Ornery Sow

[woodman]

I was puckering too much to soil Ice.

  He closed the distance in a speed that can only be described but not understood until you see it in person.

Very interesting story, glad it ended like it did.

A person has a mental picture of how it might come down  but that changes when it actually happens. I had a sow with two cubs charge right to me this spring and you are right, it is very sobering how absolutely fast they can get to you and how much power they exert to get there! Something one never forgets and one gains a greater respect for them.

[epq21]

Amen on that ! The speed and power I witnessed on my last bear was simply indescribable. I have a whole nother respect for these awesome animals.

[epq21]

I growled at one in the off season and he came in harder,had to stand and shoo him off with a 44 pointed at his head..My partner was pissed at me for growling...so the huff and a grrrr noise is in my bag of tricks..one bullet has always done it for me,but they always get two..people do some funny things and forget stuff sometimes..me Ive forgot my gun,forgot to load it while calling..no big deal.That doesn't make me any less of a hunter,just not perfect...Hey campfires would be boring if wasn't for folks like me doing something wrong or what some might consider stupid...If want things to get interesting,call in dark thick places,where first sight is 50 to 30 feet,it can make your ass suck moss foresure...

HMMMM that's why you put the greenhorn in front, "right." So you can club him and run when you don't have your gun... Its great being bear chum... Love the stories, besides sometimes bringing less is better than bringing the whole kitchen with the kitchen sink.

[one-eyed Ross]

I enjoyed the story for a variety of reasons, not least of which was the fact that it was human.

We've all had those days, when we do a lot of things wrong...sometimes in spite of ourselves we bag the game, sometimes that game gets away.  But, being able to laugh at ourselves when we live to talk about how big a mistake we made is a good thing.

Also, maybe someone else learns a good lesson in the passing along of great stories.  This is one I'd be happy to have to share, if it had happened to me.

[Alchase]

I can remember watching a bear calling seminar at the Puyallup Sportsman's show that showed bears coming in at extreme velocity! It is amazing how fast they can move over clear cut brush and stumps that would take us forever to navigate. Then add all the damage they can do in the minute or two it takes to die even after being shot through the heart.

Huffing or popping your teeth at a bear that is close enough him huff and pop is not the smartest thing to do in my book. That is like asking for an attack. Remember fight or flight, that is an open challenge to fight.
Even my dog gets pissed when I pop my teeth at her, it is the only time she will show her teeth...though playing, lol

[tlbradford]

I agree with what everyone said.  Back to the original post, you handled it perfectly except for the huff.  If you thought it was a boar and you were trying for a shot, than it was perfect.  If you thought a huff would run it off, than it was a mistake.

I'm like Rasbo when it comes to having some instances where I forgot to load my rifle or forgot to chamber a round, etc.  However, that has all been coyote hunting.  When calling bears I am loaded at the truck and between all stands, so that is never an issue.

I think those guys were idiots only because she had two young cubs and they should consider that shooting was not an option to protect themselves if she would have charged.  Their only saving grace in my opinion is that the cubs were behind the sow. 

[DRDANTDC]

I can't believe some of you guys.  Bear hunting with one shell in the gun.  ARE YOU NUTS?    The other day there was a thread here where the guy encountered a bear and forgot to load his rifle.    Who taught some of you to hunt?     This isn't a universal observation but.....

You're an idiot.

I hunt with a T/C Encore.

+1
 

Lots of people hunt bears with T/C Encores. Some even go so far as to hunt them with a muzzleloader.

[woodman]

I think those guys were idiots only because she had two young cubs and they should consider that shooting was not an option to protect themselves if she would have charged.  Their only saving grace in my opinion is that the cubs were behind the sow. 

Why was shooting not an option to protect thenselves? I was told by a game warder this spring that it is okay to shoot a sow with cubs to protect yourself if she is trying to attack you. He said that if you do, let them know and they will trap the cubs and get them to a safe place.

[tlbradford]

I wasn't saying they couldn't shoot her, I was trying to say that they shouldn't consider that an option because knowingly shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in most areas and poor management in all areas.

[tlbradford]

Also, with budgets stretched, I would be willing to bet that instead of trapping cubs, some are probably just shot.

[woodman]

I wasn't saying they couldn't shoot her, I was trying to say that they shouldn't consider that an option because knowingly shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in most areas and poor management in all areas.

The game warden told me that it was not illegal in self defense. The same warden had told me that he was involved with trapping cubs earlier this year.

[tlbradford]

I wasn't saying they couldn't shoot her, I was trying to say that they shouldn't consider that an option because knowingly shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in most areas and poor management in all areas.

I didn't say it was illegal here.  The game regs say "hunters are urged to not shoot a cow with cubs."

I also didn't say that they didn't trap cubs, but that some are probably just shot.

You are not reading what I am saying very carefully.   

[woodman]

I wasn't saying they couldn't shoot her, I was trying to say that they shouldn't consider that an option because knowingly shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in most areas and poor management in all areas.

I didn't say it was illegal here.  The game regs say "hunters are urged to not shoot a cow with cubs."

I also didn't say that they didn't trap cubs, but that some are probably just shot.

You are not reading what I am saying very carefully.   

I am reading very carefully what you are writing, that is why I am answering.

[woodman]

I wasn't saying they couldn't shoot her, I was trying to say that they shouldn't consider that an option because knowingly shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in most areas and poor management in all areas.

I didn't say it was illegal here.  The game regs say "hunters are urged to not shoot a cow with cubs."

I also didn't say that they didn't trap cubs, but that some are probably just shot.

You are not reading what I am saying very carefully.   

I am not trying to argue, just trying to follow the conversation. I will let it go if it is bothering you.

I am reading very carefully what you are writing, that is why I am answering.

[tlbradford]

No it wasn't bothering me at all.  I think it is just one of those internet things where you can't really understand the point a person is trying to make with just the written word.  I reread your posts too and the second time through they didn't seem arguementative, just adding to the conversation.