2004 - One Large Bear

September 21, 2004 • Voyageur Press

Gary Kurth, Jr., nicknamed Boo Bear by his mom when he was younger, is not your typical 13-year-old boy. “Boo’s first love is hockey and he skates year round. He gets good grades and also likes motorcross,” shared his proud father in a recent phone interview.

This fearless, outdoor loving 8th grader from St. Paul went on the adventure of his life on Sept. 3. He was allowed to accompany his father’s hunting party with Tom Hayes, as guide, on his first bear hunt near the Kurth’s hunting cabin north of Tamarack.

Having never seen a bear in the wild, it was quite a thrill to spy one in the field only 45 yards away within a few hours of his arrival. Boo & his dad, Gary Kurth, Sr., were sharing a stand. One was surveying the powerline section of the field while the other watched where the bear bait had been placed. Excitedly he pointed out the bear to his father. “Shoot it, Boo.” his father told him.

So he raised his rifle, a 7 magnum, zeroed in on his target, and fired. His aim true, struck the bear high on the right side. It’s called a quartering away shot, which means the bullet passed diagonally through the body of the bear. Boo was ready to race out of the stand to track his fallen prey. Wisely, his father cautioned to pause. After a 45 minute wait, they set out to follow the blood trail. Despite tracking until dark they didn’t stumble across the fatally wounded animal. They had to return to the hunting cabin until daylight.

The adventure didn’t end there for Boo. At 7:30 the next morning the hunting party of six - Mark Falteisek, Gary Kurth, Sr. and Jr., Scott and Justin Bailey, and guide, Tom Hayes - picked up where they left off the night before with three pistols amongst them.

Mark, a close friend of Boo’s dad, led the way, followed by Gary, Sr. and Boo. They came upon an indentation in the grass and determined from the evidence it was where the bear had spent the previous night. Boo’s bear still evaded capture. They pressed on, encouraged by the sight. He was out there somewhere.

Boo continued to pace himself behind the other hunters, unaware of the enormity of what was to come. He didn’t have long to wait though. Not much more than 30 yards had passed when a shot rang out from Mark’s muzzle loader. Mark yelled, “RUN!”

Everyone scattered, scurrying off, hopefully, away from danger. Curiosity did make Gary, Sr. take a quick glance at their growl-producing target. The angry bear, only ten yards from the men, also turned and ran. “Fortunately in the opposite direction,” shared Gary, Sr. 

Both parties pursued safety from the other and finally drew to a stop a few minutes later.

Gary, Sr. knew when he prompted Boo to shoot the bear the day before, that it was good sized. But up close and personal, Boo’s bear was huge! His pride in his son was obvious as he shared his insight. Minutes ticked by and excitement began to build again for Boo. A telling sound soon erupted from the stillness around them. “The death groan,” Gary, Sr. said “is the final sound a bear will make. It let us know it was safe to continue tracking.”

The group traversed about 70 yards before they came upon it. At last they were able to fully inspect the creature closely. Boo’s bear was six feet, four inches tall with a live weight of 513 pounds (dressed weight multiplied by 1.5). Boo Bear, as they have decided to call it, dressed out at 428 pounds.

The new addition in the Kurth’s home, Boo Bear will be found in the living room of their St. Paul home. Gary, Sr. and Ann remain faithful to encourage their son to try new things, learn and grow. And for Gary, Jr. (Boo), one never knows what new adventure is waiting just down the trail.