North Georgia Mountain Bear

[gentleman4561]

Four years, 50+ miles of hiking, and I finally connected with a public land black bear deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

I stalked her for about 20 minutes through some thick brush before getting the opportunity to thread an arrow between a few trees at 32 yards.

The arrow hit just behind her shoulder as she was quartering toward me. She took off down the mountain and crashed less than 70 yards away.

I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to harvest such a magnificent creature. Mountain hunting is no joke, but I’m thankful for every bit of boot leather I burned hiking through our beautiful North Georgia mountains.

Looking forward to cooking up a black bear roast for Thanksgiving!

Shooting a 125 grain tooth of an arrow fixed 4 blade.

 

[Cedarsavage]

Sounds like a helluva hunt

 

[Loper]

Congrats! Perseverance pays off.

 

[elkguide]

BE careful..... it's addicting!
Congratulations.

 

[MT_Fin]

Awesome. Congrats!

 

[Elk-fanatic91]

Congrats! Sounds like a fun journey! Bear roast for thanksgiving sounds like a cool idea.

 

[docdb]

I stomp those same mountains (Cohutta and Nantahala’s) and they are no joke. You’re not likely to get altitude sickness, but it’s rough as a Cobb up there. Good on you!
Dr. Don from Gwinnett

 

[willtim]

Congrats on a great hunt! I hunt the mountains of SC. People have no idea how rough and rugged the terrain can be.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Great Bear, had one last year in the Chattahoochee NF at like 2 yards and never could get a shot on him. It’s definitely not easy.

 

[JDT1982]

Congratulations on the hunt and way to persevere

Although N GA doesn't have the elevation gains of the Rockies you can't really understand how difficult the terrain is in N GA until you have went through a mountain laurel thicket with a ruck on

 

[gentleman4561]

Congratulations on the hunt and way to persevere

Although N GA doesn't have the elevation gains of the Rockies you can't really understand how difficult the terrain is in N GA until you have went through a mountain laurel thicket with a ruck on

Ha! Tell me about it

 

[gentleman4561]

I stomp those same mountains (Cohutta and Nantahala’s) and they are no joke. You’re not likely to get altitude sickness, but it’s rough as a Cobb up there. Good on you!
Dr. Don from Gwinnett

That is for sure, I grew up in Peachtree Corners. In Cumming now.

 

[Bhunty19]

Whoa! Four years of dedication led to glory, congrats.

 

[docdb]

The real story that doesn’t get the glory is how the heck did you get him outta there?

 

[gentleman4561]

The real story that doesn’t get the glory is how the heck did you get him outta there?

Over my shoulder after gutting, was 127 pounds so doable but very tough.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Spot and stalk with a bow? Hat tip to you, sir.

 

[gentleman4561]

Spot and stalk with a bow? Hat tip to you, sir.

Yes, I tried both spot/stalk and sitting in a stand. One person told me the best way to hunt bears here is to go scouting with your bow in hand, I think that is the way.

 

[bigbassfish]

Ha, Scouting with a bow, couldnt be more accurate in my experience! Congrats on pushing through, it's hard to stay motivated when it feels like such an impossible task from the ground.

Was this the first one you drew back on? How many close calls?

 

[mgmicky]

Congrats on a well earned bear! Still trying here north of you.

 

[wyldman]

Congrats! I killed my first bear up there back in 2022. A very challenging but rewarding hunt. In my experience the bear population is lower in that area that it used to be but you can still be successful if you have enough time to put in year to year.