Jimmy (my little bro) was out hiking outside of Clear Lake on Tuesday (sorry...originally I said Monday..) evening with his girl...on the way back to the car he spots a bear eating by a stump, pulls up with his .280 Browning and shoots (bout 120 yards).
The bear was obviously hit, due to the way it was stumbling down the hill (couldnt really run straight, falling over, etc). It goes down into this ravine, into a snarled bowl of brush and log snags. Having to work the next day, he knew he would be pressed for time, so I drove up to help out.
We arrive at 0430 to start the hike up to the top of the hill.
Once we get up top, we hear a brush crashing around right where Jim thinks the bear went..so know he is second guessing if it was a good shot or not (we've all been there). Wind is blowing down into the bowl, so whatever it was smelled us and bolted. We set up the gear (game kart, water, etc) and by then, Jimmy has to get going to work. He explains were he shot, so off I go to track it.
Takes a bit of time, but I find some blood. The terrain was very steep,with loose rocks and nasty logs everywhere. Brush was chest to waist high, or higher throughout. The bear decided to get out of the main clearcut and barrel through 12 ft or so high brush...this was a "hands and knees" tracking job, due to the thickness of the brush and terrain. In the process I lost my GPS Garmin....but was able to recover it...thanks to my little brother Johnny who came out later in the afternoon to help.
Here is some blood trail.
And a few more specks.
Heres an idea of the brush I was crawling through. I could smell the bear a few times, but couldnt quite find it. It was about an 80 yard track.
Found the body at 9 am. Both shoulders were broken and she died that night. Thankfully, it stayed nice in cool in the shade for most of the day.
Here is as I found it.
I boned out the meat, skinned the hide and began packing it uphill to the top of the road, where the game kart was. Mosquitos ate well that day...and not cause of the bear. Johnny arrived later in the after noon, bringing water and was just in time to help with the last load up to the top..thankfully, cause by know I was running outta gas.
Jimmy met us half way up (he was done with work and drove back up) and pushed the game cart the final half mile or so...
This guy was waiting for me to leave....
The rug measured 5ft 1 in, nose to tail.
Jimmy owes me for this one. Hope you enjoyed the read.
