Went to a spot I have hunted in the past, but havent been out there for a bit. Naturally, it takes me a little bit to figure out a good place, as it has grown a bit, been cut, etc.
Of course, I find it about an hour before sunset. Previously in the day, I had come out of the brush and had a yote staring at me. He took off, I zinged a bullet by him and missed.
He sure put it in turbo after that.
I find a really nice 5 yr old cut, bordered by standing timber and a slightly new cut. To top it off, it is carpeted by black berries. There is bear scat about every 20 ft on the road that cuts through it.
I climb a nice log pile that allows me a good view of the standing timber tree line, the heavier brush and the new cut. I call for about 45 min. I believe I had two animals coming in, 1 bear, 1 unknown.
Squirrels often give away things that are coming in by sounding their alarms. I had two of them going ape, one behind me (from where the bear came) and one infront of me (both about 100 yards or so out). Squirrels chatting in woods that are a bit away from where you are calling should always be paid attention to, watch that area! I could hear something creeping in, infront of me from where the squirrel was chatting, but I never did see it.
After bout 45 min, I had to move a bit and when I did I heard a big crash (busted log), some more crashing and then a loud "WHHOOOOOOF!" (not a doe bark)
and a deep short growl, it was coming toward me quick. OOOOOH! The bloods pumpin now!
I grab the camera and wait for him to pop out...he is under 70 yards now and coming...
....
...
Never showed for a clear shot. I dont know if he caught my scent, (I doubt) my movement (possible) or just hung up and crept in (which is what I am leaning to).
I think if he caught my scent, he would have blown out, my movement, he might still come into investigate plus they dont see all that well, but I could kind of hear him creep in a little bit....bushes would rustle every now and again. I called a bit to try to break him loose, no luck.
By now it was getting dark, so I hopped down and headed for the truck. For all I know, he was watching me leave, I kept an eye behind me a bit on the walk out.l
It was a cool day of firsts, I found what I believe is coug scat with nothing but bear hair in it...maybe a cub got it? Never had a bear come in smashing things AND growling like that before, so that was neat. Ate some berries and missed a yote...not a bad evening.
