Bear Down

[Wazzu]

This is my first year bear hunting. A couple of friends and I have been prepping for this all year.

Opening day came and we headed up high into Snoqualmie Pass. I think we went a bit too high, though. Between 4 of us we didnt see any bears or any sign. I found a cool little lake that I would like to go back and flyfish, though.

I was laying around on Saturday when a coworker called to compare opening day details. He hadnt seen much either. He suggested that we go out that afternoon. He picked me up and we thought about Stossel Creek, Stampede Pass, but ultimately headed up Highway 2. I dont want to get too specific with the location, a friend of his sort of regards it as his area.

We pulled off the highway and made our way back into the woods. He was describing to me the ideal conditions, and what to look for. Not even 5 minutes into it, I pointed out several bears on the hill! He couldnt believe it, I dont think he did until he looked throught the binoculars himself. He threw the truck into park and it was a mad dash. I didnt even have my boots on. I grabbed his 7mm ( my 30-06 still doesnt have a scope) and ran into the brush.

There were a total of 3 bears up there, one was much larger than the other two, but he ducked off before I could scope him. We estimated it about a 350 yd. shot, up a steep hill. This is sort of out of my comfort range, but it was do or die time. I crouched down and popped off a shot, clean miss. The bear didnt hardly flinch. It slowly walked to the left and went behind some brush. I kept on the area and the bear came back into view. I let off another shot and the bear took off, I was sure I had hit it. I watched it go up the hill, slow down, then eventually go down behind a stump. I started to call for my buddy to get a shot at the other bear, but they soon dissapered.

The hike we were looking at was daunting, so we jumped in the truck and tried to drive around to find an easier route in, but the next clearest area was way around the backside. We went back down to the bottom of the clearing and decided to buck up and do it. It took us nearly an hour and a half to reach the stump. Only problem was there was no bear behind that stump, no blood, and no fur.... We looked further and could see a dark area where the others dissapered into, but neither of us felt up to trekking in there. After some dissapointing talk, we started to head down the hill, but broke to the left of our trail uphill.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black mound near a stump. I looked through my binoculars but had to hike over for a closer look. Sure enough, there she was!! She had fallen between a stump and a small tree. From below you never would have seen her, from up top only her hind quarter and a paw were visible, so we were quite lucky to even find her. Didnt have her weighed, but we guessed 180-200 lbs and the guy who helped my skin her out agreed. Lots of berries inside. The long distance ultimately did make for a bad shot, I hit her in the rear right side. I should have tried to stalk in a bit closer for a better hit, but ultimately it was my first bear down.

[russ]

great lookin bear! congrats!

[hard hunter]

Congrats on the bear. 

[ICEMAN]

Good job! Shouldawouldacoulda, atleast you got one. Are you butchering it yourself? I found it pretty easy to do.

[Michelle_Nelson]

NIce Bear, Congrats!

[billythekidrock]

Nice write up. Thanks.

[bowsandhose]

sweet, congrats

[tmike]

That's a nice looking bear, great job!

[Bscman]

Congrats on your first bear.
Are you planning to mount it?

There were a total of 3 bears up there, one was much larger than the other two, but he ducked off before I could scope him.
..........

Didnt have her weighed, but we guessed 180-200 lbs and the guy who helped my skin her out agreed.

It wasn't a sow with cubs then, was it?

[Machias]

We estimated it about a 350 yd. shot, up a steep hill. This is sort of out of my comfort range, but it was do or die time.

Congrats on the bear, but if a shot is out of your comfort zone don't take it.  There are other days, other ways to get into your comfort zone.  You were just as likely to wound this bear as harvest it.  Glad you were LUCKY enough to not end up with a wounded bear.

[Wazzu]

Thanks for the comments everybody:

Bscman: Planning on doing a rug. This sow was probably the smallest bear, so she was not with cubs.

Machias: Thanks, I probably should have tried to get closer, but I was caught up in a excitement/panic. Maybe saying it was out of my comfort zone was the wrong way to phrase that. It was a long shot for me, I grew up shooting on a 200 yd. range, and I was practically shaking while trying to steady my aim. I do wish I had gotten a better hit on her, though. Next time I will use a bit more patience.

[robb92]

Congrats on the nice bear!!!

[tlbradford]

Congrats on the bear.  I think learning from your experience, and sharing it with us, will help someone make the right decision when they are presented with a similar situation.  I appreciate your honesty.

[Intruder]

NICE!

[Machias]

Right on, we all learn every time we go out and trust me when I was younger I made some shot attempts I should not have.  But I hope by you sharing your story someone will not have to experience a blood trail that does not end so happily.  Congrats again!!