Hi, folks, from Sultry Semi-Sunny Happy Camp in Northern Ontario! Today is August 25th, and the temperatures have reached into the 90’s with high humidities. We had heavy rain last night, and it seems to be fueling more storms on the way later today, but onto the most recent report!
WOW, what a week it has been. The cool weather greeted our bear hunters with heat and humidity building to a high on Tuesday in the upper 80’s. We did receive some relief but as I wrote above, the heat is back. Bear hunters went out in earnest, and Happy Camp had its FIRST KILL at 5:55 p.m. Mike Fuge shot a beautiful 300 pound Bear on Bait#6 in the Happy Camp BMA after seeing two other bear in just about one hour of hunting. After returning to camp, we got to sleep around 4 a.m. Mike Schaefer saw two smaller bears that he decided not to shoot at. The camp was buzzing as the hunters shared their evening’s hunts with each other.
Sunday came, and it was Mickey’s turn. He shot a beautiful bear with a large white chest patch with his 45/70 Rifle, dropping the beast in its tracks. Again the buzz of bear hunting filled the airs until the wee hours of the morning. Keith had a bear right below his stand near dark and noticed it as he was lowering his bow. He quickly tried to raise his bow back up, but unfortunately it made a noise and the large bruin took off into the boreal forest! No bears were seen at any other stands that evening!
Monday dawned and my how the heat came, with the sun beating down on the hunters. Happy Camp hunters went out early to the woods with Donna at Bait #4 and Keith at Bait #5. The phone rang at Happy Camp shortly after 5 p.m. Keith had hit a bear and Chris headed out to assist. Upon arrival at Bait #5, Keith came over and gave me the biggest hug I have ever had in my life, they had found his Bear! Keith’s bear was the largest one taken at Happy Camp this year and weighed around 350 pounds! Keith indicated that Donna had chirped him on her walkie talkie, and she would only do this if she had hit a bear. Keith, Mike and Chris headed into Bait #4 where Donna was sitting.
After a short track, DONNA HAD HER BEAR! So the first time bear hunters husband and wife team of Donna and Keith had scored on the same day! While other hunters had not seen any bears that evening, Happy Camp was filled again with talk well into the next morning.
The next few days were quiet as the heat put the bears a little slow. Mike Schaefer and Jason were having tough luck while the others had filled their tags. Friday morning came and the last day. Jason and Mike went out fishing with Chris and each caught their first Walleye. Could their luck be changing?
We returned around 1:00 p.m. and had a great fish fry. Jason asked Chris to go fishing, but Tammy, Jason’s soon to be bride, insisted he go hunt despite Jason’s attempts to change her mind. Shortly before 3 p.m. the two hunters went to their stands.
Night fell on Happy Camp, Mike was the first to come in. Mike had seen a Bear but not been successful. Jason came in shortly after this, came into camp and started telling his story.
Jason missed a 290 pound beast at about 3 yards from his stand. The brute walked about 15 yards away and turned. Jason stuck him with his exploding broadhead and brought him down in about 50 yards! Once again the camp was buzzing.
A great crew of trackers including Jason, Roger, Tammy, Conan, Doug and Chris headed out and brought back the last of Happy Camp’s hunters bears at 11:00 p.m. Friday night.
Scott Fitzgearald from Missouri spent some time at camp with his son Brenden after he shot a Bear near Bound Lake. Thanks, Scott, for your assistance in skinning and cutting the bears!
So as you can see the week was filled with much excitement, and the camp was blessed with 10 of the best people we could ever ask for. Not to forget, Roxy, Dan’s German Sheperd was a great play mate for Magoo during Happy Camp’s 2013 Bear hunt. And Savannah had an awesome game of Yahtzee with four yahtzees in one game!!!
Sadly last night Happy Camp was silent. Our hunters and new friends had departed and a hush has fallen over Happy Camp!
From Chris, Jamie, Magoo, and Roger, we want to thank you all for a memorable, fantastic Bear Hunt 2013. We were blessed to have you as customers and hope you find your way back to Happy Camp soon!
We hope that this if the first of many exciting, memorable hunts at Happy Camp! So what you waiting for, come on and catch the good life with us in beautiful Northern Ontario at Happy Camp!