Typing on my iPhone , I started my day a little late after being out late Friday and getting drenched in two different thunder storms. And hiking out. Got up around six finished washing cloths (waste of time) I was stinky in a hour of seventy degree sun. Did a two mile road and back. No sign. Decided I would walk the p5000 road after seven.
But I could drive around and look for fresh sign. I drove through a area I have spent alot of time. Some of you have seen me or my jeep there a few times. Well that road tee's. I went left and ended up all the way at top looking down on road before the tee.
Decided to walk do edge of his to glass, the wind coming up hill. After only ten min I spotted a nice bear, his belly looked about six inches off the ground. He was walking a road about half way up the hill on the other side of the road I came in on. Andi quick thought I could drive past him and hike up to that road and stalk in downwind of him.
So I ran back up to jeep and drove about five miles fast as I dared around mountain and slowed when I was below where I spotted him. Went another half mile got out moved as fast and quiet as I could. It was old road dug out to keep trucks out all over. Found a creek were bank was soaked. Looked like he was laying in creek and making a bear damn to soak in.
I came to where I glassed him and kept walking slow. Then there was a road that went up hill clogged with alder and wind falls. Wind was at my back for that road. So I did not take it. I went straight. It dead ended almost right away. But there was a nice view so I glassed and sat for 15 min.
Decided I had nothing to lose so I went back the that road and started working my way through the alders and logs. It broke out in the sun in 1/4 mile.
I followed for another 100 yards and spotted him 70 yards walking away the way he had been going.
Got gun on shooting stick, bang. He took off like I missed. Shot again very pumped and excited shot. Probably missed second shot. So figured if first shot missed he was gone.
Walked up on his location and got lots of blood.
. But then the blood stopped. I walked thirty yards and seen him piled up thirty yards away.
He went sixty yards without a heart.
Got him in position for picture and started making phone calls to get him out. Got him gutted and pulled him to shade. Put my shirt over him. So he smelled like me. Hiked back to keep and drove back to gate. Picked up game cart, Cassandra, and hunting buddy Michael. Went back and got him out. Two hours and we were driving out with bear.
I figured I have hiked close to 200 miles for this bear.
And was getting a little discouraged. I had passed on two bear and seen five in the first two weeks. And had not seen another for three weeks.
This bear was not the biggest I seen, but a shooter I had a shot at.
Thanks for all the grats. And I will get more pictures up soon as I can get Internet.
Tuesday for sure, when I get back to work.
