Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:43:56 PM

Title: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:43:56 PM: This spring Little Pathfinder informed me that he would rather kill a bear than any other animal in the woods, so starting in June we began to hang trail cameras around where we elk hunt. I figured this would be a good place to start, as the last couple of years we seem to be overrun with black bears in that area. Seldom am I correct in my estimates, but this time I was (unfortunately for the deer and elk I'm afraid-who's numbers are waaaaay down as many of you know). By July we had captured several different bears on camera, and had a good hillside with berries on it pinpointed.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:45:30 PM: The day before opening day we set up a full camp with a wall tent, kitchen… the whole works. I had decided to make a camping trip out of it (even though we live less than an hour away), and allocated 3 days to sit and glass our number 1 area. With all of the bear activity on the trail and a patch of ripe berries, I figured at some point, a bear would wander across it.
Opening day began with a 3:45 wake up call, and a 30 minute hike to our glassing point. We got there in the dark at about 4:40 and settled in for a long day. We set up the spotting scope and waited. And waited.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:48:31 PM: Not sure why these pictures keep flipping sideways. ... >:(
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:49:25 PM: We sat for nearly 16 hours reading books, snacking and listening for noises in the brush (of which we heard a few that never materialized… Bears? Elk? Cattle?). It was almost 8pm when Little Pathfinder whispered “Dad, I think I hear something”, causing me to look up from the chapter I was trying to finish. I thought I saw a shadow I didn’t recognize in the brush, so I looked through the spotting scope. Sure enough, I spotted chocolate colored fur in the bushes near the berry patch we were watching.
I vectored him in on the figure with his rifle scope (less than 200 yards away) and he got his first look at the bear’s head and shoulders. Immediately, “buck (bear) fever” kicked in. He looked at me wide-eyed. He couldn’t believe he was actually looking at a bear. I told him to take a minute to relax. The opening on the hillside was about 400 yards long and the bear was taking its time working across it. We discussed for a while if this was the bear he wanted to fill his tag on, and he decided that it was. We confirmed that she did not have any cubs with her. The bear was facing straight towards us and I decided to get my rifle in place for a backup shot if necessary. I had just picked up my gun when Little Pathfinder whispered “He’s broadside, can I shoot?” LP has killed 4 deer, so I was confident that he would put a killing shot on the bear at less than 200 yards (he’s never actually shot a deer that close). “Go ahead, I whispered, don’t wait on me”.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:50:29 PM: A second later his 6.5 rang out. The bear spun, tumbled, regained it’s feet and ran down the hill into a brushy draw. The bullet entered tight behind the shoulder and almost exited the hip on the opposite side. LP was shaking like a leaf and whispering “OH MY GOSH…I JUST KILLED A BEAR!” over and over. We waited about 15 minutes to be safe (I could see a small tree shaking for about 5 minutes after the bear ran into the brush, so I was confident that we would find it there). A buddy of ours was sitting on a trail about 500 yards away and we knew he would hear the shot and hike over. The three of us moved forward, guns drawn for the recovery. We found the bear (about a 180lb sow) under the tree. She was dead (sort of… she gave a good death moan as we walked up, providing Little Pathfinder with some excitement).
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: jstone on August 10, 2020, 04:51:58 PM: Very cool
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on August 10, 2020, 04:53:27 PM: That is awesome, taking the kids is what it is all about, congrats!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Lucky1 on August 10, 2020, 04:55:52 PM: Congrats to your son. Good job on helping him get one!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:56:09 PM: We got the bear back to camp late that night and after dinner collapsed into bed. Spent the next day processing her for sausage and the taxidermist.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 10, 2020, 04:59:20 PM: Found the bullet buried in her hip. Good retention. For what it's worth (and I know starting a conversation about a 6.5 Creedmore on a hunting site is like starting a Ford/Chevy debate at a dragstrip), we have taken 3 animals with that 6.5 since I bought it last year. We have recovered all three bullets, with excellent mushrooming and weight retention. :twocents:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on August 10, 2020, 05:14:25 PM: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: jackelope on August 10, 2020, 05:17:24 PM: That's what I'm talking about. This is awesome, and a really great looking bear to boot. Congrats to both of you.

