Well, after reading Whip and centaurs stories, it looks like muffing a shot on a bear was pretty common this year! I swear that tree was not there when I let go!!!!!! :knothead: :knothead:
Here is my story of one of the most exciting days I have ever had afield! I'll tell the story of the whole hunt, but you have to wait till I get to day five for the really good stuff!
I went on a 6 day bear hunt in Alberta. We were in a camp about 2 1/2 hrs NW of Edmonton. The camp was fantastic and very satisfying. I was the only trad shooter in camp, so I had to break in the main tent on the first day!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/B66B2489-DCC7-40DB-9607-3CE0645C9774_zpsefxwowdo.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/B66B2489-DCC7-40DB-9607-3CE0645C9774_zpsefxwowdo.jpg.html)
On day one I sat a stand called Silly Knot. I had 5 bear sightings of 3 different bears that evening. The only one that would give me a good shot was just a bit small so I gave him a First Day Pass. Day two found me again in Silly Knot and not a bear was seen that day. This is a picture of the view from Silly Knot, and the bear that got the First Day Pass:
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6F1811E3-A5B6-48E2-9A7C-9E1D59ACDB3A_zps15i1gdxb.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6F1811E3-A5B6-48E2-9A7C-9E1D59ACDB3A_zps15i1gdxb.jpg.html)
On day 3, I was moved to a stand called Pinky's. About an hour after I got on stand I caught some movement to the left. It was 2 yearling cubs that came running into the bait. A couple minutes behind them was a very nice sow. She came in and was never really comfortable. She paced back and fourth in front of the bait like she was on guard duty. After about 20 minutes she finally left, taking one of the little ones with her. After another 5 minutes or so, the 2nd little one looked up with a very surprised look on his face. It was like he was totally consumed in the bait and never noticed the other two leave. He then sauntered off in the same direction that the first two had left.
I was sitting in my treestand telling myself how cool it was to be seeing the bears and thinking about my possible prospects to come when all of a sudden I heard branches breaking to my left. It was quite noisy and only took a second or two for the cause to be revealed. The two yearlings had scurried up a tree, the whole 50' to 60' to the top. Now I was wondering "why did she make them go up the tree?".
About 2 minutes later, all heck broke loose a bit farther to my left. There were branches breaking, and bears growling, and more crashing and cracking. I could just catch glimpses of black through all the trees as this was going on. Then a minute later all was quiet again. Immediately, I caught movement to the left, on a trail coming into the bait. I assumed it was the sow coming back in.
When he walked out, he took my breath away! This bear was massive. He walked out in front of the bait barrel, and it disappeared behind him. He had every characteristic of a big bear that I was told to look for:
1. Stands taller than the barrel - Check
2. Big round head with little ears that were out to the side - Check
3. Wobbled when he walked, and was pigeon toed - Check
4. No neck - Check
This was for sure a bonafide big bear. He walked right in front of the bait and stopped a little quarted away. He was about 18yds. I began to draw and as my string hand was nearing my face, he decided to stand up on his hind legs and look around. I had to let down. I thought to myself "No problem! He will get down in a minute and I will shoot him then.". Just about then, the sow came charging in from the left. The big bear came down and immediately walked off to the right just far enough that I could not shoot. He paced around a bit and even came right to the base of my tree. He then acted like he was going to go back to the bait, but the sow was acting contanquerous. As he turned to walk off, I thought I could hear him thinking "I don't want to mess with you (the sow) today!". He lumbered off into the woods to my right, and I think I may have shed a tear or two. The cranky sow stayed around for another 30 minutes before finally calling the little ones down out of the tree and leaving the area. This is the view from Pinky's stand. I never had time to try to get a pic of the bruiser!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/1C6A6CBD-0D72-4655-849C-04736DAA0D9B_zpsyibqqc1g.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/1C6A6CBD-0D72-4655-849C-04736DAA0D9B_zpsyibqqc1g.jpg.html)
Got to go now, but will add more, including the exciting part in a while.
Bisch
:coffee: :coffee:
:campfire: :clapper: :clapper:
Great start Bisch!
Nice start Bisch! Take your time buddy, you know some of us like the long version of the story. :bigsmyl:
Here is a pic of my bow hanging in the tree while on guard at Pinky's stand:
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/E2FE406C-11E0-4679-B9AB-4FB081497B39_zpsqd8tltyo.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/E2FE406C-11E0-4679-B9AB-4FB081497B39_zpsqd8tltyo.jpg.html)
More to come!
