Many years ago early spring .I was with freind on Montana creek.A  popular place to fish and hunt  black bears .Most bears know this is good area to be when salmon are running .My freind and i had walked up railroad tracks to a good trout pond for fiy fishing and watching for black bears .Very good after noon.We had seen a few bears. Mostly sows with cubs .

It was getting late so we walked back down rail road tracks back to truck.We were about 3 miles from road when we seen a nice black bear just off the tracks .My freind wanted this bear .So we wroked in a little closer for shot {Shooting a rifle}It was a good shot .After pics ,slaps on the back and cleaning up hide and skull.I cut off some choice meat for smoker.{note in ak you dont have to salvage meat from bears --Its a choice --I like good smoked hams}

We loaded up packs and headed back out to truck .My pack was heavy. I need to stop to ajust load . As i was stopped to repack .My freind decided to walk ahead of me .Little did i know! He had thought he would carry my rifle to save me the extra weight .Nice guy ?

I finished my task .reached for my rifel and it was gone ! whoa ! pack full of fresh meat ,bear country,No rifle ??? I started walking toward truck hopeing to catch up with my freind ---my rifle mostly .As i was walking i could sence some thing was following me .Looking back walking down the tracks behind me was another bear .This bear could smell meat /fresh blood .Oh sh--t!

I started walking faster the bear did the same .I was hopeing that around the bend in the train tracks i would see my freind. I wanted my rifle mostly .What a fix i was in ! Trying to keep my self calm and figure out what i could do .all the while still walking down the  tracks .Each step a little faster .The bear would pick up pace also . All this time thinking if i had made my amens with my maker .

to be continued ----- 

We find humor in our friends .Stories that we tell others that embarass the party in question .

When i had my archery shop --caribou creek archery--It was a small one owner shop .Filling the needs of all traditional archers .I had custom bows from about every bowyer worth his salt .

 I build arrows ,strings ,I sold new and used bows .I had a small range .That was really a large hall way down one side of the shop .It gave me a 20yd range for people to try their bows. Just for extra room i would hang my bows on the wall for display.

One day my freind Dave came in with a new bow he had bought at a pawn shop .I sold martin bows and equiptment So when dave came in with his bow .I looked it over martin Hatfield .One of the early bows that were designed after the compound bow the wart hog .The rizer of hatfield were same .

I was not keen to the fact that the bow pulled 75 lbs. little over bowed .Wat to  much bow to shoot every day . After shooting it .i was surprised that it drew back smooth , no stacking ,felt good to hold in your hand ,released very nicely ! This is common for martin archery bows .

Dave could not wait to shoot it .He stepped up to the range .Picked out and arrow . He drew back the bow .Now dave is a compound shooter .He shoots very well . As all compound shooters do ! They expect the let off half way thru the draw This was the first of number of mistakes that would be this story . 

Dave drew back the bow expecting let off .The bow draw weight was more than he expected half way thru draw he releases the arrow. the arrow falls off rest shots down the hallway /range.Hits a light switch ,The rest of lights come on in hall way .{i kept it dark down to target where there was a light to see .} blinding us for a minute

The arrow hit the wall still going down range. Now my bows hang on this wall. The arrow hit the lower limb of a new bow hanging there. Sticking thru the  limb .It took a minute for all to see what had happend . I said ! Dave ! If you wanted a new bow ! All you had do was ask ! We joked . Idid give him the bow as a gift .Mounted on a frame with the inscription of ---To my best freind and hunting partner --The worlds greatest "BOW SHOOTER " 

I write of many freinds i have a number of them with same name Dave --dont know why? Freinds are freinds to the end. They seem to hear me what ever name that i call them.  

Year 1986. Sheep creek off of caribou creek.after a long day of rideing 3 wheelers into caribou creek .As we dropped into the creek bed .I spotted 5 sheep up high on sheep creek. Two looked legal,{legal in alaska is full curl or over 8 years old counting horn rings}

My hunting partner Dave  had brought his wife along for this trip. So this hunt was simple . Next morning we waded caribou creek .Ohh ! It was cold.I wear guide pack boots with bob soles and inter liners .I removed liners and socks for this wade acrossed creek .Dave waded over with boots on carrying his wife.

My task was short my boots were wet but i had dry liners and socks .Now dave was another story . Boy ! I hate walking in wet boots . Dave's wet boots and socks slowed us down for an hour  While waiting for dave to ring out the water from socks .I walked up to better position to scope sheep. I was right 2 legal rams.

