HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM TS HUNTING ADVENTURES

TS Hunting Adventures would like to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR with lots of hunting to come.  

As a Christmas Gift from us to you we have decided to take a $1,000 off the your second Caribou if you book a Caribou Hunt for $5,200 with us before the first of the year.  

Contact me at info@tshuntingadventures.com to book your hunt now or visit our site at www.tshuntingadventures.com and take a look around what all we have to offer.  

Washington Elk and Deer Season

The Washington Hunting Season has come to an end and we can honestly say it has been a great one.  Take a look at the story that one of our hunters wrote about his hunt with us.  If you would like to see the photos that go with this story just go to www.tshuntingadventures.com and click on the story link on the Washington page.  
     

Scott Marvin 

Location: Aarchery Outfitters, Washington 

December 1-6, 2010 

December in Washington! 

A thin layer of sweat covered my chest, evidence of the work it took for me to climb 

the 30 feet in the self climber. A new relationship and appreciation with my safety 

harness gave me the confidence to move about and crawl into my heater body suit. 

My bow hanger was in my vision over my left shoulder complimented by my Matthews, 

suspended but locked and loaded. My guide had just left. It was quiet…I mean whisper 

quiet. No wind, no squirrels, no ravens…just my breathing. Here I was, in Washington, 

archery hunting and the game was on!  

This was our archery hunt with Brian Jennen and Aarchery Outfitters. We trekked 

across North Dakota and Montana. Zipped through a sliver of Idaho and navigated 

through the streets of Spokane. Finally turning north after a thousand or so miles of 

heading west, we tackled the last leg of our journey and reached our new home in fine 

fashion. 

After day one, it was obvious that this would not be an easy place to leave. The beauty 

of the country was appreciated every day. The guides, cook, and our new hunting 

partners (Mike and Mike from Mass, Jessie from Maine) made the trip even more 

special. Most of all, it was the excitement of waking up each morning knowing that this 

day was going to be as special as the last one and afford the potential for another great 

hunt or shot opportunity. This was not going to be an easy place to leave. 

 We fine tuned our routines as we became more comfortable with the camp. Our daily 

duties of breakfast, packing our own lunch, gearing up and picking on each other were 

motivated by one fact. It meant that soon we would be driving through snow country 

pointed towards a stand site reinforced by photos of game that had been visiting “our” 

stand in the last few days. Talk about peaking your interest! 

Personally this trip would become one of those memories etched in my mind because 

of the one that got away. In my case, I did the power company lineman trek up the 

tree with my climber. At what seemed like a reasonable height, I looked down to see 

my guide pointing up with his finger telling me to go higher. The weight of my pack 

gave evidence that I had maxed out the tether rope used to raise my gear. My guide 

took care of that as he placed his 6’ frame under the pack, raised my gear above his 

head and gave me the signal to climb further. In time, my guide had left, I was in my 

heater body suit and the woods were as described….whisper quiet. By hour number 

three, some movement at my 12 o’clock gave me a view of a buck and a nice one. A 

shooter buck. As deer tend to do, he took his time in fact, he took forever. I found that 

in the process I was 13 again. My breathing was rapid and interrupted and my hands 

were suddenly sweaty. Crunch, crunch and he was at 40 yards. It took me forever to 

lift my bow off the bow hanger. I cradled the Matthews in my hand and slowly clipped 

my release on the string. Crunch, crunch and now he was behind a tree. “Excellent”, I 

thought as I planned out my next move. “Move straight and I can draw, turn back and I 

can draw…this is good. All I have to do is wait.” And wait I did, for a half hour the buck 

fed and stayed put with me at the ready. Finally, the magic time had come as the buck 

turned 360 degrees. That caught me off guard a bit but I drew and as the buck walked 

another two steps I anchored and squeezed my release. The buck whirled and ran and 

with that, my opportunity for a filled tag as well. I had passed on a very nice light frame 

10 pointer earlier in hopes something bigger would come along. It did and not only 

that, it left. So, unlike Conway (who incidentally made good on his buck at the same 

time of 1:30 and about a mile away), my visions of a Washington trophy buck include 

the disappearing horns and the white tail waving at me as it disappeared in the timber. 

