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05-21-2021, 04:57 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Bear Hunt Lesson Learned
Headed out to Slave Lake area for five days this week. After scouting multiple areas in the fall and e scouting tons pre trip I had a pretty good feeling, especially after talking to a few people around. Got two days of walking cuts, pipeline and logging roads, no sign found even in areas with tons of green and sun shining through. Weather turned the third day, tons of rain, wind and some flurries. Decided to try my luck somewhere I had seen a few bears last fall. 4x4 about 3km up the road. Hiked about 5 km before I began seeing good sign, fresh tracks and scat. Tracked the bear to a thick creek. Decided to hang back, hike out, and come back in the evening. While I was hunting it began to rain causing the ground to thicken up in to gummy mud that stuck to everything. Got back to the 4x4, had lunch then started driving out. By the time I was half the way down the road the wheel wells, hubs, and all moving parts were completely filled with this gummy clay which locked up both passenger side wheels. Genius that I am, just kept playing the clutch in first and got down the road pretty far like that, until I completely burned out the clutch. Had service so I was able to pay some kid 400$ to tow my ass out of there, but the clutch was done (knew it was worn down but thought I had more left than I did). Ended up staying an extra day while the father in law drove truck and trailer up to save my dumb ass. Anyways, lesson learned. Didnt see any bears, weather was horrible, not a ton of green, probably in the wrong areas or the bears are sticking close to their dens and not venturing out too far yet.
Was able to book a few more days off first week of June north of LLB where I am hoping to connect with a Black Ghost and redeem myself. If anyone has any suggestions I will be walking cuts and pipelines, any help would be appreciated. Father in law wont let me live this down if I dont connect on a bear this year aha.
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05-21-2021, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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The "Loon **** " in that area is notorious, smart people know that. 
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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05-21-2021, 07:46 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,519
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Headed out to Slave Lake area for five days this week. After scouting multiple areas in the fall and e scouting tons pre trip I had a pretty good feeling, especially after talking to a few people around. Got two days of walking cuts, pipeline and logging roads, no sign found even in areas with tons of green and sun shining through. Weather turned the third day, tons of rain, wind and some flurries. Decided to try my luck somewhere I had seen a few bears last fall. 4x4 about 3km up the road. Hiked about 5 km before I began seeing good sign, fresh tracks and scat. Tracked the bear to a thick creek. Decided to hang back, hike out, and come back in the evening. While I was hunting it began to rain causing the ground to thicken up in to gummy mud that stuck to everything. Got back to the 4x4, had lunch then started driving out. By the time I was half the way down the road the wheel wells, hubs, and all moving parts were completely filled with this gummy clay which locked up both passenger side wheels. Genius that I am, just kept playing the clutch in first and got down the road pretty far like that, until I completely burned out the clutch. Had service so I was able to pay some kid 400$ to tow my ass out of there, but the clutch was done (knew it was worn down but thought I had more left than I did). Ended up staying an extra day while the father in law drove truck and trailer up to save my dumb ass. Anyways, lesson learned. Didnt see any bears, weather was horrible, not a ton of green, probably in the wrong areas or the bears are sticking close to their dens and not venturing out too far yet.
Was able to book a few more days off first week of June north of LLB where I am hoping to connect with a Black Ghost and redeem myself. If anyone has any suggestions I will be walking cuts and pipelines, any help would be appreciated. Father in law wont let me live this down if I dont connect on a bear this year aha.
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PM me, I can set you up on a bear if you like, then u can tell father in law " I had this all along" : )
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"We're not polishing fine china here"-Belichick.
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05-21-2021, 09:45 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams
The "Loon **** " in that area is notorious, smart people know that.
Grizz |
Everytime I fail abysmally I learn a little more 
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05-21-2021, 09:49 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reddeerhunter
PM me, I can set you up on a bear if you like, then u can tell father in law " I had this all along" : )
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PM sent, cheers.
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05-21-2021, 10:05 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Everytime I fail abysmally I learn a little more |
Don't we all ?  I did a bear hunt there and even walking on those roads was about impossible.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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05-21-2021, 10:15 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams
Don't we all ? I did a bear hunt there and even walking on those roads was about impossible.
