Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MnFn on May 20, 2017, 11:43:00 PM
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Sort of a Part Deux for me as I went in 2015 as well.
This week was an expansion as Ryan Derlago had more tags given to him at the last minute by the Provincial Government. I am guessing this is probably the earliest he has guided for bear.
There were three hunters in camp this week, where usually Ryan has six hunters per week. I will give a narrative of my week only.
On day one, I was at a stand I had never hunted before. It was a great setup but for whatever reason the bear did not cooperate. I did not see a single bear, which was a first for me.
On the next day Ryan took me to Determination. This is a stand that in the past has had a lot of opportunity to see bear. It did not disappoint me. Eight bear came into the bait, including a sow with two young cubs. The first bear in was very close to being a target, but I caught myself thinking "boy, In a couple of years this bear is really going to be a nice one". So I decided to pass on him.
The sow proved to be entertaining until it was time to leave, then it got a little more serious. She was aggressively protecting her cubs against all bear. When she was busy eating at the bait site, a bear snuck into the area by the tree where the cubs were perched in. He was on his hind legs with front paws leaning on the tree searching upwards for the little guys.
The sow attack was so quick and fierce, that I had very little doubt about what would happen if I surprised her by climbing down. I ended up sitting in the stand for an extra hour before Ryan drove back to the site to see what was delaying me.
Wednesday was even better, I arrived as usual and began to climb up the ladder stand. As I strapped my seat cushion on the stand, I turned and glanced at the bait to find a bear watching me. Where had he come from?
I saw 12 bear that evening, no doubt a few were repeat visitors. Still, I saw one bear that was close to what I wanted to take, but I decided not to as I had two more days to hunt. What?? Two more days only? Where had the time gone?
I read somewhere about never turning down an opportunity to shoot animal on the first day that you would be happy with on the last day. I still have trouble with that.
On Thursday Ryan suggested I sit at Bell Lake Road bait (BLR). I knew it well as I had taken my first bear there two years ago.
It was between that and Too Close stand. There was good sign of a big bear at BLR, but Polar Griz and Baboon Butt were still roaming Too Close as well, so it was a toss up.
In the end we decided on BLR.
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The hunt at BLR was bad from the beginning. As I started to climb up the stand, I obviously startled a bear that was arriving at the bait. A few snorts, and he bounded off into the brush.
The beauty of hunting at Ryan's is if you get hungry there is a whole barrel of trail mix right there to eat. I had taken a couple of scoops from the box (back at camp) yesterday. As I was hungry I reached in and started munching away. That is only necessary when you forget to take one of Ryan's Bear Bait Bars.
Unfortunately, some of the peanut got caught in my throat and I was heading towards a serious cough. I was prepared tho, so I sucked about four cough drops until the urge passed.
However, later that day the urge to cough came back. I climbed down to the ground and went over to the bait barrel and kicked it while coughing to cover up the sound.
I guess it worked because about thirty minutes later I saw a large black shape heading towards the bait.
Ryan had told me that I had seen enough bear now that when a big bear came in, there would be no doubt when I saw it.
There was none. This guy looked huge.
I lost sight of him for about three or four minutes. When he arrived, he sat down on the other side of a big spruce tree, away from me.
Slowly he got up and came around the tree facing me. Giving me no shot opportunity. When he reached the barrel, he immediately laid down broadside to me.
Ryan had preached to me "do not attempt to shoot a bear laying down" many times so I did not.
But still, as I watched him laying there eating, the thought occurred to me that it should be doable. I could see why others had attempted it. It looked possible to get an arrow between his ribs.
I have to admit about three times I caught myself thinking that I could make the shot. But each time [in my mind] I heard Ryan saying "don't do it, the shoulder slides back further than you think, you will just hit the shoulder blade. In the end, I waited.
A VERY good decision
After about ten minutes he stood up offering a perfectly broadside shot.
I had been practising for this shot all winter. I even had a little mantra I repeated.
PICK THE SPOT
DRAW SMOOTHLY, SLOWLY
ANCHOR, PULLING THE ARROW BACK UNTIL THE BROADHEAD TOUCHES THE RISER.
LET THE STRING slip OFF THE FINGERS
I did all of those things. I was on autopilot. I released the arrow. That beautiful Tall Tines recurve launched that beautiful Douglass Fir arrow made by Snag, tipped with a very sharp Zwickey Delta two blade directly at my spot.
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Too bad my spot apparently was about an inch over that bear's back, because that was where my arrow flew.
I couldn't believe it. I had practised over and over for this opportunity, and I blew it.