Dave and his wife joined me on river bank .To look over the We talked of how to stalk both these sheep for a good bow shot .These sheep were on a ridge .If we were to go around back side we could have chance.

Daves wife stayed behind to pick berries .She follow us slowlylagging behind. While dave and i worked into shooting range .Long hard work .Before we toped ove ridge we rested .Then i crawled over for look .All the sheep were just under us at 30 yds and moveing upto us ---whoa! great set up .

I put dave in position for shot behind a very small bush .I layed down flat with my white suit .The sheep would come over and see me taken their attention off dave .

I had schooled dave from day we meet how to shoot a bow .We had shot moose and caribou together --So i knew his skill level. The sheep crossed over .Seeing me dave would have a spilt second to make a good shot .

This is where things can go wrong --And do ! Dave stands up .Not shooting from kneeled position .Sheep see him move drawing his bow to full draw . They turned to run .Now i know and Have seen sheep run off only to look back for one more look. If dave would have waited. He would have got a nice standing shot . 

The lead ram stopped looking back over his back .Now dave said he shot for back of ribs .This not a good shot ! Trying to put arrow behind ribs cutting forward to heart lungs.I personally would have waited !

From dave's angle he could not see where arrow really hit --I did ! The ram ran over top of ridge and down.I ran up to watch this ram knowing he would die from blood loss.The ram ran about 100yds He was not standing easy on his feet . looking As to wanting to lay down .

Dave was excited and wanted to get closer for another shot .I told him the ram was bleeding and sit down and relax . Like a kid that forgot to take his meds for ADHD .Bounceing up and down . I watched to see where the shot hit knowing it was in left hind leg .But only now i could see the real shot placement . The arrow had hit and cut left rear leg and removed both testicles .The arrow pasted thru the right leg . The ram was bleeding to death ---slowly!

The ram was down. i walked to the ram  first .Dave was waiting for his wife to catch up. As they topped the ridge .Hand shakes and slaps on the back .Good hunt ! Dave looked at his ram.Very nice 38 inch,9 year old ram .Teeth worn to gums .We had saved his the slow death of next winter .Sheep feed on shrot grass.and get sand and rocks into thier mouths to only wear their teeth to gums ove the years . Oldest ram Ive seen was 15 years old .They die before that of old age

Dave asked me why his ram died with just a cut on the inside of both legs .Cutting off testicles --Dave ! Your ram Just gave up his will to live ! His sex life had come to and end ! 

Ive hunted with dave a few more times over the years .We see each other maybe twice a year .We talk of another hunt --But dont .Dave says he's getting to old to hunt sheep any more .His knees are bad and back cant carry large loads . I keep telling him "old sheep hunters dont die ! They hunt the brooks range !" Every year i get a ram .Dave asks me . How do you do it . Very slowly!

This year will be 37 years of sheep hunting.Ive been on many diffrent hunts for sheep with freinds .I guess it makes me feel good about  seeing some one shot an animal with bow . After you have schooled them on the art of shooting long bows.

Long ago early 70's after i was discharged from navy.  I married my first wife .Mary she was Nes Pierce indian from washington state .She had a son full blood nes pierce indian from another marrage .He was 6 months old . His name is william .I adopted him as one of my own . A boy from a great tribe of archers from a horse's back .His skill would show in year to come .

All my children {12 total }are very good archers ,William is the best .He took to shooting very young His skill showed boldly from day one .I promised William that i would take him caribou hunting when he turn 16 years old .

I had early in years taken a nice caribou. Very wide and double shovel ,many points.Willaim would say --Dad! some day iam going to shoot a caribou bigger than yours ! Ok i told him if you shoot one bigger i will pay to have it mounted --Deal was set . 

Wilaim and i set out for a 1 week hunting trip. To a place called "caribou creek" {I named of my archery shop and is  where our home stead cabin sits } .This year marks over 40 years of hunting this area .My handle is "caribou creek "also .

The trip was good .Weather was great for fall time in alaska.We traveled up Hicks Creek to Caribou Creek about 20 miles .With 3 wheelers . Where we set up first camp .Wlliam had seen many caribou the first day .None as big as he wanted .

Like a good hunter .He turned down what he felt was not what he want .He looked over many caribou for the next few days .We had moved camp 3 times futher up creek to a runway .Made for small bush planes {1980 i wrecked my plane on this run way --another story }William got up early one morning to see a caribou moveing our way --He said thats the one dad! ok lets go!.

