BRITISH COLUMBIA BLACK BEAR HUNTS

British Columbia Black Bear Hunts

Larry Hassell a lifelong hunter, who, along with 40+ years pursuing the ubiquitous Texas whitetail, has often traveled to the U.S. mountain west and central plains states for pronghorn, whitetail, upland game, and mule deer.

"In addition there have been a couple of unsuccessful black bear hunts in Alaska and a most successful trip to British Columbia for black bear. In recent years I have been fortunate to have traveled to both Namibia and South Africa, for plains game and leopard. I serve as a board member of SCI Austin and frequently contribute to the Safari Club International, SCI Austin Newsletter (www.sciaustin.org)."

Bears In The Salt

I am a determined man. Twice I have struck out on black bear. The darn things simply wouldn't cooperate. Probably about 10 years ago a friend mentioned that his brother, an Air Force non-com stationed at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska, regularly hunted black bear each spring with several co-workers.

A phone conversation with the airman brought a quick invitation to join their hunt that year. As we were to bait the bears and shots would be very short I took my Smith & Wesson .41 magnum as my only firearm.

Unfortunately, although we saw several bear during the hunt, I did not have an opportunity at a mature bear. After observing how fast a bear can run up a tree I decided my revolver might be a bit short on power! I have been skunked more than once.

It is all part of the game, but I sure wanted a bear!

Several years later I read an article by Jim Zumbo in "Outdoor Life" magazine about how great black bear hunting was on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. One only need cruise the many logging roads, scanning clear cuts, for outsize furry bruins.

After some research two friends, my son-in-law, and I put together a trip for September 2004. Despite the heavy population of bears, only my son-in-law, Brent Stolle, was able to take a bear. The week was spent battling incredibly thick brush and trees, sliding down slippery stream courses choked with dead and dying salmon, and enduring an almost continuous drizzle.

I do not think I have ever been more uncomfortable during a hunt. Now I wanted that bear rug even more!

This spring I was given an opportunity to take over a hunt a friend had booked but couldn't make due to business obligations. When offered the option to take the hunt I decided it had to be the best chance to finally get my bear rug.

I was especially willing to schedule the hunt because the outfitter was known to be very successful on spring bears.

SCI Austin had raffled a hunt with Nanika Guiding and Austin residents Greg Allen and Gary Joeris had each taken two excellent black bears and one grizzly during their short week of hunting.

Black bears are so numerous in the area that a second black bear tag is available at modest cost.

Larry Hassell

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