Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: OSCAR1987 on September 21, 2014, 06:40:24 PM

Title: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: OSCAR1987 on September 21, 2014, 06:40:24 PM: I went archery hunting for deer over on the East side this year and carried a bear tag just in case. I was not too surprised Wednesday evening Sept 3 when a very pretty color phase black bear decided to step in to the small clearing I was hunting in. I noticed how much his fur looked like a grizzly bear and immediately knew I wanted him. I watched the bear pulling down cherry tree saplings eating the fruit for several minutes anticipating him coming under the apple tree I was sitting over. As he approached I saw him standing on his hind legs scanning the clearing. When he dropped back down I came to full draw while his vision was blocked by the brush. He stepped into my shooting lane and gave me the perfect 18 yard broadside shot and I took it. I terribly mis-judged him as a young bear and thought he was average sized. I knocked an arrow for a follow up shot as he ran by my stand. I noticed how big his rump was as he ran by and was surprised when he paused a few yards past my tree and began to do the "hula dance". He went down from my perfectly placed arrow in less than 10 seconds and did not suffer. I was thrilled that I had harvested a beautiful "young" bear. I decided to keep hunting as deer was my primary target. After the sun fell I packed my gear and approached the down bear only to find the massive beast you see here. I was shocked by his sheer size. This was my first bear with any weapon. The animal measured 81.75" and has a 20" skull landing him in the record book of the all time biggest bears ever taken with a bow. This hunt turned out to be the thrill of a lifetime. I am humbled and certainly unworthy of such a trophy. Thanks and props to my friend Travis Haynes for his help and mentor ship hunting North American big game with a bow.

Andrew
Custer Sportsmen's Club
Archery Chairman
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Wea300mag on September 21, 2014, 06:47:30 PM: Very nice bear :tup:
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 21, 2014, 06:53:07 PM: Nice, looks like a big ol' boy..........
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: OSCAR1987 on September 21, 2014, 06:55:20 PM: another view
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: gaddy on September 21, 2014, 06:57:33 PM: did you get a full weight on that fellow? awsome animal!
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: OSCAR1987 on September 21, 2014, 06:59:32 PM: he was over 500 pounds according to Todd Crabtree at Wild Game Processing
Bruce at Wild Life Art Taxidermy measured the skull for the Green score of 20 inches
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: X-Force on September 21, 2014, 07:56:51 PM: Big ol' beast. Congrats
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: steen on September 21, 2014, 08:51:38 PM: Congratulations on such a beautiful bear! I might have to take a trip to Bruce's and have a look! Great story also.
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Huntboy on September 21, 2014, 09:13:34 PM: Nice bear.
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: docsven on September 21, 2014, 09:31:15 PM: Wow! His head looks bigger from the front angle than the side. Well done!
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Becky on September 21, 2014, 09:43:06 PM: Gorgeous bear!
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on September 21, 2014, 09:46:19 PM: Nice ... :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Vo2max on September 21, 2014, 09:52:51 PM: Nice job Andrew!
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: jasnt on September 21, 2014, 10:16:10 PM: Great bear :tup:
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Greenhorn on September 21, 2014, 10:35:07 PM: Wow, that is awesome, congratulations!
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: RadSav on September 21, 2014, 11:56:10 PM: I'm not sure where Firsy is, but it sure looks like they grow them big there! Congratulations on a beauty :tup:
Title: Re: My Firsy Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: OSCAR1987 on September 22, 2014, 05:56:39 AM: Quote from: RadSav on September 21, 2014, 11:56:10 PM
I'm not sure where Firsy is, but it sure looks like they grow them big there! Congratulations on a beauty :tup:

The Mazama 'Griz"
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Lunchbox1981 on September 22, 2014, 06:48:30 AM: Awesome! Congrats on an amazing Bear! :tup:
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 22, 2014, 03:58:13 PM: Real nice bear! :tup:
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: coxral on September 22, 2014, 04:55:34 PM: Congrats on the BEAST!
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Turner89 on September 23, 2014, 04:55:10 PM: Nice little bear :chuckle: :yike:
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: iRem on September 24, 2014, 07:27:40 PM: What a great looking beast you have there, nice trophy!

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Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: OSCAR1987 on September 27, 2014, 05:26:37 AM: Thanks everyone for your positive comments!
When I get the skull back from the taxi I will post up pics and a final score. I guess I will have to look up the guy in Sedro who scores for P& Y
Unless anybody knows of one near Bellingham.
:tup:
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: Arnbo on October 17, 2014, 09:58:39 AM: Great Bear! :tup:All that Terrell Practice pays off in a BigBoy Way.
Congrats
Title: Re: My First Bear goes Pope and Young Sept 3
Post by: de0827 on October 17, 2014, 04:49:43 PM: Wow - what an awesome and gorgeous bear!