I am calling Robert each day with a report on our Black Bear bowhunt at Harts Lake Lodge, the lodge and our trip as a whole.  No phone lines up here so no pc time this week... Withdrawals maybe... hmmmm maybe not...  I know the bear hunt and our stay will more than suffice. I am hunting with my Mathews Feather-Light. Danny has his PSE Durango. 

P.S. - I know this is a bit ladylike for a bear hunting page :^) Robert asked me to create one with the SusieQ flare, hehehe, I did. Thanks Robert, with your deer hunting season opening and us up here Bear hunting, can it get any better than that...  SusieQ 

The bear went to the front of the bait bucket and pulled all three logs off the bait barrel. I started to draw and accidentally triggered my release. The bear only ran a short distance and then eased back around.. By then I had another arrow nocked and drew, aimed and fired, but I missed.

The bear grabbed donuts from the bucket and ran. 

Forty five minutes later I saw a much larger bear standing in the opening for the trail to the bait. He too circled, but not slowly, and then went to the bait. I took a shot. And missed. The bear retreated a short distance but promptly returned.

When I drew again I noticed that my arrow had fallen down between the prongs of my TM Hunter style rest. With my right index finger I tried to raise the arrow up and get it on the rest properly, but in doing so I touched the release trigger. The bear was unconcerned and emptied the bait bucket. I called Rick on the cell phone he gave me (to contact him) and told him to come and get me, I was out of arrows. 

Back at camp Danny looked at my bow and rest and the teflon covering for one of the prongs on the rest had come off and the prongs were spaced improperly.

Friday is going to be my lucky day.

The weather cleared in the morning. Our guide Rick Hamilton took Danny to his stand first and then me to mine. Danny was on stand for 5 minutes when a bear came in and slowly circled the area for over an hour. Finally he gave Danny a shot opportunity and the arrow was true. The bear ran 30 yards and Danny saw it drop. Rick had given Danny a cell phone and he was already dialing to report that he had seen his first bear and arrowed it.

I did not see a bear and at last light Rick walked up and picked me up from my stand. He told me to put my bow in the back of the truck and when I did I saw Danny's bear and out stepped Danny. I was really surprised. We are having a wonderful time.

We ate baked ham, baked potatoes, squash, turnip puff (casserole) for lunch. Very good. Chicken/vegatable soup, lobster rolls for supper. Very good. The temp is still around 40 degrees and chilly!

For Lunch today Nancy prepared some baked chicken/stuffing that tasted like fried chicken to me.  I sure couldn't tell.  Along with the chicken we had squash, peas, baked potatoe, slaw, cranberries, beets, applesauce, and angel food cake w/pinapple whip.  There is nothing like coming back to the lodge and getting a hot cup of coffee and a hot supper left by Nancy.  We had seafood chowder, meat tray, potatoe salad, slaw.  For dessert we had a choice of lemon pie, cherry cheesecake or cookies. 

For lunch we had roast pork, turnip puff (casserole), slaw, steamed carrots, potatoes/gravy, rolls and cherry cheesecake.  Then after the hunt we came back to the lodge we had some of the best Lasagne I have ever eaten with salad, garlic toast, and home baked cookies. 

The featured Chef of Harts Lake Lodge is Rick's Mom - Nancy Hamilton and she shared Grouse Stir Fry and Moose Steak with us.  I know we will be eating good this week.   We will start hunting bear on Monday Oct. 4th.  I am planning on having to use some of the bear recipes when we get back home and sure will need  more if you have some.  Send them to me in an email to post. Thanks!  SusieQ

When we arrived Sunday evening around 7pm Nancy had supper waiting on us.  After the long plane ride I can not tell you how wonderful it was.  She prepared salad, seafood chowder, rolls, crackers, and lemon pie.  Thank you Nancy for everything and making our stay so heartwarming.