Hello folks,
I just went on my first bear hunt here in Northern Wisconsin.  I had hunted over bait and was with a family friend who guides bear hunters.  I remember looking forward to every fall so that I could go out with my Dad tracking bear.  My father and Jim from Arrowhead Lodge, Mercer, WI are long time friends and have enjoyed over 20 years of bear hunting together.  Jim would call my dad to help in the tracking efforts of others that had shot a bear.  I would beg, plead and prod my dad to let me come along.  Of course my mom would always say you make sure you remember you have your son with you.  Yes honey and lets go we don't have much time.  So we would take off and join the rest of the group where ever Jim would tell us to go.  I think Jim always liked that we came because I would get on my knees to check for blood and go just about anywhere they didn't.  Sounds funny but I lived for the fall and have now had the chance to do the same thing as an adult.  
The one thing everyone had a chance to do that had killed a bear was shoot an arrow in a log above the bar, so that everyone could enjoy a story about each and every arrow up there.  I swear there is over 100 arrows over those 30 plus years of hunting.
Here in Wisconsin we have to wait for about 10-11 years to get a bear tag.  I can't understand but that is the way it is.  
Anyways back to the story, I had the opportunity to talk with Jim once I found out that I had drawn a tag this year.  He was pretty excited as I was.  The first night was awesome and had seen my first bear.  He came in about an hour before dark and gave me a chance to shoot but it just wasn't my night.  It had sleeted and rained most of the evening and I was shaking so bad that my foot was making noise tapping on my stand.  He just moved to quick and shot passed his shoulder.  The next night came another bear that I thought was a small bear.  Come to realize that bear was at least a 225 lb bear.  There was a full mount in town that was everybit the size of this bear.  I passed on him twice, the luck I had.  It was my first time but now I am off to Montana to see if the elk are going to cooperate and show up for my son and I.  This is going to be our first elk camp shared together and I can't wait.  The chance to see alot of wildlife and the time spent in the woods is better than any day at work.

My Brother drew a wi bear tag this year. has yet to see one but has had his bait hit 3 days in a row.

Keep us posted!!! I should draw next year so I'll be watching this one. Good luck!