Gabrielle caught a glimpse of movement down between the rocks ahead, crouched behind a tree and nocked an arrow. From behind the boulder, a massive grizzly bear lumbered out. It growled and lifted its snout, sniffing at the air. She drew the bow, took aim and let the arrow fly. The words Critical Hit flashed on her screen. The bear turned and charged. Gabrielle drew another arrow, fired it off, th [...]

The community of Shamattawa is nestled along the banks of God's River some 745 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The ride was much shorter out of Gillam, the small hydro town where my wildland fire fighting crew was being stationed at the time of the fire call. We had heard terrible rumours about “Sham-town” and had hoped to never work near there. There's no road access to Shamattawa dur [...]