Heart of the Hunter: Stories from Alaska, Africa, Asia, and Places of the Heart

By Mark Tuter

2014 marked the 29th year in which Mark has guided sportsmen from around the world on Alaska’s Kenai River.
In 1996 Mark had the honor of being awarded by the State of Alaska, “The Professional Sportsman of the Year” award. Mark was the first recipient of this award. This was presented to him by Alaska’s Governor Tony Knowles and United States Senator Ted Stevens.
Of the thousands of fishermen from around the world who have spent time with Mark on the Kenai River and the hunting adventures that have taken Mark from the wilds of Alaska to the roof of the world chasing his dreams, fishing with his grandchildren, Talon and Tenley are the highlights of his outdoor life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483419541

Book preview

Heart of the Hunter

Stories from Alaska, Africa, Asia, and places of the Heart

An insightful and inspirational collection of hunting and life stories from Alaska, to Africa, to Asia by a man who has lived life well, a true family man, hunter and friend. – Jim Golden – 30 years a true friend.

Copyright © 2014 Mark Tuter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1953-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-1954-1 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 12/9/2014

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Brook Range Ram taken with 300 Weatherby.

Contents

Introduction

Dedication

Chapter 1 - There He Is

Chapter 2 - A Chance Lost, a Chance Won

Chapter 3 - The One That Came Back

Chapter 4 - Thief or Trophy

Chapter 5 - Gambler of the Lowveld

Chapter 6 - The Ridge

Chapter 7 - How Lucky Was That?

Chapter 8 - Chukars, Lions and Deer

Chapter 9 - The Great Adventure with My Dad

Chapter 10 - Short Stories

Chapter 11 - Early Memories and Life Lessons

Chapter 12 - The Wind, It LIED: On the Track

Chapter 13 - Much Better Than Good

Heart of the Hunter

Stories from Alaska, Africa, Asia and places of the Heart

Life for me without the chase and adventure it brings would never be satisfying or fulfilling. I believe with all my heart that is the way the Good Lord made me, for which I am so thankful.

When I am hunting I am always wishing the sun would relent in its evening descent and then tossing the night away, waiting for the sun’s first morning rays of hope.

This book is really dedicated to my grandkids and great grandkids to follow; to help them know and understand the heart of this hunter, their Papa.

I have spent a great deal of my life daydreaming. Guiding for huge salmon on the most famous Salmon River in the world, the Kenai River, gives one time to think. To be honest most of my thinking revolved around how to catch a fish and my next hunt.

These stories of My Life I owe to:

My parents, Vern and Venita, for opening up this world to me.

My wife, Janice, for allowing me to follow my dreams.

My brother Matt who’s faith has been a pillar for my life.

My children, Molly and Tim and his beautiful wife Alissa, for always making me proud.

My grandchildren, Talon and Tenley, who I pray will follow God and adventure.

Future Tuters, who cannot explain the need to wander to wild places and look over the next ridge, except to say, I am Tuter.

To God, for the fullness of this life and the wonderful friends He has given me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psalms 37:3-5 tells us

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and cultivate Faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your ways to the Lord,

Trust also in Him and He will do it.

I found this to be true.

Mark Tuter

Soldotna, Alaska

December 2011

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8’ 8" Kodiak Bear taken late October at Zacker Bay on Kodiak Island. I did take 9 shots.

There He Is

By Mark Tuter

There he is. Three of the most magical words in the hunter’s vocabulary. Especially when referring to the big, powerful, Kodiak brown bear, which happened to be standing in a small opening in the alders a few hundred yards away. Those were the very words of my hunting partners, Terry Coreson whispered with great excitement. It was the end of October, 1983, just the start of brown bear season on the snow covered Kodiak Island.

The momentum of excitement began to build that summer as I received the all important permit to hunt brown bear on the Alaska’s Kodiak Island.

The early fall had passed quickly, mainly because of a great sheep hunt in the Wrangells and a week’s adventure on the Alaska Peninsula chasing caribou.

My two hunting companions were Terry Coreson and Gary Penner. I knew they were good hunters. In a short time I was about to see the brave steel of which they were made.

An early morning flight from Kenai, Alaska to Kodiak took a little more than an hour. A short time later we hopped into the famous van of Island Air service. Five minutes later we arrived on the docks of the city of Kodiak. This area is not only the home for one of the largest fishing fleets in the world, but here you find one of the most unusual float plane bases.

After a short wait with the bright, sunny skies and strong winds, we were on our way to Zacker Bay in a brown and white Cessna 206. Zacker Bay is not known as a hot spot for brown bear on the Kodiak, with the southern end of the island receiving the majority of the attention. The chance of drawing a permit is much greater in some of the lesser known areas. You might say to yourself because all the big bears are on the southern end, NOT TRUE. There are great numbers of bears throughout much of the game rich island. In fact, the mammal and marine life seem limitless in this bay, from the mysterious killer whale and the playful dolphin in the sea, to the handsomely rugged black tail deer and the numerous red fox which inhabit the island, plus countless bird life.

Many thoughts were rushing through my mind, mainly big brown bears. The pilot sharply banked the plane bringing me back immediately to the moment at hand, with the pilot drawing a questioning look because my heart was still 500 feet above, after the roller coaster ride setting up our landing on the calm salt water of the Zacker Bay.

I am a private pilot myself and learned to fly in Alaska. I have great confidence in Alaska’s air charter pilots, but they will keep you on the edge of your seat. This young man was no exception.

Our camp was set about 100 feet from the high water mark of the bay. Camp was surrounded by huge cottonwood trees that must have seen many brown bears in their time. Branches held three giant bald eagle nests in the trees overlooking the camp. A small creek provided us with crystal clear water almost too cold to drink on its dash to Zacker Bay.

Upon arriving we were greeted by a close friend Bill Slemp, from our hometown Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. Bill and three other hunters had been chasing the deer around. A display of racks hanging by the tent testified to the fact they had done very well.

After setting up our four man tent which was a snug fit for 3, and finishing needed camp chores, we spent an enjoyable evening in Bill’s big wall tent. It was not long before the talk turned to bears. They had only seen one large brown bear; however, the big boy’s sign was everywhere. Each gut pile from the freshly dressed dear was cleaned up by bears before dawn of the next day. Three to five inches of snow had fallen the day before we arrived. Going for a short walk behind camp just before dark, pictured in the fresh snow was a tremendous set of tracks. That night as I drew the down sleeping bag around me, I had a feeling only a hunter can understand, one that I have known before, tomorrow I would see my bear.

When I opened my eyes early the next morning it was more than cold. The inside of the tent was covered with frost from our breathing. We lit a single burner Coleman stove to relieve the cold. It didn’t take long to finish off a breakfast of instant oatmeal and instant coffee, it was great, sure.

As light began to draw back the