I have known other very good archers who missed. But this was me! I had a Pope and Young bear twelve yards away and I missed.
I was sick to my stomach, wondering if I had even touched him. Because if I had, that was the end of my hunt.
Meanwhile, the bear had jumped up, looking around, like what just happened - I heard something. He walked behind the spruce tree and again sat down.
Maybe, just maybe..
I slowly turned, pulled another arrow out of my quiver and knocked it. Just in case.
Then an amazing thing happened he stepped around the tree and began to chew my arrow. EVER so slowly, he turned broadside, standing in virtually the same spot that my first bear did two years ago.
Once again I picked my spot, drew the arrow and released. If I shoot a hundred more animals, I will never do it any better. My arrow hit right behind the shoulder, perfectly. And zipped completely through. The bear jumped, like a heart shot deer will sometimes do and walked quickly away. About fifteen or twenty seconds later I heard the deathmoan.
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I walked back to the road and waited for Ryan. Not because I was afraid to track the bear, but because I wanted Ryan there when we found it, to share in my joy.
We found him about exactly where I thought we would, based on the deathmoan.
We walked up to him and Ryan said "Gary, that is a big bear". "A Pope and Young bear any day of the week." "Lets take some photos and go back and get some help because there is no way you and I are going to move that bear."
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I'll never forget this day. ( restored my best picture ever due to Photobuckets shenanigans).
(http://i.imgur.com/LN2nqbq.jpg)
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WoW!!!!
Wonderfull trophy bear
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So, when I talked with Ryan analyzing what went wrong with my first shot, I came to the conclusion that the part about the broad head touching the riser was the culprit. I remember the arrow touching and slightly moving to the left because of the shape of tbe broadhead. I had to reposition the arrow before I shot, ruining my concentration on what I wanted to hit.
I originally did that to have an exact draw length each time. Not worth it.
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Great story! Congrats!
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Fine brute of a bear, enjoyed your story and congrats- a great story.
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Very nice.
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Congratulations, Gary. That is a fine looking bear!
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Way to go!!! Very happy for you.
Ryans is a special place for sure...
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Congrats. Great bear and story thank you for sharing.
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Holy Moly! That's a dandy. Can't wait till next June!
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Beautiful bear Gary! Congratulations! Very good write up too, I really enjoyed your account of the entire hunt.
Interesting on your first shot; I've been working on my form this spring, and had my broad heads doing the same thing on occasion. Snag is actually making me some arrows now, one inch longer. That was just a little too distracting.
Again, great job! Take Care, Chase
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Congrats->>->
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Congrats Gary. What a beautiful bear. Think I'd have to call that the "Redemption" bear. Glad it all worked out.
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Excellent narrative and thanks for posting the "extra" pictures! I'll look at all the pictures anyone wants to post! :) The second one really shows the size of the body well.
Congratulations on a fine bear. :thumbsup:
Mike
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Congrats Gary. That is awesome. What a gift.
Dan in KS
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Great Stuff congrats
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Congratulations, Gary! Beautiful animal.
What (if any) taxidermy plans do you have for your trophy?
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Thank you everyone for the kind words. By the way, the bow was a 60" Tall Tines, 48# @28". Wilderness Custom Arrow with a Zwickey Delta two blade. Obviously a complete pass through.
My wife originally asked that I not shoot too big of a bear. ??? Oh, AND I would prefer a Black bear as it will match our decore better. Ok dear, whatever you want.
I guess I didn't say that he squared a measured 6' 10+". I prefer "almost" or "just shy of 7 feet", but Ryan is stickler for honesty.
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Fantastic hunt gary well done on a Beautiful bear!!
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Wait a darn minute, I told you to save the big ones for me! Congrats buddy!
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Very nice bear, Ryan does run a fine camp, congrtas
:archer2:
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:clapper: :clapper: Well done !!!
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Great bear! Congrats :clapper:
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Beautiful bear, well done!
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Awesome job. Congrats on the beautiful animal
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Stickflinger is a very a special place.
Brad, I know there are at least three monsters waiting for you. Two were seen by Pat this past week.
Just gotta have patience, man.
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Congrats On a great looking bear.
Jeff
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Awesome. Thanks for sharing and congrats.
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What a Monster :eek:
Big Congrats :clapper:
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Thanks to all. This is great site with lots of great people.
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GREAT BEAR,congrats
Terry
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Congratulations on a great trophy! I am going up week three this year. Can't wait!
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Beautifull bear, great fur on him,a real trophy.
