ss7mm
Well-Known Member
Did some pre-season scouting for deer and had a very interesting time. Saw lots of deer, a coyote that wouldn't co-operate, turkey etc. but the black furry critters are the center of this little discussion.
Early in the day we spotted a big black bear in a small opening. This was the biggest black bear I've ever seen in the wild in this state. He was one of those that has a big pumpkin head with little ears that look like they sit way out on the side of his head. His legs looked short and his belly was close to the ground. Everything about him spelled big black bear but by the time I got set up he had moved into the really thick stuff and we never saw him again.
After the disappointment of not getting the shot we continued for the day. Later we traveled through some land that was posted, although only every 1/4 to 1/2 mile or so, on both sides of the road. It was pretty open and you could see most of it for a long ways. We knew from the time spent there and all of our looking that there wasn't anyone else for miles around. There were no livestock in the immediate area and we had it to ourselves. Moving along a hillside a black bear jumped up below the old jeep trail we were on and ran down the slight incline below us. I yelled and got no response so I whistled and he stopped and turned broadside at about 152 yards. (I checked it with the Swaro afterwards) He stood broadside and I could see him testing the air for scent. Then, he turned, walked a little and again turned broadside and just stood there.
1.5# of pressure on the trigger and he would drop in his tracks.
Now remember the posted signs even though this was the middle of nowhere and nobody was within miles???
What would you have done under these circumstances? Had to watch a huge black bear walk earlier in the day and now this guy, of a little better than average size, is standing broadside. 1.5# of pressure and about 10 minutes work and he's in the back of the truck.
Pull the trigger or let a second beautifully furred black bear walk?
Early in the day we spotted a big black bear in a small opening. This was the biggest black bear I've ever seen in the wild in this state. He was one of those that has a big pumpkin head with little ears that look like they sit way out on the side of his head. His legs looked short and his belly was close to the ground. Everything about him spelled big black bear but by the time I got set up he had moved into the really thick stuff and we never saw him again.
After the disappointment of not getting the shot we continued for the day. Later we traveled through some land that was posted, although only every 1/4 to 1/2 mile or so, on both sides of the road. It was pretty open and you could see most of it for a long ways. We knew from the time spent there and all of our looking that there wasn't anyone else for miles around. There were no livestock in the immediate area and we had it to ourselves. Moving along a hillside a black bear jumped up below the old jeep trail we were on and ran down the slight incline below us. I yelled and got no response so I whistled and he stopped and turned broadside at about 152 yards. (I checked it with the Swaro afterwards) He stood broadside and I could see him testing the air for scent. Then, he turned, walked a little and again turned broadside and just stood there.
1.5# of pressure on the trigger and he would drop in his tracks.
Now remember the posted signs even though this was the middle of nowhere and nobody was within miles???
What would you have done under these circumstances? Had to watch a huge black bear walk earlier in the day and now this guy, of a little better than average size, is standing broadside. 1.5# of pressure and about 10 minutes work and he's in the back of the truck.
Pull the trigger or let a second beautifully furred black bear walk?