DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS SPECIAL TO THE PVT Dick Sokol kneels in front of the Alaska brown bear he hunted more than 20 years ago. Advertisement

Last week we heard about Dick Sokol and Vince Pompo, two buddies who have hunted and fished together for more than 20 years.

One of Vince's achievements was an Alaska brown bear, taken on St. Augustine's Island.

Dick made a return trip and experienced tough luck. On Dick's third trip, he hunted with the legendary guide Dick Gunlofson on Kodiak Island.

It was once again a tent camp and they spent many days on foot, spotting 62 bears before finding the one they had come for.

The brush, devil's club and thick foliage made it really tough going and the creek crossings can get cold; snow made it even colder.

This became a real challenge when they had to strip down and wade across a stream 15 feet across and four feet deep.

On the other side they found a dense thicket of brush, split up and circled around looking for tracks. They didn't find any, but it wasn't long before a monster of a bear stood in front of Dick and sniffed.

I'm guessing the adrenaline was running pretty good in both hunter and hunted at this moment. This must have been running through Dick's mind too.

Reactions and trained responses seem to move in slow motion, as does time, in these situations. In reality, it only took seconds for Dick to react with four quick shots from his .338-caliber Browning; when the sound of the magnum subsided, it was quiet.

A few minutes later, cautiously entering the thick brush, every nerve on full alert as the adrenaline continued to flow; they found the bear, dead.

It's interesting with bears or other dangerous game, though. Even when dead there is a period of approach when you're just not sure and it has happened more than once that the dead query has suddenly raised-up and inflicted injury -- or death -- to the hunter.

The bear was more than Dick expected. It was a 10 1/2-foot bear, which set a new Boone and Crocket World Record in 1986.

Those who hunt bears know it can be tough and sometimes dangerous, but Dick Sokol's perseverance and just plain toughness demonstrated the true spirit of the hunter.

He continues to adventure and travel with his buddy Vince. They should be getting ready about now for their annual Colorado Elk hunt. High fives, a knuckle shake and best of luck to both of these fine gentlemen.

Upcoming

It's not too early to start planning for the New Years round of conventions:

The SHOT Show is coming to Las Vegas once again Feb. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information go to www.shotshow.org.

The Fraternity for North American Wild Sheep will be holding its convention again in Salt Lake City, Utah from Feb 6-9. For more information go to fnaws@fnaws.org.

If you have an adventure, a story or a comment give me a call (775) 727-9777 or email me at dansimmons@usa.net.