Grizz |
That's exactly how it was, boots weighed about ten pounds each, every so often I had to stop scrape them off or splash around in a puddle. Definitely not walking, or driving those roads again.
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05-21-2021, 11:13 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,692
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So is there any answer or tricks to driving those roads?
I avoid the area but wouldn’t mind hunting there a bit more than I have...
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05-21-2021, 11:28 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarychef
So is there any answer or tricks to driving those roads?
I avoid the area but wouldn’t mind hunting there a bit more than I have...
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The roads were decent in the fall so the 4x4 was adequate then.
This time the guy that towed me out had a massive truck with huge mud tires, your basic 2" lift on a 4x4 is absolutely inadequate for those roads. Almost everyone up there have ATV's or some form of OHV's, seems to work well for them.
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05-21-2021, 11:33 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calgarychef
So is there any answer or tricks to driving those roads?
I avoid the area but wouldn’t mind hunting there a bit more than I have...
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If there's a cloud in the sky, time to get out. I found if I stayed off the bare roads, I could at least move around on foot.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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05-22-2021, 01:26 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 15,049
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I lived in Slave Lake for 4 years and hunted all over that country. A quad is an absolute necessity unless you are going to stick to the main, well graveled roads. I had a Toyota BJ40 Landcruiser while I was up there with big 34 inch mud terrains on it and it was far better than a pickup in that country but even with it, once it got really wet and gumbo, it was time to switch to the Honda. Once it is wet stick to the grassy pipelines, cut lines etc even with a quad.
Last edited by Dean2; 05-22-2021 at 01:44 AM.
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05-22-2021, 04:34 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
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Hahaaaa! One for the books... Enjoyed reading that, Keep plugging away.
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05-22-2021, 07:08 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,692
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I made a pilgrimage to whitecourt for a couple of years to visit the crater and hiked in. I’d carry in a couple gallons of water so I could stay overnight (highly recommended to camp/sleep beside a meteorite crater by the way).
Even the Main roads were sketchy with my 4x4. I was back a couple miles and really looking at a long stretch of mud holes and wondering how the quads could even make it through there. On the hike out it was raining like hell and as luck would have it I got to the section of mud holes the same time that a truck was coming out of them. I could not believe that dude made it through there. It was a pretty serious truck but dang!
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05-22-2021, 07:10 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Was able to book a few more days off first week of June north of LLB where I am hoping to connect with a Black Ghost and redeem myself. If anyone has any suggestions I will be walking cuts and pipelines, any help would be appreciated. Father in law wont let me live this down if I dont connect on a bear this year aha.
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Just a few days ago on my travels home from work at about KM marker 120 I seen a nice big black bear feeding in the ditch along highway 881. There seems to be quite a few bears in this area. It’s really starting to green up in that area and everyday the bears seem to be out and about more and more.
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05-22-2021, 08:08 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,372
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Ah..... Slave blue gumbo.... I don’t miss it.
Good story..... if ever there was ‘hunt on horse’ country........ that’d be it....
There’s a doozy chocolate/charcoal colored shed rippy male behind my house.
He’s harrassing campers within a mile of me..... nice size to him
But I’m wayyyy south.
__________________
"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”
-HDT
"A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends on the character of the user." T. Roosevelt
"I don't always troll, only on days that end in Y."
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05-22-2021, 11:49 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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As a newer hunter I really appreciate the feed back and positivity from everyone.
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05-22-2021, 11:50 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greatwest
Just a few days ago on my travels home from work at about KM marker 120 I seen a nice big black bear feeding in the ditch along highway 881. There seems to be quite a few bears in this area. It’s really starting to green up in that area and everyday the bears seem to be out and about more and more.
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Good to know, I'll be driving up there as well as the old Conklin Road.
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05-22-2021, 12:46 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
That's exactly how it was, boots weighed about ten pounds each, every so often I had to stop scrape them off or splash around in a puddle. Definitely not walking, or driving those roads again.
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Dont try the roads north and east of Edson or hwy 40 into Sheep Creek if there's rain forecast either. Worst I've been on.
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You matter. Unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light squared... ...then you energy.
