So, buddy and I bear hunted this weekend. My buddy saw the tops of a bear from maybe 50-70 yards as he approached the edge of a ridge, and he proceeded to chase after the bear while I followed.
We were both side-hilling after this bear. The bear ran down the hill and my buddy chased after it. Think running down hill at a 45 degree, side-hilling its way into a basin. I ran up the hill to try and get above it.
I ran maybe 30 yards up hill to reach a point where I could see down into the basin. From there I ranged the bear at 75 yards down hill from me. The bear was laying down flat on its belly on a moss-covered rock pile. All four legs were spread flat and its head was laying flat. Its body was pointed in the direction of my buddy who was down hill from the bear.
I don't know if the bear was hiding, or waiting, or what?
But I thought it was usual to see it rather concealed and indeed I did not recognize it as a 'bear' at first.
Anyhow, dropped the back, crept up to shoot and it stood up then dived off the rock out of view, and ran across the basin into the timber. Should have just shot it immediately once I saw it.