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I applaud your ability to stay in the moment after the first shot and follow up afterwards with a great 2nd shot. Wish I would have been able to make it to join you this year. Came very close, but just was not doable with my load at work. As always, Ryan sounds like the consummate bear guide, and the voice of sound direction and guidance. Congrats on your bear!
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Great story and a beauty of a bear!! Congrats! :thumbsup:
Steve Jr
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Nice bear! Congratulations!!
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Great story,and a nice bear. Congratulations!
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Just awesome
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Always enjoy the Stickflinger's threads. Congratulations on a gorgeous bear!
I guess you can be thankful that Ryan uses sticky, tooth clogging bait and the bear was coming back for a custom toothpick to clean his teeth. :D
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Well Keith,
I understand. That dog-gone work gets in the way of so much.
Maybe another day or another hunt.
Thanks,Gary
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Congrats on a fine Manitoba Black Bear. thanks for sharing your adventure and enjoy that rug.
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Congratulations Sir... and thanks for sharing I sure do want to go hunting for spring bear one day in my life.
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Wonderful hunt and harvest.
Congrats and thank you for sharing.
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Wonderful hunt and harvest.
Congrats and thank you for sharing.
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Well done!
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Great bear. Congrats.
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Thanks again you guys. This place is amazing!
Thanks Terry for all you do to keep this place as pure trad as it is. It is a very rare day when i dont visit at least once.
I hope you do get to go up there. It is that amazing. I have my trophy now and wish everybody could make it up there once and experience it.
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AWESOME, GREAT bear!!
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Wow Gary that thing is huge. Congrats. Wish I was there
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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GARY! YOU DOG YOU!!
two 12 yard shots at a P/Y bear.!! you dog!!
congrats on a fine bear, a lethal humane shot and an everlasting memory. look at the snout on that thing!
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Beautiful bear! Congratulations.
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Awesome hunt and a fine bear! Congrats
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Yes Jim, I was living in a dream world that day. The second opportunity should never have happened. PTL
I should have left well enough alone with my draw. It obviously worked very well the second time.
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Congrats- that is a big Bear. Well done.
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congrats- a very nice bear. I was in camp the following week and all of us heard about your bear. I will get a picture posted of my bear in the near future. Great bear, thanks for sharing.
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Congrats! Good pics.
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Amazing. I cannot wait to get there someday. Hopefully soon!
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(http://i.imgur.com/gRKPqjK.jpg)
I hunted the week of 5/21 thru 5/26 and had a great time as usual. Lots of bears as always.Ryan runs a great operation. Good luck to all over the next two weeks
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Another nice one! I hope you all save a couple for us!
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Very nice bear Gary. Well done. Congratulations
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Pretty bear, Gary. Congratulations.
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Which stand did you get him at?
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What a hunt! Great pictures too, congrats!
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gary, the bear was taken of of "shirt sleeves"
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That's a nice looking bear
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Great bears guys! Looks like a ton of fun!
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Nice bears!!
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I can't wait to hear how the hunters did this past week.
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Another nice Manitoba bear for you Gary. Congratulations!
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Nice bear Gary. I killed my bear out of "shirt sleeves" two years ago. We will have to compare some notes when we get together this summer.
D.P.
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Great bear Brother!
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ttt
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Any more stories from the other Flingers? :dunno:
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come on guys, we know there were 6 hunters last week,and I know there are lots of bears, Maybe Ryan will jump in.
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Great Bear 6 feathers
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For those Tradgang members that are on Facebook, go to the Zipper Bows Facebook page and you'll get to see the video's that were taken of Tracey's bear hunt and harvest. Really cool and wow, some close encounters with bears on the ground sitting in a ground blind! Congratulations!
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Another reason to hate facebook :-)
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Originally posted by lt-m-grow:
Another reason to hate facebook :-)
If you can't beat 'em, join them! :D
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I got back last Saturday morning from the last week of hunting at Stickflingers. It was a great hunt with everyone seeing plenty of bears.
I saw 23 bears at the baits over 3 nights of hunting. Number 23 was the boar I was hoping for! I saw 10 bears on my 3rd night on stand.
When he followed a large sow in to the bait at 9:30, I knew I had a nice boar in and shot him at 11 yards broadside. He squared 6 feet 10",(length + width added together and averaged) and had a really large head.
Another plus for the trip was that all the other hunters there that week were fellow Tradgang members! Doesn't get much better than that! Hopefully they will all add their hunt experiences on this thread.
Ryan Derlago runs a well set up bunch of bait sites that reflects his love and experience at bear hunting. He and fellow guide Mike also share our love of traditional archery and are great guys to boot.