I intend to remedy that next year upon my return. 

Highlights of our trip included the first buck taken by “Quiet Mike” of Mass. The 

excitement in the story, the reenactment of events and the recovery of the trophy 

was enjoyed by all…a number of times! “Other Mike” also connected and somehow 

managed to slay a trophy even bigger than his partner. Conway made good on a 

1:30pm trophy which made the guides super happy and great fodder for happy hour 

stories. Brother Buzz and I were relegated to telling stories about the ones that got 

away as we both squeezed the release on our Matthew bows. Mixed in between all 

these highlights were stories of a bull elk that walked within 5 yards but did not afford 

a shot, of trophy bucks working their way around the stand site within a cast of the 

stand but not presenting shot options. Of an archer reaching his altitude of 30” only to 

drop his bow and have to climb back down and repeat the process. Or…an afternoon 

spent watching deer, and then eventually cows and calves from mid day until dark…all 

without releasing an arrow. Hunt data showed extremely high success for an archery 

hunt. Six of us, three with our deer tags wrapped around antlers, one who made good 

on a doe and two of us who missed but made good on a return commitment next year 

to this fine camp. 

Indeed a great place and an even greater place for the opportunity to collect on that 

trophy buck or a chance to fill your freezer with elk meat. We loved the mountainous 

country that treated us each day to postcard picture perfect country. Trees burdened 

with layers of snow, the quietness of the forest floor, the ever steady movement of 

game as they drifted in and out of bait sites. The numerous “gotcha moments” when 

trophies came out of nowhere and kicked our heart rates into high hear. Fun, friends 

and a chance to pull back to your anchor point as your pin settles on a Washington 

trophy. For sure, a place that is hard to leave. 

Why we hunt deer

I had this idea that I could rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it. The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that, since they congregate at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away), it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.   

I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope. The cattle, having seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it. After about   20 minutes , my deer showed up-- 3 of them. I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me. I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold.   

The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation. I took a step towards it, it took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope .., and then received an education. The first thing that I learned is that, while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope.   

That deer EXPLODED. The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope and with some dignity. A deer-- no chance.   

That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I had originally imagined. The only upside is that they do not have as much stamina as many other animals.   

A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head. At that point, I had lost my taste for corn-fed venison. I just wanted to get that devil creature off the end of that rope.   

I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slow and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing, and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual.   
Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in. I didn't want the deer to have to suffer a slow death, so I managed to get it lined back up in between my truck and the feeder - a little trap I had set before hand...kind of like a squeeze chute. I got it to back in there and I started moving up so I could get my rope back.   
    
Did you know that deer bite?   

They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody, so I was very surprised when ... I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist. Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head--almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts.   

The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective.   

It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds. I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now), tricked it. While I kept it busy tearing the tendons out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose.   

That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day.   

Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about   head and shoulder level , and their hooves are surprisingly sharp... I learned a long time ago that, when an animal --like a horse --strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape.   

This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously, such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond, I devised a different strategy. I screamed like a woman and tried to turn and run. The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and 3 times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down.   

Now, when a deer paws at you and knocks you down, it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a little girl and covering your head.   

I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away. So now I know why when people go   deer hunting   they bring a rifle with a scope...... 


to sort of even the odds!!   

All these events are true.. An Educated Farmer 

Sarah Palins Caribou Hunt

This fall the guys were thrilled and excited to take Sarah Palin on a Caribou Hunt for her TV series "Sarah Palins Alaska."  Even though the show just showed a fraction of the days of Bou Hunting we where sure excited to be a part of this as it sure speaks for the quality of hunts we offer as, needless to say, we where not the only guys out the offering Caribou Hunts.  Bottom line, when you have a time limit, and need the best you are simply not going to go wrong with Greg and Striker.  Sarah chose a smaller Caribou as the trophy was no concern to her but take a look at www.tshuntingadventures.com to see some of the trophies the guys have returned home with.  You will not be disappointed.  The first date is already filled up as well as one other so hurry and book your hunts now and do not miss out.  Also if you book them before the first of the year you will get 10% off.  

