Post by: jrebel on August 11, 2020, 07:28:23 AM
So....My question?? Can you overcall an area or should I continue to try and call? I know bears are in the area and close. I have trail cam pics of numerous bear....one huge one :drool: :drool:. Any tips would be wonderful. Even if they involve other methods than calling.
Post by: duckmen1 on August 11, 2020, 09:58:24 AM
Post by: jrebel on August 12, 2020, 07:49:20 AM
I would have no problem calling an area on multiple occasions. Due to the fact a bear could have been out of the area that day and back in the next. You could also try changing the call if you feel that might help to throw something different at them. There's times even during calling that changing the sound could spark there interest to get them committed. Just be ready at times they come running in when you least expect it.
LOL....I have thought about the "running in" scenario many of time. One of my calling areas had about 50 yards of road each way and a small opening to prepare. I was hopeful I would hear them coming but thought about cleaning my pants if I didn't.... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
I am using a 450 marlin guide gun with open sights.....If nothing else I can pull the trigger as it is running me over. :yike:
Post by: duckmen1 on August 12, 2020, 09:27:36 AM
Over the years I relied on more of sound then visual of bears to have the success I have had even when calling. Most people aren't comfortable getting into close quarter areas with bears.
Shooting them at 6 steps is closer then most care to ever get. But its a rush that can't be beat.
Post by: Machias on August 12, 2020, 09:47:27 AM
Shooting them at 6 steps is closer then most care to ever get. But its a rush that can't be beat.
Amen!!
Post by: jrebel on August 12, 2020, 10:10:59 AM
Post by: cbond3318 on August 12, 2020, 10:11:54 AM
Keep a vantage hoping he would come out somewhere. If I were to call, Would you guys call right on top of him or back up and out and call?
Post by: Onewhohikes on August 12, 2020, 12:07:56 PM
Post by: dilleytech on August 13, 2020, 06:37:12 AM
Post by: Bogie85 on August 13, 2020, 02:14:42 PM
Post by: optic2 on August 13, 2020, 02:55:38 PM
Post by: saylean on August 13, 2020, 03:28:42 PM
I use the ultimate predator calls app on my phone, hook it up to my bluetooth speaker, crank it up and place it about 50 yards away from me (both the phone and the bluetooth speaker). If it might rain I put them in a plastic grocery bag.
Nice.👍👍
Post by: ThurstonCokid on August 13, 2020, 03:33:17 PM
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Post by: bearmanric on August 13, 2020, 03:40:11 PM
Post by: jrebel on August 13, 2020, 04:48:12 PM
Post by: jrebel on August 13, 2020, 04:49:03 PM
Post by: ThurstonCokid on August 13, 2020, 05:20:09 PM
Forgot to mention.... my feet hurt. :chuckle:Stay after it! It’ll come together.. long story short i missed a shot on a bear at 80ish yards.. i really don’t want to talk about it or give my excuses lol.. I’ll be out again soon
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Post by: Bogie85 on August 13, 2020, 05:53:43 PM
Forgot to mention.... my feet hurt. :chuckle:
I hope you get one!
Post by: bearmanric on August 13, 2020, 08:04:35 PM
Post by: Deer slayer on August 20, 2020, 07:13:31 PM
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Post by: jrebel on August 20, 2020, 07:26:29 PM
Any luck with the calling?
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Nothing. One time I think we had a bear circle us and then wind us. We are hunting crazy thick country so not 100% sure it was a bear, it could have been a doe too. Those whitetail doe do not like the fawn distress call at all. :chuckle:
Post by: ridgefire on August 20, 2020, 09:42:40 PM
Post by: HillHound on August 20, 2020, 10:04:04 PM
Post by: Bango skank on August 20, 2020, 11:25:59 PM
Anybody have any luck calling to bears when they are visible?
Last august i spotted a sow maybe 200 yards off feeding on hucks. Sat down on my butt and made a fawn bleat and she came running at me instantly. Couple times sge stopped for a second looking my way and id throw out one more bleat and shed resume running in. Maybe made 4 bleats total before i shot her at about 40yrds.