Bisch
:campfire: bear hunting is definatly my passion in the woods. might have to get a tree stand one day instead of S/S and natural blinds.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
On the edge of my seat...
Good start to the hunt Bisch...... :campfire:
Glad too see ya still around, the rest please!!,!
:campfire:
Don't make us wait too long now, Bisch!
QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I was sitting in my treestand telling myself how cool it was to be seeing the bears and thinking about my possible prospects to come when all of a sudden I heard branches breaking to my left. It was quite noisy and only took a second or two for the cause to be revealed.
:scared:
don't scare me like that bisch. i was thinking to myself, "if bisch could hear it, it must be in the tree hanging off his stand".
:jumper:
as for the title. i can. :jumper:
keep it coming buddy. looking forward to the rest of the story.
Uh oh. Will be waiting
QuoteOriginally posted by Sockrsblur:
Nice start Bisch! Take your time buddy, you know some of us like the long version of the story. :bigsmyl:
No way I could ever draw this out the way you can! :thumbsup:
Bisch
quote:
Originally posted by ozy clint:
don't scare me like that bisch. i was thinking to myself, "if bisch could hear it, it must be in the tree hanging off his stand".
:scared: :scared:
And btw, Clint, I have an excuse for the misses while I was over there in Australia! It's hard to hit anything when you are upside down!
Bisch
I'm back! Where was I? Oh yeah, BIIIIIIG bear at Pinky's stand. Well the outfitter told me that the bear I was describing was like a legend up there. They think he is 20+ years old and probably 500-600lbs. He told me if I had shot that bear that I could have just retired from bear hunting because I am not likely to ever shoot another one better than him!
Day 4 found me back at Pinky's stand hoping the big bruin would show himself again. He did not, and neither did any other bears! Day 4 was a bust!
The next morning, Day 5, I was approached by one of the other hunters who told me that he had been sitting a stand for the last couple days that had multiple bears coming to it. This man was a seasoned bear hunter and was looking for a big bear. He told me that there were several boars worthy of shooting, but that he was not going to shoot them. He then said, if I wanted, he was going to talk to the outfitter and have them put me in that stand. I told him I was good with that.
Now, I did a lot of reading and video watching before going bear hunting. The one thing I was a little uneasy about was a bear climbing up the tree I was sitting in. Well, just a little while later, the outfitter came to me and told me "Bisch, we are going to put you at Ravine today. There is a REAL aggressive sow there and there is a good chance you may get a bear up your tree. Do you think you can handle that?". I told him that I was up to the task, not really believing him anyway. This was my second bear hunt and I had yet to have a bear anywhere near my tree!
The afternoon rolled around and we all loaded up to go to the stands. Ravine was a bit farther away from camp, so we had to drive in the truck for quite a ways, then get out and do the last part on the 4-wheeler. When we got out of the truck, the outfitter asked me if I had phone service. I did. He then told me if I shot a bear, to let them know ASAP, because if it went down into the canyon, they would not track it in the dark.
Off we went to the stand. Ravine was aptly named! The stand was on a flat area, but 50yds out the bottom dropped out, and the canyon was deep. Immediately when arriving, I noticed that the bait site had been torn up bad. There was also lots of bear droppings in the area. This looked really good. I climbed up into my stand, which was about 14yds from the bait, and settled in. The guide left and I pulled out my phone to take a pic of the bait. Here is the view from Ravine:
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6909837F-A1C2-4B7D-AAA7-F60217EF6588_zpsyl61ecxi.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6909837F-A1C2-4B7D-AAA7-F60217EF6588_zpsyl61ecxi.jpg.html)
Right after I took that pic is when I noticed that I did not have phone service where the stand was located! Oh, well, I just decided if I shot one early, I would just sit and wait and see what happened. After all, I did have 2 bear tags in my pocket!
Bisch
Disclaimer: There are not many pics of the events that unfold next! Both of my hands were tightly clinched on the can of bear spray for a good part of the next several hours!
It is my one regret that I did not have enough guts to take my hands off the bear spray and pull out my phone to take a couple pics of what unfolded next!
Bisch
ooohh.....I think you had a close encounter!! Let's hear more. Those mean old sow's can test your nerves.
:coffee:
Congratulations Bisch,this sounds pretty interesting!
:bigsmyl:
Well, come on with it! I know you can't have anything of higher priority than finishing this story! After all, you're retired! :biglaugh:
LD
I love bear season...
I am TDY waiting for a meeting and was hoping this was going to make the time go faster. Rest of the story please:)
:scared: :scared: :scared:
Im on the edge of my seat! Come on! LOL!
