First Blackbear

[westside]

Took this guy on 10/30/07 near Wilkeson, Wa.

[Machias]

Congrats, how about a little story about the hunt.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Congrats!  Thats a nice bear!   

[billythekidrock]

Yeah,,,how about a story. Congrats.

[saylean]

  Always love to see/hear the bear stories! Congrats!

[westside]

First I have to admit I wasn't looking for this guy. I have seen bear in the area before, but I was hunting Blacktail. Walking these old logging roads through reprod is usually my tactic for deer. Its funny, but about five years ago I spooked a bear in almost the exact same spot. It was cold and clear the night before, so I had began walking at daylight. At about 10:00am I saw movement to the left side of the road in about 2ft tall grass at 100yds. The road was making a gradual bend to the left and I instinctively thought it was a small deer, because of the grass height. This was the shocking part of the entire event. He was walking away from me when he stopped turned and stood up on his hind legs. The guy the ran straight at me for about 20 to 30ft, stopped again and stood up. I had already acquired him in the scope from the first time I saw movement and the second time he stopped and stood up I fired hitting him dead center in the chest. He turned and ran about 20ft and folded up. The blood you can see in the pic. on his back is actually the exit wound. I was almost sure he didn't wind me, because I am very careful with my scent and I had the little breeze there was in my face. Thinking back my safety being clicked off may have been what made him stop and turn initially or the scope caps. It was kind of scary having him turn and run at me the way he did  . My dad later told me they will do that sometimes trying to pick up your scent. He was my first kill with my new gun as well, 300wsm 180 grain Ballistic Silvertips. I was very impressed with the gun . It was a great pleasure to see and have the chance to get this bear and everyone said he was a good sized Blackbear. He hung at 276lbs gutted, so I am guessing he was around 300lbs live weight. So there is the story guys/gals. I just hope the next one doesn't try to wind me like he did. Spooky having a 300lb critter run at you .

[WACATHUNTER]

Congrats on the Bear!!! Great story, I think I would have been a little up tight also having him immediatly turn and run towards you.  Congrats again, beautiful bear.
WACAT

[washingtonmuley]

Nice Bear

[nwhoundhunter]

Nice bear, there are some nice ones in that country, that's for sure.

[Rufous]

Well done. I love hunting bears and eating them too. I have heard that a good estimate is to add 15% to the gutted weight to come up with live weight so your bear was likely about 315 pounds. That is a big bear. Rufous.

[Wea300mag]

Great story/pic, that is a nice sized blackie. What are you doing with the meat? Jerky? Sausage? Roasts? All of the above? The hide should make a great rug this time of year.

[GoldTip]

Great looking bear, that is a darned nice bear for your first!

[robb92]

Congrats on the nice bear!!!