the two cubs did not wrestle and fight at all.  They seemed oddly patient for a couple animals which usually behave like unruly children.

After about 45 minutes the cubs left.  It was quiet, leaving me alone with my thoughts until I saw a dark shadow out of the corner of my eye.  

The cubs came back, and this time I saw there were four cubs walking in almost underneath me to my right.  The cubs varied in demeaner, but they eventually made their way to the barrel.

Again, I was shocked at how the cubs behaved.  There was no wrestling, growling for fighting.  The cubs seemed to take turns at the barrel.  Once the cubs figured out what the apples were, they seemed to enjoy those as well.  One of the more timid cubs would grab an apple, run to the bush and eat it before coming back in to repeat.  Smart girl...

The cubs stayed until around 5:00.  That left a llloooonnnggg stretch where not much was happening.  

Since I couldn't doze on the single stand, I let my mind run wild.  The more I thought about the cubs, the more curious I was about the situation.  Given that I never saw or heard mom (I'm 99% sure the "ungd" I previously heard was another cub since they were doing it when they showed up the second time), I wonder if these were a group of abandoned cubs?  Or maybe mom was nearby, but that wouldn't explain the one very small one?  Or???  If nothing else, I was rooting for that littlest guy to make it.

Whatever was going on, they would be easy prey for wolves if not in the protection of a big sow.

Weather stayed cool and windy.  I was comfortable in my wind-proof fleece.  It started to get darker and I was hopeful something big would pop out, but it wasn't to be.  Carter picked up Rebecca first, so I had some time in the dark.

Back in camp, one bear had been taken (by Dave?).  Several other bears were seen, but it was a bit slower overall than the first night.  Temperatures were supposed to stay cool for the rest of the week, so hopefully that gets them moving again.

I was desperate for bed after a bit too much lasagna for dinner.  I fell asleep, writing a story in my head about the cubs I had seen.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 4 - Reservoir Bears

Coffee calling my name got me out of bed.  And while it was still dark then, when the sun came up I was treated to an amazing sunrise while throwing the lure off the dock.

After a larger breakfast than I normally eat, Drew took Bill, Sam and myself out for fishing.  The day was temperate with a bit of wind - good for fishing.

We started by jigging for walleye which I don't find a very engaging way to fish.  Drew knew this (my reputation for wanting pike is well known here), but I made a serious go of it.  It wasn't productive, so Drew suggested I cast for pike as we got closer to some island weed beds.  I brought in a bunch of pike.  They were all small(ish), but it was still fun to bring them in.

We moved to another spot and again tried a mix of jigging and casting.  At one point I had a fish on the line which felt oddly non-pike-ish.  Bringing it in, I had caught a decent walleye ... on a spinnerbait.

We fished that area for a while longer; jigging brought in a few more walleye while I caught a couple more pike.  Overall a decent morning for fishing.

After a nice lunch, it was time to go out for bears.  Vance took Sam and me to the road baits.  Sam was dropped off first while I waited.  It was hot with some humidity.  I was wearing my rain suit since rain and thunderstorms were expected.  I was not very comfortable.

Then it was on to Joyce Trail where I saw the meanest sow in the woods the previous year.  I got situated while Vance baited both the normal barrel and a roll barrel.  As Vance left, I dropped a shotgun slug.  I briefly thought about just ignoring it, but I knew I would overthink it, so I got down and did quickly find it.  Once back in the stand, I was uncomfortably hot and felt drenched in sweat.  Ugh.

I did what I could to settle down and get situated.  The first bit of time passed slowly.  It always takes me some time to settle into the rhythm of bear hunting.  Around the time I was cooling down I saw a bear nosing towards the bait from far trees.  It meandered around and finally came in to the roll barrel first.  It was a smaller young bear, but nice to see so early (4:40).

It stayed around nervously for quite some time.  When it left another slightly bigger bear started to come in.  I was starting to wonder if these could be the bear cubs I had seen the previous year - one year older and bigger?  Unlikely, but at least remotely possible.  It never came all the way in, but just sat down and watched from a short distance away.

This bear hung around for a while and a third bear came in.  This was definitely a new bear and was much bolder than the first two.  It almost scared me how fast it came in.  It stayed for quite some time, munching on popcorn.  There was enough wind that it was hard to hear much, but I was, once in a while, clearly hearing some of that very characteristic light walking sounds that suggests other bears were nearby.

Around this time, bears were definitely working the area while I sat there trying to keep track of what was going on.  One bear was a decent size bear - maybe six feet?  But that might be optimistic due to most of the other bears being smaller.

While I could tell some of the bears apart based on demeaner, I had a hard time keeping track of all the bears.  The bears were charging each other from areas I could not see - sometimes almost right next to me, sometimes farther away.  

