To
Our Fall 2004 Bear Hunters: October 6, 2004
Success
Rate 72% !!
This
includes 2 bears over 400 lbs., 8 bears over 300 lbs., 15
bears between 200 and 300 lbs. and 18 bears between 100
and 200 lbs. There were also 13 hunters who saw big bears
but could not capitalize for a variety of reasons. Their
names are listed on the Statistical Sheet and you may call
them for their side of the story.
Out
of 81 hunters we harvested 33 boars, 10 sows and “fired
at” 15 bears.
My
“made in China” scale did not last for more
than a few bears and I purchased the same model from Greg
Bickel and it also only lasted until we weighed the 415
lb. boar. Therefore, I am still looking to purchase a quality,
portable scale somewhere in the U.S.
As
you may all know success rate is based on proper baiting,
skill of hunter, weather and number of bears available.
No doubt, this fall hunt had plenty of bears. Out of 182
baited sets, we never had a miss on at least 175 sets. Therefore,
we need to analyze the three other factors and I will leave
you to judge accordingly.
Again
the Statistical Sheet is self-explanatory. The numbers show
the order in which the party arrived, so that Steve Rittley
hunted August 15 and Bill Poliscz finished his hunt on September
18. The size of each party is a blocked area and for some
parties, the organizer who did not hunt is shown at the
top of the blocked area.
A
few highlights:
-Jon
Oakley from Indiana had the honour of harvesting the largest
bear (between 425 and 450) on the second night of his hunt.
This was his first bear hunt, so now what does he do for
an “encore”.
-Kevin Callahan also from Indiana, but with the Tom Holtgrefe
party harvested a 415 lb. boar with his bow on the first
night of his hunt. Again, his first bear hunt.
-Tim Farmer from Kentucky harvested a 375 lb. boar using
his bow and should make the record book. Remember, Tim is
the world archery champion for handicapped shooting. He
uses only one hand and his teeth to shoot his bow. Congratulations
on such an accomplishment!
-Ed Bowlanowski Jr. from Michigan also harvested a 375 lb.
boar. I bet he is still smiling and saying, “There
is no better outfitter than Superior Bear Outfitters.”
-Diane Owens from Kentucky harvested a 300 lb. boar on the
first night of her hunt. Diane is our only lady who hunted
this fall and last year saw a big bear but did not get a
shot. This year was different and she did not give this
bear a break. The bear dropped 25 feet from the drum. Can’t
forget, Mike, her most considerate husband, who made certain
Diane had the best set and was as thrilled as she was.
-Leslie Sauls from Florida also harvested a very large sow
(300 lbs.) on the seventh night of his hunt. Another example
of how sometimes it requires seven days to capitalize. Throughout
the trials and tribulations it certainly paid off for Les.
-Our youngest hunter (8 years old); no name here but with
his dad, (Mike Hayes), he saw 5 bears all on the same night
at the same stand and harvested a 125 lb. boar. The bear
was a little too big for him to handle.
As
I sit here in my trailer, writing this newsletter, I know
that there are many more happy moments but I only have so
much space and time. I have already started picking up meat
and doughnuts for next fall (2005) and have decided to scale
down my operation.
I
will retain all my same bear grounds but will try to operate
on my own by taking only 40 hunters and will depend on hunters
to skin and prepare their own animal. My responsibility,
to you, is to bait properly and show you how to bait when
you arrive.
Since
the price of fuel has skyrocketed and continues to escalate
and since the U.S. dollar has depreciated from 1.54 to 1.24,
I will be increasing my price to $950.00 U.S. for the fall
of 2005.
Please
call me if you would like to discuss or address any concerns
you may have.
On
behalf of James and I, may all your future hunts be most
rewarding.
Sincerely,
Mike
Click
here to read 2002 News
letter
Click
here to read 2003 News
letter
Click
here to read 2004 News
letter
Click
here to read 2005 News
letter
Click
here to read 2006 News letter
Click
here to read
2007 News letter
