Big Bears: Why They're on Every Hunter's Bucket List

Thomas D'Arcy McGee

Thomas D'Arcy McGee

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Big Bears: Why They're on Every Hunter's Bucket List

NRA - American Hunter

by Craig Boddington - Sunday, February 18, 2018
The Great White Bear

North America does have one more very big bear. Technically the polar bear isn’t a North American bear …it’s found throughout the north polar region, with populations claimed by Norway, Greenland, Russia, Canada and the United States. Canada has the largest population, over half of the world’s total; Nunavut, with 16,000 polar bears, is the only place where sport hunting is currently allowed.

Despite what you might have heard, the Canadian biologists know their polar bears are increasing. They allow a conservative harvest of about 500 bears annually, with permits doled out to First Nation villages. Those 500 bears will be harvested; polar bear hunting is traditional, and the meat is prized. The villages can utilize some of their quota for sport hunters, bringing employment and revenue. Canadian biologists credit the increase in polar bears, in part, to their sport-hunting program. Visiting hunters target older boars while native hunters prefer younger bears (better meat). Mature boars of all bear species kill cubs, but infanticide is common among polar bears. Simple: Removing older boars increases cub survival.

This was a bucket list hunt I’d wanted to do forever, but I had to think about it. I fear the cold, and politically I waited too long: I could legally take a bear, but I could not bring it home. What I could bring home was the experience, and it was unforgettable. Shane Black’s Canada North “assigned me” to Pond Inlet on the northeast coast of Baffin Island, hunting in late April 2015. Everything was still totally frozen and plenty cold, but not as brutal—and with more daylight—than earlier hunts.

The information and preparation offered was the best I’ve ever seen, but the reality is, once there and on the ice, I was totally at the mercy of my Inuit guides and the unforgiving Arctic. Fortunately I had a competent team, and Mother Nature was generous. She gave us a few days of clear weather, and surrendered a very big bear. From the village we traveled down the long inlet then south along the coast then east onto sea ice, Greenland the next landfall.

Tracks of smaller bears and sows with cubs were plentiful, and we lost one huge track in massive pressure ridges where the dog team couldn’t follow. But the reality is I shot the first and only bear I saw. As you’ve perhaps gathered, this was not unusual in my experience with big bears … and I had the same reservations. My two guides knew their business and their Arctic, but they were uncomfortable with English. This was the first polar bear I’d seen in the wild. It looked like a big boar … but was it? We had plenty of days … or did we? We were far out on the sea ice, and they’d told me a storm was coming. Ultimately I made the decision, which is how it has to be.

This bear, too, went into pressure ridges where the dogsled couldn’t go, but we’d seen him and he wasn’t afraid, just moving. With two dogs on leashes, we went in on foot, circling around to get the wind right. The bear was lying comfortably in the lee of an ice ridge when we spotted him, out of the wind and catching some pale rays.

The intent, I gathered, was to send in the dogs to distract him while we closed. But these dogs wanted no piece of this action, so we moved closer. At about 50 yards the bear saw us and got up, not just unafraid but delighted: Dinner was delivered. He swung his great head and started toward us. Now the time for second thoughts was past. Each with a sled dog on leash, neither of my guides carried a rifle. As I put the Aimpoint dot on the bear’s shoulder I hoped I’d properly degreased the Mossberg’s bolt! The red dot was bright against white fur, and the rifle fired. In a few seconds it was over, and while we tended to the skinning the pale sun went away, the wind came up and we raced a storm back toward the scant cover of the coastline. Oh yes, it was indeed a big boar, perhaps my last big bear … or perhaps not.
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"...Each with a sled dog on leash, neither of my guides carried a rifle. As I put the Aimpoint dot on the bear’s shoulder I hoped I’d properly degreased the Mossberg’s bolt! The red dot was bright against white fur, and the rifle fired. In a few seconds it was over,..."

Nice write up. Col. Boddington is the real deal. :cool:
 
Slamfire said:
"...Each with a sled dog on leash, neither of my guides carried a rifle. As I put the Aimpoint dot on the bear’s shoulder I hoped I’d properly degreased the Mossberg’s bolt! The red dot was bright against white fur, and the rifle fired. In a few seconds it was over,..."

Nice write up. Col. Boddington is the real deal. :cool:
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Let's admit it, we like hunting bears, cause there's an element of danger in it. :)

Grizz
 
As I read this, three thoughts occurred to me:

1. TDM has waaaaay too much time on his hands.

2. I still enjoy reading Boddington as much as ever...by which I mean a lot.

3. Mossberg? MOSSBERG???!!!
 
Slamfire said:
Likely Mossberg was a sponsor? Gotta pay the bills somehow. ;)
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No! Ya think...?

Of course they were a sponsor. I'm just wondering what marketing genius at Mossberg thought that this was going to sway people to buy...a Mossberg. Any exposure is good exposure, of course...but this is just a little bit too obvious and silly, IMHO. Probably just my gun nut prejudices coming through; I'm sure there are now plenty of Polar Bear and Marco Polo and African and other hunters scrambling to change their rifle importation papers to allow them to take...a Mossberg...
 
jjohnwm said:
No! Ya think...?

Of course they were a sponsor. I'm just wondering what marketing genius at Mossberg thought that this was going to sway people to buy...a Mossberg. Any exposure is good exposure, of course...but this is just a little bit too obvious and silly, IMHO. Probably just my gun nut prejudices coming through; I'm sure there are now plenty of Polar Bear and Marco Polo and African and other hunters scrambling to change their rifle importation papers to allow them to take...a Mossberg...
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Slamfire said:
Fine rifles Capt. Obvious.
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Yep, that's all you need anymore! ;)

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1560819-A-new-lightweight-300-Win-Mag-for-400

Of course, his was a 375 Ruger...

Ted
 
I earned my handle, Grizzly Adams. Got lucky enough to get drawn for an Alberta Grizzly, back in 91. Bagged a bear, with a story to tell, horses, close range in the bush, during a snow storm. Doesn't get much better. Wrote it up for publication, even got paid. One of my acquaintances said, Gee you're a real Grizzly Adams. There you have it. :redface:

Grizz
 
Grizzly Adams said:
I earned my handle, Grizzly Adams. Got lucky enough to get drawn for an Alberta Grizzly, back in 91. Bagged a bear, with a story to tell, horses, close range in the bush, during a snow storm. Doesn't get much better. Wrote it up for publication, even got paid. One of my acquaintances said, Gee you're a real Grizzly Adams. There you have it. :redface:

Grizz
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i really like to read your story.
 
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