RECAP - Idaho Archery Black Bear

[outlook8]

I spent last week in Riggins Idaho hunting black bear with Hells Canyon Outfitters. With newborn twins, and a crazy busy contracting business to run, getting away is tough these days.

I'll go day by day as best I can remember, adding pics as well...

DAY 1 – 4/30

To cut down on the number of checked bags, I removed the majority of the foam from my bow case and packed my hunting clothes around it. Then I put the rest of my clothes, hiking boots, whiskey, etc. in a duffel bag inside a 70qt cooler so I could use it to bring the hide/head home.

I had an uneventful flight from IAH to BOI. All my gear made it fine, and I arrived to pouring down rain. Got my rental car and was checked into the hotel by 830PM. Grabbed dinner and some drinks at the only logical place nearby...Applebee’s.

[outlook8]

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[Chew]

This is not going well so far. Applebee's SUCKS.

Hope it gets better for you!

[outlook8]

DAY 2 – 5/1

Brad, the outfitter, said that if I made it to Riggins by early afternoon, they would go ahead and put me in a stand and start the hunt early. I woke up early as usual, repacked my gear, and made the three hour drive north.

I was a couple hours early, so I did the only logical thing...hit the local watering hole. I had a few beers, watched some Nascar, and talked with a couple locals. In a town of only 400, it wasn't hard for them to figure out I wasn't from around there.

About 2 o’clock, I headed to the lodge; a nice house on the river where I would be staying. I met my guide, Brook, a 21 year old ******, and unpacked. I was surprised to find out that I was the only hunter in camp for the opening week. The house was great; on the Little Salmon River, deck complete with hottub. I also met Bobbi, the awesome cook for the week. She would make breakfast, pack to go lunches, and cook dinner when we got back each evening around 10-11PM.

Brook and I ran to town, grabbed my tag, changed into hunting gear, hopped in the ranger and headed UP the mountain. I would be sitting in a tree stand on Hailey Creek for the evening. After a quick lesson in bear identification, I got a radio and Brook said to holler if I shot something, got too cold, or it got too dark. She also mentioned that the bears will just appear, making no sound. She was right…

[outlook8]

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[outlook8]

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[outlook8]

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[outlook8]

This is not going well so far. Applebee's SUCKS.

Hope it gets better for you!

The Knob Creek was good, the food was sub par, and the bar conversation left a lot to be desired!

[Chew]

Looking forward to the rest. Beautiful country.

[outlook8]

DAY 2 – 5/1 (continued)

The stand was a 12-15’ ladder on a hill below the bait (meaning you are only 6-7’ above the bait level), and about 15 yards away. I got settled in, started to freeze, put on the only extra layer I had (rain gear), and got settled back in still freezing but excited as I was in Idaho and I was bear hunting.

There wasn’t much of a view from the stand, you could really only see in front of you, so the time went by slowly. Nothing was moving and I was BORED.

All of a sudden, about 7:20, I looked up and, surprise, there was a freaking bear standing there! Brook was right, it just appeared out of nowhere. It looked big to me, and beautiful all black with a dark mask. But, I had only been hunting for two hours, so I grabbed my phone and started taking some pictures and videos. If anything, I wanted to show the others and get confirmation that it was or wasn’t big enough.

Eventually, I had plenty of pics, tried to put my phone in my pocket and scared it off with the lightest noise. Oh well, I was in Idaho, bear hunting, and I had see my first potential shooter.

Nothing else came in that evening, and a little after 9 as it was getting pretty dark, my underdressed *** was a little chilly, so I radioed Brook to come pick me up.

Back down the mountain 30 minutes freezing, to the house, enchiladas prepared by Bobbi. Couple whiskeys, and off to bed.

[outlook8]

View from bait to tree stand




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[outlook8]

View behind down to Hailey Creek




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[outlook8]

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[lmartin5]

In for this…great start!


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[Burnadell]

DAY 2 – 5/1

About 2 o’clock, I headed to the lodge; a nice house on the river where I would be staying. I met my guide, Brook, a 21 year old ******, and unpacked.

For the life of me, I can't understand why "female" is blocked.

Leonhogboy is from Orofino.