Looking forward to returning to hunt with Ryan again!
(I haven't posted any pictures before, but if someone wants to post a picture for me, I can email it to them.)
Thanks, Mike Tibbits (Bowmike)
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BowMikes bear
(http://i95.fastpic.ru/big/2017/0613/c3/d2fcf5f25fc21a572d819275e67096c3.jpg) (http://fastpic.ru/view/95/2017/0613/d2fcf5f25fc21a572d819275e67096c3.jpg.html)
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Nice bear Mike! :archer2:
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That's a beauty, Mike. Congratulations! Nice contrast on the snout with the light tan. Thanks for contributing to the thread.
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Great Bear Mike
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Awesome bear mike!! I hope to make Ryan's someday
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I never made it past the first day. Mike told me I was going to a good stand and boy was he right. I made it about 15 minutes before the first 3 bears showed up. I fully intended NOT to shoot a bear the first day, told myself that a hundred times. BUT when a nice bear went under my stand that appeared to be larger then the others my resolve got weak. It was my 11th bear I'd seen in my 6 hour sit. He went right under my stand and looked very thick. His tiny ears appeared as if they would fall off the sides of his head any minute. I readied for a shot, but had to wait more then 26 minutes for him to offer me a shot. At just 12 yards the #54 Zipper Zipstick, sent the 29" 2117 wearing a 200 grain Grizzly Instinct though the bear in a flash. The shot was "middle of the middle" near side but the sharp quartering angle sent the arrow out through the off shoulder. The bear made it about 50 yards before making the haunting death moan. After I got out of the stand I followed a blood trail a blind man could follow to my bear. Bear squared 6'2".
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_080527_zpsnfjgh7c8.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Biathlonman4B/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_080527_zpsnfjgh7c8.jpg.html)
Entry, bear is on it's back.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_082403_zpsgbionknm.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Biathlonman4B/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_082403_zpsgbionknm.jpg.html)
Exit
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_082307_zpsce7kfkjz.jpg) (http://s1101.photobucket.com/user/Biathlonman4B/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20170605_082307_zpsce7kfkjz.jpg.html)
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Outstanding! Great bear!
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Congratulations Brad!
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Way to go Mike!
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and Brad :thumbsup:
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Great bear Brad! Congrats.
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Great bear Brad !!! I don't think I could have held out either. Sounds like you had quite an exciting hunt. Hopefully Tracy stops by to tell us about her hunt as well. :campfire:
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Mike & Brad.....real nice bears, congratulations to both of you on great bears.
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Good job Brad....!! Congrats...!!!
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Congratulations Brad!
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Very nice!
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Right on! I'm ready to head back to canada..... it's been a year and these bear hunting threads are killing me!
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I was lucky enough to join this great group in Birch River so I will happily add a few photos. This was my first bear hunt. I have seen a few briefly on other hunts but the first evening sit on Sunday was amazing. Brad, Bill Kissner, and I went out with our guide Mike. If I remember correctly Mike covered 35 miles on his quad dropping the three of us off at our spots and then had to do another 35 to come and get us.
(http://i.imgur.com/lPSNGS8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/a1Ck7Aa.jpg)
My set up was great at 10 yards and the 4 bear I saw were beautiful. The action started about an hour after I arrived and continued all night till I left to meet up with mike. To have them directly under my stand and so close all night was an experience hard to describe. Tense at the beginning but as I relaxed I really started enjoying it more. I would mentally try stuffing each one in the 30 gallon barrel, the beginners standard size test described by Ryan.
Mike and I met up after shooting time expired and rode to Bill Then headed towards Brad. The Quad ride was fun to say the least. Always watching wet areas along the trail Mike would point out moose tracks, bear tracks of different size often new as we recently rode through the area. Through streams of spawning fish, past bogs and swamps filled with beaver. Some spots were beside back country remote lakes. At one point we had been going at a good pace along a flat section for some time and I tucked out of the wind behind Mike. I heard him say something and looked around him to see a young bull moose running 10 yards from our machine... He was huge! It was the first moose I had seen. It was well after dark when we met up with Brad and to say things took an exciting turn would be an understatement! Brad had a bear down! What a perfect first night!
I was excited for the first Bear to hit the ground and Brad delivered. There was much to see and learn after a successful harvest.
(http://i.imgur.com/5fcuPu9.jpg)
Nights were often late as hunters were gathered from the bush and chauffeured home from all directions but it was exciting. Sometimes there were partial texts and information relayed between groups sometimes you just had to wait and see how others did... the beautiful excitement of a full hunting camp in progress.
