2008 BEAR HUNT

Dear Friends and Fellow Hunters;

The howling north wind is reminding us that another hunting season has slipped away & we should begin preparation for the 2009 bear hunt.

To suppress our anticipation of another hunting season, we have the many fond memories and personal achievements to reflect upon until the 2009 hunting season.

The bear were elusive this year. Early in the summer, we anticipated a productive yield of trophies. With the late crop of natural food, especially blueberries and adverse hunting conditions experienced during the hunt, it affected the overall success rate. The individual hunter success rate was 51%, well above the provincial average of 34% (M.N.R. statistics), but below what we normally achieve. (2005 - 86%, 2006 - 68% & 2007 - 93%).

Our hunter success rate is based on individual hunter success and does not include sightings. Wawa still has a problem - too many bear.

Bear Season in the province of Ontario opens on August 15th. In May, we commenced work on my hunting territory. Roads, trails & Tree stands are repaired and feeding stands baited. Collection and storage of bait is ongoing all year. We are ready for the clients to arrive on August 15th.

Gary and Judy Slater (Marion, MI) and Dan and Tina Mikelewicz (Freeland, MI) arrived for the first week of the hunt. They hunt the same baits every year. Hunting was slower than usual, but with perseverance and tina's coaching, all were once again rewarded with fine trophies.

The party of Rich Gilman (Jenison, MI) Ray Burrows (Newaygo, MI) and Ron Burrows (Howard City, MI) also hunted the same baits as previous years and were rewarded with five mature bear.

Ron and Todd Falor (Perrington, MI) and Carl Robbennolt hunted longer than last year and only some erratic arrows restricted Todd from filling his tag. They went two for three. Tom Bismack (Leonard, MI) traditionally hunts the Pukaskwa Camp with brothers Pat (Rochester Hills) and Mark (Metamora, MI), Zach Clark (Oxford, MI) and Mathew Lada (Shelby Twp., MI). this year was no exception. Everyone had opportunities to tag bear and they returned home with two trophies.

Brad Snoderley (Sworton, Ohio) also hunted the Pukaskwa Camp with Jason Gramus, Lee Blackeman, Ralph Boulton and Don Ryans; all Ohio boys. Brad commented that bear behavior on the baits was erratic compared to other years; with some adjustment and use of cameras all five filled their tags.

Mike and Sue Lesiow are ardent bow hunters from Battlecreek, Mi. last year Sue's bear measured 20-1/2" and Mike's 19-7/8". This year they hunted the same baits with Doug Cook (Indianapolis, IND), Mathew Gebhardt (Montrose, MI), Charles Williams (Alpena, MI) and Shannon Radgens. Only Mike and Sue did not fill their tags as they waited for similar trophies as previous year.

Tim George (Cornell, MI) and Ken Ward (Schoolcraft, MI) hunt the same baits. Both returned home with animals. Tim's bear was a 410# mature boar from the South Hammer bait.

This was the first time Mathew Tremonti (Maybee, MI) and Josh Everett (Ida, MI) hunted with me. Both these ardent archers tagged nice trophies the first night of their hunt.

Keith Goddrow (Fremont, IND) Lon Indledue, (Angola, IND) and Tim Stoffel (IND) were also hunting with me for the first time. Keith was successful in other provinces & states. This trip was no exception with all three returning home with nice trophies.

Jeff Nordaus and James Tourjee (Columbus Grove, Ohio) and Randy Westrick (Ottawa, Ohio) traveled to Wawa with their teenage kids Nicole, Travis and Paige for their first bear hunt. All three young sportsmen made no mistake with their opportunities. Travis determined a bear was hitting the bait in the morning. At day break he was settled into his stand. Within an hour and one well placed shot ended his quest for a trophy; a 380# mature boar. Everyone in the party saw bear and returned home with four trophies.

John Pate and Dean Watson (Litchfield, MI) and Scott Boyer (Quincey, MI) hunted the Dubreuilville area. John hunted this area some years ago so he knows the area. With John as the coach and his wild stories both Dean and Scott scored nice animals.

Ed Peters (Mt. Pleasant, MI)

Scott Raymond (Blanchard, MI) and Mark Marlette (Kentwood, MI) hunted the same baits as last year, from the Northern Lights Motel All three observed bear on the baits and only some erratic shooting kept them from filling the 3rd tag.

Jeff & Mike Brown and Steve Kauffman (Wyoming, MI) were on their first bear hunt. They were nervous about the "critters", but once they regained their composure all three tagged nice trophies.

There were numerous new products on the market promoting enhanced harvest opportunities. These products include bear bombs, scent sticks and thermal cells. Consider that a bear's main defense is the acute ability to smell and hear. If the animal detects a foreign odour or sound, the survival instinct is aroused, and it usually means a quick exit from the site. My advice is if you can hear or smell these gadgets, don't use them.

All the best to you and your families from Rick, Darleen, Roger, Don, Mike, Donald and Judy. Until we meet again.

Sincerely,

Rick and Darleen

Rick Dickson's Black Bear Hunts   P.O. Box 1383,

Wawa, Ontario. Canada  P0S 1K0

Telephone: (705) 856-2850     Fax: (705) 856-1915

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