This was the first bear taken over my Laikas back in December of 2020. 

It was just me and my two dogs Kuma and Bucha. We were several miles in, on some National Forest land. I climbed to the highest point of my hike and got reception. I dialed my buddy and we chatted for a few minutes. When all of a sudden the dogs started barking some 300 yards below me. I told him “the dogs just treed a bear, gotta go” and hung up. I had no clue what they were barking at, but I sure hoped it was a bear. And it was. 

A 16ga slug dispatched the bear instantly. But he got hung up in the tree. So up the tree I went. I wanted to send a picture to my buddy, but there was no reception at the base of that tree. And I never checked my phone when I was in the tree top wrestling with the stuck bear. But it was pretty high, so I bet there was signal up there. 

When the bear fell, it rolled down the steep slope. The dogs thought it was still alive and trying to escape, so they went after it, barking and biting. I pleaded from above “please, don’t ruin the coat!”. The dogs either didn’t hear or didn’t care. 

I don’t think dogs give a hoot about trophies and memories of their hunts. They don’t dwell on the past much. Maybe. Or maybe they do. 

But I know, I do. And now that I have this hide back from the local taxidermist (thank you, Pete Gibson, for all the excellent work you do!), I can look at it, run my hand through the black fur and remember that chilly December day that I spent in the mountains alone with my two dogs. 

P.S. My Labrador is jealous now. She said “When are you going to bring a stuffed pheasant home? How many more do I need to flush for you, before you finally bring me my trophy?”

P.P.S. So maybe dogs do care about trophies after all?

P.P.P.S. Hey, Pete, can you make her a pheasant mount?

Memories of a Hunt with Kuma and Bucha

Memories of a Hunt with Kuma and Bucha

Alexander K

Are you sure?

Black Bear