Post by: 7mmfan on September 22, 2019, 08:15:04 PM
Up early we found ourselves socked in. We took our time and hiked over the ridge into the next basin where we intended to hunt. We sat in fog so dense we couldn't see 40-50 yards until about 9:30 or so. Finally it broke and we began slowly working along the ridge glassing down into basin below. We'd only gone 100 yards and I looked back to slope below where we had sat most of the morning and there was a large black bear just munching away on berries. I decided to make a stalk and get close to ensure a clean shot than take what I had which was only 250. I got within 40 yards but the brush was just tall enough to screen the bear. She ended up winding one of us and left in a hurry.
We moved along and 20 minutes later we crested a small rise and there was another bear, 150 yards out. I navigated to a rock ledge to set up for the shot. The bear knew something was up and began moving out in a hurry. I lip squealed really loud and he stopped and looked back over his shoulder giving me his neck. The 7mm-08 barked and he was on his way down the hill, end over end for several hundred feet. He came to rest in a great spot to photo and process.
We processed him and got back to the ridge line. I spent the majority of the afternoon boning quarters and cleaning the hide up. My buddy worked a large area glassing timbered benches, open faces and rock slides, turning up nothing. We navigated back to camp and settled in for the evening.
The hike out was a long wet slog. My pack weighed in at 75# and that 6ish miles may have been one of the most physically demanding things I've done. Thank goodness for a good friend to split the load with.
Post by: h20hunter on September 22, 2019, 08:17:00 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 22, 2019, 08:21:05 PM
Very cool. Can't believe that's your first bear!
Thanks, had a few opportunities, but have just never connected. Never put a ton of time into it.
Post by: HillHound on September 22, 2019, 08:23:19 PM
Post by: h20hunter on September 22, 2019, 08:23:27 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 22, 2019, 08:28:12 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 22, 2019, 08:28:24 PM
Post by: Gobble Doc on September 22, 2019, 08:37:19 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: 7mmfan on September 22, 2019, 08:39:09 PM
Post by: dscubame on September 22, 2019, 08:40:55 PM
Post by: pashok23 on September 22, 2019, 09:11:31 PM
Post by: Bango skank on September 23, 2019, 03:47:06 AM
Looking forward to seeing the 2019 harvest report.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 23, 2019, 08:27:26 AM
Right on man, west side bear?
Looking forward to seeing the 2019 harvest report.
Yes a westside bear. Not by a whole bunch, but west side none the less. It's the first color phase bear I've ever seen, and it got me super excited!
Post by: yakimanoob on September 23, 2019, 08:51:18 AM
Post by: Turner89 on September 23, 2019, 11:17:15 PM
My first one was also a color phase., but not near as far pack out.
Post by: elkrack on September 24, 2019, 09:26:01 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2019, 10:04:23 AM
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2019, 12:36:14 PM
Post by: RugerRay on September 24, 2019, 03:12:17 PM
Post by: JakeLand on September 24, 2019, 04:20:57 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 25, 2019, 06:12:23 AM
Good job !! Great color for a rug !! See you up on the mountain later in October!!!
Thanks Jake! Looking forward to hauling my butt in there again.
Post by: RB on September 25, 2019, 07:27:21 AM
Post by: ganghis on September 25, 2019, 04:34:52 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on September 25, 2019, 06:32:04 PM
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 25, 2019, 08:11:18 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 25, 2019, 08:29:51 PM
Post by: tgomez on September 26, 2019, 05:11:09 AM