My first ever big game animal harvested!

[krolelov]

This is my very first post here. Thank you all for sharing tips and tactics! There is ton of good info on the internet but nothing beats local knowledge.

Now to the story. A week ago I was walking the trail through the meadow and spotted the bear scat. I stopped and started looking around and sure enough there was the bear almost behind me. I must have passed it no further than 20 yards but it was obstructed by the ridge and some trees. The bear locked eyes on me and wasn't moving. I dropped down and hid behind the tree and didn't move for 10 minutes. I was nervous the bear would flee the area. I was very pleased to see that in a little while the bear went on eating berries. I had all the time in the world to get into prone position, range it and be ready for the shot. When the bear was quartering away, I pulled the trigger. The bear rolled into the brush. I waited for an hour and went after it. I found the bear 30 yards down the very steep hill. It took me 1.5 hours to find it because of the thick brush. I managed a heart shot. The lungs were completely destroyed. I am believer now in Nosler Partition bullets. I was happy the shoulder meat was intact. You can see on picture a stomach full of berries and the busted heart to the right of it. The pack out was brutal. The backpack was 130 lbs that I had to carry for 4 miles. Crossing the swift creek in the dark felt very adventurous. It was an awesome day that I will remember for a long time.

The bear meat is insanely good. IMO it's far superior to venison. It smells so good and there is no gaminess. I rendered a lot of bear fat. My wife is using it in baking pastries. They turn out really good. The hide is in the freezer. I am planning to do the fleshing and tanning myself. I wonder if the liver is edible. I know that Polar Bear liver will kill a human because of the abundance of the vitamin A. I could not find any convincing information about the Black Bear’s one…

Now I have another tag to fill. But time is not on my side. A lot of the spots with berries have been hit with the snow already. I am guessing the berries are done there. What is the latest you have been able to kill a bear? I know a lot of bears go down during the deer season. What are the food sources the bears are switching to this time of the year? I appreciate your feedback.

[Karl Blanchard]

Oh man thats a killer looking hide! Congrats and welcome to huntwa

[packmule]

Beautiful bear and rifle! Go get another bear!

[WapitiTalk1]

Beautiful coloring on that bear, congrats!  is that a Weatherby VG-II you're shooting? 

[Fatherof5]

Nicely done! And Welcome! 

[h20hunter]

Love that white patch. Congrats.

[krolelov]

Beautiful coloring on that bear, congrats!  is that a Weatherby VG-II you're shooting?

Thanks! This is Sako 85 Finnlight.

[WapitiTalk1]

Beautiful coloring on that bear, congrats!  is that a Weatherby VG-II you're shooting?

Thanks! This is Sako 85 Finnlight.

Oh yah, I see that now.  Again, congrats... very nice bear. 

[follow maggie]

Excellent!!

 

[Seabass]

That's awesome...what a beautiful hide!

[pianoman9701]

Welcome to the forum. Excellent shot and cool hide. 

[Yelper Guy]

I'd keep hunting in the berries, frozen or not their still a food source.
Good work - beautiful Bear!

[Skyvalhunter]

That's a beautiful bear!! congrats

[yakimanoob]

Congrats and welcome!  That's a gorgeous bear. 

[grundy53]

Congratulations!

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[HikerHunter]

That's a great bear and quite the pack out! Thanks for sharing

[huntnfmly]

Way to go nice bear and welcome to the site thank you for sharing

[elkoholic1]

 

  WELCOME!!    AND CONGRATS!!!!!!

[krolelov]

I'd keep hunting in the berries, frozen or not their still a food source.
Good work - beautiful Bear!

That's a good point. Thank you.

[pd]

Congratulations.

I was recently told this--it was the first time to hear it--that bear liver is toxic to humans and should not be consumed.  I don't know if this is true or not, but please research it before you partake.

If it is true, that would be too bad, as I love deer and elk liver.

[TooTallMike]

I ate my bears liver last year and it was eating berries too.
For whatever reason it had a very strong odor when cooking it... Not your typical liver smell however once it was cooked it smelled and tasted fantastic. It was recommended that I soak it in buttermilk and to be honest it made no difference in taste from soaked and unsoaked.

Once you get over the thought that wow this isnt gonna be good to taking your first bite you'll be pleasantly surprised.

And I'd like to point out it's not a "good" taste compared to the expectation you draw from the initial smell of it. It's just flat out great eating.

Congrats on a beautiful bear and may you have continued success in your outdoor endeavors.

[Smokepole]

That bear is a dandy.  Thumbs up for sticking with it long enough to find him in the brush.  Sometimes that can be the hard part.  Those bear steaks will be fit for a king this winter.  Congrats.   

[SeatoSummit88]

Awesome Coat!  The white looks like those Asian Sloth Bears at Woodland Park Zoo... lol

[krolelov]

Awesome Coat!  The white looks like those Asian Sloth Bears at Woodland Park Zoo... lol

You have just busted my spot

[KFhunter]

Congrats!

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[Bob33]

Way to go! Thanks for the story and photos.

[Webfoot]

Great looking bear. Congrats.

[Igottanewknee]

Pretty bear. Like the blaze. And congratulations on your first bear. I cannot make that claim.