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Just got back from hunting with Jerry Cook and Outland Outfitting. I had a terrific time!

This was my first time flying with my bow so I left a day early just in case the bow and I arrived at different locations. Between philly and st paul airports I has an unexpected 9 hour delay. I used a plano protector case with my day pack and clothes packed around my allegiance and used tsa traveler locks.The case arrived in perfect condition minus a few scuff marks. Just be prepared to pay the $175 for and over sized case. Delta charged me on the way up but air canada didn't on the way back. Just depends on who's behind the baggage counter at the time.

My first night hunting I passed on a beautiful chocolate bear. He was almost blonde on top and blended down to a dark brown at the feet. It looked like I coulda stuffed 2 of him in the barrel and still get the lid on. He stayed around for a half hour or so. But that was it for the first night. Jerry said he had a wolf also working this bait.

The 2nd night jerry moved me to a different bait. I didn't see anything that night.

The 3rd night I was back at the 2nd bait. From 6:20 till dark there was always a bear on the bait. Started off with some home made Bear Crack that I don't think I made quite right. The bears loved it though and was chewing the bark off the trees to get to it. At one time I had 3 bears working the barrels! One of them was super curious as to what was in that tree and I had to wave him off after he started climbing my tree for the 3rd time! I saw 6 bears that night but not one I wanted to shoot.

The 4th night I made up a new batch of crack and added some gummy bears to the mix. Jerry move me to a different bait again. About 5:30 this bear came in and I decided to take it after watching it for 30 min. It was a quarter away shot but I hit a bit forward behind the shoulder and exited the opposite chest. The track was longer than i expected but we had an excellent blood trail to follow. The 100 gr. grim reaper did its job but I don't think I'll ever use them again.

Day 5 was spent recovering from a huge hangover.

Jerry was an excellent guide and really knows how to put you on bears. All his baits had deep, well worn trails with 3 barrels for the bears to play with. His baits are also WELL OFF the beaten path so expect to walk a lot. My last bait was so deep in the woods that the bears needed a gps to find the baits! Hiking boots are a must. The bugs were not bad until the last bait.

The fishing in the area was also great! After struggling for a couple days as I'm not use to freshwater fishing, Jerry and a local had me catching big rainbows up to 16 inches with a slip bobber and worms. There was reports of brook trout in excess of 30 inches in there as well.

The area has LOTS of bears.They were trapping the troublesome bears by the local store and I even had a local want me to shoot one he had in his yard.

THANKS FOR A GREAT TRIP JERRY!