After two years more or less away from the bear game it was time to get back into it this year. Along with a mentor and a friend we ventured out to decrease the local bear population. Due to the late spring the baits were a little late getting out and a little late getting hit. Trail camera pictures showed bears hitting each of the baits we had active and I was designated to one of the prettiest bait sites I have ever sat on.
Sunday we arrived at the lake and got the boat launched (all sites are water access). I was suffering from a case of indecision as my MZ was sighted in and ready to go however I really wanted to use my bow. An 11th hour decision said that the Hoyt was going to the tree and the guns were staying at the cabin. We dropped off one of the group at a site that had a bear coming in as we were trying to get his gear into the tree. Needless to say having a bear at about 7 yds four hours after leaving home basically made the hunt a success before I even got into my bait.
I walked into my site about 5 pm and noted that the bait was down (insert silent "yes"). I climbed the tree and looked to each of the shooting lanes to make sure that everything was prepared. As the boat motor became a distant memory the silence took over. The combination of the warm weather and a busy work schedule made it hard to stay awake (I have always viewed falling from a tree as a large tactical error). About 7:15 I lifted my sagging head and a black blob had suddenly and so very quietly arrived. I knew it wasnt huge but being as tall as the barrel and with a good hide he was very tempting. For the next hour I was treated to a wonderful display of popcorn eating, general athletics and some serious acrobatics. He knew I was there but the desire to eat was more than anything else.
After an hour to the minute he walked away and into a neighbouring beaver swamp. I heard a wicked crack and saw a jackpine meet and untimely demise. The same "quiet" bear decided that he wanted to display his dominance and came into the bait again snapping his jaws, "huffing" and generally puffing up his persona. The thought then dawnmed on me that I was "BEAR HUNTING" and this is a bear.....the wheels began to turn and as he came towards my stand and offered a perfect broadside shot. In an automatic sense the pin settled behind his shoulder and the tell tale "thwack" indicated a good hit. He bolted for a few seconds and then disappeared into some of the blackest spruce I have ever encounted. Almost immediately he let out five or six death moans and the forest was quiet again.
He was average for the area to just above but most of all this was my first bowkill. That made all the difference in the world.
The bow is a Hoyt Maxxis shooting Easton Axis arrows and Innerloc 100 gr expandables. Based on the wound channel this was a mean combo.
And that's my story.......
Sunday we arrived at the lake and got the boat launched (all sites are water access). I was suffering from a case of indecision as my MZ was sighted in and ready to go however I really wanted to use my bow. An 11th hour decision said that the Hoyt was going to the tree and the guns were staying at the cabin. We dropped off one of the group at a site that had a bear coming in as we were trying to get his gear into the tree. Needless to say having a bear at about 7 yds four hours after leaving home basically made the hunt a success before I even got into my bait.
I walked into my site about 5 pm and noted that the bait was down (insert silent "yes"). I climbed the tree and looked to each of the shooting lanes to make sure that everything was prepared. As the boat motor became a distant memory the silence took over. The combination of the warm weather and a busy work schedule made it hard to stay awake (I have always viewed falling from a tree as a large tactical error). About 7:15 I lifted my sagging head and a black blob had suddenly and so very quietly arrived. I knew it wasnt huge but being as tall as the barrel and with a good hide he was very tempting. For the next hour I was treated to a wonderful display of popcorn eating, general athletics and some serious acrobatics. He knew I was there but the desire to eat was more than anything else.
After an hour to the minute he walked away and into a neighbouring beaver swamp. I heard a wicked crack and saw a jackpine meet and untimely demise. The same "quiet" bear decided that he wanted to display his dominance and came into the bait again snapping his jaws, "huffing" and generally puffing up his persona. The thought then dawnmed on me that I was "BEAR HUNTING" and this is a bear.....the wheels began to turn and as he came towards my stand and offered a perfect broadside shot. In an automatic sense the pin settled behind his shoulder and the tell tale "thwack" indicated a good hit. He bolted for a few seconds and then disappeared into some of the blackest spruce I have ever encounted. Almost immediately he let out five or six death moans and the forest was quiet again.
He was average for the area to just above but most of all this was my first bowkill. That made all the difference in the world.
The bow is a Hoyt Maxxis shooting Easton Axis arrows and Innerloc 100 gr expandables. Based on the wound channel this was a mean combo.
And that's my story.......