Brown Bear and Grizzly

Brown Bear

Brown bears (Ursus arctos), also known as grizzlies, occur throughout Alaska except on islands south of Frederick Sound in southeast Alaska, west of Unimak in the Aleutian Chain, and Bering Sea islands. They also occur in Russia, northern China, northern Japan, Europe, western Canada, and in limited portions of the northwestern United States. Brown bears symbolize Alaska as depicted on the back of the state quarter and on the state flag (Ursa Major – The Big Dipper). They are also important to Native Alaskans, local residents, hunters, fishers, photographers, and hikers.

General description: Brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species even though there are notable differences between them. Kodiak bears (brown bears from the Kodiak Archipelago) are classified as a distinct subspecies (U. a. middendorffi) from those on the mainland (U. a. horribilis) because they have been isolated from other bears since the last ice age about 12,000 years ago. “Brown bears” typically live along the southern coast of the state where they have access to seasonally abundant spawning salmon. The coastal areas also provide a rich array of vegetation they can use as food as well as a milder climate. This allows them to grow larger and live in higher densities than their “grizzly” cousins in the northern and interior parts of the state. To minimize confusion, this report uses the term “brown bear” to refer to all members of Ursus arctos.

The brown bear resembles its close relatives the black bear (U. americanus) and the polar bear (U. maritimus).  Brown bears are usually larger than black bears, have a more prominent shoulder hump, less prominent ears, and longer, straighter claws. Polar bears are similar in size to coastal brown bears, but are more streamlined, lacking the hump. The varying shapes of these bears are adaptations to their particular life styles. Long claws are useful in digging roots or excavating small mammals, but are not efficient for climbing trees. The musculature and bone structure of the hump are adaptations for digging and for attaining bursts of speed necessary for capture of moose or caribou. Color is not a reliable key in differentiating these bears because black and brown bears have many color phases and polar bears may have stained fur. For example, black bear fur may be black, brown, reddish or even shades of grey and white, while brown bear colors range from dark brown through very light blond.

Brown bear weights vary by age, gender, location, and time of year. Bears weigh about one pound (0.5 kg) at birth and attain adult size by age 6. Adult males tend to be 30-50% larger than females. A large male may weigh up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) in coastal areas or up to 500 lbs (227 kg) in interior areas.  Bears weigh the least when they emerge from their dens in the spring, and can increase their weight by over 50% during late summer and fall. The largest brown bear ever killed had a skull that was 17.9” (46 cm) and 12.8” wide (33 cm). Such a bear, when standing on its hind feet, would be over 10’ (3.0 m) tall.

Brown bears have an exceptionally acute sense of smell, exceeding that of dogs. Contrary to popular belief, bears are not nearsighted. Their eyesight and hearing are comparable to humans. They can run in short bursts up to 40 mph (64 kph) and are excellent swimmers. By all indications, bears are extremely intelligent and most have individual personalities.

Life history: Cubs are born in the den during January and February. Twins are most common, but litter sizes can range from 1 to 4. When the cubs emerge in June, they may weigh up to 15 lbs (7 kg) and they actively explore their world under the constant supervision of their mothers. Mothers can be furiously protective of cubs, however less than half of the cubs survive. Families typically stay together for 2 or 3 years and after separation female cubs tend to stay near where they were raised while males go farther afield. Most brown bears are sexually mature at 5 years old; however females often do not successfully produce a litter until later. The mating season is in the spring (May to July) and they are serial monogamous (have one mate at a time, but several each year). The oldest brown bear in Alaska was a 39 year old female, while the oldest male was 38.

