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Tony Dukes

As the many shades of greens started to condense with the fading Ontario sun, I heard branches crack, Bear I thought! After over 30 days of sitting over baits in multi states and countries and years, without seeing one, now my luck was going to change. This was my last day of the hunt, every hunter had seen and killed bear but me.

Mark Bronson sat in a stand next to me to video for Fred's "Jaws and Claws" series if I were lucky. It sounded like King Kong coming through the brush, seemingly shaking our trees. Nothing as exciting as bear coming in at fading light. What another bear coming too!

The first bear poked out of the brush as I turned on my sight pin...this was no ordinary hunt. Check it out.

The first night in camp after a diner of fresh caught smallmouth and walleye, our host and guide, Fred Lutger, raised his drink, asked for quiet and said, "Gentlemen ... to the bear." I could tell by the tone and the light in Fred's eyes this was no ordinary toast and this no ordinary camp. A reverent silence fell upon the hunters for a long second. Perhaps in this moving toast was the meaning of bear hunting, what do you think?

I have hunted bear in multi states and countries for weeks and weeks and had not taken one over bait. I had taken on in Col. with dogs and stalked a P&Y in Quebec while caribou hunting. Something was particularly special about this crew and camp.

First hunter to score was my long time friend, Robert Hoague, editor of bowhunting.net. I have hunted and guided for 35 years and don't have a tenth of the knowledge or time in the field as Robert. His life is bowhunting, 24/7. This is a man that never criticizes and always helps, especially the novice hunter. I've never seen more respect shown to an animal than Robert. This was in the message in the toast Fred had made, "to the bear."

Next, Dr. Mark Bronson, on his first bear hunt, Mark a friend from Ft. Worth who had helped me greatly in my rehabilitation. Mark also donates an admirable amount of time giving medical care to those that can't afford it. Mark was reluctant to go until I convinced him this event would give his two bowhunting sons a meaningful sense of pride and excitement by his success. Indeed it did. Mark made a great shot on a big bear, the man that gives freely to his fellow man and shares this sport of bowhunting with his children, that was part of the spirit that made up the toast, "to the bear."

Jim Mitchell, a long time bowhunter and team Mathews 3D shooter was next to strike. A nicer man does not exist, Jim is often quiet. A perfect shot on a big bear brought out a new man. Jim was there for everyone. A smile that was not there before the camp was now being worn by Mitchell, thanks "to the bear."

Wayne and Wayne, a father and son on their first hunt since having a catastrophic family tragedy, One that had robbed them of happiness and hunting for years. Older Wayne took a bear on the last day. It was as if he was 20 years younger. He nearly danced in the forest, hugging his son, accepting pats on the backs and generous congratulations from the guys in camp, slapping them back with an enormous grin. This kind of miracle that only a camp full of men that loved hunting, each other and the mighty spirit could have produced, so the essence of the toast,"to the bear."

Don Beckwith, "Donald Duck," Fred's right hand man in camp and Robert's deer and antelope companion for years. Don is the guy that is sure you are well feed, have warm, dry clothes and a smile on your face before you go to sleep and when you wake up. Don was actually more concerned about me getting a bear than himself and demonstrated in throughout. This is the kindness of the toast, " to the bear."

Fred Lutger, a bear of a man, a purple heart from Vietnam. A man that you get the feeling has never stopped fighting for what is good and right. A man with a light in his eyes that never dulls. Having hunted with countless guides, I've never had more fun, felt safer and had the opportunity to learn so much as Fred shared with me.  This man truly loves every breath and every bear and bear hunter. When Fred raised his glass to toast" to the bear" I shuddered like hearing America the beautiful on 9-11.

Me, Tony Dukes, on my first bear hunt since spending 535 days in the hospital, much of it not expected to live and then months in a wheel chair. Every minute precious, every jesture of fellowship priceless, every bit of excitement like my first. The first bear to come in on my last day was too small for my standards and yes, I had a chance to shoot a big bear at 15' but the shot was not right. Either brush or light prevented the ethical shot.

This time I didn't have to force a shot or kill a critter. This hunt was a gift, a most valuable gift of good life, just like the bear I hunted and the men in camp and the breath I drew. Today I grew up a little more in life. Felt like I was all about the meaning of what a good hunt really is. This is what I heard in the toast,"to the bear." God bless and enjoy everyday. "To the bear."

Tony

Field notes and equipment.

My FineLine bowquiver on my Bow Tech Patriot 38 had to be the best looking and fastest shooting rig in camp although I didn't score on this hunt. My Rocky Mountain Assassins flew just like target points.

The one thing I did use that help allow me to walk and climb up tree steps when before I had to struggle was Alznner foot pads by bio dynamics. They have actually rehabilitated a sciatic condition and torn ankle ligaments that no dr. had been able to. I also have better balance and posture, truly a miracle is you have any problems contact (pamela@bio-dynamics.com) I would not kid about walking after a year in a wheel chair. Expect more explicit equipment testing as I go for big panhandle mule deer and whitetail and Robert and I pursue the trophy bucks of Putnam County, MO next month. Oh yeah, I'll be back in Ontario next year, God willing, to toast one more time, "to the bear."