Big 20" black bear

[Axle]

I'm posting this for my son. He tried twice to post it and it just didn't work.
I'll add more to it and pictures too if this makes it.
Here is his post:

First of all, getting this bear was by far the most intense and thrilling hunt I have ever had!!
After hiking up on Tiger Mt and finding a trail to sit by, I waited a while (maybe 1.5 hours) before I heard the bear coming down the hill. It was a beautiful crisp early fall day and I could feel the excitement and anxiety in the air for a good hunt. It was good that I had knocked an arrow before seeing this big boar because the shakes had me going pretty good for a while once I caught first sight of him; but with the slow movements of the big guy, I had time to relax a bit. Taking a little extra time to aim properly when he came closer and turned sideways at 18 yards, I was able to pick ‘the spot’. Since I had forgotten my backup sidearm, I didn’t want any mistakes - nor did I want to make the evening news.
Upon releasing the arrow, I could celebrate in my mind before it reached the double-lung spot my sight had focused on.
It was a quick and clean pass through. The bear wasted no time in turning and peeling off to the north and down the ravine. He didn’t make it far though. He piled up at no more than 40 yards and in doing so – managed to take in a mouth full of dirt.
He will be an open mouth bear rug which will be done by Cedar River taxidermy. Rick was thrilled to see it and I had a great time meeting him. Rick skinned out the head so he could measure it. The bear measured out for a 20 inch skull on the dot as of right now. He was 78 inches nose to tail and 53 inches wide. Just the cape and head alone was 109.6 lbs. Quite the tough hike out with that pack! According to the measurements he is estimated to be somewhere around 400-450 lbs.  Can't wait to see that rug come back!!
I used the NAP killzone maxx broadheads with a 2 3/8 cutting diameter. This is my first year using mechanical heads. The bow I shoot is an Elite Answer bow. It’s been working very well for me.

Pictures to follow....

[Axle]

Here is one picture up on the hill. This thing had a big noggin.

[Axle]

And a paw pic

[Axle]

Here is a nice picture of the head at the taxidermist next to a brown-colored black bear that had a confirmed weight of 350 lbs.
 
We didn't know how to guess the weight of this bear when he was on the ground. We had never actually been that close to one like this.
My son was alone when he arrowed this. He called a buddy and me to come help out after he got it. When we walked up to it, we were amazed at his size. Especially his head.

[Woodchuck]

  Congrats to your boy. Thanks for sharing.

[bearpaw]

That's a great bear, congrats to your son! If he's a member remind him to enter it in the "Head Competition".

[ctwiggs1]

That bear is huge!

[bearhunter99]

That's a beauty!  Congrats to your son!

[STRINGSHOOTER]

Great bear and a great story. Any issue with hikers in the area?

[Widgeondeke]

what a noggin!
Congrats to your son.
2nd the entry into "head competition"

[Southpole]

That's a big ol'bear  I would love to know what he weighed.

[saylean]

Great bear. Was it his first?

[CAMPMEAT]

Great bear and a great story. Any issue with hikers in the area?

I was wondering the same thing about hikers...and anybody else who has never seen bear.

Nice, nice, nice as my 88 y.o.Mom says..

[Eli346]

Beautiful bear! He's going to make a great mount and better story for years to come!

[JBar]

Was wondering if his bear would make it on here. He sent me the pics that night. Awesome bear!