Spring Bear 25. -Long Story .
My season has been one of learning and rolling with the punches. Adapting, and not quitting. At the beginning I hiked into an area that had a really nice bear I spotted the previous day give me an opportunity that I will carry with me forever. It took me most of the day to get in there playing the wind ,going the long way around because i didn’t want to mess up my chances taking the easy route. Hours later ,I came over the last ridge and there was the bear. A freaking unicorn shining in the sun after the rain squalls . A jumbo jet black that was right where I put him to bed. I watched him for a good bit to calm my nerves and get set up for the shot . This day felt unreal as things were just falling into place perfectly . Dialed in ,waited for him to get broadside , rechecked my range and while doing so he shifted a little quartering away . I made my shot and at the same time he took a big step making me hit further back . He turned ,bit his rump and ran backwards for a before heading straight down into the nasty alders and creek drain. I watched him run down and heard him crash, waited hours before tracking. No bear to be found. For the next week I tracked, grid searched and glassed the area finding about 160 yards of blood and 3 beds but still no bear. Checked my rifle and it was still on . I tried different spots , high ridges , loggin rds ,and burns with no bears to be found. With time starting to run out and trying to do all this between work and getting adjusted to this new place I had to make the sits count. Making moves and staying mobile ,I found a spot where I could watch a good bit of country. The weather was cooking as it was getting into the 80’s-90’s then this color phase walked in front of me with the best broadside opportunity and I choked. I’ve never seen one like it with two tones in the fur shinning so not knowing exactly what it was I didn’t want to make a mistake and watched him walk away. Bummed! After a week of trying other areas I came back and resorted to calling. Not the best idea I’ve had but folks say it works so I gave it a try. That day was a roller coaster Continued on the next post.

Spring Bear 25. Pt2 a day full of highs lows and back to highs again. I came back to the area I spotted the color phase for an all day sit. With elk and mule deer around I was thinking I wouldn’t see many bears. Then I spotted a rock that turned into a jet black . Swing and a miss but I had to double check and climbed to where he was at . Nothing to be found in the nastiest jungle I’ve been in. Sometimes the critters have to win as well. Made my way out of the area and I started calling again for a few more sets . At this point I was down in the dumps and when I went to check my last glassing spot the bear that had walked by me when I choked was back feeding his way towards me. I dropped down , he turned then ran up the hill and tried to circle .I stayed put,when he raised up I centered him and put another one in just incase. Since I’d been calling in G-bear country and hunting solo I got to work fast . Grabbed a few photos as I was cleaning him up then a few more once loaded in the IA pack and away from the carcass . Not much left of it since I haul out almost everything. Day mode and auto lock buckles are a must ! Long hike out singing songs with all the wrong words and my head on a swivel . I didn’t get back till the next morning and stayed up admiring my bear. Surreal turn of events and incredibly grateful for this bear . He has shown me many lessons that I will hold with me for future hunts. Thank you to all the folks and friends who helped along the way to kept my head in the game. These hunts can be a grind and those simple msgs can make the difference. To those still after it keep on grinding. Never know when the days will turn around. Now it’s time to eat some bear!