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Gunwerks Long Range University Hunting Course – Second Day of Class

Nick Filler

| July 3, 2019

Nick Filler
July 3, 2019

I drew a Colorado buck antelope tag this year and I’m positive that extending my effective range will increase my odds of taking a bigger, older buck. The possession of this tag and being only 90 days away from the hunt increased my focus for Day 2 of Gunwerks LRU.

**If you missed my write up on Day 1, find it by clicking here.

The second day of class began with a lesson on rifle cleaning. This section was more of a reassurance for me than anything else. I realized that I was on par with what the pros were teaching and using. At home, I have a good gun vice, solid cleaning rods and effective solvents. Over the years, I’ve realized just how vital cleaning and maintenance is to accurate and consistent shooting. A good rifle maintenance routine also became more important to me after buying a more expensive rifle. When I make a substantial investment, I want it not only to last, but to perform at a high standard and last as long as possible, so I was happy to learn I had a good thing going. After our briefing on cleaning standards, we headed to the range to clean the Gunwerks range rifles, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, that we had been shooting the day before. This was a nice way to ease into the day and begin collaborating with our designated partner.

Next, were shooting scenarios that had elements of real-life hunting. We were given Hornady Match ammo and once again found ourselves back behind the rifles. All this was a perfect transition from Day 1, where all of our shots were from a bench and at targets with known distances and now we were taking on more realistic hunting situations.
Our first scenario during Day 2 was partner shooting, where your “spotter’ (AKA hunting buddy), would head over to Phil, our instructor, and get assigned a target for their shooter. The spotter would report back to the bench and, by using landmarks, inform the shooter of where he would be aiming – a great lesson in communication!

As for the targets, imagine a lot of square steel plates at measured distances where you focus at the beginning of the course. Then, interspersed within these standard targets are ones shaped like prairie dogs, Big Foot and a bunch of other oddly shaped gongs. These are where you are focused during this section.
Once your spotter gets you on target, you begin to settle in and adjust your parallax. Then, the spotter determines a range and gives you the corresponding dial and wind call. Once you send the round, your spotter’s job is also calling “impact”, “miss” or “revised firing solution.” After the team fires at several targets it was time to switch positions and move from the shooter to spotter and visa versa.

This portion was a great toe in the water towards more real-life hunting shots. Upon wrapping up and debriefing, Phil pointed out that you most likely aren’t going to have the luxury of a bench rest in the field and everyone got a chuckle out of that, by picturing a mountainous elk hunt where a hunter is trying to lug a bench to the summit. That’s when we transitioned to the second phase where prone shooting came into play.

Prone shooting is the preferred position to fire from for most western hunters and, as usual, Phil explained some simple, yet effective tactics to increase our accuracy. Where it’s pretty unrealistic to pack a bench on your next mountain hunt, packing a rear bag or even using an extra pair of socks as your rear bag is easy to imagine. These little tips now seem like a “no brainer” but something I have not deployed on any of my past hunts. Going back to my Day 1 blog and talking about confidence, that’s what these two days were all about and I could feel mine growing with every hour of instruction.

After lunch, I realized the class was in the final stages and I was disappointed it was coming to an end. Learning realistic tactics to help me become better at my favorite hobby was something I really enjoyed. I didn’t want to end. So, I decided to get the most out of the last few hours and it was excellent instruction. The basic scenario is not being able to take a prone shot and having to use a tripod or something else you’d find in the field like a branch of a tree, backpack or boulder. This portion was difficult for me, due to my flexibility (or lack thereof) but we were taught how to “fill the empty space” and get as stable as possible. We also learned that 100% stability isn’t always achievable and how to manage it versus being afraid of it.

The final portion of the day was spent in the classroom talking about ballistics, shot placement and bullet expansion. Overall, I was able to soak up a mountain of information and was extremely pleased with my progress from an apprehensive pupil on day one to a much more confident shooter at the end of the Long Range University. I am certain that this course will help me in early October when I’m looking for my pronghorn buck and I am grateful for that! To top off a great few days, we were given a certificate of completion that now proudly hangs in my office. I have to say, graduation from Gunwerks LRU felt pretty good and now it’s time to deploy those skills at my next session at the range and in the field.

If you are interested in learning more or booking one of these classes, give us a call at 1-800-346-8747

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My journey began in Anchorage, where I stayed the night before flying into the bush. The outfitter has a liaison in town to help with any last-minute needs, so no rental car was needed. The next morning at Merrill Field, I boarded a turboprop (they use caravans, not tiny Super Cubs) for the 1½-hour flight into hunting country.

At the airstrip, the crew waited with Kong—a massive military deuce-and-a-half that can ford rivers, plus Polaris six-wheelers. After a stop at the roadhouse to organize, we headed to moose camp, about four miles upriver.

The camp itself told stories of 50 years of hunting. Cabin walls covered with dozens of hunters’ stories, as far back as the ’70s. Old regulation books showing $50 polar bear licenses. Boxes of ammo, left behind over decades for anyone who might need them. Four cabins with wood stoves surrounded the main lodge, and there was a creek-fed shower with endless hot water. A crate of beer stays ice-cold in the stream. It’s glorious. Remote Alaska with just enough comfort to keep you hunting hard every day.

