Bearpaw started the millennium with a bang. Our spring 2000 bear hunt was a complete success, 34 hunters harvested 56 black bears for 164% success rate. Quality was superb with an average exceeding 6'4" square. An incredible thirteen 7' black bears were harvested. Colored bear numbers were slightly higher than normal at 38%. Nineteen bears exceeded 18" skulls, of which 11 were harvested by bow hunters. Bob Larsen took two pope and young bruins. A black and a brown on days five and six of his hunt. Bob had passed up twenty eight other black bears waiting for the right two and was rewarded. Thirteen time repeat hunter Ken Faith took another 7' bear with veteran guide Guy Bruneau. Roger Davis made his fifth trip with Bearpaw memorable as he harvested two great bears with his bow the fifth day of hunting. Roger also passed up fourteen other bears. Tim Shaeffer took a 6'1/2" brown and a 7' black bear on the same hunt.

Bob Larsen with 2nd Pope & Young in two nights hunting

Our first three hunts were plagued by cold weather and rain, due to the perseverance of our clients and our guides we were able to overcome the poor conditions and maintain our 150% average.

On our fourth hunt the weather started to change in our favor. Five time repeat client Steve Griffin ended his trip on the first night with two great bears a 6'2" Blond and 7' Black . Earl Kochel took our best bear of the season a giant 7'6", 420lb, 20 5/8 skull monster that we have hunted for two years.

Five "Quality Trophies"

The year 2000 gave up the pleasure of guiding a couple of quality celebrities. Ed Moore of Indiana an Ultimate Fighting Champ, and pro hockey player Ron Stern of the San Jose Sharks. Each harvesting their first bears. Ed harvested a 6'2" boar and a 6'6" 20 year old barren sow. Ron took a 6'6" bear and viewed 11 other bears on his four day hunt. The only negative in the spring of 2000 season was the high number of lost bears at 11. Please practice with your weapon of choice, so that we do not have this occur again. We will continue to enforce our wounded bear policy.

Three 7' black bears in one evening
Taso Panelidas, Joe Simpson, Rick Shannon

OUTLOOK FOR 2001

We will be operating 75 baits in the 2001 of which 20 will be new stands. We are presently 50% booked for the spring and 75% booked for the fall. We will be hunting from the first week of May to the first week of June.

If you have a moment check out our black bear hunting success stories for the fall of 1999. Please call us early to book your next hunt with Bearpaw Outfitters up in northwestern Alberta.

References Spring 2000

BEARPAW OUTFITTING CO.
Scott Taylor
Box 3002
St. Isidore, Alberta, T0H 3BO Canada
Telephone 780-624-4400