Bear walked right into camp!

[saylean]

I know I know...no pics, it didn't happen. But it did.

I back packed into my deer camp on opening day (got a late start from home) and set up camp. Ventured off for the afternoon hunt and came back to camp. It was cloudy and had snowed that morning, but there was only trace amounts where my camp was.

Anyway, took a pee, made a mountain house, glassed some mountain goats and enjoyed the remaining light. As it gets dark, there isn't much to do, so I just sat watching the sun go down, glassing the hills. My camp was right on the edge of a field, about 60 yards around. The wind was blowing down canyon, which is typical for that spot, right to a creek bottom. Its dark now, cloudy night, but the field is a light white color from the tall grass. I had on my warm beanie cap and thought I heard something but wasn't sure because of the wind whistling through the trees. I lift the hat off my ears a little bit as I am standing under a tree by my tent, rifle to my side.

Then, I think I am seeing spots. There is like a faint black blob floating in the grass (at least that's how it looked), I rub my eyes and think, man am I seeing spots? It is down wind from me, no more than 40 yards. It pauses and I am still not sure if I am seeing spots...then it moves again. I now know I am not seeing spots. I slowly pick up my rifle from the ground to my right and click off the safety, a bit uneasy.

It gets closer and closer, and is now just on the other side of the tree in front of me, 10 feet or so. Then the blob takes shape. It raises its head and I can see the bears head and ears in the outline of the grass. He was sniffing right where I pee'd basically. We both pause and stare at each other for 5-7 seconds ....it was a bit tense....
I touch off a round with the .300 into the dirt between us and the bear bolts (it was well after shooting light). In hind sight, I could have called out to it, etc, but in reality, I didn't want to invoke further curiosity, I wanted it to be scared of me and bolt. I watched it bound away into the woods.
So, needless to say, that was an exciting first night in camp alone in a burned out forest with nothing but the wind and knowledge of a curious, but unhurt bear nearby.

It was pretty dang cool.

By the way, I did watch the bear run off through the field and made sure there was no blood the next morning, etc.  Be safe out there guys and gals!

[Bearhunter]

Very interesting experience, crazy the things that happen when spending enough time in the woods...

[Machias]

That makes for a light sleeping night. 

[Turner89]

Maybe you were in his bed
Cool story

[pianoman9701]

Cool story and well-told.

[Guy]

Ya, a bear in camp will get some attention! No doubt.

I think you did perfectly, scaring him off with that rifle blast.

Bear spray might have been another answer, but I like the rifle blast.

Guy

[Blacktail Sniper]

Maybe he was hoping to get a mention in your next book.....   

[saylean]

Maybe he was hoping to get a mention in your next book.....   

I think he made it.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Maybe he was hoping to get a mention in your next book.....   

I think he made it.

Or, maybe he had read your book and decided to just save time and energy and just surrender!!!

[elkboy]

Maybe he was hoping to get a mention in your next book.....   

I think he made it.

Or, maybe he had read your book and decided to just save time and energy and just surrender!!!

I agree, he was in fact surrendering!

Awesome experience. Thank you for sharing! 

[saylean]

Maybe he was hoping to get a mention in your next book.....   

I think he made it.

Or, maybe he had read your book and decided to just save time and energy and just surrender!!!

This cracks me up.

[RB]

Very cool, but makes for a short night. Had a Bear close to my Goat camp last year, left camp to take care of business at the pit toilet and came back to a fresh pile of Bear poop about 20 yards from my tent packed up and headed down with everything.

[tgomez]

My father had one right by his tent and actually touched face to face with the bear through the tent! This was about 7 years ago in unit 105. In the morning he had greasy paw prints all over his truck. We called him "kissing bear" for a few years! 💋🐻⛺

[Calvin Rayborn]

Dang!