My friend and I went out in the Coyle unit and looked for a bear. After parking the truck, we walked a little ways backtracking the way we came, as I wanted to look over a cut that looked teeming with wild blackberry and oregon grape. My friend is a relatively new hunter, only having hunted two years and had yet to shoot at a game animal. He was unsure of the spot, but I told him the wind was steady as a rock there and it was the best place.
I took one spot looking one direction and he took the other. I had yet to settle into my station when I heard a shot followed closely by another. I looked over to see a very large bear flossing it over the cut. I hoped it was hit as I heard at least one thowk of a bullet hitting home, so to help my pal out,, I cut loose with my cannon. But it was a little far and he was a little too fast. After giving it a good 45 mins, we took up the trail. We looked for maybe three hours for any blood or hair or even gut matter, to no avail. After quizzing my pal, he finally admitted that he was shaking like a leaf and that he prolly missed. My ex flakey hunting pard is full bore now. It has bitten him. The bear, I feel was at least a six footer and every bit of 300 lbs. Good way to start the season.
