simmered
05-27-2009, 11:58 AM
So for the last few years I take in my bottles from the garage and and buy my wildlife certificate and my bear tag. I never really hunted hard for a bear just bought the tag just incase I came across one. Well this year was the first year I went out specificaly to hunt a spring bear.
The first week in May I had went out and scouted a few spots that I had got tips on, (thanks to all who helped). I found a couple real promising spots! Not seeing much activity while out my days off ended withme only seeing bears on the highway to and from the hunting spots. :(
After a rather long set of night shifts thinking about hunting I was able to get out and actually do some hunting. The first night as we drove out to the area I have to wonder why you never see that many deer durring deer season! Anyway as we get to our spot we spotted a bear across the cutblock and quickly and quietly got our stuff together so we could get a little closer. I remember everything I've been told about bears was to go around them and avoid at all costs. I can't help but think about this as we sneak up on this particular bear. My heart was pounding, as we set up about 150yrds away and sat down to watch the bear for a little bit my buddy spotted two cubs. We decided to back out and try the next spot. Long story short we had no luck the rest of the night.
Day two is a completely different story! Heading out the next day we had high hopes. As we were driving out to our spot down one rather long cutline we spoted something dark. Out comes the binoculars and sure enough its a bear. The stalk is on! After what seemed like hours we again were in shooting range. Remembering yesterdays events we got comfortable and decided to watch this one for a little bit as well. After about 15 minutes something spooked the bear and off it went. Strike two! We piled back into the truck and off to our original spot. We spent the next 3 hours walking and glassing to no luck. It was time to call it a day. On the way back home we decided to check that cutline again. "there it is!" I said. Checked the clock 9 bells, enough time to get a good shot we figured. Up the cutline we went. I don't ever remember a time where I've been this nervous. I got set up at the edge along the treeline and made a good shot on the bear. Okay so at this point I think I jumped out of my skin for a second. We walked up and quickly found a trail! The bear didn't go 30 yrds, just inside the treeline. What a great day! Thanks again to all for the tips that made my hunting trip so much better!
Here are a couple pics
http://image64.webshots.com/664/8/30/33/2331830330105201612hsMMEd_ph.jpg
http://image62.webshots.com/762/0/97/51/2004097510105201612yzpgDQ_ph.jpg
The first week in May I had went out and scouted a few spots that I had got tips on, (thanks to all who helped). I found a couple real promising spots! Not seeing much activity while out my days off ended withme only seeing bears on the highway to and from the hunting spots. :(
After a rather long set of night shifts thinking about hunting I was able to get out and actually do some hunting. The first night as we drove out to the area I have to wonder why you never see that many deer durring deer season! Anyway as we get to our spot we spotted a bear across the cutblock and quickly and quietly got our stuff together so we could get a little closer. I remember everything I've been told about bears was to go around them and avoid at all costs. I can't help but think about this as we sneak up on this particular bear. My heart was pounding, as we set up about 150yrds away and sat down to watch the bear for a little bit my buddy spotted two cubs. We decided to back out and try the next spot. Long story short we had no luck the rest of the night.
Day two is a completely different story! Heading out the next day we had high hopes. As we were driving out to our spot down one rather long cutline we spoted something dark. Out comes the binoculars and sure enough its a bear. The stalk is on! After what seemed like hours we again were in shooting range. Remembering yesterdays events we got comfortable and decided to watch this one for a little bit as well. After about 15 minutes something spooked the bear and off it went. Strike two! We piled back into the truck and off to our original spot. We spent the next 3 hours walking and glassing to no luck. It was time to call it a day. On the way back home we decided to check that cutline again. "there it is!" I said. Checked the clock 9 bells, enough time to get a good shot we figured. Up the cutline we went. I don't ever remember a time where I've been this nervous. I got set up at the edge along the treeline and made a good shot on the bear. Okay so at this point I think I jumped out of my skin for a second. We walked up and quickly found a trail! The bear didn't go 30 yrds, just inside the treeline. What a great day! Thanks again to all for the tips that made my hunting trip so much better!
Here are a couple pics
http://image64.webshots.com/664/8/30/33/2331830330105201612hsMMEd_ph.jpg
http://image62.webshots.com/762/0/97/51/2004097510105201612yzpgDQ_ph.jpg