I saw the biggest thing I have ever seen on four legs in the woods tonight...a solid 400+ lb black bear at ten yard :eek: ! I have never seen something that big be so quiet, third night on stand and the first bear was an absolute monster...what a rush!
I got caught trying to get in position for a shot :rolleyes: but I still had a blast. I've looked at 2 baits a couple hundred times in the last three days and it is surreal when you look and they just appear out of thin air :saywhat: , as it seems. I looked at this bait for 3 hours the night before and 4 hours tonight before he showed, seven hours of nothing (plus three on the first stand the other night) and then the biggest thing you've ever seen is standing ten yards away. I couldn't see 13 yards in any one direction; they just literally drift in without making a sound.
Wow is all I can say...it left me speechless, humble and awe struck all at the same time :thumbsup: . He came back 5-7 minutes later but wouldn't come around the blow down to the bait. I've never seen a chipmunk climb a tree and look so scared! He looked like he was trying to blend into the bark he was so flat against it.
This is one of the most amazing nights I've ever hunted in my 25 years going to the woods.
Pete...you and your dad are the greatest! I hope to get a crack at him tonight...just to prove what you told me about his size. Small ears, huge head, monster body and huge rear end and the slickest most silk looking coat I've ever seen now in person and on TV from the past.
I will be able to shoot sitting down tonight that I promise.
I'll post some photos of me on stand and of the bait when I get back home.
Walking out alone was a bit nerve racking, that was also a first for me tonight...I couldn't get the thought he wasn't far away waiting for me to leave! I was just over half his size at 240 lbs, makes you feel very small.
Thanks,
Josh
:thumbsup:
I second the :thumbsup:
Cool Josh!
It is funny how you can hear squirrels coming from 100 yrds or more but a huge bear can just materialise right in front of you without the slightest sound... Go get him! :thumbsup:
Ron
That sounds like a successful hunt to me. Hopefully you will fill your freezer too but you are describing an outstanding time.
It`s good to get a few more RPM`s from your heart from something like this!!!
I think Fred Bears said "it will cleanse your soul" :thumbsup:
Good luck hope you tag that big boy...
Josh
Great story, I hope you get him. My first bear bow hunt I was scared like a little girl leaving the woods with just a bow and a flashlight I know what you mean.
Good luck.
Terry
Josh, that is awesome buddy. Glad to hear you guys are having a good time up there!! :thumbsup:
Good deal Josh. Is JD having any luck?
Yep, I know the feeling! Nothing like it that I have experienced either. Mine spooked and came back 10 minutes later. Good thing to, because it took me that 10 minutes to re-gain control of my central nervous system.
He was 362#, and a new bow record for camp!
Josh, Good luck to you guys, I'm In high hopes to see some pics with the kajikas and bears down! I'll be heading up north on the 19th to try and spot and stalk my first bear with a longbow(we can't bait here in NY)! Go get em Guys!!! Jim
JD's seen 4 bears but hasn't gotten one yet either, going again tonight...we're both having a blast!
Thanks all...I understand the love people have for this pursuit of the bears now.
Josh
Good luck and keep JD safe, he's working on a new 56" Mojo for me.
good luck, Josh and JD
:archer:
Very cool Josh good luck.
Josh, Good luck to you and JD. Can't wait to see some pics!!
Good luck Josh, sounds like an awesome hunt! :readit: :campfire:
:campfire:
Pete how about some pictures of this hunt. Good luck cant wait to see that boar.
Josh,
I know the feeling!! Last year while hunting In the high country of Idaho (alone and 60 miles from the nearest town?) I had the biggest black bear I have ever seen, close to 400 lbs!! When he slipped into the open at 23 yards, he looked bigger than a 800 lb elk!!! I was sitting up aganist a tree and when he looked at me....I could see every scar on his broad nose!!! As he stared at me, I will never forget the look on his face or the body movement!!! I decided that 20 yards of air between him and my longbow (with no firearm as backup) He would live another day!!!
Go get him Josh! It's a good sign that he came back in a second time. #3 is your lucky number!
Thanks all for reading...we didn't get a bear but went away with great memories and new friends.
First I'd like to thank Pete and his wife for letting us stay with them while we hunted and all the great hospitality they gave us! Second I'd like to thank Pete and his dad for all the hard work baiting the sites and getting us all set up! Pete...your dad is in better shape than most half his age and thanks Jimbo for all your help.
I have an all-new appreciation for bears and they way they can sneak and appear/disappear with the greatest of ease.
Here is the bait where I saw the monster bear...the C on the right is where he jumped through as he left. The bait is only 10 yards at most from the tree.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_0682.jpg)
Here is one of the stands I found myself glued to for 13-14 hours.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_0694.jpg)
Couple picks of me on stand with and "E" for my daughter Evelyn and "L" for my son Logan.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_0683.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/IMG_0696.jpg)
Here is one of JD from a text to Pete about the 79 degree heat...
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/oliverstacy/JDonstand.jpg)
We ended up leaving Saturday at about noon and I didn't get home until 4:30 am on Sunday...long drive. I've been invited back, so someday I hope I can go again. Duluth has to be one of the nicest cities I have ever been to, reminded me of coastal towns in Alaska built on the side of a giant hill (I'd call it a mountain but some out west would laugh).
Thanks,
Josh
Josh, thanks for the kind words. I wish we could have sent you guys home with a bear...you guys definitely hunted hard. You are welcome up here anytime!
i really, really want to do that one day. had a big bear like that sniffing around the garbage can in the GA mountains once. i shot him in the butt with a slingshot loaded with a piece of ice.
one day i'm gonna get one with a longbow. great story!
Congrats :thumbsup: on a great hunt.