We waded the creek to set up ambush of this caribou .wind was just right ,we had to be careful of wind changes in this valley   .William readied his bow --Bear grizzly i gave him .We set up scope for one more look .The caribou was standing with head down resting and trying to shake of bugs .As i watch a bee was really trying to get better half of this caribou .As i watch at 100yds i could see this caribou was going to get out of there fast ! The bee bite himin the A--S  --Heading for more open area to shed the bugs .

The caribou ran out of bushes to about 20yds in front of us .William looked at me for the ok --Its your choice son .He shot the first arrow true to the mark . After a few hand shakes and slaps on the back --The work had just started.

After we got pictures. we started our job all the time William was telling me that this caribou was bigger .My bet was safe ! i knew better of sizes of animals !. Willaim was a happy boy and i a proud dad .

We stopped a the lodge . William called home that he had got his caribou . He had now filled our freezer as a good hunter .

Now my caribou is wide .So wide we had to take door off hinges and turn is side ways a few time just to get in the door to hang in my den . We got home William jump out of truck grabed his antlers .running into house to match them too mine hanging there on wall ----Willaim just stood there The look was priceless .For he helped me bring my mount into house and knew how hard it was ,Willaim had just run thru front door not stopping till he was in front of mine --He knew it was smaller .So there was no hard feelings .I had it mounded.Still have the mount today .

My son has since moved to washington He is married  has a small family  I seen him last month.We talked of doing another hunt .We'll get together soon dad!  

"And the cat in the crate with a silver spoon ,little boy blue and the man and the moon .When you comeing home son i dont know when" .But we'll get together then .I know we'll have a good time then ".

Hold your cards tight and your children closer .Time flys faster than any arrow you or I will ever shot .

Heres a deer story. 1970 {long before many of you were out of diapers }. Alabama.

I was stationed in Memphis tenn. After a tour of vietnam.  my last few months of service before discharge. My service buddy and i had talked of deer hunting .I was an avid bowhunter .Many people didnt hunt with bow that much .To see some one shooting a bow they would laugh about "the kids toy bow "i had grew up with bow in michiagn as a boy .free to run the ridges and farm lands . Like all young boys and men Hunting ,fishing Hold the top of the list .

My buddy and i took leave for 1 week to go visit his grandfather deer season was open in alabama .So i bought a new fred bear super magum recurve and arrows {still have it too! with sales slip ---27.95$ for bow and 8.00$ for arrows }

We arrived at grandpa's house and settled in for good old fashion fixing's we stayed up late talking of deer and farming and what i and my buddy would do now we were out of service .

Stories always ended up with deer hunting .Grandpa would tell of this big buck off the lower field .We would leave early sunup to a ground blind .grandpa carried a 32 win and me my bow .

I sit in the blind eating apples and throwing out the rest .The morning dew was leaving us and the sun was getting high .This buck head down was looking for a good place to rest and see all around him for the day .Grandpa told me to shoot him and if i missed with the kids bow ,He would have to shoot it with his rifle . 20yds and one good arrow .I had a whitetail.The smile on grandpa's face was priceless .

Now i dont know much of scores and sizes! This old boy measures 30, longest pt is 10inchs inch wide ,Front beams are 9 inches apart ,10 pts.

I took this deer home and had it mounted .{This year will be the 6 time ive had it remounted with new cape.}After i got home grandpa wrote me a letter to tell me how happy he was that i got the deer with my bow .He told me he had never seen any thing like that before .

2 weeks later i received a letter from my buddy --grandpa  had died. Sad was the moment and i looked at my deer today hanging high on my wall I can still picture the old mans smile .

I have pics of this also --dont get into a RUT over not seeing pics yet .  

Year 1990 .later in the fall moose season .I had been hunting this area for the moose season .I had shot a nice bull moose with my long bow .While packing out the meat .I found a moose that had died from battles in rut or someone's foolish mistake of not following sign after you have shot

I checked out the area for bears .I had seen some bears sign earlier in season .No bears had found this moose yet !I packed out my meat and antlers .I had planned to watch this area close .I called home to have wife transport meat back home .I would stay one more week .

For the next few days i stayed out of the area only to watch from distance with spotting scope .Birds were comeing and going from dead moose .Some where i read an story writen by Ben East "Where raven,s gather".

I would know if a bear was in area by these birds.I watched these carcass morning ,noon and nite till dark .no sign of bears .The wolves had started in feeding one night 4 grown wolves.I knew this activity would get some attention of bears .