Post by: Deer slayer on August 21, 2020, 12:40:33 PM
Good luck. I’m sure it will work out at some point.Any luck with the calling?
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Nothing. One time I think we had a bear circle us and then wind us. We are hunting crazy thick country so not 100% sure it was a bear, it could have been a doe too. Those whitetail doe do not like the fawn distress call at all. :chuckle:
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Post by: jrebel on August 21, 2020, 12:56:27 PM
Good luck. I’m sure it will work out at some point.Any luck with the calling?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Nothing. One time I think we had a bear circle us and then wind us. We are hunting crazy thick country so not 100% sure it was a bear, it could have been a doe too. Those whitetail doe do not like the fawn distress call at all. :chuckle:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Thanks
My goal this year is to call one in. It will happen one way or another and I will post quick follow up when it does. Hell the bear in my area will likely sacrifice one of their own if it means I stop blowing on these calls. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: If nothing else, there will be no peaceful rest for bears in my neck of the woods.......a constant alarm clock!!
Post by: HillHound on August 21, 2020, 07:22:00 PM
Post by: dilleytech on September 20, 2020, 10:25:19 PM
Post by: Bango skank on September 24, 2020, 04:34:25 PM
Post by: Bango skank on September 24, 2020, 04:35:00 PM
I called in my first bear yesterday and arrowed it at 20 yards. With a jack rabbit in distress hand call. Took all of about 3 minutes for it to come running in. Pretty exciting.
Did you see it first, or were you cold calling? Good job.
Post by: ghosthunter on September 24, 2020, 05:17:15 PM
Post by: Bango skank on September 24, 2020, 05:20:48 PM
Post by: hunter399 on September 24, 2020, 05:59:35 PM
Sometimes coyote calling I start out soft.
I guess it's hard to explain online.
Post by: ibuyre on September 25, 2020, 06:59:49 AM
I’m on call attempt #8 or 10. I feel pretty confident some bears have at least heard me but the wind is never perfect. Might switch from fawn in distress to rabbit for awhile see if that works any better. I know one of these times it’s going to work but man I feel like I’m just scaring them away at this point.
Man I know this feeling. Last year, I had a spring bear tag for a area. I know the area OK, and in my scouting in the spring (from the year/years before), I know where a real beast is, my hand, with fingers spread will fit inside his prints, with space all around. In the spring he hangs out in a swampy thick nasty area, with grassy meadows around it. At night he comes out of the thick to eat the grass. I spent that entire spring bear season trying to call him out of that swamp in daylight.... like 20 tries, e caller. At dawn, at dusk, mid day... was always mindful of the wind, and wouldn't call if my stink was getting blown into the swamp. He NEVER came out in daylight... When normal bear season starts, he's gone, he moves onto someplace else, I don't know where...
He might be gone now though, a friend in the area, told me that someone hunting on a farm in corn fields , latter that year, about 20 miles down river from that location shot a 600lb+ bear. It was coming out of the river and eating corn at night. I think he said he caught it coming out of the riverbed at dusk.
Post by: dilleytech on September 25, 2020, 09:46:20 AM
I called in my first bear yesterday and arrowed it at 20 yards. With a jack rabbit in distress hand call. Took all of about 3 minutes for it to come running in. Pretty exciting.
Did you see it first, or were you cold calling? Good job.
Cold calling
Post by: dilleytech on September 25, 2020, 09:48:51 AM
Post by: Okanagan on September 25, 2020, 10:50:31 AM
Intermittent or non-stop? I had called half a dozen black bears with intermittent calling before I heard that non-stop is better. It may be but intermittent works. My grandson called one to 58 yards on opening day this year using a minute of jack rabbit spaced between five minutes of silence. I call more now than I used to but don't call non-stop unless using an electronic call. My usual is 15-20 seconds of sound with a minute or maybe 2 of silence.
What sound to call bears? Most any prey sound, with jack rabbit distress my first choice. Most of my bears have been called with hand calls, the majority with an old Weems jack rabbit sound. Have called some with a sweet Rainshadow fawn/hare call, with lip squeeks… When a bear is close I whimper the call rather than blow it loudly. I've had two blacks and one grizzly come to rifle shots that killed a deer or elk.
