Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away

[Ray]

This morning I got some spare time. The in laws are in town and I have been showing them around.

So I drove up north on the back side of Baker Lake and found some berries up high over 5500 feet. I took a nap at around 8:30. Then I woke up and started scanning my sector from the ridge. What I saw was a moving black blob across the basin diagonally. I sacked up and dropped down below as the bear was feeding downhill towards the treeline. I got within 300 yards and watched for 30 mins. Making sure no cubs were around. Then I decided to stalk. The wind was coming from a bad direction. I knew my chances were slim. So when I got within 100 yards I dropped my backpack, nocked an arrow in my longbow and made my way toward the bear. This bear was a good sized adult. Should be at 200lbs - could be more. I walked gingerly across the heather and ripe blueberries and only made it 10 yards before the bear got my scent. DAMN! I watched as it started to gallop/waddle away. So I moved back over and grabbed my camera from my pack to get one wookie photo.

That was fun and in a new spot.

[Maligator]

Sounds like you had fun though! 

[ICEMAN]

Nice deep chested bear if ya ask me...looks big.

Any regrets not clunking him down with a rifle?  Probably not, I bet you are itching to use that new bow on something....

[Gobble]

Nice deep chested bear if ya ask me...looks big.

Thats what I was thinking, I bet that bear goes close to 300

[BLKBEARKLR]

Very nice bear, sounds like you had a good time even though you did not get the shot off

[Ray]

Yes, I can live without the bear. I don't have to take one home in order to have a great time. It's just amazing to get next to them. I'd shoot it with a rifle too but no regrets from today. Berries are out. I don't think I will get any more bear hunting time this year.

[bobcat]

What the heck. You got the whole experience without the work of packing it out. Sounds like it worked out just right.   

[Michelle_Nelson]

Nice looking Bear! 

[littlebuf]

you know ray if your not going to be able to get out id be happy to come watch that spot for you so no one else takes it 

[Maligator]

 

I'd be more than willing to make shot.....er...spot reports for you too Ray! 

[runamuk]

sounds like a great day....nice fat bear I mean wookie

[ratherhunt]

Great Hunt and a nice bear

[shanevg]

Wow, cool picture and story!  AlecVG and I were out yesterday all day, there were berries everywhere but not a bear or sign of a bear in sight.  It's been a really frustrating season for me, I've found berries every single time I'm out but I can't seem to find the bears.     Looks like fun, hopefully you'll be able to find some extra time to get another chance at him.

[saylean]

Nice to hear you got out and about. Great story Ray. It takes skill (and balls) to get that close to a bear. Good work, nice looking bearski.

[PA BEN]

Yes, I can live without the bear. I don't have to take one home in order to have a great time. It's just amazing to get next to them. I'd shoot it with a rifle too but no regrets from today. Berries are out. I don't think I will get any more bear hunting time this year.

The big ones are not as good eating anyway.