I poster pictures of a bear on my bait in another post. I posted this update there, but thought I would start another post as well to tell the story. Anyway, I decided to ground check the bear! After careful assessment of his feeding activity (just after dark, and early morning - usually gone by light) I developed a plan. I placed my ground blind 38 yards from the bait, slightly upwind, off to the side. I thoroughly washed all my hunting clothes (Thanks Jenn) in scent free detergent, and applied a heavy coat of Scent Killer. I sneaked into the blind in the afternoon, expecting and planning to spend the night.
It got dark on me with no bear sighting, as expected. I silently spent the night in the blind, trying not to nod off too deeply as to avoid snoring! Just before light, I heard the logs being pulled from the barrel. My heart jumped up in my throat, and I began to shake uncontrollable. After what seemed to be forever (I really have no Idea how long), I had enough light to see through the dark timber for my shot. It was a well placed .270 round to the quartering away lungs. The boar disappeared out of sight. I waited a few minutes in the blind, and then slipped out to my truck for a short power nap and recovery supplies.
I found the first specks of blood about 3 feet from the barrel. About 5 yards I found a good amount of lung blood.
About 10 yards down the trail I spotted his paw under some pine bows! He only made it 15 yards.
I was awe struck at the size of his hind and rear paws. I have killed quite a few bears, but nothing with paws like this! I went around the tree to see him as he lay.
I like to take a lot of photos, but being on a solo hunt I soon found this would be a lot of work. I could barely budge this bat bugger. I managed to spin him around for a better view.
Utilizing a few strategically placed sticks and my backpack, I managed to get a few pictures of me with my bear using the timer. There would be no moving the bear to a pile of rocks or up onto a log...he was simply too big for me to move!
It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get the skin off. This feller had a huge body. The head and hide was about all this fat man could pack!
Final stats:
77" Nose to tail
60" belly girth
76" front claw to claw
20" Skull
400 pounds using my conservative estimate.
I'm glad I decided to hunt him!
It got dark on me with no bear sighting, as expected. I silently spent the night in the blind, trying not to nod off too deeply as to avoid snoring! Just before light, I heard the logs being pulled from the barrel. My heart jumped up in my throat, and I began to shake uncontrollable. After what seemed to be forever (I really have no Idea how long), I had enough light to see through the dark timber for my shot. It was a well placed .270 round to the quartering away lungs. The boar disappeared out of sight. I waited a few minutes in the blind, and then slipped out to my truck for a short power nap and recovery supplies.
I found the first specks of blood about 3 feet from the barrel. About 5 yards I found a good amount of lung blood.
About 10 yards down the trail I spotted his paw under some pine bows! He only made it 15 yards.
I was awe struck at the size of his hind and rear paws. I have killed quite a few bears, but nothing with paws like this! I went around the tree to see him as he lay.
I like to take a lot of photos, but being on a solo hunt I soon found this would be a lot of work. I could barely budge this bat bugger. I managed to spin him around for a better view.
Utilizing a few strategically placed sticks and my backpack, I managed to get a few pictures of me with my bear using the timer. There would be no moving the bear to a pile of rocks or up onto a log...he was simply too big for me to move!
It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get the skin off. This feller had a huge body. The head and hide was about all this fat man could pack!
Final stats:
77" Nose to tail
60" belly girth
76" front claw to claw
20" Skull
400 pounds using my conservative estimate.
I'm glad I decided to hunt him!
