Trad Gang

I planned to hunt one last evening at batman's yesterday, befor our planned trip to Preston's place for a weekend try. I dearly wanted to see if I could parlay his on-going, generous endeavors (to help me get a shot this year, after two dry years) into the desired result. I really wanted to make Don's efforts pay off, not only for me, but because I know he is wanting it as much as I. As mentioned in other previous posts, at least I have been seeing deer this year, and really enjoying my hunts, at any rate. It was predicted to be cloudy but no rain untill after sundown, and then a pretty good front, and rain, moving in for the next day - perfect set up for an evening sit.

"Best laid plans of men and mice, etc. -" especially when dealing with weather. It started raining just before I left my place in mid-afternoon. I figured it was just a spate - LOL. It poured most of the way but I was still being optimistic. It did let up as I headed down the final road to Don's. It was just playing with me though but actually let me get into my tree stand befor it started up again - prior to my getting my camo umbella fully in place above me, I might add. Oh well, what's a little rain down the neck - inside my rain suit      :rolleyes:    

I was finally settled and relativly comfortable and the rain stopped again. I just knew things were in good shape now, and still cloudy. Surly the deer would walk early.

Just about the time they would have "walked early", the rain returned. It decided to get more serious as the minutes passed. I stuck with it for about a half hour, after all I was well protected with rain gear and an overhead sheild. It was minutes close to sundown when I decided it was not about to stop or even let up. Though we can hunt for a half hour after sundown I knew it would dark down fast now and I'd better call it a day.

I tied my bow and quiver to my haul line and lowered it quickly but my wet gloves prevented me from making the half-bow that I usually use, as a safety, on top of the simple overhand knot - "Not a big problem," (says I). I turned around and faced the tree to remove my safety vest tether, and take down my umbrella. Of course this produced another, wetter neck drenching (Forgot to put your hood up again didn't you, Dunn?). I turned to the front again in preparation to lower the sheild from the limbs it was above, and to "unclimb" my tree.

"When what to my wondering eyes should appear..."

The prettiest, large Black Bear was imediatly below my stand, just to the right of my tree base and moving onto the trail. It stopped there to scan the area - about 6 or 8 yards from my tree. Now, I've hunted bear befor and I know what to look for - this is a big bear! I'd say no less than 300# and more wouldn't surprise me any. Fat, sleek, and sassy.

"I can put an arrow in that bear," I thought, with full confidence. You know how sometimes, you just know it will work?

Keeping my eyes on the beauty (and trying to swallow my heart back into it's proper place) I grabbed my haul rope and quickly started pulling my bow and quiver back up into the tree.

Suddenly something didn't seem just right. It was so light weight! Was I pumped, or what? I glanced  at the rope just as the end came into view - the EMPTY end. I looked, redundently, down over the climbing sticks and, sure enough, my bow and quiver were resting peacfully on the ground, where the knot had come undone.

I was shattered, quickly edging towards aghast, as (I Swear) the thought blasted my mind, "It is next to dark, and here I am up here with nothing but LEAVES to throw at a huge Black Bear." (Oh sure, now he's huge!)

I virtually grabbed myself by the nap of the neck, and snapped my eyes around to watch the bear again. He was still standing there in the trail, just looking around, doing nothing. Somehow that calmed me down just enough to think of my bright Shurefire light in my fanny pack, hanging on the climbing stick top rung. I got it out, with some nervous fumbling, and flashed it down on the bear's rear. The big fellah (I think) did a little start, as critters tend to do, when lit up. Then I shined it around the other side of a smaller tree between us, at his front end. I could plainly see the small, rounded ears that say, "big" when judging a bear. Thankfully He was thinking about what to do, perhaps more clearly than I, and started doing the "Bear Shuffle" into the thick behind my tree. I followed him compleatly out of sight with the beam of the light. He picked up to a faster, flatfooted shuffle as soon as he got into the thicker stuff, and soon faded away.

I can tell you, from this, and other experiences with bears, that nothing can move through the forest any quiter than a bear - unless they are running from a recent body hit of some kind.  Even when the leaves aren't soaking wet. Don't ever think that because you didn't hear anything, that there isn't a bear standing under your tree, or watching you. Be alert - the world needs more "Lerts"      ;)     .

After getting myself together, somewhat, I finised taking my umbrella down from the limbs above me. Climbed down, grabbed my stuff and headed out the trail to Don's. Believe me I was scanning the area around and behind me with that light as I moved right along. Yes, I did remember never to run from a bear. I hardly ever run anymore, anyway, even under duress      :D    

I was very glad to reach Don's well-lit back yard, and so happy to see his wife, moving from her car to the house, that I about scared her to death with a hearty hail, "Hi, Trish!" (I wonder what my voice sounded like - LOL)

Shortly, I was reliving the great "hunt" with my good friend, Don, and doing a little shooting with him, in his barn.

Wow Bernie! Sounds like a great evening.

