My first bear!

[luvtohnt]

My buddy and I decided to take a trip up to our bear hunting spot in hopes of seeing some bears. We knew from years past that the berries would still be on, because of elevation and slope aspect, and had high hopes of seeing some bears. We used our normal routine, which has produced lots of sightings in the past, of getting up there well before daylight, parking around the corner from the basin, and waiting till we can see through the binos before we walk in. The first basin had no bears, I was slightly deflated, as we are walking to the next basin I kept looking back into the first in hopes that something would be moving. We approached the second basin from an old log landing, and I was being complacent after not seeing anything in the first basin (usually there is only deer in the second). A quick look produced nothing, so I moved around a small tree to get a better look, at the same time my buddy stepped up on a stump. As soon as he was on the stump a bear jumps up and starts running dead away. I snapped my fingers to get my buddies attention, it was determined beforehand that he would be the shooter and I would back him up, rather than looking downhill he looks at me. I had to motion him to look down to see the bear, then I shouldered my rifle to be ready for a backup shot. I waited for what felt like an eternity for him to shoot, the bear was about to drop into a small side drainage and possibly out of our view for good. The bear slowed just enough for me to squeeze off a round and down it went. I jacked another shell in in case a follow up was needed. The bear rolled around for a little bit, it was in the small side drainage, and all I could see were the feet in the air. Suddenly it jumps up and hauls butt down the drainage! My buddy, who was now ready to shoot, pops off two rounds and I am tracking the bear in my scope. It once again hesitates for just enough time, I think it was expiring based on damage from first shot, that I could put another round in its neck. Down for good, at this point I am ecstatic because it is my first bear!! Recovery was fairly easy, we were about 180 yards from the landing but it was steep! It took about 2.5 hours to get it cleaned and packed to the truck. The bear was a dry sow, appears to have some age on her, measured just a hair shy of 5' 11" and we guessed around 240 pounds. We both forgot digital cameras, and left the cell phones in the truck. We ended up getting a couple of pics with my buddies back up camera, a disposable 35mm so more pics will be added later. Thanks to my brother in law for being the one to snap a photo for me. Not the best photo but gives you guys an idea on looks until I can get field photos back.

Brandon

[ICEMAN]

Congratulations!

Forgot cameras!!!??? Shame on you!!!

[RClare1223]

Nice bear!

[bowhunterforever]

Nice job,congrats

[Wea300mag]

Good looking chocolate, congrats Brandon.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Love the color ...nice job 

[X-Force]

Good looking color phase. Congrats

[ShaneTyTrey]

Nice work, hopefully that will make a nice rug for you

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Nice bear!

[BullMagnet76]

Great Looking bear, Congrats!!!!!

[Machias]

Pretty bear!!  Congrats!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Nice color on that bear.  Congrats on your first bear!

[luvtohnt]

Thanks everyone. I really like the color as well! I am pretty sure this is the same sow I passed on 3 years ago because she had a cub. I will try to get a better photo in the freezer, but she has a nice blonde strip from her shoulder to her tail. I think it will make an excellent rug, but the wife is not impressed, because I have a Peaches Ridge rifle tag as well. All she can see is the dollar signs for a taxidermist! 

Brandon

[Michelle_Nelson]

That's not always a bad thing. . .lol.

[steen]

Ah! A hundred a month Taxi bill isn't bad.  I have $325 left on my bear and whitetail from the 2012 season and have  a late mulie permit for this year.  Here goes the taxidermy bill.  Beautiful bear!