"Yearling" spot n stalk black bear (Final on 9/21)

[chinook907]

I got to my spot on the slope and peeked over & couldn't see him.

So I decided to creep to a large rock outcropping that was at about the same level but between me and where I figured the bear was by now.  It had only been a minute or so.

He was feeding pretty heavily, but moving along pretty quickly last I saw him.

[chinook907]

Got to the outcropping and peeked and boy-howdy there he was !  Only about 40-50 yards away now, grazing on the crow- and blueberries but heading straight towards me.

Had an arrow on the string by now and made myself very conscious of where my bow tips were, didn't want to bang them on rocks if I moved.  Darn rocks.

[chinook907]

Man, he was beautiful.  All black, brand new fall/winter coat on him.  His feet were big, forearms thick, and his head looked like a small punkin'.

I've seen plenty bigger but he was big enough and he was here.

I wanted badly to dig out my camera and snap a few pics of him;
        but it was time to be still.

He came closer & closer.

He paused ~12 yards from me, faced upslope slightly quartering to, bent his near front leg and leaned it into the slope like you'd put your's on the kitchen table, and grazed on berries.

It was tempting to take a shot;
        but it was time to be patient.

[Gerardo]

come  on come on!!!!!

[razorback]

You are an evil man. Please pleqase please give us the finish.
         

[chinook907]

Just a bit after that he went to all fours, then as if I'd told him to he turned full broadside.

I rose up a bit behind the rocks and drew as I did, he might have turned to look at me but I'm not sure as I was focused on a quarter-sized area behind his front leg.

After last weeks miss I was very conscious of my shot: came to full draw, thumb found the back of my jaw, middle finger in the corner of my mouth, saw the tip of my broadhead vaguely in my peripheral vision.  When it seemed right I felt the string go and thought I saw my nock disappear behind his front leg, a scosh below my focus.

[chinook907]

He turned away from me, walking very slowly and oddly.

When I could see him from the side the fur behind his leg looked a fine brown now.

As he walked over some light colored rocks, as close as I was I could see the rocks turn red.

He walked about 30-40 yards, then collapsed & rolled down the hill, thankfully hanging up in some alder.

It was over.

[Gerardo]

pics please

now is time to get the camera out

[chinook907]

Here's a pic, not a bad way to spend a Saturday.



Here's another with Lin's awesome knife in it.  Guess its my bird n bear knife now.

[chinook907]

The pack out was another story, I'll leave it at that.

He'll make some nice stews & sausages, a tanned hide for a friend, and a cleaned skull for another.

And razorback I am not an evil man LOL !  Just getting long winded !

[Gerardo]

     


I was thinking of the pack out I see know why you posted until now,

, CONGRATS ON A GREAT BEAR, STORY AND STALK!!!!!!!

Gerardo

[chinook907]

Thanks Gerardo.  I shoot lefty too, been looking hard at the shrews you have listed, but I have what I need.

[razorback]

I take back all the horrible things I said about you. Anticipation makes the final story so much better, thank you.
     

[chinook907]

Razor-absolutely no problem.  Thanks for reading.

[saltwatertom]

Very nice salmon man. Great story, thanks for sharing and the pics too. Your patience is comendable for a good stalk. Packing it out is lots of work too, I just finished putting the last of a moose in the freezer tonight, sheesh it's alot to do, but worth it!
I hope your bear is a tasty as mine was /is.  :D    

[rappstar]

awesome!  great story!

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Congratulations on a great memory made!

[wingnut]

Cool story!

Thanks for taking us along.

Mike

[PICKNGRIN]

Great story and pics!!!  Thanks for sharing!

[Talondale]

Very well told.  Nicely done.  Congrats.