From the roadhouse, we spotted two black bears on the mountainside. That evening, the cameraman Jordan and I glassed near camp, getting oriented for what was supposed to be a grizzly-focused hunt.

The next morning, those black bears were still there. We moved in. At 390 yards, with shifting thermals threatening to blow our approach, I took my shot. Low but lethal. Two more shots finished it. While butchering, we discovered this old boar was peppered with birdshot—dozens of pellets in each leg and shoulder. Somewhere, sometime, he’d been a problem bear. He could take a bullet. By 3 p.m., we had meat in the freezer and the hide salted. We were back to looking for grizzly.

Day two took us seven miles up the creek on six-wheelers, somewhat technical riding through river crossings and over rough terrain. Near the old sheep camp, we spotted a sow with three cubs and various black bears, but no boars.

Then everything changed. Rounding an alder-lined corner, our guide hit the brakes. A black bear ahead was acting strangely. It was actually approaching us. Behind him, a grizzly was hunting him, panting from the chase. The black bear, caught between predators, escaped up the cliffs.

The grizzly sat on its haunches, exhausted, looking between us and the black bear as it escaped. This bear was in full predator mode, seemingly calculating whether we might be easier prey. Then he simply lay down for a nap, 400 yards away, completely unconcerned by our presence.

For 34 minutes, I stayed behind the gun. Time passed slowly as we talked through every scenario: “If he does this, we’ll do that.” Finally, he stood and turned broadside at 415 yards. One squeeze, perfect shot placement. He barrel-rolled down the slope.

This was it—the animal I’d wanted forever, taken in a sequence I couldn’t have scripted better. Pure euphoria.

We had two bears down and over a week left of hunting. Day three was Jordan’s birthday, and we decided to get him a bear tag from camp. This would be his first hunt behind a rifle. We picked up a great black bear in no time. Jordan’s demeanor totally changed as he went into hunt mode and put a perfect 350-yard shot right into the bear’s heart. Top-tier birthday!

Three bears in three days with a week remaining. I bought a second tag and grabbed my bow. We spent four days searching for another bear, exploring drainages, following wolf tracks, catching Dolly Varden, and collecting shed antlers. Living the full Alaska experience while always hunting.

On the second-to-last day, I spotted a huge black bear doing loops through berry patches on a steep face. After multiple failed positioning attempts, I opted to go solo while Jordan and our guide filmed from a distance. The bear, hearing me crash through the alders below him, thought I was another bear invading his berries. At nine yards, with his hackles up and ears flat, I put an arrow through his front shoulder. Our group’s fourth bear.

Four bears in four days. An incredible adventure. This was the outfitter’s first year focusing on Fall bear hunting. The populations are thriving (evident from the moose without calves), and they’ve wisely increased tag allocations.

I came to Alaska with a lifelong dream of taking a grizzly. What I got was something I couldn’t have imagined: multiple species, incredible encounters, and memories that transformed a dream hunt into something beyond dreams. The grizzly lying down in front of us, completely unafraid. Jordan’s pure joy at his first bear. Stalking with my bow, close enough to hear the bear growling and clacking its jaws.

Some hunts meet your expectations. This one created new ones. When you book with WTA, you’re not just booking a hunt, you’re setting yourself up for adventures you can’t even imagine.

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In June, I had the privilege of hosting 11 hunters on an unforgettable black bear adventure in northern Saskatchewan. As a consultant with Worldwide Trophy Adventures, I spend all year matching clients with the best outfitters in North America, and this camp is a perfect example of why we do it.

Our trusted outfitter in Saskatchewan operates in a massive 3,000-square-mile zone along the untouched boreal forest. It’s rugged, remote country stacked with an incredible population of mature black bears. Locals born and raised in northern Saskatchewan are the heart of the operation. They’ve spent decades fine-tuning the experience, from stand placement to trophy care.

We went 12-for-12 on big bears. Every hunter filled their tag. The biggest bear of the week tipped the scales at 436 pounds, with a skull that will easily make the Boone & Crockett record book. In total, four hunters took B&C-class bears, a testament to both genetics and expert management.

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Off the stand, the camp atmosphere was outstanding. Good food, great camaraderie, and plenty of stories made the week memorable. Meat, hides, and trophies were handled smoothly and professionally, another reason we confidently send WTA clients to this outfit year after year.

If you’re serious about hunting big Canadian black bears, Worldwide Trophy Adventures is your trusted resource to do it right. This trip proved it: elite guiding, incredible trophy quality, and a setting every hunter should experience at least once.

Canada remains one of my favorite places to hunt, and after June’s trip, I’m already counting down the days until I can go back.

WTA is booking now for next spring and summer, and this hunt fills fast. Call 1-800-346-8747 to secure your spot on one of North America’s most exciting black bear hunts.

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