I'll start off by saying I have not hunted in the spring ever. Also, this was my first bear. Having said that, spring hunts are awesome. Green grass, green new growth, green everywhere. What a difference to mid october. I skipped opening weekend with info from older wiser hunters telling me late may would be better. Second weekend (April 26th) I decided to head up to scout and look for movement, scat, scratches, whatever I could find. 10 minutes in I spot a bear at 1337 yds out. Closed the distance to 400 and watch him feed for an hour. Made my mind up that I was not going to finish my hunt before it began, let him go. I feel he would have went maybe 250 to 300 pds. Passed the rest of the day watching elk, deer, turkey, grouse, and some woodpeckers. That night in a different position just over the next ridge I spotted a small sow and cubs feeding in some grass.
Day 2. Nothing in the morning exept everything but a bear. But at about 6:30 pm I spot the blondest bear i have ever seen. He looked like a bull in nov. Ran down the canyon to 330 yds from last seeing him only to have him pop out in an opening 800 yds up canyon at dark.
Day 3 (sunday). Shooting light is about 15 min away and I spot my elk bear all the way in the bottom of the canyon. 15 min 1200 yds and 800 ft elevation drop later I'm set up for the shot. He gave me the slip again. I waited 3 hours for him to come out. Nothin. Made the trek home with high hopes.
May 4th (sat). Search all mornig for elkbear with no luck so I decidedto head to town for lunch. I spot a small blonde bear at about 65 yds. Looked him over and decided to wait. 10 min later I spot 2 cubs out sunning themselves. Gave a couple sqeeks on my cheepo predator call and a huge black sow popped out gathered up the kids and dissapered. 2:00 I'm back behind the glass. Nothing-move, nothing-move, over and over until I'm back at my honey hole. 5:30 I spot my first wolf. 1500 yds for 35 min I watched him or her couldent tell. Finely it crossed to the backside of the ridge, so I drove to the top and ran down the ridge it was on and set up. Called on my squeeker and sure enough it popped out at 700 yds coming right to me. Deffinatly a wolf.
Back in my spot at 7:15 pm. There he was right in the bottom. The one I shot, not elkbear. He was the ninth bear I had seen and right away I could tell he was the biggest. Down I went, set up at 400 and change for the shot. He came out broadside directly across from me. My shot took him off his feet. He tried to get up and crashed down hill towords the bottom about 70 yds into thick brush and timber. In my haste to reach him for the shot I didn't bring my pack, lights, knives or anything. STUPID. By the time I made it to the truck it was pitch dark. Called a buddy and dropped back in.
Found him at 10:30pm. Skinned, quartered, and out by 1:45 am. Back in at 8:00am out by 10:30 with meat. Thank god!!!
What a blast, I cannot wait until I draw this tag again.
I estimated his weight at 350. He is 6' nose to base of tail. I green scored his skull at the taxies last night at 19".
Sorry washingtonmuley no tailgate photos. Wish you were there.
Thanks everyone