-Josh
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: OutHouse on August 10, 2020, 05:23:32 PM: Wow never seen a bear with that color configuration/white patch on the front. Very cool, congratulations to both of you!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Oldguy on August 10, 2020, 06:00:42 PM: Congratulations! It is great to see how many young people are whacking bears with photos to show smiling faces of their accomplishments. Makes me smile just to look at the photos.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: elkoholic1 on August 10, 2020, 06:05:07 PM: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: csaaphill on August 10, 2020, 06:14:58 PM: again as per the other thread grats on your bear! and yeah love that white stripe very nice.
Bear Sausage? as in-ground and seasoned for patties, or as in for like tube-like stuff like pepperoni? etc...
The bear I got years ago I had made into just plain ground sausage wasn't too bad...
I'd like to get another one and maybe try steaks out of but I know it's greasy fro I've had bear roast once and was very Greasy.
But grats on your sons bear Nice!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Dan-o on August 10, 2020, 06:41:37 PM: Nicely done, Little Pathfinder!!!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Igottanewknee on August 10, 2020, 06:48:27 PM: Beautiful looking bear. Good job Little Pathfinder!!
:tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: mountainman on August 10, 2020, 06:54:33 PM: Good job little Pathfinder! Taking my 12yo grandson out for his first bear Sunday afternoon. Can't wait!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: str8meat on August 10, 2020, 07:10:54 PM: Congrats young man
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 10, 2020, 07:32:13 PM: That’s awesome congrats too him.👍

Nicely done dad.😉
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: duckmen1 on August 10, 2020, 07:51:11 PM: Amazing bear. Congrats.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: actionshooter on August 10, 2020, 08:55:53 PM: Thats awesome! Congrats
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: redi on August 10, 2020, 08:58:38 PM: Gorgeous bear congratulations
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Mfowl on August 10, 2020, 09:06:29 PM: Totally awesome! Congrats! :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: huntnnw on August 11, 2020, 05:58:32 AM: Quote from: csaaphill on August 10, 2020, 06:14:58 PM
again as per the other thread grats on your bear! and yeah love that white stripe very nice.
Bear Sausage? as in-ground and seasoned for patties, or as in for like tube-like stuff like pepperoni? etc...
The bear I got years ago I had made into just plain ground sausage wasn't too bad...
I'd like to get another one and maybe try steaks out of but I know it's greasy fro I've had bear roast once and was very Greasy.
But grats on your sons bear Nice!

what makes it greasy is the fat on the outside, once trimmed bear is very lean. Reason steaks are not preferred is most like rare or med rare steaks and bear is nothing to mess with being under cooked.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Onewhohikes on August 11, 2020, 06:08:18 AM: Congrats on the bear
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: trophyhunt on August 11, 2020, 07:08:59 AM: What a great hunt, great time with the kid, great ending, he's lucky to have such a good dad to learn from! Congrats.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 11, 2020, 07:39:16 AM: Whammy!!!!!! Great shootin LP and what a beautiful hide that is gonna be! That would make an absolutely awesome pedestal mount.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on August 11, 2020, 07:53:42 AM: Nice bear!! :tup: Good job.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 11, 2020, 10:07:04 AM: Thanks for all the comments. LP is still on cloud 9 :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 11, 2020, 10:09:18 AM: Quote from: csaaphill on August 10, 2020, 06:14:58 PM
again as per the other thread grats on your bear! and yeah love that white stripe very nice.
Bear Sausage? as in-ground and seasoned for patties, or as in for like tube-like stuff like pepperoni? etc...
The bear I got years ago I had made into just plain ground sausage wasn't too bad...
I'd like to get another one and maybe try steaks out of but I know it's greasy fro I've had bear roast once and was very Greasy.
But grats on your sons bear Nice!

We did ground breakfast sausage. I've done it before and used it for biscuits and gravy.
I tried a bear steak once.