I believe 130am was the bed time day one... so much to process, so many moments burned into my mind already.
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Brad had made a great shot! Bear camp would have been great already but with a bear down on day one it was even better. Bear were primarily hunted in the evenings and nights went late with bears harvested that lead into casual mornings at camp with a great crew of people. I have to say I really enjoyed the down time in our camp. I should have taken more photos of the great meals, shooting all the other bows in camp, talking gear and the simple pleasure of catching up with wondering conversations from camp chairs with coffee in the breezy shade with folks I long to spend more time with.
After checking last minute wind directions Ryan & Mike had a nice way of reeling us back in by telling us we would head out in an hour for the evening hunt... the chit chat would stop as we scattered toward the gear.
My Day 2 evening hunt was to be a stand called "Determination". As Mike told me he paused with a smile that spread to me... but what does that mean?
Mike laughed a little as he went on to give me a little history of tonight's location. As I remember it Determination is a hogs back, steep and significant drop offs on two sides that seems to make a travel corridor for many animals not just the bears but the bears are there. So many in fact that's in years past there was to many and a pressure relief bait was located close by to remove some of the bear activity at determination. Wow... sounded good to me.
Mike seemed excited to add the wind looked correct for a great spot the following night. I had to chuckle " are you telling me not to shoot one tonight?" "O you know... If you are happy we are happy. But you will like tomorrows spot!"
Determination was named by Ryan's mother once she saw the amazing effort it took to get a trail cut and bait established in the area. The quad trail into Determination is an impressive effort to navigate. Wet during a drier year and deeply rutted. Mike and I left my machine out on hard ground and he brought me in. pointed out the stand down wind of the bait and left me with a big smile...
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:campfire: :coffee:
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4pm I was settled into my stand and looking around. The bait was no more than 10 yards for sure. The cover around the opening at the bait was tight, couldn't see much or far. The ladder stand was not to high and there were heavy trails coming in from all directions. Seemed like a great place to wait...
(http://i.imgur.com/Tqou4bh.jpg)
5:50pm the first bears came in on an arcing path silent as could be directly under my stand then out to the bait. It had taken almost two hours to see a bear but now I would not be with out a bear in sight for the next 5 hours... and yes that is well after dark :)
These were the first cubs I saw, they were really a treat to spend time with.
(http://i.imgur.com/91CsCwr.jpg)
The bears were all a little different with their oun ranking in the group and their own personality. Sometimes it was confusing who was who but often you could recognise one bear from another. That was interesting to me. By 9:00pm I had seen eight recognisably different bears. It seemed the least doninate bears come early to get some food but as the night progresses the animals get more interesting and agressive or dominite.
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(http://i.imgur.com/wqOHS9s.jpg)
A little after 9:00 a good sized bear came in and he was really agressive with all the others who were in the area. I probably would have shot him but he was rubbed really thin over his entire butt and much of his back. So I watched the activity.
(http://i.imgur.com/Tv4gGFK.jpg)
Bears would circle the bait waiting for a chance to slip in to feed even only for a moment. They were often walking directly under me. Sometimes they were to close and the agressive bear at the bait would run them off. This was a sight to behold he would bristle his hair up often shake and fluff himself then run and smash over small trees and vegitation sometimes making combinations of noises on the way... it was intimidating even to me in my stand.
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I can remember thinking this certainly must be the peak of the night but no then this must be... but then no and in retrospect the night only built and grew in intensity as more time passed and more bears reviled themselves under me or in front of my little opening...
(http://i.imgur.com/67VpnDC.jpg)
There were cubs up trees for most the night, the mother would wonder off the bait and walk out of sight. The cubs would sleep and play in the tree tops without a care.
The aggressive rubbed bear kept running off others like it was his job for the night!
(http://i.imgur.com/URGAGns.jpg)
This guy came to close and was chased up a tree then thought well I'll get down after 5 minutes... Big mistake, The aggressive bear ran him back up the same tree but this time followed him all the way to the top and when they ran out of tree it got real noisy... fearful noises and those of aggression filled the woods. I thought they would both fall to their death, how could that top hold them?? But it did and the larger bear came back to feed the other stayed at the now very top for a very loooong time! lol
The tension level was on the rise. I was fine but almost every bear that walked under me looked up at me. I stayed still but I think for sure the vast majority knew I was there and didn't care. That is an odd feeling to a whitetail hunter.
