Saskatchewan Bear Hunt 2003

For years I have been telling my wife about my secret desire.  You know what I’m talking about, three-hundred pounds, thick black hair, loves to eat…No sick boy, I’m talking about my desire to go spring black bear hunting.  I have been a die hard white-tailer for years, but often secretly yearned for the opportunity to hunt the awesome black bear. 

About the first week of May, I got a call from George Winslow of Bullseye Outfitters.  George called me to let me know that he had cancellations at an outfitter in Saskatchewan, Canada the first week of June (prime bear time).  Now this was quite tempting.  He then informed me that Ralph Cianciarulo and Chad Krahel of the Archer’s Choice would be in camp filming for their latest installment in the “Bear N’ Down” video series.  Again, this was doubly tempting.  He then informed me that we would be the only three hunters in camp for an entire week.  A quick check with the boss, the OK, I was sold.  Quicker than you know what through a goose, I was going spring bear hunting.

With only three week’s preparation time, I had to get cracking.  With turkey season in full swing in Pennsylvania, my mind was on gobblers not bruins.  With my bow resting comfortably on a hook for about the last couple of weeks, it was time to blow off the dust and start shooting.  Luckily, I shoot year round and had recently been on a pig hunt so I knew it would be a quick journey to the broadhead meeting the bullseye.  Even though I had recently switched arrows, rest and sight, when you practice on a consistent basis, things just seem to fall in line.  I was pounding the vitals of my target like a shooting machine.  There was only one catch; I had to get my bear on video.  Sure, I have filmed for other people and had people film for me, but never had I filmed myself.  I purchased a camera arm and again practiced videoing myself shooting a target in my yard.  I also practiced filming my kids and dogs running through the yard.  I also filmed my six year olds soccer games on Saturdays.  I was ready to take on the task of filming and hunting my first bear.

I was going to be hunting with Kim Tiringer of Larson Lake Outfitters in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan.  One nice thing about booking a hunt with Bullseye Outfitters, you eliminate the guesswork.  You can be sure that George and Russ have either hunted with the outfitters or done their homework to make sure you are going on a quality outdoor adventure.  I talked to the outfitter’s wife Diana prior to my leaving to arrange our meeting at the Saskatoon airport.  Finally, I was on my way to Canada.

I left Pittsburgh and connected from Minneapolis to Saskatoon.  Along the way it was a virtual who’s who of the archery world.  I met the entire crew of Bowhunter magazine including Tom Nelson and M.R. James.  It seemed the entire flight from Minneapolis to Saskatoon was occupied by bear hunters.  I finally arrived at Saskatoon and was met by Diana Tiringer.  I then had the pleasure of meeting Ralph and Chad from the Archer’s Choice.  It was then about a two hour drive from Saskatoon to Spiritwood.  I was enjoying every minute of this adventure having never ventured into the great white north.

We finally arrived at our destination of Larson Lake Outfitters.  I had already checked out the accommodations on the outfitters website, but was surprised at how good we were going to have it for the next seven days.  We were not roughing it to say the least.  After meeting Kim, we settled in for dinner and much needed rest.

I was determined on this trip to take in and absorb all that I could about bear hunting.  I was not going to miss any of the action.  I could not have any better teachers than Kim and Ralph Cianciarulo.  Having spent the majority of their lives pursuing bears, these two complimented each other with their in depth knowledge of baiting, stand location, and habits of these great creatures. 

The first day I had the chance to check baits with Kim.  Residing in Pennsylvania, I was awestruck by the sheer vastness that is Saskatchewan.  And talk about some great property to hunt, Kim has it all.  We checked a bait that had obviously been recently visited and made sure that the bears had reason to return by “freshening up” the area.  We checked a couple of more baits and were greeted with the same results, more bear activity.  After seeing an abundance of sign, needless to say, I was extremely pumped to go hunting.