Time on stand till a bear arrived within range has been from 30 seconds to 40 minutes, and I usually don't stay more than half an hour on stand.
How bears approach: Some bears run toward the call sound, some sneak, some mosey in and some feed on their way in and act/pretend as if they do not hear the call, but they are working closer all the time. Most will work their way downwind of the call sound.
Then there are the bears that will not come to a call. Some of those, like a huge one in the North Cascades, were in the middle of a superb berry patch and would not leave it to cross a basin to the call sound. That one would look longingly at the fawn/rabbit distress sound, sigh and keep on eating huckleberries. With hand signals from my son, my nephew stalked within 40 yards of that one and killed it in the best berry patch we found on the mountain. I've seen a few bears bolt and run at the first sound from a predator call. Either they are inconsistent and unpredictable in calling contexts, or there are unknown factors we haven’t figured out when it comes to calling bears. I suspect the latter.
Post by: Bango skank on September 25, 2020, 11:01:56 AM
Then there are the bears that will not come to a call.
Met one of those this year. On september 2nd i was hunting a new area. Parked next to a rocky cliff with a draw full of elderberries below. Tried hunting but the wind was so bad i basically hid in another rocky outcrop for several hours hoping the weather would straighten up, then i gave up and decided to bail. Got back to my truck and took my pack off, and as i had my key in the door unlocking it i heard a bunch of brush moving around in the draw. Walked like 20 yards to the edge and a big boy was ripping up elderberries, but the brush was too thick for a good shot. Watched him feeding away and finally decided to try calling to him. He completely ignored me. Once he was out of sight for a bit and i couldnt hear him anymore i thought you know, the road loops around down there. I should tiptoe down it. Started to but thought naw, i wont see him. Ill just go back to my rig and drive down the road to see what things look like that way before i head home for the night and clean up. Wouldnt ya know it i get maybe 1/4 mile down the road and that jerk was standing broadside in the open about 20 yards from the road watching me drive by. He just didnt seem impressed with me at all.
Post by: saylean on September 25, 2020, 11:05:56 AM
:chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Jpmiller on September 25, 2020, 11:36:50 AM
Post by: Bango skank on September 25, 2020, 11:39:46 AM
Post by: Okanagan on September 25, 2020, 11:49:36 AM
Then there are the bears that will not come to a call.
Met one of those this year.
…
He just didnt seem impressed with me at all.
:dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: dilleytech on September 25, 2020, 01:04:42 PM
What time of day are you guys calling? This is my first year and the only responses ive gotten are coyotes and whitetails in the morning. Very limited sample size though.
I called mine in at 3pm
Post by: Jpmiller on September 25, 2020, 01:20:28 PM
Any time. Theyre active all day
That's about inline with what I was seeing on the cameras my dad runs at his place. The things were wandering by at noon when it was 95*
Post by: SpicyTacos on September 25, 2020, 07:32:17 PM
Post by: Bango skank on September 25, 2020, 07:38:33 PM
They don’t pick up my calls...one day I’ll get one to answer.
Keep tryin, it will happen when you least expect it. If you can get over next august i bet you can do it in 3 days or less.
Post by: SpicyTacos on September 25, 2020, 07:45:52 PM
Post by: lokidog on September 25, 2020, 08:22:26 PM
Post by: logola512c on September 28, 2020, 10:28:59 AM
I've read that book about 10 times. Usually after I go out looking for Smokey in the I-90 corridor and totally strike out. That book is chocked full of good info (and stories)... If I could ever figure out who wrote that, I'd sure thank them for publishing it.
PS -- I wonder if humor comes through online. :)
Post by: trophyhunt on October 21, 2020, 08:37:54 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 22, 2020, 06:36:45 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on October 25, 2020, 04:35:48 PM
Post by: Seabass on October 26, 2020, 10:01:13 AM
How late are the bears typically out. Worth it to bring a call during last weekend of modern elk?