A-yuh, Kenny. BTW, That was the first time I ever had by bow come untied - and it will NOT happen again! Friend batman showed me a new and better way to do it  - and I don't mean a noisy snap on the end of a haul rope. I can't understand how I've never heard or seen this before, but it saves actual tieing and untieing of your bow , etc. Just tie a small, simple loop in the end of your haul rope (NOT a slip loop - you don't want it tightening on you), feed it between the string and bow (and anything else, i.e. quiver, etc.) you want to haul up or lower, then slip the loop over the tip of your bow. The weight will tighten the haul rope and hold it in place. You leave the loop tied in the end of the rope all the time. Thanks, Don.

Thanks for the "tip" Bernie! And i second what Kenny said!

I use a hook made from a coat hanger.  I've used it to lower several items down and just shake them loose.  I also retrieved my bow back up when a deer came by unexpectedly too or retrieved my hat that got knocked off.

Rarely a dull moment when huntin!  Gives you a good   :campfire:  story---

That's not bad either. I have tied my jackknife and/or limb saw (half-open) to my haul rope before to "hook-up" hats, gloves, etc. (even my glasses once), that I've dropped but wouldn't try it on my bow     :eek:     . Don't think I would have had time to "fish" last night anyway      :)     - got dark too suddenly .

Thanks for the post Bernie. Glad to hear you and Don are having fun. Can't wait to hear how it goes at Prestons.

Bernie, sounds like you had a great albeit bittersweet hunt encounter.  300# is a real good sized black bear!  Now, the next question is, did you have a camera with you?

I use the line with the snap loop on it but I've thought of taking it off and doing the loop like you mention.  I think there is a scene in Primal Dreams where someone is lowering a bow and does it just like you mentioned.  Took about 1/2 second to do it compared to several that it takes me with my snap type end.  The dang snap gets snagged on stuff too.

Bernie,

Instead of tying a knot with wet and cold hands.  Just tie a loop in the end of it and thread it under your string and put it over the tip.  Works great and you can do it in the dark.

Mike

wow!!!! uncle bernie sounds like ya had fun did ya check ya pants after the bear beeing so close and all i know i would have thats for sure!!  :biglaugh:

Jeff, you know free spirits like me do not have normal bodily functions to deal with -      :rolleyes:    

Thanks, Pebow. Dave, that may be where Don got the knot from. Oh, I keep the camera in the truck - and I couldn't get the bear there, unfortunately - LOL. Mike, I guess you didn't see my second post, where Don told me about that neat knot - after my hunt - LOL - but thanks for more support of the idea. I think it is going to be one of those really important hints/tricks - for me (for sure) and others too. I know I made one up last night to take with me/us to Preston's. The other one is tied to the climbing sticks at last night's stand but it will be fixed that way the first time I go back there - count on it!

Great story Bernie.

Bernie,

I'd get back in that stand ASAP.  Bear are habitual and he may be back if you are there to give him a go.

Mike

Great story Bernie! Go get'em!

Mike, I'll make sure Bernie gets back in that stand, but not until I unleash him on the whitetail herd in Chatum county this weekend.

Bernie, see ya in the am. DB

Mike, bear do hang out in Don's area but usually at the other end, However last night I was using one of the Lil Bleat cans, trying my darndest to get a deer to come in. I've found up at Pungo (a  National preserve here where you can hunt deer but bears are protected - and will eat your deer before you can get to them, if you aren't careful) quite often Bears will come to check out to see if there is a wounded deer inside those small bleat cans   ;)  , if you use them. Probably why the Bear last night came to visit my site (and he may again). Also probably why Don saw two deer down behind his barn just as I was coming out, heading in the other direction (instead of visiting my site - LOL). I WILL be bawck - in any case.

Thanks, Dave and Benzy.

Right, Don, I have the truck all packed - set for hot and/or cold weather (I don't mess with cold temps!    ).

heh, now that's a good story.

Thanks for the story, Bernie. I was just wondering how your hunts were going, and by gum, this one sounds terrific!

I think the bear's name is Murphy.
Killdeer   :thumbsup:

LOL - sounds about like a proper name to me, Killie. Off to Preston's with Don this AM and hunting there this evening -    :archer:

What a hunt!  Thanks for taking us along.

Bernie,  
Sounds like you are ready for Bear Quest!  That happens almost nightly in Quebec.  I carry three rocks in my cargo pocket cause frequently I need to scare off a bear without sounding like a human hunter.  

If they don't run after two rocks, the third is to knock me in the head so I don't feel the pain when they climb my tree  :)   Doc

Go get em Bernie.

Doc,

Yep a slingshot in the pack can be helpful too.

Mike

That's a great story Bernie, the memory of it will be vivid forever!

Dang Bernie, you shouda spent more time on ship, and learnt your knots better.    :bigsmyl:

That is a good story Bernie, I've never seen a bear in the woods. It is on my list of things to do.
Benjy

I don't care how many times a person sees a bear out in the woods, Benjy if it doesn't make at least a small part of your heart jump - you ain't alive (for all practical purposes -   ;)  ) but it is always a gift.

That sounds like a good idea, Doc - and Mike's slingshot idea even better (if you are any good at all with one).

Well our trip to the foothills was very enjoyable but no scores to report (except for the deer, who evidently took a trip of their own this weekend too   :D  ) I did get a few pics of the get-to-gether though and will post a little blurb later today (I hope).