Post by: reagansquad on August 13, 2012, 10:24:32 AM
I'd been scouting this spot all summer. My first step was doing some research and figuring out which GMU in my neighborhood produced the most bears. Folks on here always say 'find the food, find the bears' so I started looking for bear food out in the woods.
Found a spot that was a literal sea of berry bushes. Kept scouting, saw a couple tracks. There were also small turds out there, but I couldn't tell if they were bear or coyote turds. Pure berries in them though, no carrion. I knew something was passing through on the regular, but not in the afternoon or evening when I was there...
...so I got up early early in the morning, and hit the trail head right at legal hunting hours. I was freshly bathed in that hunter no-scent body wash, scent lock clothes. Got out there, started walking up this old abandoned trail towards the spot I'd been scouting. Saw a couple tracks in the sand/dust/dirt. Saw some more of those poopies I told you about earlier.
After walking about a mile, I come over a little rise and hear the usual 'BANG POW CRASH DESTRUCTION NOM NOM NOM' that a comfortable eating bear makes. Sure enough, there's a bear 20 yards in front of me. I was just like 'No way... Naw... cant be...' cause I was expecting to put in a little work finding one. I stood there for a little while and watched it, making sure there was no sign of cubs, and that I had a safe shot and everything. It wasn't going anywhere and never noticed me so I took my time. Put in my earplugs. Aimed, and then 20 years of playing videogames took over. I shot for the vitals, and then just automatically followed up. I meant to take a followup in the neck, but habit took over and I headshotted it. Bear only suffered for a second or two from the first shot before the followup dispatched it.
I stood there and shook for a half hour looking for movement in the bushes, called my dad, threw a couple rocks in there to see if it was still alive, then started after it. It was 20 yards away, but I had to cut a 50 yard trail straight down through some thick terrible 5' blackberry bushes. I was gassed by the time I got down there, then after having to muscle it around and butcher it I was really really canned. Started pulling it back up this hill, getting stuck on every blackberry bush along the way. I puked a couple times pulling it out, then finally got it to the trail and collapsed. Drank about 5L or water. Then I tossed it over my shoulder and walked back to the car.
Now this guy looks a little small, but keep in mind I'm 6'6" and over 300lbs.
Thanks to h2o and co for the help. Live savers dude, and I learned a ton from you guys.
http://i.imgur.com/KfA2g.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/KfA2g.jpg)
Oh! And who does taxidermy around here? I want to get the skull mounted like this:
http://www.allclassics.com/wp-content/themes/shopperpress/thumbs/fossil6-1.JPG (http://www.allclassics.com/wp-content/themes/shopperpress/thumbs/fossil6-1.JPG)
Post by: MuleySniper on August 13, 2012, 10:28:09 AM
MS
Post by: h20hunter on August 13, 2012, 10:37:18 AM
Congratulations again....pretty little bear and a good way to start.
Post by: reagansquad on August 13, 2012, 10:45:23 AM
Thats awesome. I guess being lucky is pretty good. I had a lot of fun helping out with the bear and it was good meeting you. Put me down for a pkg of pep sticks and we will call it good. Also....maybe we should go for a walk so you can show me where this went down....just saying you know if you have some time. Get another one and we'll take it a little slower on the skinning process. I dont' doubt for minute that seeing you with that bear over your shoulder was a sight to behold. Probably scare the hell out of anyone you came across. Did you get her to the butcher yet? Like I said...count me in on a package of pepperoni and we'll get a beer and talk more hunting.
Congratulations again....pretty little bear and a good way to start.
Heading down to the butcher on my lunch break in a little bit. I added some more ice, and checked this morning. The meat is happy and cold.
Yeah dude I'd be happy to take you out there, and you got it on the pep sticks. What are you doing after work this week? I'm out of town next weekend...
Post by: h20hunter on August 13, 2012, 10:48:16 AM
Post by: reagansquad on August 13, 2012, 10:49:32 AM
I think Wed I'm bear hunting with you! I'm off at 4:30 and I think from our discussion I'm just up the road from you.
Can you do Thurs? I have the kid Weds and he's not quite old enough to come along. I can try and trade nights though..
Post by: h20hunter on August 13, 2012, 10:51:56 AM
Post by: reagansquad on August 13, 2012, 10:54:17 AM
Can't......tuesday and thrusday are my own pick 'em up at daycare. You can always shoot me some info in a PM and I'll keep your honey hole a secret. You mentioned the general area.....so shouldn't be to hard to find. Do you think it makes for a decent evening hunt?
The only thing that would suck about hunting out there in the evening is that the wind changes direction so it might be harder to sneak up on them. Otherwise I think it'd be pretty good.
I'll make you a treasure map if I can't get my ex to trade nights.
Post by: h20hunter on August 13, 2012, 10:57:35 AM
Post by: h20hunter on August 22, 2012, 03:54:03 PM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on August 22, 2012, 04:14:03 PM
Post by: Nilehunter on August 22, 2012, 04:53:42 PM
:tup:
Post by: b.roberts on August 22, 2012, 06:47:21 PM
Post by: go4itlab on August 22, 2012, 08:57:28 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 22, 2012, 09:02:29 PM
Congrats again.
Post by: Cap.Silver on August 22, 2012, 09:19:45 PM
Post by: Nape.257 on August 23, 2012, 11:59:09 AM
Hoping to get my first bear come september 1st.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 23, 2012, 12:22:22 PM
Post by: headshot5 on August 23, 2012, 12:34:47 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on August 23, 2012, 01:22:20 PM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on August 23, 2012, 02:00:05 PM
.............." I puked a couple of times" made the story. Good goin' !
I should've done that with my first muley as well!!!! :chuckle:
Great story congrats!!!
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 23, 2012, 02:38:09 PM
.............." I puked a couple of times" made the story. Good goin' !
I should've done that with my first muley as well!!!! :chuckle:
Great story congrats!!!
I've choked up pretty good myself, but didn't puke.
Post by: runamuk on August 23, 2012, 02:42:38 PM
Quote
and hear the usual 'BANG POW CRASH DESTRUCTION NOM NOM NOM' that a comfortable eating bear makes.
:chuckle: :chuckle:
congrats again on the bear
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 23, 2012, 02:47:48 PM
Post by: Elkpiss on August 23, 2012, 03:48:55 PM