It's worth a shot. I almost always have a bear or two on camera into December. I have bears on camera right now so....
Post by: dilleytech on October 27, 2020, 08:28:31 AM
Post by: logola512c on November 20, 2020, 12:27:13 PM
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 01:40:11 PM
He has me blocked,and most likely hates my guts.
But.......I'm also getting to old and far in life to leave skeletons in my closet. :dunno:
This forum could benefit from him.
Hunter399 to bango skank
I was just curious as to why your not on HW anymore.
Is it because of me,or just not into it.
I've seen you post on other forums,what's the deal.
I'm just gonna say sorry for any crap of mine.
Anyway no hard feelings between us I hope.
And wish you luck with your hunting adventure.
That I see on other places beside HW.
It's a shame ,you got a wealth of knowledge,game cam pics,and cool posts to share.Along with our current commission,us hunters should be united. Alot of our disagreement I regret.And realize your are correct on a lot of things I'm not.
Anyway,again sorry.
Michael L.
@Bango skank
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 01:45:48 PM
On top of that ,just did a calling set this morning after a few hours of glassing.
With no luck ,of course.
Thought maybe this one could be resurrected,to talk with successful bear calling guys in the forum.
What sounds
How long
How loud
You know the details of how to call a black bear.
I've been just slammed this year,no bear poop,no bear in the clear cuts,no bear road hunting,no bear on walk in hunts.
No luck from the bear gods,just nothing.
Thought maybe talking about calling might give me some hope.
Something to do in the heat,while I sit in the shade.
Id be ok with picking up a coyote ,just something.
Post by: jrebel on August 15, 2023, 02:42:48 PM
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 03:08:43 PM
I’ve yet to have any luck calling, so I won’t be of much help. I do love trying though. Keep at it and it will happen. My experience with bear hunting is, feast or famine…..meaning I see 3-5 bears one day and nothing the next 3-5 days. Not sure why that is?? I call my self the anti bear and my son is the bear whisperer. If he is hunting….we will see bear. If I am solo…..bears are safe. Lol.Do you have calling sequence,or e caller vs hand call.
Alot of what I read on the interwebs say loud and don't stop.
I didn't know that .
I'm just going to places I think have bears in the area.
But who really knows.
I've called in coyotes and 1 cougar ,but there always more hungry in the winter. My summer and fall skills are weak.
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 15, 2023, 03:12:44 PM
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 03:16:04 PM
https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cutting-the-distance/ep-8-calling-all-black-bear-with-douglas-boze (https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cutting-the-distance/ep-8-calling-all-black-bear-with-douglas-boze) probably worth a listen if you have time. I've had two sits calling this season, no luck so far but definitely didn't call for long enough the first outting.I will definitely give it a listen.
I used a foxpro today,with an hand call also at times.
For about an hour and half this morning.
No bears in the area,or they didn't like what I had to offer.
Post by: Cougartail on August 15, 2023, 04:24:27 PM
Sure would hate to pass one up due to a distant shot.
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 04:50:20 PM
https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cutting-the-distance/ep-8-calling-all-black-bear-with-douglas-boze (https://www.themeateater.com/listen/cutting-the-distance/ep-8-calling-all-black-bear-with-douglas-boze) probably worth a listen if you have time. I've had two sits calling this season, no luck so far but definitely didn't call for long enough the first outting.Just listened,picked up a few things from it.
I guess I'm just gotta stay at it.
Thanks for the link👍
Post by: hunter399 on August 15, 2023, 04:54:37 PM
What distance are most shot opportunities when calling? I'd like to kill one with my muzzleloader.I'm not an expert.
Sure would hate to pass one up due to a distant shot.
But a lot of people call them into a 100yards or less from what I hear.
Haven't called one ever,so my knowledge is just what people say.
