Our Lincoln Bear

[Dean44]

I pulled a Lincoln tag this year along with my oldest son, so of course, we are pretty excited about scouting and learning the area.  Any hints on where to start would be much appreciated.  We enjoy hiking behind closed gates when feasible.  Please PM me if you would like.

That being said, I thought a little Lincoln Bear humor would be in order.  I understand that this picture was taken on-site and so they named the Lincoln unit after him.

[Dean44]

Speaking of Lincoln, it may interest some of you to know that Abraham Lincoln really was a bear hunter and once wrote about it in an early poem.  (This is really a Lincoln poem, not kidding now).


The Bear Hunt
By Abraham Lincoln

A wild-bear chace, didst never see?
Then hast thou lived in vain.
Thy richest bump of glorious glee,
Lies desert in thy brain.

When first my father settled here,
'Twas then the frontier line:
The panther's scream, filled night with fear
And bears preyed on the swine.

But wo for Bruin's short lived fun,
When rose the squealing cry;
Now man and horse, with dog and gun,
For vengeance, at him fly.

A sound of danger strikes his ear;
He gives the breeze a snuff;
Away he bounds, with little fear,
And seeks the tangled rough.

On press his foes, and reach the ground,
Where's left his half munched meal;
The dogs, in circles, scent around,
And find his fresh made trail.

With instant cry, away they dash,
And men as fast pursue;
O'er logs they leap, through water splash,
And shout the brisk halloo.

Now to elude the eager pack,
Bear shuns the open ground;
Th[r]ough matted vines, he shapes his track
And runs it, round and round.

The tall fleet cur, with deep-mouthed voice,
Now speeds him, as the wind;
While half-grown pup, and short-legged fice,
Are yelping far behind.

And fresh recruits are dropping in
To join the merry corps:
With yelp and yell,--a mingled din--
The woods are in a roar.

And round, and round the chace now goes,
The world's alive with fun;
Nick Carter's horse, his rider throws,
And more, Hill drops his gun.

Now sorely pressed, bear glances back,
And lolls his tired tongue;
When as, to force him from his track,
An ambush on him sprung.

Across the glade he sweeps for flight,
And fully is in view.
The dogs, new-fired, by the sight,
Their cry, and speed, renew.

The foremost ones, now reach his rear,
He turns, they dash away;
And circling now, the wrathful bear,
They have him full at bay.

At top of speed, the horse-men come,
All screaming in a row,
"Whoop! Take him Tiger. Seize him Drum."
Bang,--bang--the rifles go.

And furious now, the dogs he tears,
And crushes in his ire,
Wheels right and left, and upward rears,
With eyes of burning fire.

But leaden death is at his heart,
Vain all the strength he plies.
And, spouting blood from every part,
He reels, and sinks, and dies.

And now a dinsome clamor rose,
'Bout who should have his skin;
Who first draws blood, each hunter knows,
This prize must always win.

But who did this, and how to trace
What's true from what's a lie,
Like lawyers, in a murder case
They stoutly argufy.

Aforesaid fice, of blustering mood,
Behind, and quite forgot,
Just now emerging from the wood,
Arrives upon the spot.

With grinning teeth, and up-turned hair--
Brim full of spunk and wrath,
He growls, and seizes on dead bear,
And shakes for life and death.

And swells as if his skin would tear,
And growls and shakes again;
And swears, as plain as dog can swear,
That he has won the skin.

Conceited whelp! we laugh at thee--
Nor mind, that now a few
Of pompous, two-legged dogs there be,
Conceited quite as you.

[Alan K]

When you guys get your info on where the designated hunt area is, post it and I'll let you know what I know of the area.  I have family in Doty and spend a lot of time in those hills.

[bobcat]

Weyerhaeuser ground is what is open. None of the state land. Some of it is open to vehicles, some is walk in only.

[Alan K]

From what I understand it's not all of Weyerhaeuser land though, just the portion of it they designate as the hunt area. Generally where they are having a lot of bear damage.

[bobcat]

I think all of Weyerhaeuser was open last year. I'll have to dig out the map and refresh my memory. A portion of it was only open on the weekends, and during the week after 3 P.M. The area north of Garrard Creek Road was the walk in area and was open anytime, with no restrictions, except of course that you had to walk in.

[crow360]

I hunted lincoln last year and have also drawn again this year and what helped me out most was talking to the active loggers and a police officer that was patrolling the area. He told me right where the bear complaints had been lately.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I hunted lincoln last year and have also drawn again this year and what helped me out most was talking to the active loggers and a police officer that was patrolling the area. He told me right where the bear complaints had been lately.

unfortunately the only 2 reports from weyerhauser were..

There has been a lot of recent and older bear damage in legal 28&29-15N-5W.  It has been reported on the C-7600, C-7620 and general vicinity.  Look in recently pre-commercially thinned plantations and non-thinned plantations.  The bear(s) have even climbed the trees to girdle them.

and

Wed 5/19/2010 7:45 AM

Bear activity (sighting) reported at Garred Creek C-line at the F-line junction.  Section 20, T.15N. , R.05E.

both of those were OUTSIDE the hunt area.
Talking to workers in the area was helpful, but not many left in woods after quitting time (3:00 pm)
I  am interested in any adjustment/changes they might have made, just in case I get drawn for next year...

[Dean44]

Thanks for the tips guys.  Yes, I am excited to get the map and see which areas are open and if it is the same as you had last year.

[billythekidrock]

Dean, I also have a little info I will try to dig up.

[Ghost Hunter]

Dean, I also have a little info I will try to dig up.

Gave Dean my maps and some info you gave me last year   I'll add a few GPS points at first opportunity.  Somebody needs to kill a bear in there.

[billythekidrock]

Dean, I also have a little info I will try to dig up.

Gave Dean my maps and some info you gave me last year   I'll add a few GPS points at first opportunity.  Somebody needs to kill a bear in there.

See....that is why you don't share.....they will share with someone else. 

Just kidding. I was going to tell you to share with him.  I figured you would at least hunt a day or so with him as well.

[Dean44]

Dean, I also have a little info I will try to dig up.

BTKR, thanks. It is always good to hear from you.

You and Ghost are great examples of thoughtful and courteous hunters, the kind I always look forward to meeting when I am in the field.

[bearmanric]

Dean44 i will help any way i can.  was told by a mutual friend your good people. trying to find my map's for road numbers. good luck. Rick

[bucklucky]

I may have acouple holes that hold plenty of bears . just not sure they are im the open area. If I get it figured out I will let you know.