Happy September Happy Campers! We have Finished the Bear hunt, always an Adventure! Meeting new people, hunters, fishers and outdoors people is always Awesome! First, Special Thanks to Lori Leahy for being an excellent cook, helper and all around wonderful part of our Bear Hunt! Although Lori did not hunt with the WTA Crew, she certainly was involved in every part of it!
The Group of Joe, Shawn and Brad Leahy along with Jeremy Defendi hunted joined us on August 22, 2026. The weather continued to be rainy and cool for most of our hunt. Saturday we hung stands in a torrential storm, so we began our hunt on the 23rd. Hunters were in their stands around 3 p.m. Shawn saw 2 Bears and the others did not see any Bears that night, but were entertained by Grouse, Squirrels, Chipmunks and other Critters of the Wilderness. Shawn’s first Bear came into the Bait but left too quickly to pose for a shot. Later that evening, this Bear came into the Bait, Shawn shot and drew blood! After dark we went in to find a little blood, but decided to leave the woods and get after the Bear in the Morning.
Jeremi, Shawn and I set out to track in the morning, little blood led to a little more, then nothing. But as you look at the chap below, his eagle eyes kept us going!
Take a Look at this Tracking Machine! Jeremi was able to spot a droplet of blood it seemed like 40 yards away. Honestly folks, without Eagle Eye or Ray I doubt we would have been able to continue tracking. Last blood left us in search of something, Jeremi one way, Shawn another. I marked and left last blood, headed north and as I peered out in the dense brush, I thought I saw something white surrounded by Black. Yes, DEAD BEAR! As I yelled Shawn hurried over and there was Shawn’s Bear, a beautiful 205 pound Boar with a gorgeous Spirit Mark!
A little chilly in the morning, glad I have my chook! Needless to say a total Team Effort, without any one of us, we would have never found the Bear, Thanks Guys!
Monday evening brought more adventure as Joe drew blood on a large Bear on his stand up near Little Johnsrud creek bed. While the blood trail seemed pretty good, we found the broadhead and portion of the arrow. Last blood was marked and we left the bruin for daylight. Next day we all tracked, tracked and tracked for hours, little blood was found. But we did find the rest of the arrow and the area where the Hermit is living. After this, no blood was to be found, so hopefully the Bear is eating Blueberries fattening up for Winter! Brad sat the night, no activity although his bait continued to get hit while he was not in his stand.
Jumping Joe walking back to the truck in his coveralls
Jeremi and I headed out to hunt Wednesday as the others stayed back to take the kids fishing, but first they need to eat, right!
Sorry for the blurry photo, but Rook is quickly finding his way near people. Rook is usually very photogenic, but I guess he had found a piece of pancake or bacon to spur his interest instead of the camera!
Perch, Walleye and Pike all tugged on the Happy Camp Anglers lines as they fished near Happy Camp. All of the fish were let back for another fight, Aren’t the Smiles worth a Million Bucks!!!
Rain hampered Jeremi’s hunt on Wednesday and after an hour of steady, hard rain we left the woods. That was to be it for the Fall hunt as the group decided to depart Happy Camp on Thursday. It was an anjoyable hunt, weather could have been better, but you can’t control that! Thanks everyone for a wonderful hunt, can’t wait to do it again!
After a delicious meal of Bear Tenderloin, Rook and I spent sometime gathering some Blueberries at a nearby patch. Bucket full, we got back in the truck and headed back to Camp. Turning the first corner, a Wolf was in the road. As I closed the back windows, Rook lunged out of the moving truck and landed on the gravel. The Wolf ran towards us and missed the door as I opened it. Wolf ran around the back of the truck, I went to Rook, got him up and put him in the truck. Bleeding from his mouth, cut on his head, I tried to stop the bleeding with napkins. My pants were speckled with blood as I drove quickly back to Camp. I got Rook into the porch, got him cleaned up and let him rest. After a few hours, I got him up, he ate dinner and seemed like he was ok!
Rook slept through the night, morning came and he was out of his bed. Getting the bird food ready, I thought he will be sore, but as I opened the door, he waited, then lunged out the Lodge north entrance like he has done for 2 years! Needless to say I am quite relieved with this knucklehead. But as anyone can attest to, he sure is coming along nicely isn’t he!
With that folks, Bear hunt 2026 is a wrap. Wonderful hunts, both Spring and Fall, lots of priceless memories not only for Rook and I, but hopefully for everyone who came along for the ride!!
Looking to 2027, I have one hunt booked, but room for plenty of more. We hope to run 3 weeks of Spring Hunts of 4 hunters each starting May 22, 2027. If you are interested in coming in on a hunt, get in touch with me today, don’t delay!
As for 2026, Rook and I will get after hunting some birds, host some fisherman and a few Moose hunters. Moose hunt certainly has changed, few tags leave to few hunters and of course much quieter woods! But alas, Rook is ready to rumble chase Ducks, Grouse and maybe something else.
Have a wonderful Labour Day weekend all, take care and keep in touch!