Post by: revoa4 on August 18, 2023, 07:39:39 AM
"It’s not for everyone, but I do a lot of my hunting solo. Even with that statement, I cannot recommend predator-calling bears solo. Calling can be highly unpredictable. Bear calling takes patience and persistence. It can take multiple setups and calling attempts to entice a bear to a distress call, and bears can respond in several ways to your calling. They can stalk in over long periods of time, charge in ready for action, or anything in between. I have found that distress calling will many times trigger a bear to go on the move. He may not respond directly to the call, but he could reveal himself in a spot-and-stalk scenario. I use this tactic a lot. Don’t discount the fact that the very nature of blowing on a distress call has made you the prey. Those bears are coming for dinner; don’t forget that." Mark Livesay.
Link: https://www.gohunt.com/content/skills/black-bear/predator-calling-tactics-for-black-bears
Post by: ducks4days on August 18, 2023, 08:04:38 AM
What distance are most shot opportunities when calling? I'd like to kill one with my muzzleloader.I'm not an expert.
Sure would hate to pass one up due to a distant shot.
But a lot of people call them into a 100yards or less from what I hear.
Haven't called one ever,so my knowledge is just what people say.
I missed my best opportunity last year because my scope was zoomed all the way in from the last time I used it. Bear popped up 40 yards away ready for action and caught all 3 of us off guard.
In my experience, when calling works things happen fast and you better be prepared.
Post by: hunter399 on August 18, 2023, 08:21:12 AM
Still no luck, cause of game cams,I know a few bears come through a few times a month. And water is available there.
Which it has been very hot.
But ya still haven't seen it happen yet.
But it's something to do when glassing and hiking gets boring.
I guess it's the last ditch effort for me ,before I take off and go home.
Post by: hillbillyplumber on August 18, 2023, 08:41:56 AM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 18, 2023, 09:10:59 AM
Post by: hunter399 on August 18, 2023, 11:46:26 AM
I recall a few members mentioning they had unintentionally called in bear/cougar using the new ez-sukr while elk hunting last year. I've been working on trying to mimic a lost calf with it but when I had a sit last week there happened to be an elk herd down where I have bear on cam :bash: so no luck so far. Trying again this weekend.
Yup,this weekend I'll be trying again.
In the mourning for sure ,when the weather is cooler.
Post by: ganghis on August 18, 2023, 03:39:15 PM
Post by: PointBlank on September 27, 2023, 06:56:16 PM
Post by: Machias on September 29, 2023, 01:23:55 PM
What distance are most shot opportunities when calling? I'd like to kill one with my muzzleloader.
Sure would hate to pass one up due to a distant shot.
Mine have averaged about 15 yards.
Post by: LDennis24 on September 29, 2023, 03:06:54 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 29, 2023, 03:08:06 PM
Post by: Bearomatic180gr on September 29, 2023, 07:12:18 PM
Don't call this bear...Hahahaha I love this
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Post by: Machias on October 02, 2023, 11:18:29 AM
I've never actually tried to call in bears. How often do you spot a bear and then start calling hoping to bring them closer? And out of those times how often do they respond and come into your set? We usually just spot and stalk. It gets scary sometimes when they disappear on you... 😆
I average a bear called in about every 20 hours or so of calling. I call non-stop for about an hour every time I set up. The fastest I have had them show up is a little under 10 minutes. I've never called to a bear I could see, always cold calling. However, I did once call to a bear that crossed the road in front of my truck and he did come back and stand up. I like to call when there is a LOT of fresh sign, but if an area looks good or has plenty of food, I'll set up and call. I put a watch out in front of me so I can keep an eye out on how long I've been calling.
Post by: okie john on October 07, 2023, 11:20:23 AM
Also, we might need to make this thread a sticky.
Okie John
Post by: Gringo31 on October 09, 2023, 09:44:31 AM
Post by: mboyle0828 on October 09, 2023, 10:20:03 AM
I gave it an hour on the hand call yesterday. Called in my first Bald Eagle! :tup: :chuckle:
Nicely done! :chuckle:
Post by: Machias on October 11, 2023, 03:13:52 PM
I gave it an hour on the hand call yesterday. Called in my first Bald Eagle! :tup: :chuckle:
I used to bring in owls while calling at night, quite a few times. A bit scary when it first happens!