Bear populations in Alaska are healthy and productive. Densities vary depending on the quality of the environment. In areas of low productivity, such as on Alaska’s North Slope, studies have revealed bear densities as low as one bear per 300 mi2 (777 km2). In areas abundant food, such as the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak and Admiralty Island, densities as high as one bear per square mile (2.6 km2) have been found. In central Alaska, both north and south of the Alaska Range, bear densities tend to be intermediate, about one bear per 15-25 mi2 (39-65 km2). These figures do not mean that each bear has this much territory for its exclusive use. The area occupied by any individual bear overlaps those used by many other bears.

Foods: Brown bears are very adaptable and like humans, they consume a wide variety of foods. Common foods include salmon, berries, grasses, sedges, cow parsnip, ground squirrels, carrion, and roots. In many parts of Alaska, brown bears are capable predators of moose and caribou, especially newborns. Bears may also be attracted to human camps and homes by improperly stored food and garbage as well as domestic animals.

Although generally solitary in nature, brown bears often occur in large groups in concentrated feeding areas such as salmon spawning streams, sedge flats, open garbage dumps or on whale carcasses. Because of this, they have developed a complex language and social structure to express their feelings and minimize serious fights These feeding concentration areas also provide opportunities for people to watch bears.

Winter dormancy: In the winter when food is unavailable or scarce, most brown bears enter dens and sleep through the winter. Although this is not true hibernation, their body temperatures, heart rate, and other metabolic rates are drastically reduced. While in the den they do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate. Pregnant females are usually the first to enter dens in the fall. These females, with their newborn cubs, are the last to exit dens. Adult males, on the other hand, enter dens later and emerge earlier than most other bears. In northern areas, bears may spend up to 8 months in dens, while in areas with relatively mild winters, such as Kodiak, some male bears stay active all winter.

Safety: Brown bears and people can co-exist as long as we treat bears with respect and learn as much as possible about their needs and behavior. Basic bear safety rules include: never approach a bear; only observe them from a safe distance; avoid surprising bears; do not run from bears; and, stay away from animal carcasses that have been claimed by bears. In bear country, campers can minimize conflicts with bears if they reduce food odors, secure food and garbage so bears cannot get it, use electric fences, and avoid camping on bear travel routes.

Management: Bear hunting is an important traditional and economic aspect of life in Alaska and with proper management can occur without jeopardizing populations. In most coastal areas brown bear hunting regulations are designed to maintain high bear densities and provide hunters with opportunities to pursue large bears. In many other parts of the state, bear hunting regulations are less stringent as managers strive to balance the numbers of bears with number of moose and caribou available for human hunters.

Bear viewing is another popular activity in Alaska and although it is often considered “non-consumptive”, it can have serious impacts on bear populations if it is not conducted properly. Most viewing occurs at places where bears congregate at concentrated food sources that are critical to their survival. If some bears avoid these areas because people are there, those bears may not get the fat and protein they need to make it through the upcoming winter. Managing human behavior around such areas is as important to the continued health of the bear population as is managing bear hunting.

Research and conservation: Alaska has over 98 percent of the United States population of brown bears, and more than 70 percent of the North American population, so it has a special responsibility to this magnificent animal. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is responsible for managing bears in the state and for ensuring that management is based on the best scientific knowledge possible. Important aspects of this effort include maintaining healthy populations of bears throughout Alaska, conserving bear habitat, preventing overharvest, and conducting studies necessary to understand population requirements and how bears and people can co-exist. As Alaska continues to develop, it is critical that everyone recognize their role as stewards of this important resource and strive to safely share our great state with them.

Text: Sterling Eide and Sterling Miller
Illustration: R.T. Wallen

Find more great stories like this at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame

Caribou Hunt with Tom Miranda

We where thrilled to take Tom on a Caribou Bow Hunt which was filmed and is scheduled to air on his show in October 2011.   

      - Greg and Striker are top notch and do what it takes to get you in front of the Caribou.

         Barren Ground Caribou are getting tougher and tougher to nail down.. so if your bow
         or rifle hunting....Take a serious look at TS Hunting Adventures.... Tom Miranda

Congratulations

Congratulations to Larry Jones on shooting a super nice Whitetail Buck scoring 150.  He got him on our Washington Hunt a couple of days ago.  Will have photos as soon as the guys get them to me.