My first bear!!!

[firehawk87]

It took me three days to finally get him.I set up my ground blind up on a path between the berry patches and the creek on my property. I knew he followed this path regularly because I had been patterning his movements for a month using my trail camera. I found a good spot to brush my blind in and I waited. I also put out my different colored stakes along the paths that marked different yardages so I wouldn't have to range him. The first day he came within 25 yards of me, but I didn't have a good broadside shot so I didn't take it. That first day when I drew my bow back on him I was so shaky from the adrenalin and being that close to a bear on the ground for the first time I couldn't hold the bow. It was also my first time bowhunting and I was by myself. The second day I saw him twice and he came in a little closer, but once again I didn't have the shot I needed and he took a different intersecting path down to the creek. This time I let him go down the creek and decided to put a stalk on him. I followed him for about 30 minutes, but he somehow gave me the slip.Oh by the way I set up my ground blind by the creek in the ravine so it would be somewhat noisy and he couldn't hear me as well. Only downside to that was that I couldn't ever hearr him coming and had to visually catch him.The third day I hunted the morning and decided to meet my wife back at the cabin for lunch. I figures I had time because he was like clock work and came every day between 5:15-5:50 A.M., 1:00-2:45 P.M., and 9:30-11:30 P.M. Anyways I got back from lunch a little late and it was 1:10. I decided to be quiet as I made my way to my ground blind, however this time instead of staying on the path and walking right up front to my blind I decided to come in from the back and crawl on top of this old fallen tree behind my blind that was around 9ft in diameter and covered in moss. I did this because I didn't want to just walk out there in case the bear was there.Well I'm glad I did that for two reasons because 1.) I left my side arm back at the cabin by accident and 2.) By dumb luck the bear was there just sittng in front of my blind. I was just over my groundblind because it was at the base of the fallen tree and the bear was in front of my 10 yard marker.He was about 12 yards away. I drew my bow back and found the spot behind is leg and let go. When I released the arrow I thought I hit him to low, but the bear jumped straight up in the air and then stumbled about 20 feet and collapsed dead. I was so happy because it was my first bear, my first ever bow hunting experience, and I didn't have to track him, and finally he expired where it made him easy to get out. I couldn't have asked for a better first bowhunting experience. I'm hooked for life. I do have to say though he was a lot harder to skin and field dress than a deer or elk. We are excited that we are going to have a *censored* bear rug for our new cabin. Sorry for the rant guys, I just thought I'd share my experience.

[losdaddy7]

Nice bear, although I wouldn't have recommended the ice!!!!

[toe-jam]

  

[carpsniperg2]

Congrats on your first bear

[kglacken]

Nice job! awesome story! but......dry ice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sebek556]

  great story man and nice looking bear!

[denali]

Good looking bear ..nice job!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Great looking Bear and Great story!  Congrats on tagging out on a Bear with your Bow.
 
 
Get the Bear Hide out of that cooler full of loose ice.  Leave the ice in the bag.  You don't want the hide setting in water or getting wet.  Keep the hide cool and dry til you can get it in the freezer or the taxidermist.

[Miles]

Congrats on your bear.
 
 
 
Now where's that popcorn eating smiley? This thread could get interesting.

[Swannytheswan]

[Miles]

 
 
Thanks Swanny.

[Swannytheswan]

I do what I can

[Titan-1]

Awesome story  . Congrats on your bear you put your work in and earned it!!!

[D-Rock425]

That's awesome Congrats.

[250savage]

Congrats. Nice bear.