Opening Season.....A great Gifford family tradition has always been too enguage in the time honored tradition of Black bear hunting. Though dad has always prefered a high caliber rifle, and mom prefers the compound bow. I have always been partial too the eight inch piece of steel which is attached to the end of my traditional wari spear. So, as tradition has always dictated, we headed into the slickrock wilderness two days before opening season. Because we prefer to not use dogs it often takes a few days to track and locate a bear in this rugged terrain. We spent three days in the slickrock area, and unfortunaty did not kill one bear. Actually, we didn't even see a bear. And now as i reminise upon our time honored family tradition, which traces back to dawn of time. I actually can't recall a Gifford family member EVER slaying a bear. Regardless, we had a great time examing bear scat and enjoying the wonderful weather that NC is blessed with in the fall. So, maybe next year we'll get a bear. our time is coming....


Pictures:(above)mom...yet another creek crossing.(below) Upper Slickrock creek.