Opening day of bear was a success even though I didn't shoot.

[jrebel]

Me and the family took off bear hunting on opening day and it was a huge success.  We saw a beautiful black bear that I could not get to before he dissapeared.  We saw a HUGE cougar....nose to tip of tail covered the entire with of the road (9 feet approx??).  We saw multiple deer, ate all kinds of berries and explored tons of ground we have never seen.  My sons favorite part of the day was shooting his great grandad's Smith and Wessons 422 22lr pistol.  He is quite the shot too.  All in all a huge success even though I never got to drop the hammer on a boo boo. 

I will be back at it tomorrow, hope everyone else is hitting it hard and having as much success.   

[jasnt]

Good luck

[sled]

Nice day!  Those 422s are nice guns.

[gasman]

Sounds like a good day 

Keep at it 

[jrebel]

Sitting on the same ridge right now......what are the chances I see this bear again?  For his sake...he better stay hidden.  I have an itchy trigger finger.   

[Elkrunner]

What unit are you hunting in Johnny?

[Rainier10]

Great deal, glad you are enjoying your time.

[bearpaw]

sounds like a great day, good luck 

[jrebel]

OK.....so how does wind, high gusty winds, effect bear activity?  It is a directional wind I. My favor but it is gusting to 30 at times.  Will a bear still move in this wind?

[Timberstalker]

OK.....so how does wind, high gusty winds, effect bear activity?  It is a directional wind I. My favor but it is gusting to 30 at times.  Will a bear still move in this wind?

It seems like they will go to the food sources, but not move quite as much, at least in my experience during Fall Hunts.

One thing is for sure, they will still eat.  Go get them.

[jrebel]

Got blown off the mountain.  Winds picked up to a steady 20-30 mph with gusts estimated at 40+ mph.  It was litterally blowing me over as I tried to walk the ridge out.  I will be back next Sunday or Monday and will hopefully update with pics of a dead bear.  With the amount of tracks I saw, I imagine there are more than one bear in the area.  The one I saw yesterday was a good size bear...hopefully I see him again.   

[jrebel]

Got off work today at 0800, went home and loaded the truck with all the gear to include the family.  Off we went for another all day adventure.  We were getting a late start but figured it didn't matter...we knew we weren't going to see a bear sittin on the couch!!.  First stop was to look for the big boy we saw a few days ago.  We got up there and glassed the are with no bear sightings.  Being that I had the family I decided I would not sit on the spot today.  We decided to take off and explore a new area.  About an hour later we were there and it was mid day.  The country was absolutely amazing; big timber, thick brush and some open meadows.  All I could think is we are in gods country.  Didn't take long and we cut a few bear tracks, probably a sow and cub.  Then a pile or two of poop.....I told my wife I feel good about the day.  Approx 3 pm it happened.....I saw a beautiful chocolate bear    It was danger close 80-100 yard broadside.  I bailed out of the truck and got the scope on him as he was starting to walk through thick brush.  I followed hoping he would clear....then I lost him.  I though, where could he go....I pursued ready for a quick off hand shot.  Well, needless to say...he pulled a houdini on me.  He flat dissapeared.     

All in all a nother successful day in the bear woods.  It is going to happen, I just have to keep after it.  I totally, 100% have the bear bug.  I am addicted.   

We saw a couple really nice bucks today and had fun shooting the .22 pistol again.  My son is in hog heaven with that thing.  My daughter is my berry guide;  she carries the berry book and educates me on all the berries we find.  If I am lucky enough to harvest my bear this year with the family, it will be a perfect bear season.  I would love nothing more than to have my kids experience the entire event. 

Next trip will be sunday or monday.  I will keep you posted.   

[jasnt]

Good luck on the hunt. Your raising them right !!!

[gasman]

Go get em.......

Sounds like a successful7season to me so far