Trad Gang

I haven't hunted for a bear since 1998. I shot a nice 6 footer in Ontario on that hunt, and had shot one small one a few years earlier.

A friend of mine has 2 active baits going now. We have a 4 sow quota in this area. Once 4 sows are taken, season is done. Up to this past Saturday, 3 sows have been taken, and my buddy wanted me to hunt one of his baits while he hunted the other before season was done, which very easily could have been yesterday, with more guys out, and a good possability the fourth sow would be shot, and all his hard work gone.

My bud ended up really sick and couldn't hunt at all. He did take me to the bait where he had a pretty big bear hitting at night. There was also a small bear that had been visiting the site during daylight hours. I really didn't want to shoot a small bear, but wanted to hunt, just to get out and hunt.

We checked the trail cam and saw that the big boy had come in around 7:30 pm with plenty of shooting light the day before. Boy was I pumped! I still thought with my luck the bruiser wouldn't show himself.

I got in the stand at 11:57 and sat all afternoon. Bears on his other bait were coming at all times of the day, so I had high hopes.

Can't wait for the rest of the story!

This is going to be good.......  :thumbsup:

:campfire:   I guess I jumped on to quick...lol! I can wait for the rest of the story!!

I am waiting    :coffee:    :)

It was a beautiful day for a long sit. I just love the peace and quiet whether a bear shows up or not. Listening to the rushing creek in the distance, and hearing all the different songbirds singing was what this was really about.

I forgot to bring a book to read. That didn't matter, the time flew by.

I checked my clock when the chill hit me. The sun was creeping behind the trees, taking away the warmth I was enjoying.

The clock showed 6:22, and just a few minutes after that a nice bear shows up out of the thick, black timber, and was on the bait quick.

Anxious for this one to unfold!

I was caught pretty much with my pants down. I was sitting, my bow hanging with no arrow nocked. I knew I had to move at a snails pace. My bud had been busted a couple times by the very nervous, smaller bear that was coming in.

I now know why the small one was on edge.

I was able to get stood up without the squeaky stand making a sound. I slowly grabbed my bow and nocked an arrow.

Then, my legs started shaking, and my heart pounded out of my chest. I told myself to calm down and pick a spot.

The bear layed right down and ate lazily on the sweet grain and grease, but facing me. No shot, and my shaking was getting worse.

After a couple long minutes, the bear got up, but layed right back down, broadside this time.

Should I take a shot at a bedded bear? I felt 100% positive I could make a good shot on him, so I did.

:coffee:  This is going tobe good!!

:thumbsup:  

I just happened to see the pictures already...that is a stud!

I don't remember releasing the arrow. When it hit, the boar spun and growled, and was headed into the thick stuff in record speed.

Then I heard the crash and moan.

I waited a short 30 minutes, maybe 27, and headed into the timber where I last saw him. He only went 40 yards. That Wilderness Custom Arrow tipped with a Woodsman Elite, shot from my little 52# Pronghorn went through both lungs for a quick humane kill.
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020721.jpg)

Congrats Tracy!! Always good to have good friends  :)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020725.jpg)
This guy measures just over 7' from his nose to his tail and he has a huge head. Real pretty chocolite color. I am blessed!

Awesome bear, congrats!   :thumbsup:

Congrats!Great story and BEAR.

Thanks,Phil

Sweet  :thumbsup:

What a head !! congrats

well done! how big is this guy, his head looks massive and old. and thanks for the story!  where are you in wyoming?

Nice Bear!

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020732.jpg)
Another guy that hunts with my bud stopped by to see the bear and asked if this was the clothes I wore for hunting.(he was dressed head to toe in camo) I said, Yes, I wear this type of outfit for all my hunts. He could not believe it!

(I have nothing against camo, I just don't wear it.

Check out the scars above this bears eyes. He also has a big old scar on his head.

That is a OUTSTANDING animal!  Congrats Shedrock!

WAY TO GO!!! That is one GREAT bear   :campfire:

Congrats Tracy,this is a good bear at any standard.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1020736.jpg)

Here's a close-up of the scars.

When I checked the bear in to the Game Warden, we found big canine punture holes in this bear's throat as well, and many other cuts and scars while skinning him.

