Rookie Mistake

[jgorley]

I am a dumb a$$ rookie! 

So I made a total hunting rookie mistake yesterday!!  My brother and I were hunting Copalis all day yesterday.  At about 1:00 we were in the truck and moving from one area to another in the search of the elusive bear.  It was a flat area that was covered in a regrowth of brush.  Moving about 10 mph down the road.  A small break in the brush and I looked to my left.  There only 40 feet from the truck I spotted him.  Our first bear.  A medium sized boar, guessing about 150 pounds.  He was bigger than a large german shepard.  I was so amazed we saw one, I suddenly went stupid.  Knowing that these bears are used to seeing trucks drive by, I should have driven right by.  I should have gone 20 yards or more down the road.  I should have gone into the brush on the opposite side of the road.  I should have made a big arc back in line with him.  I should have made a 50 yard shot from the cover of the brush.  Did I do any of that?  Hell no, I slammed the truck in park and jumped out.   I had a round chambered befor I hit the ground.  I raised up as he stood up and jumped the stump and ran off.  I gave quick chase and tracked him through the brush, had Matt take the truck back down the road to the T, just 50 yards away, hoping he would see it cross the road.  Nope, but I tracked him across the road into the really thick brush and lost him!  If I only had one second more, he would have been in my truck.  Again I repeat myself, I am a dumb a$$ rookie!!    Man, I hope I did not just waste my chance!!  Well, at least I still have 3 weeks left!

I will be back in the trees Friday for another go.  Still no luck calling one in.  I have tryed cuts, treelines, regrowth and in the trees with no luck.  I have called in yotes, but no bruins.  I am new at calling, but I figure that I am not doing too bad if I have birds of prey overhead and yotes in view.  Really trying not to get discouraged.  Mostly cold calling in areas I see fresh sign.  Ok, calling all over the place!!!!  Running full camo, contorlling sent and trying to pay attention to wind.  I have crammed myself into root wads, between blowdowns and sitting on top of slash piles.  I am not used to the flat land, hard to glass when I can't see more than 50 yards in any direction.

Backwoods Boy, were you out and about the 8000?  Saw a white Toyota early in the morning, just past the pit at the end of the 8000 while trying to call.  Ran into a couple other guys, who have had no luck as well. 

I will be successful!!
James

[carpsniperg2]

good luck filling you tag

[bobcat]

You're learning, sounds like you just need more road hunting experience. It will become second nature over time, to not slam the brakes on when you see game. If you want to gain a lot of road hunting experience in a short time, try road hunting for grouse. That's how I got my techniques down.   

[ICEMAN]

Don't feel too bad.... I am sure a bunch of guys here have had the "fever"...

I too have went straight line after spooked game. 

[machine]

I'll admit I've tried to do the same following the trial and even setting up and calling near by.Seems like if they know your there you got about 3 seconds before they go into a full out run and don't stop or turn back for anything.I know a few guys who road hunt for deer but never tag a bear.Always hear the same storys about how the big one got away because they were a second to late or the coffe mug fell out and spooked the bear when they opened the door 

[BIGMIKE]

In hunting there is always a what if??? and its what keeping us interested, excited and hopefull season after season. Good luck and keep you weapon and head up bud. 

[Bob33]

The way I see it, you‘ve got a lot more going for you than the greatest majority of hunters out there.
You are honest and admit your mistakes.  You are responsible for your own actions and don’t blame someone else.  You are analytical and reviewed the mistakes made. You are persistent: “I will be back in the trees on Friday for another go”.  You are humble: “I’m new at calling”.  You are optimistic: “I will be successful”.

Give yourself a break !  (And then go back out after a nice bear.)  Good luck, and just remember that if you don’t get excited when you see game, you’re probably better off taking up something else like knitting or major league baseball.

[Caretaker]

Dttto, don't feel bad, get back at it!  Go buy another rifle to make yourself feel good.  We've all been there.

[Kain]

Road hunting is an art.