I like where this is going...
great story so far - will have to check back later for an update. :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by lt-m-grow:
I love bear season...
same here, my favorite season, I love the stories.
Witchybitchy sows make a sit fun and terrifying :scared:
This is gettin' good :thumbsup:
I'm already not buying this story. I've heard that Bisch doesn't miss!
Even a REAL aggressive sow is no match for the black plague! :readit:
WOW, i was only being silly!
you really did have a bear in your tree. :scared:
can't wait for more of this one.... :coffee:
Bisch and I shot together for a bit this afternoon. Y'all hang tight......this is fixin' to get interesting! :campfire:
and then?
:campfire:
:campfire:
Noooooo!!!! I've been out of town for 2 days and I come back, hoping to read the entire story only to be stopped by a cliff hanger. You're not right, Bisch. Downright mean. :bigsmyl:
:campfire:
Bisch, would that duct tape be over an arrow hole :confused:
OK, I'm back!
Here is where we get to the gooooooood part!
I got dropped off and settled in the stand at 5:50pm. I took a pick of the bait, realized I did not have phone service, and figured out how I needed to be positioned to get a good shot toward the bait.
At 6:20pm I caught movement to the right and in strolls a very nice sow and two yearlings. These bears threw all caution to the wind and went straight for the bait. Here is a pic of the sow and yearlings:
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/81EFB771-3267-4CCE-867B-32E0D44F761A_zpso7yzf58n.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/81EFB771-3267-4CCE-867B-32E0D44F761A_zpso7yzf58n.jpg.html)
Not 20 minutes later, I catch more movement off the the right. It is another bear coming in. Now, this witchybitchy (as Mike labeled her above) sow immediately decided he had no rights there and began to make the eerie bear sound and clack her teeth together. As soon as he got close, she would charge him and run him off.
This went on for quite some time. He would move in, and she would make that eerie bear noise and clack her teeth, and then run him off.
Well, he started making wider circles around the area. He made a circle that was leading him right for my tree. I was watching him pretty close as he came right to my tree........and got up on his hind legs with his front paws on the trunk! He looked up at me then went back to the ground and walked away from my tree. Whew, I was relieved!
I'm now watching these 4 bears, and cussing the sow under my breath. Remember, the sow at Pinky's stand is what made the giant bear leave. I was not ready to see that happen again. Anyway, as I was watching, I again catch movement to the right, and circling in is another bear. This one circles down the hill and tries to come in from straight behind the bait. As he approached, I noticed that he had a really cool "Y" shaped white blaze on his chest and immediately decided I would shoot him if given the chance.
For the next 20 minutes or so it was a circus! Both of these bears wanted to get at the bait, and every time one would get close, Ole Witchybitchy would run them off.
Then the sow and both little ones moved off by another tree about 10yds to the left of the bait. The bear with the blaze saw this as an opportunity and came straight in to the bait from the opposite side. For some unknown reason, the sow just stood there this time and made no aggressive move toward him. All I remember thinking is "This is it!".
I raised my bow and had tension on the string waiting for him to get "right". After just a moment , it was time. I drew back to my face. I have no clue what happened next. I felt a very big double clutch and the arrow was gone from my control.
I was thinking "Oh, no!!!!!!!" as the arrow slammed into a tree just on my side of the bear.
POW!!!!! It sounded like a rifle going off in that ravine. All 3 big bears jumped back, startled. They were all looking at one another trying to figure out who done that! I was cussing myself under my breath and fumbling with my quiver trying to get another arrow out.
The bear I had missed circled out about 12-15yds and came right back into the bait. This time the sow just could not stand it and run him off again. He did not leave, but moved out about 40yds from the bait, and down the hill a bit.
With him backed away, my focus now turned to the other bear. He would go for the bait, but get chased off by the sow every time. He again made his way over by my tree, where he decided to lay down on the ground right next to my tree. I was watching him from above.
Now this stand had a bow rope tied to it. When I climbed up into the stand, I pulled up my bow, and then put the rope back hanging down. I did not want anything to look out of place to the bears. Well, as he laid there, I could see him looking around. I will swear on a Bible that what I saw next is true. That bear turned his head in the direction of the rope and got this surprised look on his face. It was almost like when he saw it there he thought "Oh, look at the bear play toy!". He commenced to grabbing the rope with his paws and his mouth and playing tug-o-war with it. Haha, this was kind of cute. UNTIL HE STARTED PULLING HARD ENOUGH TO MOVE THE TREESTAND!
This rope play continued for about 5 minutes or more. I was scared enough that I actually said a prayer asking that he not pull the stand out of the tree. It was just a bit unnerving.
