Killed a bear the evening of opening day. I noticed his head, paws and really, everything was bigger than the 2 I’d killed the past 2 years. (3 yrs running!, westside success!)
Anyways, after a grueling break down and multiple trip, pack job, I got back into my solo campsite and crashed.
I left the next day, after a good nights sleep and couldn’t wait to get to a buddies house to show him…all the way, I was hoping he’d hit the 6ft mark. My previous 2 had been 5’ 6” in ‘23 and a really pretty chocolate 5’8” in ‘24.
I get to his house and stretch a tape over the hide, (with the skull in still)
And he reads off, “he’s *censored*in 6’7! And holy *censored* that thing has a huge head!!!” We shared a hug and a couple hi 5’s and I left.
I txt a buddy a picture, and he says, “bud, you better get that skull measured and square that hide.”
Which I didn’t even know how to do.
After learning and measuring, he squares right at 7’!!!After a more careful measurement, he was 88” wide and 80” long!! I got his his skull cleaned and drying, but it looks like it’s gonna land around 19 5/8!
Never measured it without the skull in it, and it’s at the taxidermist for a half body mount.
Couple quick observations-
He had incredibly huge arms and shoulders. Like absolutely jacked. He had forearms, midway as large as my lower thigh. His shoulders absolutely outweighed his hindquarters. (Trust me)
Jet black, no white patch. Very small amount of brown on his scarred up face.
Literally, his flesh smells like the black cap raspberries he was chowing on when I shot him. He’s absolutely delicious.
Quick question- what’s a bear like that weigh? I know he was heavy to move around to break down. Same buddy that helped with the first measurement said, 300+ all day. Substantialy more meat than the last 2, and I guessed them both about 200-230 lbs.
sorry, not a great photo taker.
