I was bowhunting for elk a few years ago near Frost Mtn, over in the Manastash Unit. I was watching an elk wallow, sitting on a big log, leg either side and leaning against a large tree. I heard a little shuffling sound and slooowly turned my head to see a chocolate colored bear walking up. She climbed up and stood on the log I was sitting on right at 8 or 9 feet away. Then she stepped off the log and walked over to the next log and put her front feet up, broadside at 7 or 8 yards. I drew and double lunged her. Arrow blew threw and stuck in a tree 25 yards away! She rolled around and let out a growl and came up running, right at me. She had no idea I was there and was just running to get away. No exaggeration, I could have slapped her on her butt as she ran by. She piled up 35 yards later. I had killed 7 bears up to that point and seen LOTS of bears up close. I would have bet my paycheck she was pushing 200-250 pounds. I walked up and looked around for my bear casue the one on the ground weighed a whopping 105 pounds. Very nice coat, had it tanned, and it was great packing her out, but dang she had serious ground shrinkage!!
