Bearpaw's 1997 Spring Bear Hunt was by all accounts an outstanding success. 34 Hunters harvested 57 bears for a 168% success rate. Our hunters averaged eight bear sightings per week; the high was 22 by unsuccessful hunter Dave Newcomb.

Quality bears, which is what Bearpaw's reputation has been built upon were once again dominant in our bear count. 13 bears exceeding 7' nose to tail, 18 bears over 18" skull size, 5 over 20" skull size, and an average of 6'4", 235 lbs. Colored bear numbers remain at 32% of total harvest. Few Bear Outfitters are able to maintain consistent harvest numbers as we have; over 1 in 3 clients harvested a 7' nose to tail black bear.

This spring I want to congratulate our clients and thank our staff for another excellent season. Our staff, guides Bowen Dolhan, Guy Bruneau, Mike White, and Ben Kunstleben and cook Shelley Duperron.

HIGHLIGHTS 1997

Our first hunt was totally different than normal. Instead of warm weather and bugs, we had snow and cold weather to fight. Fortunately we book the first hunt as a 10 day affair. This year we needed the time.

Louisiana's Ben Hanchey started things off with a 7' 350 lb. boar with guide Bowen Dolhan. 10 time repeat hunter, Ken (Big Bear) Faith waited until day 8 before? affixing his tag to a tremendous 7'10" 500 lb. giant. If there is a Black Bear Hall of Fame, Ken should certainly be in it.

Oliver Fischer of Maryland collected a superb 7'6" brown with a white V with veteran guide Guy Bruneau. Hunting cousins, John and Carroll Sturdivant took a beautiful pair of 7' bears one night apart. Bruce Robel and Gary Lemke took a pair of great bears on the next hunt; both over 7'. Archers, Frank and Joe Osmulski, took a pair of 7' browns with well placed arrows. Partner Paul Zema took a massive 7'6" giant after hunting him for 4 consecutive nights. Gerald Warnock rounded out our season with a 7'2", 18 3/4" boar on his second night of hunting.

All 54 baits were active at the end of the season insuring excellent hunting for years to come. Our wounded bear policy is having a dramatic effect on the number of missed bear; only 3 during 1997.