Once. :P
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 11, 2020, 10:35:55 AM: I've been told that whatever the bear has been eating recently will flavor the fat, which flavors the meet. I have killed two bears. One was a "berry bear" that I shot in September in a huckleberry patch. He was good.
My first bear must have been feasting on a diet of rotting meat and manure... :P
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: HikerHunter on August 11, 2020, 10:41:11 AM: beautiful bear and nice shooting!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: gramps on August 11, 2020, 11:18:21 AM: Congrats!!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 11, 2020, 11:37:46 AM: Congrats LP! Solid mature bear and beautiful coloration!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 11, 2020, 11:47:28 AM: Awesome story and bear. That's a really unique hide, too. Well done, PF Jr. :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: rainshadow1 on August 11, 2020, 11:49:19 AM: Way to go, Dad! Put in the effort and made it happen! Well done!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: hard hunter on August 11, 2020, 01:10:03 PM: Congrats LP and way to go dad. :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: CoryTDF on August 11, 2020, 01:20:30 PM: Quote from: Pathfinder101 on August 11, 2020, 10:09:18 AM
Quote from: csaaphill on August 10, 2020, 06:14:58 PM
again as per the other thread grats on your bear! and yeah love that white stripe very nice.
Bear Sausage? as in-ground and seasoned for patties, or as in for like tube-like stuff like pepperoni? etc...
The bear I got years ago I had made into just plain ground sausage wasn't too bad...
I'd like to get another one and maybe try steaks out of but I know it's greasy fro I've had bear roast once and was very Greasy.
But grats on your sons bear Nice!

We did ground breakfast sausage. I've done it before and used it for biscuits and gravy.
I tried a bear steak once.

Once. :P

HAHAHAAHAHAHA Yeah we sure did, that was well..... :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

Still jazzed for him! Now you guys have to go kill 3 more lol :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Machias on August 11, 2020, 01:59:38 PM: This goes down as one of my favorite posts of the year!! Awesome job to both of you!! Beautiful bear!! Congrats LP!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: bearpaw on August 11, 2020, 02:05:55 PM: Good job dad, a fantastic story, bear, and very happy looking kid! :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: D-Rock425 on August 11, 2020, 02:39:08 PM: Awesome job.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: h20hunter on August 11, 2020, 02:43:15 PM: Fantastic
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 11, 2020, 03:00:29 PM: How cool is that! From beginning till the end, you ensured he had the absolute best experience possible for this first clawed critter hunt. Congrats to the young hunter and great job to the guide!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: The Fin on August 11, 2020, 07:56:47 PM: Awesome bear and a great story :tup:.Comgrats
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: tgomez on August 11, 2020, 11:09:41 PM: Nice job young man and congratulations!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: idaho guy on August 12, 2020, 11:06:29 AM: great job I love the little pathfinder posts! he is getting a pretty good body count :chuckle:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Sutherland on August 12, 2020, 11:40:47 AM: Excellent work! Gorgeous bear!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: ctwiggs1 on August 12, 2020, 11:46:49 AM: That smile says it all - great job LP! And great job dad for getting him out there!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: crowinghen on August 16, 2020, 06:23:35 PM: That's a real pretty bear! Congrats!
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 17, 2020, 03:35:17 PM: Thanks for all the comments everyone. Side note: Had Biscuits and Bear Gravy for breakfast Saturday morning. The sausage turned out great (had it done by Haun's in Walla Walla). She must have been a Berry Bear :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: CoryTDF on August 18, 2020, 10:07:16 AM: Quote from: Pathfinder101 on August 17, 2020, 03:35:17 PM
:puke: :puke: Haun's in Walla Walla) :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:.

You just need to come over so we can make you some stuff that is not a salt lick. LOL
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 18, 2020, 01:35:14 PM: Quote from: CoryTDF on August 18, 2020, 10:07:16 AM
Quote from: Pathfinder101 on August 17, 2020, 03:35:17 PM
:puke: :puke: Haun's in Walla Walla) :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:.

You just need to come over so we can make you some stuff that is not a salt lick. LOL

Next bear for sure... :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 10, 2022, 01:18:30 PM: Update: Just picked up the rug yesterday. Turned out perfect. Darin Fuson in 9 Mile Falls did a fantastic job.
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Pathfinder101 on October 10, 2022, 01:19:16 PM: Really happy with how the white markings look on this rug. :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 10, 2022, 03:15:22 PM: What a beautiful bear! Congratulations on being a great hunter and having a great dad. :tup:
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 11, 2022, 07:46:30 PM: Nice.👍
Title: Re: Little Pathfinder's first bear
Post by: Angry Perch on October 12, 2022, 07:26:54 AM: That is a one of a kind bear for sure. So cool!