My buddy called today and knows where those fresh marks came from, he has a monster showing up on the cam now. I hope he get's it. He was so sick, and he still helped me get this beast out, besides letting me sit on his bait. What a nice guy. I took the Pronghorn Ferret recurve off the ads, and I am giving that bow to him. He deserves it.  :thumbsup:  Thanks Seith!

You're right...you are blessed. Good work.

Beautiful bear, congrats!

QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
I took the Pronghorn Ferret recurve off the ads, and I am giving that bow to him. He deserves it.   :thumbsup:   Thanks Seith!

That's a beautiful bear and that's a real class act on your part.  :clapper:

Great bear...congratulations!  Hope your buddy can tag the "scar maker"!

Nice gesture to give him the Ferret!

Nice Bear!

Like to see the one who beat him up!

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Glenn

Your neighbors are glad you don't wear camo Shedrock, theres no telling how many critters you would kill then.   :jumper:  

Congrats Brother great bear.

Tracy,
Way to go! I just got in from setting a bunch of traps for some problem beavers and was about to burn up.What a way to cool down while reading about your hunt. Great bear, love those color phase bears.
Mike

WOW!! Great job
Glenn

Congratulations on a great bear!!There's a saying
"good friends are worth their weight in gold".

that is one beautiful bruin!  congrats!

Congrats on a great bear.

Nice Bear.  :archer2:

shedrock + pronghorn = trophy...everytime!

You are incredible with your hunting. I always enjoy seeing a thread from you because I know it will be a good one. Great bear.

What a beast, congrats Tracy !!!!

What a stunning animal.You say your blessed and I agree.It seems to me that your buddy is also blessed.I'm sure he will appreciate your generosity as much as you appreciate his.
Bill

Awesome bear congrats!

Great Bear Tracy!!

Thanks for sharing!

Great bear!! Thaks for sharing.

WOW!  :eek:    :scared:  That is a toad! Trophy of a lifetime, and a great friend to set you up. The way you are returning the favor will make this hunt and everyone that follows for you and your friend a great memory.

Great Bear !!!   Congrats

Big headed rascal.

Congrats.

Great bear Tracy!  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:  
Love the color and he does have a big punkin.
Thanks for taking us along.

Very nicely done.  Congrats.  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Very nice, very huge! good stuff!

Way to go Tracy, that is one tough old bear with battle scars to prove it.      :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

What an awesome bear and a beautiful color, way to go Tracy!!! I am very jealous ... sure wish I was bear hunting this year!

Congrats Tracy on an great bear!  Bears are what I dream of lately!  Way to go!

Beautiful bear!   :thumbsup:

Tracy I love the outfit.  Congrats on the big chocolate bear.  He's a beast!

:notworthy:     :notworthy:    :notworthy:    That's a nice one!

You truly are blessed,and thanks for blessing me with the story and pics of a simply beautiful bear!

Another exciting story Tracy, congratulations and thanks for sharing, I always enjoy your stories.
-Jay

Congratulations on a great bear and hunt, Tracy.

This made me laugh a bit, as I can hear an excited feller saying it:

"I waited a short 30 minutes, maybe 27, and headed into the timber where I last saw him." by Tracy

Awsome bear.   Congrats!

A very fine bear ... congrats   :thumbsup:

Congrats! That is a beautiful bear!

Beautiful bear. If there is one out there that was beating up on your bear, it must be a monster! Yours sure isn't any slouch! And I love the color phase.

That's awesome Tracy...congrats brother!

:thumbsup:     :notworthy:

Awesome Bear...really like the color phase Bears.....  :thumbsup:

Awesome bear Tracy   :clapper:     Congratulations!!!

Cool. Nice looking bear!

beautiful bear

Awesome, great job   :clapper:

Beautiful animal!    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Super job CONGRATS!!   :bigsmyl:    :bigsmyl:

Thanks guys, I'm still smiling!  :D  

I won't be when I see the taxidermy bill.  :eek:

Congratulations Tracy! That's one heck of a trophy!!!

NICE BOAR Shedrock!

Good shot!

Shoot straight, Shinken

  :archer2:

Nice Bear Congrats!

Good stuff.

Man that IS a nice one.  Congrats Tracy.

That's pretty cool.  Nice work.  