So he finally gets done scaring the crap out of me and gets up and starts to walk towards the bait again. As soon as he got within 10yds or so, the sow charged him. He took off running and there was all kinds of racket. In a split second, this bear was up in my tree. We stared each other down as he went past me. He stopped with his hind claws dug in the tree dead nuts even with my head. The safety was off the bear spray. I just thought I had been scared when he was on the ground pulling on the rope.
He stayed put for about 1 minute and then started down the tree. As he passed we again stared each other down.
He got back down on the ground and I did a quick check to see if I had soiled my pants. I was in the clear and actually kind of proud of that! The bear spray can did not fair so well. I think there are several dents in the side of it now, as hard as I was clenching it!
Once back on the ground, he made a beeline for the bait. For whatever reason again, the sow never made a sound or aggressive move at him. He moved into the EXACT spot where the first bear had been. I drew back, got to a good solid anchor this time, and let her fly. The arrow hit just a tad forward from where I was looking, but he reared back, growled, and tried to bite the arrow. He spun and ran to the right and down the hill at an angle. There was a very large blood splat on the big log propped up against the barrel that had been right behind him. I followed him through the trees and, at a bout 75yds, saw him tumble over. I could see him laying there dead from the stand! YES! I finally had my first bear. It was 7:58pm when I shot him, and there was still 2 1/2hrs of daylight left!
The sow and yearlings stayed there for another 1hr and 45minutes, finally leaving about 9:45pm. I had one other bear come in, but the sow run him off before he even got a chance to get close.
The guide showed up a bit after dark, and we finally got our hands on him. He was not nearly the bear that I had seen at Pinky's stand, but I could not have been happier. My bear was only about 150 pounds, but he had a nice coat and will make a nice rug!
Here are the pics!
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/A7908B0F-946C-4985-92F0-D986AFA9BDAB_zpsfi7nqc0j.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/A7908B0F-946C-4985-92F0-D986AFA9BDAB_zpsfi7nqc0j.jpg.html)
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/5E12F30C-EAD7-46E2-B1FE-B8FD5A6D57F1_zpsu7bhcimj.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/5E12F30C-EAD7-46E2-B1FE-B8FD5A6D57F1_zpsu7bhcimj.jpg.html)
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6315AC82-EC2C-44E7-90FD-2ECFC2868B2C_zpstvuz5udp.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/6315AC82-EC2C-44E7-90FD-2ECFC2868B2C_zpstvuz5udp.jpg.html)
Well, I had one more day after that. I decided to go back to Pinky's stand with one more hope of seeing the big bear. I did not see any bears, but I did have a wolf sighting. He came through, and I actually thought I might get a shot at him for a minute. But it was not meant to be, and the sun set on my last night in bear camp!
I had an absolute blast on this hunt. The camp was great, the stands were well placed, and there were plenty of bears in the woods! There were 5 hunters in camp (I was the only trad hunter). All together, there were 7 bears and 1 wolf killed. 2 of the bears were color phase and 3 will qualify for Pope & Young.
Bisch
Well done Bisch...great story!
Congrats Bisch! Great story.
Very cool adventure. Thanks for sharing
congratts!....man that's one helluva bear hunt .
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Great story
Wow Bish, What a Hunt! Thanks for taking us along!!!
Awesome, buddy!
Bisch,Im so happy for you. Wish I could have been with you again. I'm staying home from hunting this summer and taking Missy traveling as last Fri was her last day of teaching for 31 years. Glad you got to harvest one and see so many. Seeing one go past me in the tree would have made me probably jump out. Glad he was more scared of you than you were of him. congrats to u.
Wow that's a great story and hunt Bisch! I can't believe that bear passed you in your tree... lol wow! Congratulations on your first bear that's really cool! Something I would love to do some day. Thanks for sharing...
Way to go Bisch!!! I too have had a bear in my lap...Dang that stuffs crazy :)
Congrats on collecting your composure, making a great shot and getting your first bear. That's it man, you're now hooked :goldtooth:
Great story Bisch, would have been better though if you just stabbed him :readit:
Congratulations.
Wow! I bet that puckered you up a bit! Was the wolf killed with a bow?
Great story Bisch! That's up close and personal for sure.
Congrats on a great first bear!
What a hunt! Just think, if you had shot that big boy on Pinky's stand you would have missed out on all the fun! Now you have your trophy and a memory and story that will be with you forever. Perfect!
That's a great story .... congrats on your bear
QuoteOriginally posted by Keith Zimmerman:
Wow! I bet that puckered you up a bit! Was the wolf killed with a bow?
