Ain't good at long detailed stories but after 35 years of bear hunting, this one will be forever etched in my mind. First off, I'm a bow hunter but did not wanna go through the work envolved this year so decided to just rifle hunt. I wake up and take a tour every morning looking for a biggie. Seen lots of bear but nothing over 400#. This morning ( for some reason) I decided to take my bow and also my receiver hitch carrier? Hmm?. Strong feeling I can explain? I have a route I take every morning that is all private ground and I have permission on all but a few small spots. This route takes about an hour or so. Very remote with no homes. Holy crap, my best bud just called and has what he thinks is a freaking GIANT bear down. He's shot quite a few grizz in Alaska and he said this black is unreal. He'll be here in a bit so I may have to cut this short . Any way, this morning I seen something out of place in a tall weedy drainage ditch.binocs confirmed bear ears n forehead. I was gonna hold out for a giant this year as I've never killed a giant and I've shot 59 bear.. I think 54 with a bow? So I knew this bear was a decent one but did not appear to be near what I wanted. Made a few calls to people with tags but knoene wanted to come. Then I started thinking, yanno, I've never had the opportunity to sneak up on a bedded bear and shoot one so even though he wasn't HUGE, I thought I'd try just for the thrill of it. Wind was perfect for a stalk and I went in. Worked out perfectly only thing is when I got there, he was gone? Noticed the grass was all laayed down and brown in that area? Hmm, I've seen that before at wolf/coyote dens. Sure as hell, there was a hole in the dirt (den). Decided to go home and get a Predator call, sneak back n try calling him out. Grabbed the call and something clicked, " hey man, grab some black licorice ". Sorry, my spelling ain't real good as I'm super excited to go trail my buddies monster. Anyway, I sneak back, get my call out but decided to throw a handful of black licorice up wind of the den ( bout 7 yards away). I threw a handful, grabbed my bow and within second, I see a black nose coming out. Wow. . I drew back and he came out but pegged me. Sorry guys, gotta go
What a super day up here in God's country! My buddies bear made it about 30 yards. Not this e giant we were after but a dandy non the less.. Both with a bow from the ground. Will resume in the a.m. Pooped. Heading for the sack.
So..., all I had was a hard quartering-to shot. Drove the arrow right in the"pocket". It spun and dove back into its den but came back out immediately. It stood staring at me with "the look". Was kinda gruesome but also beautiful. Fetching sticking out with blood literally SPRAYING out!. Had hundreds of bear real close and this is only the second time I had the Pucker moment. It took 3 leaps and tipped over right above its den. Was an incredible adrenaline filled hunt.
First pic is where I was parked. Bear is down that ditch about 300 yards. 2nd is where it died. 3rd is where I shot from. Just right of that tall weed. 4th you can see the den in the lower left.
Congrats! What a rush that must of been. How much did that weigh? Do you have an age estimate? Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Wow BnB. Amazing story. That had to be a beautiful moment when he stared back at you. Like he was saying “You dirty bastard, you got me”. It’s almost like they become a part of your soul after that. You’ll never forget that moment
So you miss a "chip shot" on a Doe, then stalk a animal that will eat you if you miss, Mucho Cojones!! Congrats
took the "tour" this a.m. Seen 3 bear all within a mile of where I shot the one. Tried calling 2 different lady friends that had tags but neither could come. Got a 13 year old boy lined up for the morning to come along. 1 bear was a HOGGER! This chit is FUN! Thanks again guys
So did the 13 year old get to shoot it? 400 pounder is a dandy. On my land I'd probably just saw the whole tree down!
no. The 13 year old passed on a dandy at sunup. He wanted something bigger. I was a bit disappointed. Had to get him to school. Took a backtrack home and on the way, a big chocolate about ran into my truck. ( 2nd time this week) thats happened. It freaked and ran up a tree about 6 feet. Of course I had to stop and when I did, it climbed way higher huffing n snapping its jaws. A lady friend had a tag and REALLY wanted a bear but has very little time to hunt. I told her about it (even though I wish I hadnt) She came with her crossbow and made a perfect shot but the bear got lodged in some big branches about 35 feet up. Long story short, had to hire a boom truck to come pluck it out. Not my cup of tea but she's super happy. Got a great hide and lots of meat.
Good stories. Have friend that will be after a bear on her property. What did the boom truck cost for this?
