My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3

[OSCAR1987]

I went archery hunting for deer over on the East side this year and carried a bear tag just in case. I was not too surprised Wednesday evening Sept 3  when a very pretty color phase black bear decided to step in to the small clearing I was hunting in. I noticed how much his fur looked like a grizzly bear and immediately knew I wanted him. I watched the bear pulling down cherry tree saplings eating the fruit for several minutes anticipating him coming under the apple tree I  was sitting over. As he approached I saw him standing on his hind legs scanning the clearing. When he dropped back down I came to full draw while his vision was blocked by the brush. He stepped into my shooting lane and gave me the perfect 18 yard broadside shot and I took it. I terribly mis-judged him as a young bear and thought he was average sized.  I knocked an arrow for a follow up shot as he ran by my stand. I noticed how big his rump was as he ran by and was surprised when he paused a few yards past my tree and began to do the "hula dance". He went down from my perfectly placed arrow in less than 10 seconds and did not suffer. I was thrilled that I had harvested a beautiful "young" bear. I decided to keep hunting as deer was my primary target. After the sun fell I packed my gear and approached the down bear only to find the massive beast you see here. I was shocked by his sheer size. This was my first bear with any weapon. The animal measured 81.75" and has a 20" skull landing him in the record book of the all time biggest bears ever taken with a bow. This hunt turned out to be the thrill of a lifetime. I am humbled and certainly unworthy of such a trophy. Thanks and props to my friend Travis Haynes for his help and mentor ship hunting North American big game with a bow.

Andrew
Custer Sportsmen's Club
Archery Chairman

[Wea300mag]

Very nice bear

[CAMPMEAT]

Nice, looks like a big ol' boy..........

[OSCAR1987]

another view

[gaddy]

did you get a full weight on that fellow? awsome animal!

[OSCAR1987]

he was over 500 pounds according to Todd Crabtree at Wild Game Processing
Bruce at Wild Life Art Taxidermy measured the skull for the Green score of 20 inches

[X-Force]

Big ol' beast. Congrats

[steen]

Congratulations on such a beautiful bear!  I might have to take a trip to Bruce's and have a look!  Great story also.

[Huntboy]

Nice bear.

[docsven]

Wow! His head looks bigger from the front angle than the side.  Well done!

[Becky]

Gorgeous bear!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Nice ...

[Vo2max]

Nice job Andrew!

[jasnt]

Great bear

[Greenhorn]

Wow, that is awesome, congratulations!