Tagged out

[shanevg]

So I went up for my last bear hunt of the season today, still itching to fill my second tag.  I brought a long time friend up for the hike who has never been hunting or even seen a bear before.  We hiked about 3 miles going through a number of good looking meadows with no sign of any bear (although we did see 6 deer.)  As we came over the ridge into the next meadow I immediately saw a bear right along the edge of the trees at the bottom of the meadow.  I ranged her at 330 yards which is outside of my comfort zone, particularly for bears which in my experience just don't leave a blood trail.  Luckily, the wind was blowing uphill despite still being early in the morning so the stalk was on.  I left my pack on the top of the hill with Eric, threw on some cover sent and grabbed my range finder and started moving down the hill.

Eventually I got within 150 yards of where I had last seen the bear and there was no more cover between me and the spot.  I thought I knew which tree she was behind so I just waited for her to step out.  Eventually she stepped out, I had my bipod ready and my Leupold scope zoomed in to 9x zoom.  When she turned broadside I took the shot and saw her roll over and take off running.  After waiting for half an hour Eric and I began to search.  She hadn't run more than 100 yards.  I hit one lung and the heart but the bullet didn't go all the way through.  She is by far the biggest bear I have gotten thus far.  I field judged her to be between 270 and 300lbs., by far my biggest bear to date.  Her head is monstrous so I would like to get it scored. 

So now I have tagged out on bear for the season and I only have to wait for deer season to try to fill my deer tag.  I am going to save the skull, but I don't think I am going to tan the hide, I just can't afford it right now.  So if any of you know someone who would like a really nice black bear hid, please send me a PM. 

[Rufous]

Way to go! I have been out a number of times this fall for bear but have not gotten one yet. I called in one that my buddy shot which was a hoot but will try again tomorrow for one for me. Rufous.

[X-Force]

Nice bear.  it only took a month and a half for to tag out and you got to show a couple friends how its done. that pretty dang good work. you defiantly put in your time this season. Shes a good size bear how much fat did she have?? what do you think she scores?...and about getting it tanned and not having the money you could freeze it until you get the money.

[saylean]

grats man...use the freezer till you can afford it if you like.

cheers!

[addicted]

do you have any pics of her laying out.   

[Ray]

Great looking bear. Good to see you connected. Nice hat.

[boneaddict]

Great picture.  Nice job Shane!

[D-man]

Nice job Shane! I wish I could have been there...

[hard hunter]

Thanks for the story, great bear

[Buckoholic]

Nice job Shane!!! What part of Whatcom county did you shoot her in!!!! Nice coat on her!!

[Timber]

Nice looking bear Shane - I thought that was you coming off the mountain last night.

[shanevg]

Nice bear.  it only took a month and a half for to tag out and you got to show a couple friends how its done. that pretty dang good work. you defiantly put in your time this season. Shes a good size bear how much fat did she have?? what do you think she scores?...and about getting it tanned and not having the money you could freeze it until you get the money.

Yeah, a lot of time in the mountains definitely paid off this year.  I have no idea what she scores, I have never seen a bear skull that has been scored so I don't really know what to compare it to. 

do you have any pics of her laying out.   

No pictures of her laying out, she died in a very steep, dry creekbed and we had a hard time field cleaning her without her rolling even farther down the hill so we didn't try to move her around for more pictures.

Nice job Shane! I wish I could have been there...

I wish you were there too, if only you didn't go to school all the way over in Spokane!

Nice job Shane!!! What part of Whatcom county did you shoot her in!!!! Nice coat on her!!

Mt. Baker Highway

Nice looking bear Shane - I thought that was you coming off the mountain last night.

What do you do, follow me around?   

[robb92]

Congrats on the nice bear! I have a little under a month until I can go hunting for bear.

[shanevg]

I just got the skull back, it scored 16 14/16" so I'm really happy with that.

[MAGhunter]

Who did your skull for you?

[shanevg]

I brought it to Bruce Tediesky at Wildlife Art Taxidermy in Whatcom County, he shipped it down to Oregon for the beatles to eat it, then they bleached it and put a protective enamal over the skull to preserve it.  I am very happy with the results.