Little Bear Alaska

[cmusick]

First hunting story on Rokslide, here it goes. So I went out in the woods yesterday for a hike/hunt with a buddy of mine. We both wanted to kill a bear so it was hard to decided who would get the shot. Well we worked out that I would shoot if it was a blacky and he would shoot if it was a griz. Anyhow 4 in the afternoon roles around and we are 4 miles back in on a ridge and we are contemplating a route to get back. When out of nowhere I spot a black bear on the next ridge over. He was headed up the ridge but was playing peek-a-boo and we only got a quick look. Not thinking about it we just ran across the bowl set up on the ridge and waited for him to come over the rise. It worked perfect. Spotted him at about 300 yards walking towards us up the ridge in and out of brush. He disappeared behind a rock and when he reappeared he was running down the mountain. Now or never! Took the shot as he was moving down in and out of brush, Little Bear went down. Shot was about 250 yards moving. Couldnt see him from where I shot as the brush was too thick, but the shot felt good. I didnt see him again until I was right on top of him. When I saw how small he was I had to laugh. Picked him up like a dog and placed him on the rock for pictures. When I saw the size of the bear I felt two emotions. One of disappointment at the size (this went away quickly) next I felt relief as I thought of my pack weight headed up the mountain. After he was boned out, the total weight with the head, hide, and meat was probably only 50 pounds. Highlights of the trip, shooting the bear, breaking in my new Mystery Ranch, and watching Dall sheep play around on the rocks as we ate lunch. I love Alaska.

 

[River Rat]

congrats, sounds like you had a great trip.

 

[Snyd]

By the way you wrote, it sounds like you took a 250yd shot at a running bear in the brush and couldn't see it when you shot?? I hope there's more to the story than that. I want to say congrats but if you did indeed take a running shot at a target you couldn't see... there are a few other things that need to be said, "congrats" wouldn't' be one of them.

"Shot was about 250 yards moving. Couldnt see him from where I shot as the brush was too thick, but the shot felt good. I didnt see him again until I was right on top of him."

Please tell me it ain't so. Otherwise tell me where you hunt so I can stay away!

 

[cmusick]

Snyd, ya I guess that would need some clarification. We watched the bear come up the ridge. He then moved behind a rock. He then started running through brush. I had an elevated position where all I could see was him running in and out of brush. I shot him at about 250 yards in a less brushy area. Once he was on the ground and bleeding I could not see him at all. That is what I meant when I said, "I couldnt see him from where I shot as the brush was too thick." Perhaps in the edited version of my story it will read," After I shot and the bear was lying dead on the ground, I could not see him for the brush was too thick." So in conclusion I knew my target and beyond when I shot, I was not shooting blind or taking potshots. Was it a text book shot, no. Was it effective, yes. Or were you just asking this to try to get my hunting spot on this monster bear? Thanks for letting me clear this up brother

 

[Snyd]

Thanks for clearing it up! I'm still working on my first black bear. Got bait out and am heading out to sit on it tonight with the pistol.

BTW.... Congrats!