Big bear bagged

Cecil DeWeese of Gallatin bagged this 8-ft. grizzly bear on Sept. 23 during his first hunting trip to Alaska. The bear ,which weighed about 800 pounds, was dropped by a shot from a distance of 35 steps.

Cecil was accompanied on the trip by Ed Cochran of Kingston, who shot a 6-1/2 foot bear. The trip was arranged through an outfitter, who plans the hunt and serves as backup as required for non-Alaskan hunters. At this time of year, bear meat is not good to eat because of fish consumption. The DeWeeses plan to have the hide made into a rug.

The hunters drove to Stewert, British Columbia, Canada, where they hopped onto a bush plane to fly to Wrangle, AK. Then they hunted off a boat in the Price Albert Straits. They also had considerable luck “shooting” bears with a video camera, using an observation point at Hayter, AK.

By Alaskan hunting regulations, any hunter successfully shooting a bear is not allowed to hunt in that same area for four years. They can, however, hunt in other areas. The bear hides had to be shipped home by separate arrangement due to Canadian border crossing regulations.