(http://i.imgur.com/mGvt4Wz.jpg)
I really tried to stay focused. It was so easy to catch myself watching the amazing show around me. When I could I Practiced standing and drawing when a bear was at a good shot angle. I told myself to mind the shoulder as Ryan warned, constantly picked a spot on the bears I saw concentrating on making the correct exit hole and therefor the right entrance from a stand as I mostly hunt on the ground.
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It might sound odd... It would sound odd to me before I was there but I developed a cautious comfort level after being so close to the bears for so long.
One young bear I saw several times as he did circles around the bait looking for a way in as that aggressive bear feed. He would come under my stand and turn to look up at me. Once coming up on his hind feet with front paws on my tree to get a better look toward me. Later on another pass he looked up staring for a moment then came over to the base of my ladder stand and slowly got up on his hind feet, front paws on either side of the ladder just like I did at 4:00pm then gave it a little wobble shake... I was moving... Aweee... then back down to the ground. Now I recognize it was gently by bear standards but what the... He acted like he wanted a reaction or a movement. There were things happening inside me hard to describe but I stayed still on the outside. He was curious and that was fine but please don't put that back leg on my ladder lol
He stayed for a while then faded off through the thick green foliage wondering around the bait out of my sight. The rubbed bear was picking out the M&Ms from the nuts and granola He didn't even act hungry any more... seemed more like something to do as he took long pauses looking around for someone else to run up a tree. Had to wonder what his record treed bear count was for an evening?!
On his next pass under my stand he again came up on his hind legs and pushed on the support brace from my ladder to the tree while looking up then put both his paws on a small, tall leafy tree that ran up beside my stand. He shook it kinda hard and looked up at me, shook it some more and I smiled... he was something else.
Ryan & Mike said the bears eat and tear up everything... all the pull up ropes, seat cushions, 4-wheeler seats they pass, don't leave anything there it will be gone by morning. I thought ok... what would this guy do if I put the pull up rope on his head? He wants a reaction I'll give him one. As I reached for the rope tied to the top of my ladder stand I stopped and thought to get my cell phone to video it... this could be interesting.
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I had been holding my bow for most of the night with my limited view I thought it was wise. I hung my bow on the side of the tree on a hook with an arrow on the rest so I could have both hands to video and sneak the rope to the bear. The bear below didn't see me hang my bow or get in position with the rope because he was looking at the aggressive bear at the bait.
I started the video and slowly reached for the rope. I didn't want to spook him with a lot of movement but I slowly maneuvered the end of my pull up rope into his face. I'm laughing inside now because he shuttered a little as it touched him, it startled him just a little and I thought that was great... bears have feelings to it would seem ha
He looked up at me & opened his mouth at the rope, then looked back at me... he knew... didn't care. I tried to get the rope in his hear where it would tickle him... he shook his head when I did... looking back up at me I was all smiles, this was to much, he turned his head to get a different view of me opened him mouth took the rope and pulled it 12" to the side as I let it slip through my fingers. He sat like a big old black lab only half heartedly paying attention as he looked back to the bait.
I kept at it with the rope thinking this is the most fun I could have with my camo on... he just laid down under my tree & scratched his side. I was really concentrating on the little end of the rope trying to get it in his eyes and ears he didn't even seem to care. I was so focused on all this I didn't notice the bear below me change his mellow comfort to concern. As he stood and then turned his body language totally changed but I was clueless to this. It took the all to familiar sounds of a large bear aggressively smashing through brush and trees to get me to look left. We had attracted the attention of the bear on the bait and he charged the bear under the tree... the bear under the tree fled for safety.
Care to watch the video?
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Right up your tree?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7fgzNwTWdM&sns=em
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Is that the video on the Zipper Facebook/Instagram?
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Yes & Yes... Still cant believe it.
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It just happened so fast. I heard the bear charge... looked left to the noise... then literally looked back and saw this!
(http://i.imgur.com/Xp8fyak.png)
My arrow was gone off the bow. I didnt see the bear climbing... he was there. My first thought was to get my bow out of his way but as i tried to lift it it pushed into his arm, it wouldn't come off the hook.
(http://i.imgur.com/UFmazN7.jpg)
As I held the tip of my bow I couldnt see his head and can remember leaning around to looking around the tree as he did the same...
(http://i.imgur.com/ZLpjfUM.png)
I did not feel panic or overwhelming fear, the bear didnt make an agressive sound, didnt snap his jaws, didn't come to my side. I knew why he came up the tree and was happy to see him go back down. when he touched the ground the agressive bear ran him off and up another tree that didnt have a hunter in it.
