Big and Bold Bruins of Meadow Lake

It was early spring when I received a call from outfitter, Jim Ketch, inviting me to hunt a newly acquired bear area near Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan; I was more than excited. I had taken several bears in the past, and I knew this area produced large bruins with a great chance at a Pope and Young trophy; but little did my hunting partners and I know that Jim, owner and operator of Whispering Pines Adventures, and guide Arlis Trochie, would not only put us on big bears, but bold bruins that would stand their ground when facing their new intruders.

In this vast stretch of Saskatchewan backwoods, Jim and Arlis had masterfully established a bait line that was second to none. Jim's attention to detail and knowledge of black bear habitat enabled them to have baits that were being hit by multiple bears; many with various color phases and most with at least one track of 4 1/2 inches or larger.

Warning Signs...

Areas with limited human activity can cause bears to lose fear of humans and may make them become possessive of territory or bait. We first experienced this on the initial afternoon of baiting. Arlis, fellow hunter Rod Lorenz from Montana, and I entered the bait area to find my seat cushion with multiple teeth marks lying on the ground. The uneaten remnant of the beaver carcass was left under the treestand, seemingly as a skull and crossbones, DANGER sign.

Claw marks up the tree were also a warning sign for any would be intruders. I was unconcerned at first, thinking this was just a curious bear checking out the treestand, but was a bit surprised at the tenacity of this bear since the stand was about 20 feet high. Arlis and I agreed we should lower the stand to about 15 feet allowing for a better shot angle. Since we were not allowed to hunt on Sundays in Saskatchewan and we would be drawing straws for primary and backup baits, Arlis suggested we wait until I hunted this bait to lower the stand. Having seen the great setups at each bait site, we were all buzzing with excitement; excitement that would not end until our final day of this trip.

The Possessive One...

The primary bait I drew put me on a different stand the first evening. This bait showed lots of sign and big tracks but did not produce a harvestable bear.

The second evening, I would hunt this aggressive bear. We once again found the mangled seat cushion by the bait. Arlis reminded me that he and Jim, on several occasions, found the bait barrel torn away from the tree and dragged down the trail. Knowing this or any bear could be mean and aggressive; every precaution was taken for our safety. The guide always carried a shotgun and all hunters had high quality pepper spray. Arlis jokingly asked if he should now lower my stand, I smiled with a reassuring check of my pepper spray, and said, "It is just fine were it is!"

As I settled into my stand, the adventure began. A small 150 lb. bear came and quickly indulged himself with frozen beaver, oats coated in cooking grease, and whatever marshmallows that were left, that Arlis hadn't eaten. This bear seemed hurried, frequently looking over his shoulder. He suddenly bolted away, and as I snapped pictures of his retreat into the thick underbrush, I saw the jet black coated boar approaching to claim his bait.

This sleek coated bear was a little larger than the first. His posture showed his possessiveness. While at the bait, he tore pieces of beaver out of the barrel and after filling up on marshmallows came to investigate the treestand. Knowing this bear had been in this stand before; I checked my bear spray and readied myself for any surprises. He stalked towards me and stared up into the tree, then settled in for a snooze.

His short nap was soon over. I could see his wet mouth framing his popping jaws as he again peered up through the bottom of my stand. He began circling; waiting for the chance to pounce on what has now become his prey. Suddenly, he looked down the trail, and then sprinted off. Materializing from the thicket was a large bear slowly parading toward the bait. This was a nice bear and after many minutes of sizing him up, I decided to shoot.

The excitement of the previous bear still had my pulse racing as I hastily drew and shot at the big boar. This excitement quickly turned to disbelief as he wheeled away causing the broadhead to graze his arm. Larry Trochie, Arlis and I tracked him into the heavy thicket and marshy bog, but soon lost all sign. I had missed on a great opportunity!

Protective Mom...

Darkness was falling quickly and Larry and I still had to get Ranj Mjolsness of Billings, Montana, from his bait. Upon reaching his bait, I saw a black figure scurrying down Ranj's tree. Ranj hollered saying he had just pepper sprayed two cubs at a distance of less than three feet. They were "woofed" up the tree by the sow that was now thirty yards behind his tree. We could see her eyes reflecting off our flashlight beam. Quickly, we got Ranj out of his treestand and retreated with shotgun and pepper spray in hand. The last thing we wanted was to get between a sow and her cubs.

I was back in my stand the next evening in hopes that the large P&Y class bear that showed himself the previous night would return. On this evening's hunt, however; the predator would again be the prey and I would again be reminded that we are the intruders into their domain and they must not be taken for granted.

On this night, I would have to chase away the same bear that enjoyed chewing on my seat cushion...and on this night, I would not be the only one with excitement.

A Charge of Excitement...

