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2004 bear trophy's
Only two hunters in camp the first week. Jimmy Gildon from Louisiana starts us out
with his fine trophy.
Tallion Woodard also from Louisiana follows with his trophy.
On to the second week!
Once again we only have two hunters although the camp is full. Each of the hunters has brought their entire family with them. What a fun week. Mike Shankle starts us out taking this fine trophy on the very first evening.
My good friend Don Lathom has us worried. He finally gets what he's looking for on
the last evening. Congratulations Don on a fine Pope & Young trophy!
My two friends and hunters with their families and a great day of fishing.
Left to right, Mike then Shannon Shankle with Hannah and Hayden out front.
Then Outfitter Andy Milam, Wade, Will, Barbra and Don Lathom.
On to the third week!
Ryan Fortenberry starts it out taking this awesome trophy. Ryan's trip was a 13th birthday present from his parents. Outfitter, Andy Milam captured the entire scene on video and Ryan's hunt is featured in the South Bay Outfitters spring 2004 video.
On the same evening Ryan's dad Phillip takes this rare Pope & Young blond phase bear. Lucky hunter. What a prize. By the way Phillip and Ryan are very good friends of the Lathom family who were here last week.
Jim Weison, owner of "Archery Country" in Austin Texas takes this old bruin on his last day. This is by far the oldest bear we have taken. Tooth wear shows this bear to be close to 30 years old.
Well that's it for our spring hunts. Not to many hunters this year. But we are not quite done. We have a group of 4 from Pennsylvania coming for a fall hunt.
Joe Fick with his 5 shot bear. What an incredible story. All Joe's buddy's had already shot bears. Two were not recovered and so far I can't find a photo of Ron Merkel's.
Joe, who was admittedly a bit nervous was on the stand at 7AM on his last day. At 7:15 this monster walks in, stands and starts licking molasses off the top of the barrel. Joe's first shot center punches the barrel with a noise loud enough to wake the dead and this big boy is not even phased. The second shot goes under the barrel, the third between the bears feet and the fourth through the back of the monsters neck. Now the massive bruin has blood pouring everywhere but is still not phased. Just keeps licking that molasses. Lucky for Joe his final arrow somehow finds it's way through both lungs and he has a magnificent Pope & Young for his efforts. Wow, Andy is wishing he had gone to video this hunt!
Anyway another year of 100% opportunity. 7 spring hunters take 7 bears and 4 fall hunters shoot 4, taking home 2. Practice for next year boys!
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