It was almost 5:00 the 5 nite i was watching to see sow and cub move in --Damn!! This could be bad or it could be good .Always look at brighter side of things . The sow was getting edgey. Looking around ,eating .I knew something was about to happen .The sow raised up on her back feet the cub took off. A boar brown bear had either wanted the kill or to kill her cub so she would be in heat again.

The sow  took off knowing she was out sized .That cub was at a long distance .I knew this could be my chance .I watched this bear for size and rubs.I figured out by his size he could be a 4-5 year old .No rubs .His neck was still small compared to his head .Still a fine trophy

I watch this bear feed till i could see no more with scope .I left for my cabin .Early next morning i would plan a stalk on this bear .

 I walked into area watching all the time for wind and any thing that would see me to alert the bear .Wind was just right i was down wind I worked into area where i know of a indent in the  tundra just at the break of this indent was a birch tree .If i could get there and in position.I would have 10yd shot .

Time has no meaning when you are hunting or stalking an animal .Ive hunted many bears and know all so well that i was on his level .Now I needed to be very quiet ,calm,aware of my feelings, The time is right ,i stood up behind the tree ,One arrow on string. One in grip hand --The bear was never aware of me.

The wait can be years some times to wait for right monment that you can shoot .Knowing i must be true .The bear stood up as to move into another position. As he turned to his right.i stepped out and pulled and released my arrow ,The bear truned into his wound . Just as i have practiced doing all my life --second nature to me   ,

As i shot i stepped back behind tree ,Nocking another arrow the bear turned into the shoot .It  hit the very tree i was behind and ran away from me ,I drew again with second arrow true to its mark .The bear traveled 50 yds and was in dead throws .

As i walked down to my pack i nocked another  another arrow . Still out of sight i knew he would die quickly.I watched for 15 minutes or more .Took stock of myself and cleaned out my pants ---Any one ever this close to a bear tells you he didnt mess his pants. Hasnt ever been that close !

I dressed my bear out measured him green at 9 1/2 foot .Loaded and packed him the the cabin . A hearty meal, A good sauna bath , a satilite  phone call to my wife --Iam ready to come home .

I have pics i will post for all to see ,bear{pun} with me here ,I shoot my bows better than i can figure out this computer .

As i start this journal.I find out that it will be time line of events .

To start out planning for season starts for me in december when tags are drawn for sheep in many areras you need drawing permit to hunt .Didnt get my sheep tag .Did get my caribou tags under drawing permit in my back yard.

My hunting partner and i have for years hunted caribou and sheep with others --this year we changed our hunting plans to spend more time together hunting sheep and caribou ,

We have come to the decision the that cost of hunting over the years has been very spendy ,this year we have planned a hunt to see just how much we can save to do this hunt .

 So as i add to this journal before we leave .I will fill you in on all the prep work we are doing .

Vehicle we will be useing is 2003 hynday,sports coupe hatch back .was donated to us after it was tail gated and wrecked .We call it "the fart cart "purple in coloris the car or it is  either smoke from exhaust or passengers !

35 miles to the gal. we will be travling over 1500 miles round trip .

We will use wall tent with stove for base camp on the haul road just over top of brooks range in atigun pass .back packing tent for both of us to keep packing at minium for both of us .

On alaska pipe line it  is bow hunting only with in 5 miles either way of pipe .you need bow hunter education IBEP for this area and many others .

any one wanting to hunt in alaska most hire guide for certain game under ak law .check regulations .

My partner will be useing a mathews compound and ill be useing my Iso force .we will carry fire arm.Xp-100 pistol converted to 270/282 2x scope and bi-pod very light wieght for packing into areas . For hunting beyond the 5 mile coridoor. we will hike in over 10 miles .We both want sheep with bow after sheep hunt we will take caribou on way home .

 we are planning our meals and gear as i write this .

 I will add more to this as time goes by .closer to hunt date and fill in rest after hunt is complete.watch and read for more updates

July 22 --The days are getting shorter before i leave for my hunt .boats are ready .most the gear is packed .tents water proofed.Still working on meals for trip and back packing for sheep .I did finds a lite weight tent. www,kifaru.com it weights 11oz's.

I got my whispher lite stoves ready ,I bought a pocket rocket {msr } My back pack is ready for long trip in high country .boot are well oiled .

 We have to service the car we will travel with ,Build over head rack for extra gear .