Bucks & Bulls in Cold Bay Alaska

Travis Adams and I have known one another for some time. Both of us guide for Bucks & Bulls Guides and Outfitters and together have had the pleasure of working with this team of true professionals for many years. Travis just returned from Cold Bay Alaska with a Bear we just had to include on this blog. While it was not killed with one of our rifles the hunt deserves attention and a shout out for a job well done. As this may be a spring bear season that most will try and forget I think Travis will always consider the hardships and bad weather a necessary price to pay for such a great experience. Travis had booked a 16 day hunt and took this Bear as the sun was going down on the 14th day.

The bear taped 10' 2" with a  27 & 7/16" green skull. He may not "best" this first bear in a lifetime of  trips back to Cold Bay. He and his guide from R&R stalked the bear until they ran out of cover and spent hour's laying in the snow waiting for the lounging bear to present a favorable shot. As the sun began to set the thermals shifted and blew their scent right at the bear. Having caught their wind the bear came out of the snow as if launched by springs and ran directly away from them. At 376 yards the bear slowed to a stop and turned broadside. Years of guiding under pressure for trophy Mule Deer and Elk was now about to pay off as Travis told the guide he was definitely taking the shot.

I imagine the guide was wondering how he was going to explain to his boss why he let anyone even consider such a shot when the 375 bellowed. The bear took the first round in the center of the rib cage, spun 180 degree's and Travis handed him another one placed in the same spot only this time from the other side.

The bear began to loose his footing and tumbled down the hill with Travis firing whenever a vital spot  rolled into view. He fired 7 times and hit the bear 7 times. The dream of a life time had just come to fruition. I have no doubt the next several hours were filled with a lot work compared to an elk but I'd be willing to guess Travis can't remember the sweat required to get the bear to camp.

110% effort to the end, typical performance from a Bucks & Bulls guide. I would have expected nothing less.             www.bucksandbulls.com