TerynItUp
Active Member
- Messages
- 615
I struck out this year on all my apps so I am left to OTC species. Luckily my brother drew an early archery deer tag as a non-resident so I would have the opportunity to get in the woods and chase some deer with him.
He drew this same tag two years ago and we got our butts kicked. We didn't see many bucks and I don't even think he drew his bow one time. This year I did some summer scouting for him in a completely different area of the unit and was able to turn up much more deer. Opening morning, my brother, my wife, and I were hiking in at first light and within twenty minutes found a stud. We thought the group of bucks he was with were moving up the ridge so I sent my brother ahead to cut them off. Unfortunately, they held tight feeding and he thought they already beat him up the ridge. On his way back down he bumped them at about 50 yards and never even knew it. We looked hard for this guy the rest of the week but couldn't turn him up. Saw several more bucks and had many failed stalks but we never were able to seal the deal.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/31697image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/34878image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/81605image.jpeg
During the middle of the week we decided to head up higher on the mtn and check some water to see if the deer had been hitting it during the day. When we got there, we found a dead moo cow floating in a deep hole in the creek (looked like someone hit him on the road and shot him to put him down). There was bear sign all over, and lucky me, I had a bear tag in my pocket. I had never hunted bear before but figured I would give it a go.
We hung a tree stand that afternoon and climbed up in it around 3PM. At 4, a bear came down the same trail we had came down and was directly beneath us. I wasn't aware he was there because he came from behind and he busted me moving. That night I hung my trail cam to see what else was coming in. More bears all night long that night.
The next day I decided to build a ground blind because I could not get comfortable enough to I stay still in the tree. One bear came in below me at about 80 yards but something boogered him out of there and I barely caught a passing glimpse of him. I sat there for 8 hours that day and he was all I saw.
On Thursday I got to my blind at 10am after chasing deer in the morning. At 6pm, the same bear that came in two days prior showed up again. He came down the same trail and was 5 yards in front of me. He knew something was up and busted out before I could draw my bow. 20 minutes later he came back, but this time from across the creek just where I needed him. He made his way to the water/cow and as he put his head down I drew back. I let an arrow fly and the Wac 'Em did the trick. Being a rookie bear hunter and full of adrenaline I ran up to him at 5 yards as he was dying to put another arrow in him for good measure (not so smart in hind sight). After settling down and listening to a few bulls talk back and forth, I was able to get him loaded in the truck by myself (good thing he was small) and headed back to camp. I slept real good and am still super excited about my first bear. I was unable to get many good pics because I was by myself but got this selfie....
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/6557image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/74748image.jpeg
Got him dropped off this morning to let the processor do their magic and make some smoked links and chorizo breakfast sausage out of him. Never ate bear before so I am anxious to see how it comes out. Happy hunting to all of you!
Here are a few more pics....
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/9827image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/73385image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/84706image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/67514image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/62563image.jpeg
Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
He drew this same tag two years ago and we got our butts kicked. We didn't see many bucks and I don't even think he drew his bow one time. This year I did some summer scouting for him in a completely different area of the unit and was able to turn up much more deer. Opening morning, my brother, my wife, and I were hiking in at first light and within twenty minutes found a stud. We thought the group of bucks he was with were moving up the ridge so I sent my brother ahead to cut them off. Unfortunately, they held tight feeding and he thought they already beat him up the ridge. On his way back down he bumped them at about 50 yards and never even knew it. We looked hard for this guy the rest of the week but couldn't turn him up. Saw several more bucks and had many failed stalks but we never were able to seal the deal.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/31697image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/34878image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/81605image.jpeg
During the middle of the week we decided to head up higher on the mtn and check some water to see if the deer had been hitting it during the day. When we got there, we found a dead moo cow floating in a deep hole in the creek (looked like someone hit him on the road and shot him to put him down). There was bear sign all over, and lucky me, I had a bear tag in my pocket. I had never hunted bear before but figured I would give it a go.
We hung a tree stand that afternoon and climbed up in it around 3PM. At 4, a bear came down the same trail we had came down and was directly beneath us. I wasn't aware he was there because he came from behind and he busted me moving. That night I hung my trail cam to see what else was coming in. More bears all night long that night.
The next day I decided to build a ground blind because I could not get comfortable enough to I stay still in the tree. One bear came in below me at about 80 yards but something boogered him out of there and I barely caught a passing glimpse of him. I sat there for 8 hours that day and he was all I saw.
On Thursday I got to my blind at 10am after chasing deer in the morning. At 6pm, the same bear that came in two days prior showed up again. He came down the same trail and was 5 yards in front of me. He knew something was up and busted out before I could draw my bow. 20 minutes later he came back, but this time from across the creek just where I needed him. He made his way to the water/cow and as he put his head down I drew back. I let an arrow fly and the Wac 'Em did the trick. Being a rookie bear hunter and full of adrenaline I ran up to him at 5 yards as he was dying to put another arrow in him for good measure (not so smart in hind sight). After settling down and listening to a few bulls talk back and forth, I was able to get him loaded in the truck by myself (good thing he was small) and headed back to camp. I slept real good and am still super excited about my first bear. I was unable to get many good pics because I was by myself but got this selfie....
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/6557image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/74748image.jpeg
Got him dropped off this morning to let the processor do their magic and make some smoked links and chorizo breakfast sausage out of him. Never ate bear before so I am anxious to see how it comes out. Happy hunting to all of you!
Here are a few more pics....
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/9827image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/73385image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/84706image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/67514image.jpeg
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2016/62563image.jpeg
Hunt Hard. Shoot Straight. Kill Clean. Apologize to No One.
!