Jeff

What a day Tracy. Just enjoying the sights and sounds of the woods when an old warrior walks in. Wow, what a bear. So happy to see the arrow did it's job.

Beautiful Bear Tracy. Congratulations

VERY impressive bear.  Nice story to go along with it.

What a brute...awesome!

Thanks for sharing.

Josh

Great Bear!! Love the color. Thanks for sharing the pics and story.

Beautiful! Congrats!!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Awesome Bear Tracy!!!

WOW!  Great hunt and bear.  Thanks for sharing.

Nice bear.

Congratulations! great bear

That is a great bear!!! Congrats. Thanks for posting!

Awesome  :notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:

Congrat's! That's a nice one!

Good Stuff and a Fantastic Bear....CONGRATS!

Awesome hunt and Blessed to say the least ,once again congrats  happy trails..

Papa email me brother

Great Bear!

Way to go Tracy, that thing is a hog.
Jack

QuoteOriginally posted by elkbreath:
well done! how big is this guy, his head looks massive and old. and thanks for the story!  where are you in wyoming?

His head is big. I hope he go's in that 20" range??

I'm in the large city of Hanna, population, 850.  :biglaugh:

Congrats on a great bear, and thanks for sharing!

Awesome Bear Tracy.

Awesome bear!! Way to hold it together and get the shot you wanted!!  :thumbsup:

1st chance I've had to read a hunting story in days....

YEAH BOY !!!!!!.....

Beautiful Bear Tracy,thats what shes all about.

Congrats Tracy!!! Awesome hunt brother!    :notworthy:    :campfire:

That is very cool! Congrats on a huge bear.

Now that is why I come to Trad Gang! Great looking bear and a great story! Thanks for taking us along with you.

CK

Congrats!!

Great bear and story. Congrats.RC

Wow - great story and what an awesome bear   :clapper:

Wow that is a helluva bear. Nice....

That's a beauty!!!! :readit:    ;)

:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

What a great bear, story and friend.  Congratulations

Tracy, any idea what that bruin weighed? Is that a big bear for Wyo.? Most of our black bears are under 200lbs. But there are a few big boys over in the coast range where they have moderate weather year round.

QuoteI still thought with my luck the bruiser wouldn't show himself.

Tracy, from what I've seen, Lady Luck is on your side    :thumbsup:  

I also realize that you put in a lot of hard work to make success happen. You are probably one of the most premier outdoorsman in Wyoming.

BTW, my friend lives in Encampment!

QuoteOriginally posted by snag:
Tracy, any idea what that bruin weighed? Is that a big bear for Wyo.? Most of our black bears are under 200lbs. But there are a few big boys over in the coast range where they have moderate weather year round.

Snag, my bud had a big scale and a forklift. We weighed him, and he was 330#. He felt like alot more getting him out of the forest. Yes, this is a big spring bear for Wyo.

Very nice. Congrats.

wow that is awesome.  I have two animals that I really want to hunt with my bow a bull elk and a black bear......... maybe someday

Congratulations Tracy on a great bear! And way to pay it forward with the gift bow! Outstanding and thanks for sharing!

:thumbsup:

beautiful bear and great shooting,gib

WOW! Congrats and thanks for the great story and pics!  :thumbsup:    :clapper:

Beautiful Bear, congratulations!!!

Wow!  What a monster!  Congratulations Tracy on your great hunt!     :clapper:

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Now that's a BEAR!

What a awesome bear Tracy   :bigsmyl:  

Great story and pics!   :thumbsup:  

Tracy from Ks.  :D

Just unreal Tracy!!

Congrats brother!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Tracy:  You are Blessed, what a magnificant animal, thanks for sharing.  RW

Awesome animal, congrats.

Aeesome bear!!

What a story and a bear to match.

Super nice bear! Congrats!

That is a beautiful big bear. cant imagine what the big boy looks like who scarred your bear up looks like.

what a great bear!!!!! congrats!!!

Congratulations thats a beauty of a bear!  And those pronghorns always seem to put the arrows where they belong.

Good job!!!

Great looking bear  :)

Kind of ironic...a pronghorn killing a big bear:)  Way to go bud!  Good shooting and great pics!

Great hunting!  What a wonderful looking trophy you have taken.  Someday, someday....