At one point there was a bear directly to my right and bear at the barrel when I heard a big ruckus to my left.  It reminded me of the movie Reservoir Dogs, where all the criminals are trying to be one-up each other in how tough they are, more so since they don't know each other.  And also like the movie, I think there were a total of 7-8 reservoir bears total for the afternoon.

The thunderstorms that were predicted had materialized through the afternoon.  I had gotten out my waterproof cloth to keep my stuff dry, but most of the rain dissipated and went north and south of where I was.  I was glad about this, but the extra layer on my lap made the hot afternoon even less comfortable.  When one of the bolder bears was at the barrel, I was able to at least set things aside (and even stood up at one point since my leg was cramping).  

As it got dark, there were at least three bears near me.  One of the bears had scrambled up the tree to my right.  I was worried about a repeat of the previous year where I had to get out of the stand with bears in that same tree, but it got down - yet remained in the area.

Eventually Vance came to get me.  I'm quite sure not all the bears left as we made our exit.  It was a very exciting night, even if I didn't shoot.  

Sam had shot a decent bear - his first, so he was happy.

Back in camp as people rolled and boated in, lots of people had seen bears, and a few had almost-opportunities on big bears.  But Sam's was the only shot.

After a salmon dinner I headed to bed.  It was late by my standards. Stealers Wheel song Stuck in the Middle with you played in my head as I thought of those reservoir bears.   I, of course, started overthinking the afternoon.  Maybe that bigger one was even bigger than I thought?  Maybe they were all bigger than I thought?  Maybe I won't see any more bears this week?  Maybe...

2025 Bear Hunt Day 3 - In Camp (Finally)

I futzed around the hotel room for a while.  Given my book choices were only adequate for the drive so far, I was desperate to find something else.  It was not to be.  I found several books that looked promising, but none of them were available.  There are, of course, lots available, but many of them looked like a questionable commitment.  I have a couple on hold, so maybe they'll come available in the next week.  I dearly miss when I could download books ahead of time, but I also understand the reality here...

For the final leg of the trip ... podcasts.

When I couldn't stand it anymore, I packed up and hit the road.  It was a wonderful and quiet Sunday morning.  I made my way to the border.  The very pleasant border guard asked a few questions, followed by informing me that there was a new gun form.  I parked and went inside and hand-filled the new form.  Other than that, I breezed through and I was in Canada.

Shortly after crossing the border, a small group of deer crossed the road right in front of me.  Much like my Friday drive to work, I saw it as a good sign.

I decided to avoid the hour plus of gravel road and stayed on pavement.  This added about 15 miles, but was at least parity on time and might have been better.  I enjoyed the drive.  I was sort of listening to podcasts, but also let my mind wander.

As I got nearer to camp, I thought back to that first bear hunt so many years previous - in my mind, I was just a kid then.  At one point I looked at myself in the rear view mirror and barely recognized the old man staring back at me.  Time brutally moves in one direction.

My spirits were high - even after seeing the saddest field of sunflowers I'd ever seen.

Once into camp, Maureen was in the lodge.  She moved me into a new cabin that was ready since I was early.  I threw a lure into the water for a bit, but never got a bite.  I accompanied Rylan (sp?) to bait some of the sites.  It felt right to be in the woods.

But Dave had already baited several of the stands, so it was a short trip and we returned to camp.

I had a bit of down time in my room.  At great risk to my life, I did nap a bit - I can only hope it doesn't kill my ability to sleep later.

This article also crossed my screen.  While not French, I did feel a kinship with much of what the author expresses.  I almost never walk into the field and not feel some amount of cognitive dissonance.  This seems especially true for bears.  I spring from a thicket of tangents.  I was still looking forward to the first day in the stand coming up.

With still some time to kill, I chucked a blue spinnerbait in the water for a bit.  I had one follower, and a short time after that caught my first fish on my new rod and reel.

My equipment choice comes with some nostalgia since one of my first fishing poles was a Mitchell.

Dinner was a Thanksgiving feast (that couldn't be beat).  By the time it started to get dark, I was more than ready to sleep.  Unfortunately my cabin was really warm so sleep came slowly.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 2 - Embrace The Miles

I was up and on the road just a few minutes after 5:00.  This felt late by my internal home clock, yet still early.  But the gas station that was supposed to be open 24 hours was closed, so the only coffee I had was the small pod in the hotel room.  No reason not to hit the road.

Predictably traffic was non-existent.  I contentedly motored north in the dark morning.

I finished listening to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed.  My opinion of the book was unchanged.  It was worth listening to, but not one I intend to come back to.  The last essay was by Tim Kreider and it was by far one of the best.  I was glad (and a little relieved) since I've struggled to like some of his newer writing.