Yes, but it was not a trad bow!
Thanks everybody!
Bisch
Well done,congrats.
Congrats, good sir!
:archer:
One of the best hunting stories I have heard in a long time!
An experience that will be with you forever. Great job and congrats on a beautiful bear and the amazing experience.
Bisch,
Congratulations! Thanks for taking the time to share your adventure.
Holy crap. I've never been bear hunting. Just booked one for 2016. Now......I'm not sure what to think. Sounds scary, crazy, fun, nuts and very special. Congrats on the hunt! :thumbsup:
Great hunt Bisch!!!
:notworthy:
way to go mate! well done.
Congrats Bisch !!! :clapper:
Bill
I wish I could have been there to see the expression on your face when that bear got into the tree with you. That is a little to close for comfort. Great story. Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
Good one, Bisch.
Way to go!
Congratulations Bisch on your first bear. Isn't it amazing how fast they can be up a tree. I'm usually praying, "don't pick my tree, don't pick my tree..."
Congrats on the bear!!!! That is one incredible story.
Congrats Bisch! Man, That'll get your heart started, won't it? Didn't take it long to get up that tree, did it?
LD
What a story... thanks for all the details!!
Question: why didn't you hit him with the pepper spray when he was on his way up the tree?? I don't think I could have remained that calm with a bear that close, and I KNOW I wouldn't have been able to pull it all together and put an arrow in him when he climbed down out of that tree. Unbelievable!
You must be one cool customer, Bisch!
QuoteOriginally posted by NittanyRider:
What a story... thanks for all the details!!
Question: why didn't you hit him with the pepper spray when he was on his way up the tree?? I don't think I could have remained that calm with a bear that close, and I KNOW I wouldn't have been able to pull it all together and put an arrow in him when he climbed down out of that tree. Unbelievable!
You must be one cool customer, Bisch!
I got schooled on what was an aggressive bear and what was not an aggressive bear by the outfitter. The bear that climbed my tree was not after me, but rather was running from the sow who was chasing him. He went up the backside of the tree, and while very unnerving as it was happening, I never felt like he was going to get me. I was praying that he did not come around on my side or try to swat at me, and I was as stretched away from the tree as far as the harness tether would allow, but I never really felt threatened!
I think I was actually more scared when he was playing with the bow rope because I was not sure for a few minutes if he was going to pull the stand out of the tree or not!
Bisch
QuoteOriginally posted by Caddo:
Congrats Bisch! Man, That'll get your heart started, won't it? Didn't take it long to get up that tree, did it?
LD
Those big ole critters can climb trees faster than a cat!!!!!
Bisch
Not sure about you Bisch, but I think I need to go change my shorts. HOLY COW! I'll be sure to NOT let my wife read this thread. Congratulations!
homebru
Way to go Brother! :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome Bisch!!! Congrats!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Awesome!!!!!
Very cool hunt and congrats on your bear.
Bisch, you are a machine! Way to go, and congrats! What a great story!
Way to go Bisch! :bigsmyl:
Great story! You have more guts than I. I probably would have given him the "Ol" Texas heart shot out of fear when he was above me.
Great pics and story,thanks for sharing.
Leland
Awesome job as always Bisch! GREAT JOB I bet you had to change your underwear with that close encounter :biglaugh:
This was a great story, I literally laughed out loud picturing the bear tugging on your bow rope. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Congrats on the hunt!
Congrats on a great hunt and good story telling too!
Nice bear :thumbsup:
Tracy
Thanks for sharing, a real adventure for sure.
Awesome and exciting hunt. An experience of a lifetime.
Congrats, Very, very cool hunt. Nice bear
Nice job!
:clapper:
-Jay
Good tip on the Pull up rope, Thanks, never thought about that. Don't believe that I'll leave mine hanging down this year! :clapper:
LD
Awesome story. Real knee knocker when he came up that tree, eh? Congrats, beautiful bear.
.....Congratulations on a fine Bear , and staying soiled free in the britches department ;)
:clapper:
Awesome story Bisch!!Nice bear for sure!
Great story Bisch...Again congrats to you again. Are you going to have a bear rug made or are you going to mount it?
Congrats Bisch. Great story. Thanks for sharing.
:clapper:
I finally took the time to read the whole story! Awesome, good read and a good hunt with a great outcome! Way to go!
Great story. I just now got to finish this.
Great hunt and story Bisch! Bears up the tree are not fun at all, congrats on your bear kill. Well done.
A great ending to a great story. Congratulations on a fine bear.