I had a rush of emotion as I was alone once more in my stand. I felt my heard beating, took a few deep breaths and tried to refocus. I put another arrow on my bow and sat down for a moment. I was then I noticed there were 3 bears stranded up trees at the same time & I guess me too... 4 of us hiding in trees!
(http://i.imgur.com/URGAGns.jpg)
See the cub in the ladder stand below the larger bear in plain sight? Where was that aggressive bear now anyway? As he crossed under my stand and returned to the bait...
Regaining my composure I hade to laugh inside. Was this some sort of test from Mike and Ryan? Some sort of rite of passage to become Stickflinger family? There were or are bear in all the stands here, whats that about?
As the evening progressed between 9:00-10:00 I had the thought will this bear let me down and out? I'm suppose to pass the bait on the way out I could go another direction out but its bear paths all the way?
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By 10:00pm it was that last half hour that we all know so well on stand. Several new bears had shown up and passes through in the last hour, they were larger than most I spent the day with but not bigger or more dominate than the one at the bait. He was there alone rolling the barrel tipping it upside down end for end then when he had a pile of new material to work with he laid down beside the mound and spread it out with his front paw eating the bright colored M&Ms from the mix... amazing.
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Bear can be quiet when they want to. Often the best indicator another bear is approaching is the bear you can see. The aggressive bear at the bait lifted his head and stared off into the thick leafy cover. I looked left too, couldn't see anything. I kept looking back to the bear and where he was looking until I saw a dark silent figure on an arcing path that yet again led below my tree. Holding my bow I slowly stood and turned as the bear progressed toward me. As he came below me it reached down and snapping my previously dropped arrow without stopping or breaking stride and continued passed me. Jet silky black and seemed so wide, I thought I would shoot this bear if I get good angle.
I thought I was going to see the battle of the night but the aggressive bear didn't say a thing as the new bear entered the clearing and approached the food without stopping. Walking directly away from me the bear slowly but steadily went into three feet from the other bear with only the barrel between them and I thought wow no fight.
The new bear starting to turn slowly to my left 7 or 8 yards away and I thought here it comes, before a fight erupts, before he lays down or turns again, while he is moving so slow near the other bear...
I slowly extended my Zipper long bow away from resting on my chest to an extended arm position, the bear continued silently to rotate more broadside, I reminded myself...middle and middle then slightly forward, high enough to exit well... there was a spot I stared at as the pressure on the string increased to my face and the string slipped away. I saw the light colored shafting disappear perfectly placed against the black hair... the bear broke the tense silence- snapped and growled loudly then twisting fast and hard back towards me, The arrow was imbedded motionless in the side of the blue plastic barrel at a direct angle toward me.
The bear had moved towards me cutting the already short distance nearly in half but was partially obscured by the thick green leaves and small branches. I thought I could see enough as I quickly pulled another arrow out of my quiver picked an area and drew back loosing another arrow that hit hard. The bear moved off to my left 30 yards or so as I strained to hear movement.
No moan, I was like really???
Then coughing and more coughing then silence followed by that rubbed up aggressive bear back working the bait. I checked the time it was 22:10pm... well incase my shots were not what they seemed I thought it best to sit here and wait so as not to spook off the bear if not expired. I could get reception at this spot this day by standing on my seat and holding my phone at arm length up. So I sent Ryan a message "Bear down!" after several minutes with my arm up I saw it go through and I sat back down and tried to absorb the evening, so much to take in, my mind raced and replayed the shots. All the shooting in the yard, all the wondering and visualization I could imagine couldn't come close to scratching the surface of this days emotional hunt.
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I was still sitting motionless in a stand as darkness came to the woods listening to bear claws on a plastic barrel that had my bloody arrow sticking out of it. I rechecked the clock, 45" approximately since I shot, it was nearly 11:00. The cub in the other stand had been collected earlier by mom, I remember being thankful for that. I could still see that other bear in the tree near the other stand and of course the rubbed aggressive one at the bait.
I figured I would just put my bright light on him and he would scramble for the timber... nope he looked up then back down, didn't budge. I gathered my things being deliberate and making some reasonable noise, nothing. So I started slowly down the ladder ready to run back up it if he moved toward me at all. He stayed there as my first foot touched the ground then the other. as I moved a yard or two through bush he drifted back just a little. With my light on I moved more and he backed 5 yards to the edge of the bait clearing... I thought for a moment then slowly walked to the blue barrel and pulled out my arrow out of it. There was bright blood covering the ground but I looked back to the bear and kept backing up. As I backed slowly toward the stand he came slowly to the bait and laid back down as I slipped out in another direction to the slick quad trail that had delivered me to the stand. As I kept looking all around me for eyes walking out I was relieved to be headed for the 4wheeler and the meeting point with Mike.