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05-22-2021, 03:13 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 270person
Dont try the roads north and east of Edson or hwy 40 into Sheep Creek if there's rain forecast either. Worst I've been on.
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Alder Flats has some zippity doo da, get ready to be in the ditch soon  roads too.
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05-22-2021, 03:14 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Good to know, I'll be driving up there as well as the old Conklin Road.
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That's mostly muskeg, different but the same.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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05-22-2021, 04:00 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Headed out to Slave Lake area for five days this week. After scouting multiple areas in the fall and e scouting tons pre trip I had a pretty good feeling, especially after talking to a few people around. Got two days of walking cuts, pipeline and logging roads, no sign found even in areas with tons of green and sun shining through. Weather turned the third day, tons of rain, wind and some flurries. Decided to try my luck somewhere I had seen a few bears last fall. 4x4 about 3km up the road. Hiked about 5 km before I began seeing good sign, fresh tracks and scat. Tracked the bear to a thick creek. Decided to hang back, hike out, and come back in the evening. While I was hunting it began to rain causing the ground to thicken up in to gummy mud that stuck to everything. Got back to the 4x4, had lunch then started driving out. By the time I was half the way down the road the wheel wells, hubs, and all moving parts were completely filled with this gummy clay which locked up both passenger side wheels. Genius that I am, just kept playing the clutch in first and got down the road pretty far like that, until I completely burned out the clutch. Had service so I was able to pay some kid 400$ to tow my ass out of there, but the clutch was done (knew it was worn down but thought I had more left than I did). Ended up staying an extra day while the father in law drove truck and trailer up to save my dumb ass. Anyways, lesson learned. Didnt see any bears, weather was horrible, not a ton of green, probably in the wrong areas or the bears are sticking close to their dens and not venturing out too far yet.
Was able to book a few more days off first week of June north of LLB where I am hoping to connect with a Black Ghost and redeem myself. If anyone has any suggestions I will be walking cuts and pipelines, any help would be appreciated. Father in law wont let me live this down if I dont connect on a bear this year aha.
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Well first you tried your best!
2nd. what ever happened to pay it forward?. 400 bucks for a man in need, if we cant help our own who are we to help. been burned on a lake outta gas just cpl 200x yards from the dock.
Best of luck on the follow up hunt that it looks to be for you!!
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05-22-2021, 04:59 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
Posts: 2,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
Good to know, I'll be driving up there as well as the old Conklin Road.
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Old Conklin road and right up around Conklin on the Winifred and Alpac road near Cowper lake. Lots of bears here. Got this guy 10km west of Conklin.
Fall time I’d see 6-10 bear a day.
Spring can be even more if the timing is right
E8124648-93D3-461F-85F6-43F9FE448C4A.jpg
__________________
Be sure of your target and what lies beyond.
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05-22-2021, 08:27 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: northern AB
Posts: 2,241
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I'm not saying that I have not experienced (almost) the same kind of conditions but hey guys, Don't blame Slave for this kind of $***, that's hitting pretty close to home..However, when this crud, get to "THAT" consistency, nothing will shake it off. I recall this stuff in Swanny Hill as being the worst, having to drive all summer with chains on my service truck.. Like I said, given the conditions, It's like $*** on a wool blankie.. 
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05-22-2021, 08:51 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,711
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Even worse with an Argo. No room between wheels she packs of fast
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05-23-2021, 07:20 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01
Old Conklin road and right up around Conklin on the Winifred and Alpac road near Cowper lake. Lots of bears here. Got this guy 10km west of Conklin.
Fall time I’d see 6-10 bear a day.
Spring can be even more if the timing is right
Attachment 173139 |
That's a beauty bear. I'll be out that way in the fall as well.
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05-23-2021, 07:22 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sourdough doug
It's like $*** on a wool blankie.. |
Truer words have never been spoken. Had to take each wheel off, use a crow bar and pressure washer to get the wheels to turn just so I could load it on the trailer.
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05-23-2021, 11:42 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Central Alberta
Posts: 21,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walk-In-Pack-Out
That's a beauty bear. I'll be out that way in the fall as well.
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Pretty well have watch you don't hit one one on the road up there.
Grizz
__________________
"Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal."
John E. Pfeiffer The Emergence of Man
written in 1969
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