I thought about listening to some podcasts, but jumped right into The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohllben.  It was at least mostly about the interconnectedness of the natural world.  It took me a bit to get into the book since so much of it was condescending.  There were several times it said things like:  This probably surprises you...  Or:  ...but it's more complicated than that.  Or the worst:  You might think ... but you would be wrong.  

If I would have had another book that I wanted to start, I definitely would have killed it.  But I soldiered on.  The book did get better - or maybe I got numb to the condescension?  I liked some of the facts and comparisons he gave, even if a few might have been whitewashed to show a point of view.  I did enjoy the basic premise of the book about how interconnected things can be. 

I thought the solutions he gave were far too simplistic and tailored to how he could live his life - a great frustration of mine when anyone gives simple solutions to complex problems.  While humans are doing at least some terrible things, we ARE part of the world; we can't live in a cocoon.  He did acknowledge

 this complication near the end of the book.  Tying it in with the previous book - he never gave the difficult solution of population reduction.  I know this will never happen, but trying to fix global issues with addressing the ever-increasing scourge that a growing population brings is akin to choosing immobility as your mode of transportation.

While the book was a bit of a downer, I was comforted by the book I read the previous year (almost to the day) and its conclusion that on the geologic time scale, humans do not matter.

Ultimately, I give the book a C+.  I had another of his books on hold with Libby, but I got rid of it since I was concerned it would be too similar (and condescending).

The day had started out wonderfully cool.  Going through Wisconsin I did hit a bit of mist/rain.  Then it stayed really nice for the rest of the day.  It was, quite frankly, a wonderful day on the road.  I did get a bit wistful every time I saw people on motorcycles who were obviously touring.

I ended up stopping more often than I usually do for drinks or snacks - odd since I had a whole buffet of food with me.  I'm embarrassed to admit I gorged on too much trail mix so I had to buy some more.

US2 was a bit annoying with convoys of pokey drivers.  But once I turned on to MN46, traffic almost instantly disappeared.  It was quite glorious.  

I motored on to my hotel in Baudette.  The owner was painting, but we talked for a few minutes as she checked me in.  I really do want to come back to fish for sturgeon - still a bucket-list fish for me.

After getting settled, I walked around the dock a bit.  The afternoon was spectacular.  I thought about how fortunate I am to be able to go on these adventures.  I stared across the river at Canada.  I thought about bears, about how special it is to have this enormous friendly border.  I thought back to the book I had listened to and while there may be problems, we are still fortunate in North America to be able to easily go places that are a salve to the soul.

Despite being a good day, it was also a tiring day.  I knew I'd be up too early but turned in early anyway.

2025 Bear Hunt Day 1 - On The Road

Given the amount of people I've talked to over the years about going bear hunting with me, I was surprised when Doug said "yes" and followed through.  We talked some logistics a few weeks previous which gave me an opportunity to really start planning.  This helps the mental state as the days counted down.  Prep for an audit at work, months in advance, is growing in pain.  The redundant (often dumb) requests demonstrate a house of cards.  A break is needed.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't know Doug that well, but he's organized a few fishing trips.  After we talked logistics, he gave me a heads up that some family issues were brewing.  This was followed a short time later by notice he was not going to be able to go.  I felt really bad for him.  He dealt with it well, by letting me know when he could and also letting Vance know.  It is still a bit frustrating; I'm sure it isn't the first time this has happened.  For all involved, including myself I suppose, I hope the best.

So I'm solo for yet another grand adventure.  I'm good with this too.

Prep for the trip progressed as the days counted down.  I wasn't going to subject Doug to my audiobooks, so I had to scramble to find some since I would be by myself.  I tried using ChatGPT for book suggestions, but as that effort progressed, it started hallucinating like crazy and suggested books which I do not believe exist.  Good job ChatGPT - I guess you can write those books or something.

I packed up everything on Thursday in preparation for a Friday departure after work.

Friday finally came; I saw a few deer on my way into work.  This isn't unusual, but it can feel like a positive omen when heading out on an adventure.

Being a day before a long weekend, work was relatively quiet.  I left after a sufficient amount of time and effort.  Leaving from work meant a quick jump onto the freeway and I started to head north and west.  Traffic was tolerable.  Indianapolis was hairy, but at least predictable.  There were only a few traffic slow downs after Indy, and they were pretty short.

I was listening to Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed - a collection by writers on the decision not to have kids.  It was good but not great.  A few of them I related to, but most sort of fell into not having kids.  It kept me entertained for the afternoon.

Soon enough I was at a Days Inn hotel.  I didn't like parking right next to a gas station, but it should be OK.  The hotel smelled like curry, so I didn't feel too bad about eating a noddle bowl for dinner.  I resisted the urge to buy junk food at the gas station.  

I waited for dark - actually looking forward to a long day on the road.