Arlis and his friend Greg were taking Rod to his bait. Near the trail road they spotted two bears feeding on some dead calves that were buried in the spring. As one of the bears ran across the road, Arlis grabbed the video camera, followed by Greg, with the pepper spray and Rod with his bow. The bear was standing in the brush approximately 15 yards away. Arlis started video taping from the road as Rod circled trying to get a clear shot. With the camera running, the bear huffed and charged Arlis, sending him back pedaling and scrambling to get away. Arlis, expecting Greg to be backing him up with the pepper spray, turned for his assistance only to see him sprinting for the truck. Luckily the bear stopped its charge at the roadside, then quickly turned and disappeared into the woods.

Needless to say, a little heckling was in order for Greg because he left Arlis to fight off the bear with nothing but a video camera.

Scoring Big...

The next morning Arlis decided to put me on a different bait site that he felt would be productive. This was the first time I had hunted in the morning over bait, and Arlis was correct on his bear sense. As the morning sun chased away the dark shadows, a large Pope and Young bear strolled quietly into my bait. The bear's wide head, broad nose, and huge frame stood out in comparison to the other bears. I knew he was the one I was looking for.

Approaching the bait, he abruptly stopped 10 yards short, and after a short stare down, my Mathews Conquest 2 directed the Rocky Mountain broadhead to its mark. My knees fluttered nervously as the big bear crashed away. Waiting and calming myself, I found the broken graphite Gold Tip arrow a short distance from the bait and with the help of Arlis and master tracker Larry; we found my trophy just beyond the bait site.

His huge upper body and large neck made this big boar a credit to the species. His skull will score over the 18 inch minimum to qualify for the Pope and Young record book and with the artistry of Dakota Taxidermy, Bismarck, North Dakota; he will be displayed in his true majestic likeness.

That evening Ranj scored on a P & Y class bear which expired on the bait in less than ten seconds. This was a very nice bear...

Bold Bears...

On the final evening the excitement would continue. Rod was attaching his video camera while in his treestand and Arlis was about to tie his bow to be hoisted up the tree when he turned to see a bear standing at the bait. The Hollywood lip curling bear startled Arlis, making him climb up on the tree steps. Realizing the bear was staying at the bait, Arlis slipped down and grabbed Rod's bow. Quickly, he scampered up and handed the bow to Rod. Still not knowing a bear was around, Rod, calmly thanked Arlis for his bow and was about to hang it up when Arlis pointed toward the bait and whispered, "There's a bear"! Rod, stunned at the sight of the bear, slowly nocked an arrow, and as he started to draw, the bear dashed away. With Arlis still standing on the tree steps, they watched amazingly as another bear walked to the bait. Having an arrow already nocked, Rod zipped it through the bear when it stopped at the bait.What a hunt!

The Memories...

The memory of my big bruin and the other bold bears are only overshadowed by the wonderful hospitality and friendship of all associated with Whispering Pines Adventures. Guide and owner Jim Ketch, our chef Lisa Carbert, guide Arlis Trochie and his father Larry, went above and beyond to make the hunt successful for everyone. I hope to make a return trip to these Canadian wilderness backwoods for another opportunity at these black bruins, and in the future, I hope to pursue the ghosts of the brush country...the Saskatchewan monster whitetails.

Author's Notes: Whispering Pines Adventures is located in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, a three hour drive from Saskatoon. Owner and guide James Ketch offers spring and fall black bear hunts, and will accommodate to your needs, whether you're a bowhunter, black powder hunter or rifleman. This near virgin area is home to a high population of bears, many with various color phases and large sized bruins. The first rate accommodations and great trophy possibilities make this hunt a special adventure.

For more information about booking a hunt with Whispering Pines Adventures, write or call James Ketch at #25 Jackson Drive, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan 59X1T9. 306-236-5058.

Black bears are not normally aggressive so I did not carry a gun into the stand, only pepper spray, which was furnished by the outfitter. We used high quality 14% Capsaicin spray. You can take pepper spray across the border into Canada, however; you must declare it at the port of entry and explain why you need it, such as protection when bowhunting bears without a gun backup. Be sure to check any regulations before you get to the international border crossing.

Bowhunting black bears can challenge your nerves and call on all your hunting skills. The use of high quality equipment is a priority when hunting any big game animal. I harvested my trophy bear using my choice of bow, a Mathews Conquest 2, shooting at 65 pounds. My arrows are Gold Tip XT 5575, tipped with fixed blade 125 grain Rocky Mountain Razor Broadheads.

Photo 1: Bait site where the author, Wayne Muth, harvested his spring black bear. Photo 2: A small black bear retreating to the timber...chased off by the aggressive tree climbing bear. Photo 3: Large black bear tracks on a trail road. Photo 4: The author, Wayne Muth, with his trophy Saskatchewan 2002 Spring Black Bear. Photo 5: Wayne's hunting partner, Ranj Mjolsness, with his 2002 spring bear.