Post by: pickardjw on October 11, 2023, 04:19:47 PM
Grabbed an SD card and walked back up to the closed logging road and started a call set. Look at the most recent photo first and this big bear was in there 15 minutes before I checked the card. Still didn't come into the call.
Post by: ganghis on October 11, 2023, 09:29:18 PM
Nothing seems very predictable in the ways bears will behave to calls. I have to think they're smart too - that bear that came in to my call that I didn't expect might avoid it text time. But who knows - they're bears!
Post by: ElkTacos on October 15, 2023, 03:28:58 PM
Using the fox pro. Have tried fawn in distress and rabbit as sounds. Have mixed both sounds as well when not getting anything going.
What are your opinions on running fawn in distress for 3 minutes then 2 minutes off and after about 20 minutes of that switching to rabbit for 30 minutes if nothing appears to be going on?
Post by: Cougartail on October 15, 2023, 06:22:36 PM
I've never actually tried to call in bears. How often do you spot a bear and then start calling hoping to bring them closer? And out of those times how often do they respond and come into your set? We usually just spot and stalk. It gets scary sometimes when they disappear on you... 😆
I have a hunch that many are calling to bears that don't exsist in the area. Just like coyotes I use to call areas that had no coyotes. Now I howl and bait to find active coyote locations before hunting. Outside of cameras and chance encounters finding active locations is tough.
I average a bear called in about every 20 hours or so of calling. I call non-stop for about an hour every time I set up. The fastest I have had them show up is a little under 10 minutes. I've never called to a bear I could see, always cold calling. However, I did once call to a bear that crossed the road in front of my truck and he did come back and stand up. I like to call when there is a LOT of fresh sign, but if an area looks good or has plenty of food, I'll set up and call. I put a watch out in front of me so I can keep an eye out on how long I've been calling.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 15, 2023, 07:15:10 PM
Post by: dilleytech on October 31, 2023, 10:10:53 AM
3rd bear I have called in and by far the biggest. The two smaller bears I called in came running this one never made a sound and snuck in through dry leaves like you wouldn’t believe. If I would have been sitting on the ground I would have had no idea he came in at all. I could have grabbed the rifle and smoked him but I wanted the wife to shoot it as it would have meant more for her. She loves killing bear. Pretty cool experience anyway.
Post by: OutHouse on November 03, 2023, 09:49:41 AM
Post by: HillHound on November 03, 2023, 10:31:50 AM
He still lurks around here and on other forums. I get a text from him still every now and again and usually exchange bear pictures each year. He is a predator calling machine!
I think he just kind of got tired of some of the drama, some Caused by all of us and I’m sure some Caused by him as well(we’ve all had one too many drinks to be commenting at one point or another). I know some have drifted off or stopped posting pictures because it seems like some people on here like to accuse people of poaching if they are successful early in the season or they shoot a two point within 50 miles of the Pacific crest Trail, etc. some may be say these things because they’re jealous or maybe some of these people are Game warden’s and they’re just genuinely suspicious of all of us but either way it doesn’t help people sharing stories or pictures if they think they’re gonna be accused of something. Not saying that’s what happened to Bango but it is the case for a few others I know
Post by: OutHouse on November 03, 2023, 01:55:34 PM
Good luck!
He still lurks around here and on other forums. I get a text from him still every now and again and usually exchange bear pictures each year. He is a predator calling machine!
I think he just kind of got tired of some of the drama, some Caused by all of us and I’m sure some Caused by him as well(we’ve all had one too many drinks to be commenting at one point or another). I know some have drifted off or stopped posting pictures because it seems like some people on here like to accuse people of poaching if they are successful early in the season or they shoot a two point within 50 miles of the Pacific crest Trail, etc. some may be say these things because they’re jealous or maybe some of these people are Game warden’s and they’re just genuinely suspicious of all of us but either way it doesn’t help people sharing stories or pictures if they think they’re gonna be accused of something. Not saying that’s what happened to Bango but it is the case for a few others I know
Thanks Hillhound! Yea I seem to recall lots of bear calling threads and pictures with Bango in what looked like a leather jacket and bandana. Borderline legendary!