This mature bear's claws, tipped with white ivory are gigantic! Grizzlies only show ivory tips as they grow old. Sara Mayti
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Our grand slam adventure began in Anchorage on a clear, cold day. Want to win your own Grand Slam Adventure? Continue through the gallery to find out how. Sara MaytiOur first order of business was to get the hunter’s tags and license signed and stamped. Sara MaytiThe group awaits clearance from the small airport in Willow, AK, to take off into the wilderness. The trip was organized by Chris Batin. For information on booking your own trip to Alaska contact Chris at http://www.alaskahunter.com/ Sara MaytiBrandon Steele, winner of the Outdoor Life’s Alaskan Grand Slam Adventure checks the zero on his Remington Model 700 XCR 338 Win Mag while waiting for the flight. Sara MaytiAlaska’s pristine country looks its best in the yellow hues of the fall season from our small airplane. Sara MaytiThe small plane takes off on its return flight to Willow just as the sun sets on our camp. Sara MaytiThe rough climate and terrain of the most northern state requires official rugged gear. Outer wear from River’s West in RealTree camo kept everyone warm and dry. Sara MaytiThe Grand Slam hunt started out with a bang when Brandon’s trophy caribou went down. Sara MaytiBrandon was wishing for a double-shovel bull and got just that in this fine trophy. Sara MaytiAs soon as we skinned the caribou, our guide Mike “Buck” Bowden is back on the glass. Hidden Alaska Guides and Outfitters guide service, http://hiddenak.com, provided top-notch professional guide services. Sara MaytiThe carcass of the caribou, mounted with a high orange flag, will sit as bait for a possible brown bear. Sara MaytiBrandon’s hunt is off to a great start by filling his caribou tag on the morning of first day. Sara MaytiThe plane comes in to retrieve the caribou’s meat for the processor. It takes off in a matter of minutes. Sara MaytiAfter a great day in the field, our camp retires around a Coleman lantern. No fires yet, we do not want to scare the bears. Sara MaytiEarly in the morning, we begin our search for a prize grizzly. Sara MaytiWe forge through Alaska’s wilderness the only way we can, with rubber boots, wool gloves, and Remington rifles. Making sure that waders fit properly is critical as hunters will spend days in them. Those provided by LaCrosse for this trip proved both comfortable to wear and dry. Sara MaytiBuck and Brandon look up into the red blueberry patches to find our bear feeding on breakfast. Sara MaytiThough still in the last weeks of September, the snow blows over the already white peaks of the mountains. Sara MaytiBrandon poses proudly with his new Remington at small pit stop in the middle of the woods. The rifle was topped with Nikon’s Monarch 2.5-10×42 with BDC reticle. Sara MaytiBuck Bowden of Hidden Alaska Guides and Outfitters sits in front of the humble wood cabin he constructed 30 years ago. **Want to win your own Grand Slam? Click here to enter yourself for the next adventure! Click here to continue through the Alaska pictures Sara MaytiAs the sun shines down on the valley, the men point their binoculars to the hills in search of a big brown bear. Sara MaytiWe head off into the landscape, stepping over moss-covered pebbles and saplings. Sara MaytiThe crew trudges through rivers and streams without skipping a beat. Sara MaytiWe spot a caribou in the distance at our camp. Sara MaytiThe unusually clear Alaskan sky provides a beautiful show at sunset. Sara MaytiThe golden rods blow in the changing winds as the temperature drops around us. Sara MaytiThe cold temperatures start to create icicles despite the mid day sun. Sara MaytiWild blueberries, one of our bear’s favorite treats, grow throughout the mountain range. Sara MaytiA caribou’s antlers make a fine display against the Alaskan mountain range. Sara MaytiMike Strahan, our rafting and guiding expert, stops for a photograph as he packs the rafts. Mike runs Lost Creek Company. For more information visit http://www.alaskafloathunting.com Sara MaytiThe cold front freezes up the rivers we wade through. Sara MaytiThe gentlemen plan our path down the river. Sara MaytiWe start off down river with two goals in mind-stay dry and stay alert. Sara MaytiThe crew stays close to protect each other. In Alaska, anything can be around the river bend. Sara MaytiA fallen tree in the river blocks our path. The only solution is to chain saw our way through. Sara MaytiMike walks down the river basin to find a good place to camp for the night. Sara MaytiAt daybreak, frost covers our rafts and gear. Sara MaytiAlaskan’s call the slanted trees that line the rivers “widow makers” for obvious reasons. Sara MaytiThe birches’ yellow leaves steadily fall into the river with every strong gust of wind. Sara MaytiA bear’s paw print, outlined in ice, gives us a chill. **Want to win your own Grand Slam? Click here to enter yourself for the next adventure! Click here to continue through the Alaska pictures Sara MaytiBrandon takes an afternoon break to catch a few Coho salmon. Sara MaytiBuck rests his rifle on a log and waits at an ideal location to spot a brown bear. Sara MaytiWe manage to have good time despite the falling snow and bone-chilling winds. Sara MaytiThough one person rows the raft, we all work as a team to navigate the waters. Sara MaytiAnother bump in the road. Sara MaytiOn our last night in camp on the river, we finally have a toasty fire. Sara MaytiTracy, the rafting guide, manages the choppy waters and maintains a steady speed all the way down the river. Sara MaytiThese durable rafts can perform in some of the most extreme conditions, with the right guides of course. Sara MaytiAfter nearly a week on the river we dock the boats at our long-awaited destination – Hidden Alaska Outfitter’s lodge. Sara MaytiThe beautiful hunting lodge is a sight for sore eyes after a week in the woods. Sara MaytiA determined crew heads right into the high hills of this country to find the bears. Sara MaytiWe spend a long afternoon hiking through the thick brush, watching sows and cubs eating blueberries above us, but still no prize bear. Sara MaytiWe spot a nice-sized bear above us on the hill, with anticipation we wait to see if the guide thinks it’s a worthy trophy. Sara MaytiWe abandon our ATVs and head up into the hills in pursuit of the bear. Sara MaytiIt’s a long haul up hill, but Brandon is ready for the big bear. Sara MaytiBuck makes quick decisions anticipating the bear’s next move. Sara MaytiBrandon smiles moments after making a great shot on his bear. Sara MaytiThe Remington Model 700 XCR in 338 Win Mag held to its reputation and delivered with precision. Sara MaytiWe followed the blood trail a short distance only to find… Sara MaytiA beautiful brown bear with a gorgeous coat and some of the longest claws we’ve seen in this country. Sara MaytiBrandon poses proudly in front of his beautiful bear, which will square somewhere close to 8 feet.. Sara MaytiThis mature bear’s claws, tipped with white ivory are gigantic! Grizzlies only show ivory tips as they grow old. Sara MaytiBrandon displays one of the recovered bullets. This shot passed all the way through the vitals and lodged just under the hide on the off side. Sara MaytiThe end of the trail. Brandon with his beautiful trophies. Sara MaytiThe claws of the brown bear contrast the tall spruce trees of Alaska’s landscape. Sara MaytiBuck and Brandon pose together in front of the brown bear hide. Sara MaytiHighland cranberries are another favorite food of the bears in this area. Sara MaytiThe seaplane lands to take us back to civilization. Sara MaytiSanta Claus vacations as a pilot in Alaska on his down time from the North Pole. **Want to win your own Grand Slam? Click here to enter yourself for the next adventure! Sara Mayti
Sweepstakes winner Brand Steele recently accompanied contributing editor Chris Batin on a 12 day hunt for brown bear, caribou and black bear through the Alaskan wilderness.
