Post by: Muleyslyr on October 31, 2020, 02:30:54 PM
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I continued on up the hill and found a spot I could set up camp that wasn’t far from a basin I was anxious to get glass on for a few days.
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After a sleepless, cold night knowing my wolf buddy wasn’t far behind me somewhere, I was up early and hiked to a decent vantage point where I’d spend most the day glassing different vantage points and taking in some good high country eats.
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Was able to cover a lot of good big buck country but after 2.5 days I wasn’t turning up any bucks. Did find 3 other sets of wolf track in the area tho. Doesn’t help. And one heard of about a dozen elk with a good bull still hanging with his cows. Again another graining photo from the phoneskope is all I have to show for it.
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I decided to hike out on the third day back to my truck and base camp. Was good to have a good meal and good nights sleep. Regroup and try and different area. I spent two more days in the area around my camp but was finding I just couldn’t get to where I wanted to go without the use of a bike or horse. I exhausted every spot in that area and after 5 days, decided I needed to pack up and move out. I drove to a completely different part of the unit to an area that looked good on google and onX I had marked. Something more accessible by foot and an area I could cover a lot of country. It was a crap shoot but I was going to give myself a day and a half and then had to head home. After resetting up camp and getting situated I decided to hike into an area for last few hours of daylight that day and find a spot that would look good to hunt the next day. As I crested a finger ridge and was coming up to an area I could get the glass out, I looked into the draw next to me and spotted a large black ball of fur. It only took a few seconds with the Vortex UHD’s to realize it was a black bear laying there balled up like a dog in front of the fire snoring. I stood there for a brief moment and contemplated should I or shouldn’t I... After almost a week of pounding this unit and not finding any good bucks worth putting my tag on, and essentially one day left to hunt, I decided I’d love to come home with a good bear. So got set up with the rifle on the bipod and at 168yds waited for him to get up. Nothing. Finally after a half hour he at least repositioned himself in a way where his head was moved and his entire body was exposed. Settled the crosshairs on the vitals and with one squeeze of the trigger my hunt was over. In the great state of Idaho for those that aren’t aware, one can actually use their deer tag on a black bear or cougar.
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I was fortunate to have already taken a good archery mule deer here in WA during early season and still have a Montana deer tag in my pocket so I was more than happy to sandwich this bear in between those two. Great to hunt a new area and learn new country and push myself in ways I haven’t before. I’ll be back next year and already looking forward to what I will learn and what I will find.
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Post by: ShaneTyTrey on October 31, 2020, 03:27:46 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 31, 2020, 04:31:08 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 31, 2020, 08:15:38 PM
Post by: Buckjunkie on October 31, 2020, 09:39:43 PM
Post by: Machias on November 01, 2020, 08:52:25 PM
Post by: h3x0ctb1n on November 01, 2020, 10:47:30 PM
Post by: RoostrCogburn on November 02, 2020, 06:48:07 AM
Post by: csaaphill on November 02, 2020, 08:57:39 PM
grats
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 16, 2020, 05:26:07 PM
Jet black with a light brown muzzle is my dream bear. Congrats and thanks for sharing :tup:
Thanks. Wasn't sure what I was gonna do with him but you're right, that jet black coat and super light face will make for a cool rug.
Post by: go4steelhd on November 16, 2020, 05:34:17 PM
Post by: brew on November 16, 2020, 06:51:00 PM
Post by: HikerHunter on November 17, 2020, 09:27:01 AM
Post by: boneaddict on November 17, 2020, 09:31:30 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 17, 2020, 09:36:09 AM
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 17, 2020, 05:30:06 PM
I'd be happy with that trade as well. I've shot lots of deer... never a bear with a hide that pretty though... :tup:
Thanks. I got my WA and MT mule deer so I’m pretty happy to sandwich this guy in between those two.😊
Post by: pd on November 17, 2020, 05:39:09 PM
And, nice bear, too.