After driving me into the stand and driving back out through the mud Mike had essentially erased all the tracks there previously and I was impressed at the number of new bear tracks crossing the path. This place was really something, hard to describe.
I made it to the quad and attached my gear to the front. The misquotes where out in full force so having the time I took a nice slow cool ride to the meet spot. I literally backed up and turned off my machine and could hear Mike coming... It felt good to have company on the way :)
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Mike pulled up and I asked him if everyone was out of the woods he said yup, I was the last. So I actually took my time telling him my story there on the logging road in the night we played the video of the bear coming up the tree. I told him I shot a bear, he asked if it looked good and about the shot. There in the dark under the stars with a bloody arrow and a longbow while Mike listened patiently was just one of those moments I've shared with my brothers and close friends. It cant be created or manufactured at will its born of passion and emotion meeting with opportunity and chance...
Mike said we would have to go back to camp and get a trailer... then Ryan pulled up with a trailer behind a quad, my text reached him so back in we all went.
At the bait we could hear bear in the not so far distance walking but never saw one. The trail was easy to pick up. Where the 2nd arrow had hit the bear 3/4 of the shafting and broadhead was there on the ground. Heavy blood for 35 yards then a dead bear. I was very thankful!
(http://i.imgur.com/kASwXUd.jpg)
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Back at camp at 1:00 in the morning Mike and Ryan skinned and pulled the meat off my bear and everything went into the freezer. I was surprised the bear was a sow, she was so big. I'm certainly not an expert but I just didn't think she was given her size and with no cub in tow. Her hide was 6'3" X 6'3" Ryan said it looked square as it layed in the grass.
I wish I had taken pictures of the arrow wounds the entrance holes were 2.5" apart and exits low in the chest 5" apart. Both went in and out through the lungs on the animal. Ryan said the death moan is 50/50 coughing is just the same, that I didn't know.
Sleep felt welcomed and especially great that night :)
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Nice bears guys. Sounds like a great at time.
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Great hunt. Thanks for taking us along.
Great bear.
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:clapper:
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Congratulations James. Great story.
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That's awesome! Hope to have such an adventure myself someday. Great animals and stories!
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congratulation on a nice bear James. Also enjoyed your story.
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Congrats on your bear. You guys had a great time! Well done.
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Great Stuff guys !!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Fabulous hunt...Congrats!
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Great story with great photos!
Thanks for taking us along.
God bless,
Rodd
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Thanks for taking all that time to share. Can't believe we get stories like this for FREE. Better than a magazine. Thanks again and CONGRATS. :clapper:
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Hellacious memories for sure!! Nice story, video and bear. Congrats!
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Great hunt. fantastic story telling! Well done@
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Very Nice Jim, you are on a roll.
Jack
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Wow..... Congratulations on the hunt of a lifetime and keeping it all together for a great harvest :thumbsup:
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Some great bears coming in. Congrats James. Wonderful bear and awesome recap. Thank you.
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Nice bears and great story tellin'. Congrats all around.
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James, thanks for the detailed story. I really enjoy reading other people's experiences. ESPECIALLY when I have been at the same stand.
Determination was like that for me as well this year. I had an episode with a sow and two cubs. At one point there seemed to be bears all over the place. I think 5 or six at the same time could be seen.
Anyway, congratulations!
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Great stories and what a hunt you guys had.I am looking forward to 2021' I am booked with 4 others for hunt.I would love to arrow a color phase.
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Wow! Great stories!!
Congratulations on a very memorable hunt.
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I just read the thread again, start to finish. One thing that no one touched on was the weather.
Since I hunted a week earlier than normal, it got pretty cool in the evening. Especially on the quad rides, you wanted gloves,a warm hat, and something to break the wind, kind of like this guy: (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd43/MnFn/20170519_220112_zpsaxjme3vi.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/MnFn/media/20170519_220112_zpsaxjme3vi.jpg.html)
But, even on stand in the evening it got cool. On most of the evenings I wore light Moreno wool long johns with Sitka Mtn pants along with a long sleeved shirt topped with a down sweater and my Asbel wool hoodie over that.
I can tell you that the first thing we did when we came back at night was to get the wood stoves going in the tents, even before supper. Then it was nice and warm before settling in for the night.
Just thought I'd mention that.
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photo restored, well one anyway.
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congrats fellas , Those are some dang fine bears
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:campfire: