Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Ray on August 22, 2009, 03:32:45 PM

Title: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Ray on August 22, 2009, 03:32:45 PM: This morning I got some spare time. The in laws are in town and I have been showing them around.

So I drove up north on the back side of Baker Lake and found some berries up high over 5500 feet. I took a nap at around 8:30. Then I woke up and started scanning my sector from the ridge. What I saw was a moving black blob across the basin diagonally. I sacked up and dropped down below as the bear was feeding downhill towards the treeline. I got within 300 yards and watched for 30 mins. Making sure no cubs were around. Then I decided to stalk. The wind was coming from a bad direction. I knew my chances were slim. So when I got within 100 yards I dropped my backpack, nocked an arrow in my longbow and made my way toward the bear. This bear was a good sized adult. Should be at 200lbs - could be more. I walked gingerly across the heather and ripe blueberries and only made it 10 yards before the bear got my scent. DAMN! I watched as it started to gallop/waddle away. So I moved back over and grabbed my camera from my pack to get one wookie photo.

That was fun and in a new spot.
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Maligator on August 22, 2009, 03:36:33 PM: Sounds like you had fun though! ;)
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: ICEMAN on August 22, 2009, 03:39:42 PM: Nice deep chested bear if ya ask me...looks big.

Any regrets not clunking him down with a rifle? :dunno: Probably not, I bet you are itching to use that new bow on something....
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Gobble on August 22, 2009, 03:42:41 PM: Quote from: ICEMAN on August 22, 2009, 03:39:42 PM
Nice deep chested bear if ya ask me...looks big.

Thats what I was thinking, I bet that bear goes close to 300
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on August 22, 2009, 03:51:05 PM: Very nice bear, sounds like you had a good time even though you did not get the shot off
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Ray on August 22, 2009, 03:58:53 PM: Yes, I can live without the bear. I don't have to take one home in order to have a great time. It's just amazing to get next to them. I'd shoot it with a rifle too but no regrets from today. Berries are out. I don't think I will get any more bear hunting time this year.
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: bobcat on August 22, 2009, 05:09:36 PM: What the heck. You got the whole experience without the work of packing it out. Sounds like it worked out just right. :)
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 22, 2009, 05:30:04 PM: Nice looking Bear!
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: littlebuf on August 22, 2009, 05:44:32 PM: you know ray if your not going to be able to get out id be happy to come watch that spot for you so no one else takes it ;)
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: Maligator on August 22, 2009, 06:49:36 PM: :yeah:

I'd be more than willing to make shot.....er...spot reports for you too Ray! ;)
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: runamuk on August 22, 2009, 08:40:14 PM: sounds like a great day....nice fat bear I mean wookie :chuckle:
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: ratherhunt on August 22, 2009, 10:10:50 PM: Great Hunt and a nice bear
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: shanevg on August 23, 2009, 08:58:24 AM: Wow, cool picture and story! AlecVG and I were out yesterday all day, there were berries everywhere but not a bear or sign of a bear in sight. It's been a really frustrating season for me, I've found berries every single time I'm out but I can't seem to find the bears. :dunno: Looks like fun, hopefully you'll be able to find some extra time to get another chance at him.
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: saylean on August 23, 2009, 10:34:31 AM: Nice to hear you got out and about. Great story Ray. It takes skill (and balls) to get that close to a bear. Good work, nice looking bearski.
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: PA BEN on August 26, 2009, 06:14:10 AM: Quote from: Ray on August 22, 2009, 03:58:53 PM
Yes, I can live without the bear. I don't have to take one home in order to have a great time. It's just amazing to get next to them. I'd shoot it with a rifle too but no regrets from today. Berries are out. I don't think I will get any more bear hunting time this year.
The big ones are not as good eating anyway. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: seth30 on August 26, 2009, 08:34:06 AM: maybe you can get that bruin next time :chuckle:
Title: Re: Busted on the stalk - Wookie Got away
Post by: LongTatLaw on August 26, 2009, 06:30:51 PM: Sounds like a great hunt Ray!
If ya got him every time it wouldnt be fun any more!

PS- nice sneak off on the in-laws...thats trickier than getting within 90 yards of a 300 lb bear during open season ;)