Thanks guys, First Bear
- Thread starter RANGER
- Start date
I worked a long ridge line at 9000 ft calling down into draws or likely slopes. I was using a loud, deep toned, wood, closed reed mouth call. I started out calling for about 2 minutes then called for 45-60 sec every 5-6 minutes for an hour. Did a flat toned waaaaaa for 4 seconds doing a full sweep from one side to the other. No doubt sounded real good going down those draws.
Fifth call of the day brought this big male in. He just appeared out in the open 125 yards out and 100 or so feet below me, just out from some cover. I hit him just behind the shoulder but got no exit wound. Had to track him for awhile. Even after waiting 30 minutes he took me down 850 feet before I caught up with him.
It was quite a walk out, I'll leave it at that.
Fifth call of the day brought this big male in. He just appeared out in the open 125 yards out and 100 or so feet below me, just out from some cover. I hit him just behind the shoulder but got no exit wound. Had to track him for awhile. Even after waiting 30 minutes he took me down 850 feet before I caught up with him.
It was quite a walk out, I'll leave it at that.
Redfrog
Moderator
Now ya see that was much better.This way we get to hear all the puffing getting him out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Good job /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Good story!
Is this the first one you've call/killed? I had one roll/tumble and scramble to the bottom of a canyon one time. Fortunately there was a good sized creek at the bottom, so I floated him out.
With bears, it's all work once the shooting is done.
Is this the first one you've call/killed? I had one roll/tumble and scramble to the bottom of a canyon one time. Fortunately there was a good sized creek at the bottom, so I floated him out.
With bears, it's all work once the shooting is done.
This is the first bear I have seen in the "wild". He is all black, very good fur. Don't know the weight, but I couldn't move him at all, except to roll him downhill, so 250 is if anything on the low end. The rifle is 42 inches long and looking at this other photo from the side I would put him at 5'6" nose to tail. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs.
Unfortunately, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif all I could get out was the hide and skull, all required by the state, which weighed 62 lbs. That took 3 hours. 101 lbs total with the rest of my gear. If I'd a dropped him on the spot it would have been a different story. Had a sled all ready and a good (well not good, but doable) route back to the road planned out. 800 feet of dense scrub oak and loose rock changed that plan. That bothered me some. A learning experience for sure.
Unfortunately, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif all I could get out was the hide and skull, all required by the state, which weighed 62 lbs. That took 3 hours. 101 lbs total with the rest of my gear. If I'd a dropped him on the spot it would have been a different story. Had a sled all ready and a good (well not good, but doable) route back to the road planned out. 800 feet of dense scrub oak and loose rock changed that plan. That bothered me some. A learning experience for sure.
cougerbait
New member
RANGER;
Congrats on the first bear. I know how that must feel great. And after all that work.... Now don't think that I'm trying to be mean or take the good feeling away from you because I'm not. I can't believe that you left all that meat in the woods. When we go hunting, even by your self you need to be willing to work. You just took a life. And for what? A hide and a skull. I can under stand it with a coyote.....But a nice bear. We have spent a total of 2 days packing out animals. We need to respect them. And to top it off this only gives the antis more fuel to throw onto the fire. I wish I lived down where you are, I would have given you my # and I would have came out and grabbed the meat. In the future please don't post that you left all the meat.
I will go away now. good jod on the bear it is hard work and you fooled him. Good luck in the future.
Congrats on the first bear. I know how that must feel great. And after all that work.... Now don't think that I'm trying to be mean or take the good feeling away from you because I'm not. I can't believe that you left all that meat in the woods. When we go hunting, even by your self you need to be willing to work. You just took a life. And for what? A hide and a skull. I can under stand it with a coyote.....But a nice bear. We have spent a total of 2 days packing out animals. We need to respect them. And to top it off this only gives the antis more fuel to throw onto the fire. I wish I lived down where you are, I would have given you my # and I would have came out and grabbed the meat. In the future please don't post that you left all the meat.
I will go away now. good jod on the bear it is hard work and you fooled him. Good luck in the future.
Congrats Ranger. Looks to be a real nice bear you got there. Fine job of tracking also to recover your bear. I know from experience that tracking a hit bear with no help can be a tough chore. It is surprising that the bullet didn't exit on a behind the shoulder hit. You maybe going to go with a tougher built bullet next year? You sound like a guy who hunts hard Ranger, I'm glad you got your first black bear and a dandy at that.
Bluedeacon
New member
Awesome Ranger!!!!! I'm real happy for ya, loved the story and details too.
timberking
New member
Congrats on the first kill Ranger! and a call kill too,now you'll be hooked for sure! It sure is exciting when you see that bear looking for dinner hey. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif again great job.....
Thanks guys.
I think the only way to go is calling them in. On three of the calls the brush was tight enough that I had the .44 Redhawk in my hand, not the rifle. That was rather exciting in itself. I plan to use Barnes 150 gr solids next time in the .270 and switch to something much more heavy and solid in the .44.
I think the only way to go is calling them in. On three of the calls the brush was tight enough that I had the .44 Redhawk in my hand, not the rifle. That was rather exciting in itself. I plan to use Barnes 150 gr solids next time in the .270 and switch to something much more heavy and solid in the .44.
Alaskan Yoter
Active member
Very nice bear indeed Ranger, and very nice sounding hunt too. I bet your hooked now??? What are you going to do with hide and skull?
Once again outstanding job!!!
Todd
Once again outstanding job!!!
Todd
Jason El Paso
Active member
Hey way to go!
The skull is clean and white sitting on the trophy case. Turned out really well.
The hide is fleshed clean and drying out after 12 hours of working on it across 4 days. Nothing like getting the fat off of a 250 lb coon! Still has the third salting on it. Going to wait a week and let it get rock solid before I proceed. Just laying there on the garage floor (not stretched) it's 6'3" nose to tail and 6'8" across the front paws. After I tan it I don't think I'm going to be able to find a wall that it will fit on. Maybe the bed.....
I'm thinking about going back out the last week of the month and go for another. Hope the solids get here before then. I am hooked!
The hide is fleshed clean and drying out after 12 hours of working on it across 4 days. Nothing like getting the fat off of a 250 lb coon! Still has the third salting on it. Going to wait a week and let it get rock solid before I proceed. Just laying there on the garage floor (not stretched) it's 6'3" nose to tail and 6'8" across the front paws. After I tan it I don't think I'm going to be able to find a wall that it will fit on. Maybe the bed.....
I'm thinking about going back out the last week of the month and go for another. Hope the solids get here before then. I am hooked!