I was by no way disappointed the first evening on stand.  While doing edits for the camera, I realized that even though I had not seen a thing, my heart was already pounding and my adrenaline pumping like a freight train.  Things started to heat up around seven-thirty.  I looked to the left and saw my first bear crossing through the dried up slough.  A beautiful black specimen, he wandered off and never offered me a shot.  I saw two more bears that evening but was not offered the shot or the light that I needed to get my bear on camera.  Kim’s guide Troy came in at dark to end what was an exciting evening on stand.  It was at this point that I realized that I was already hooked.  Having these creatures that close in the wild while packing my bow was just too good for this adrenaline junky…the birth of a bear hunter was taking place.

After another great breakfast and an afternoon spent checking baits, it was time for another exciting night on bear stand.  Speaking of stands, Kim’s stands are large platforms that are built for comfort.  They can easily seat two hunters and are placed well within bow range of the bait.  This evening, I would be placed on the edge of the thick timber and a large lake and slough combination.  I was constantly battered by the sounds of waterfowl.  Incoming geese and ducks were in abundance and kept me company for the first two hours on stand.  I then heard the all too familiar crack behind my stand.  I turned in time to observe a smaller bear coming directly under my tree headed to the bait.  I made sure the camera was rolling and settled in to observe the bear.  He fed casually for at least ten minutes and then became antsy.  I soon discovered why.  A much larger bear ran in to within ten yards of my stand and chased off the smaller bruin.  Although a shooter, I had no clear shot and could not get the bear to smile for the camera.  The bear soon sauntered off popping his teeth.  I just stood and smiled at my fortune at seeing bears and it was still early in the evening.  Another bear soon appeared from my left.  I allowed the bear to feed for a full ten minutes but elected to pass on the shot.  The animal soon walked off and I was second guessing my decision not to shoot.  The camera light was perfect and I was quickly having doubts about not taking the shot.  I didn’t have long to second guess myself because the hungry bear soon returned to again feed at a mere sixteen yards.  After hanging around for another five minutes I could no longer pass up the quartering away shot that was staring me in the face.  I checked the camera to make sure the footage was right, and found myself drawing back my bow.  The arrow passed through the beast and stuck a foot into the soft earth.  The bear lit out of the area and I quietly listened for the bear’s assured crash into the earth.  Within virtually seconds, the sound reached my awaiting ears.  I had just taken my first bear with a bow. 

I radioed Kim and Troy and we were soon on the trail of my bear.  The sign only lasted about a hundred yards and there lay my first bear.  I was overjoyed at the fact that I had taken the animal quickly and humanely and gave thanks for being lucky enough to partake in such a great sport.  We quickly loaded the bear in the “bear cart” and made our way to the trail head.  With time to kill before we picked up Ralph and Chad, I just sat back and relaxed and soaked in the cool Saskatchewan evening.

I spent the rest of the week checking baits and taking pictures and video of some great bears.  I also took advantage of the opportunity to build lasting relationships with my camp partners.  Larson Lake Outfitters without a doubt offers a quality adventure.  After being home for over a week and having plenty of time to reflect on my hunt, I could not come up with any negatives.  Kim and his wife Diana did their best to make sure that our stay was comfortable and abounding with quality.  Kim definitely does his homework when it comes to bears.  At the time, Kim had thirty-one baits and fifteen allocations.  All of the baits I visited were very active and we observed several quality bears in our week including a couple of dandy cinnamons.  Color phases are common in Kim’s areas with two dandy colored Pope and Young’s being taken prior to our arrival.  Kim also has access to thousands of acres of prime hunting habitat.  I also could not have been luckier to be in the company of the Archer’s Choice team.  Ralph and Chad were great guys that made the week enjoyable to say the least.

In my opinion, the true test for an outfitted hunting adventure is the patron’s willingness to return.  There is no doubt in my mind that I will be returning to Larson Lake Outfitters, only this time I will be bringing more clients to enjoy the hunt.