ready2hunt Report post Posted September 13, 2013 I am still in unbelief and will do my best to describe what happened without boring anyone! Yesterday (9/12) found me and my old man back in the hunt. We had a little over ½ a day to tag either a bear or deer due to obligations that night. We found 16 does and no bucks. Finally we decided to try my ol’ honey hole. This time I took my gun and was in bear/predator mode, I have been tracking and getting picks of a big bear for 5 years and no luck! With only 2 hours I didn't have much time. Walking down into a small canyon (having left my dad to rest in the vehicle) I noticed a dark patch of fur 100 yards below me. I knew immediately it was the lower half of a bear. Its feet were tucked under it and its upper ½ was in a bush. I raised my rifle and scanned- no cubs…..I then realized this was my chance. With adrenaline surging in the blood I realized I couldn't move for a better shot without making noise in a huge patch oak leaves. I took aim for a spine tap and let my (30-06) 165gr federal premium fly. The bear roared and struggled to its feet. Disappearing and crashing immediately through brush I listened as it ran and then went quiet. Shaking with excitement I hurried to where it has been hit, marked the area and then HEARTBREAK! There was NO blood, not a single drop!!! I scanned every leaf, felt the dirt, followed a short trail where I assumed he had ran…NOTHING! I then hiked out, got my dad and like a champ he came to help 500 yards in and 500 feet down. Still no blood, I wanted to “man cry.” Did I really hit it? Why wasn't I more patient with my shot? Why didn't I wait for a better shot?! I began circling/canvassing the area…then I saw it!!!!! Laying motionless on the other side of a ditch 80 yards from me. I put my cross hairs on it but can’t see the head. I yell to my father coming down and still no movement on the bear- HE WAS DOWN! I make my way to the bottom of the ditch, call my wife telling her how happy I was. She jokes with me….”what if it’s not dead?” I say to her “I am 30 yards from it…its as dead as a door nail.” All of the sudden I hear a growl and as it leaps to its feet crashing down the canyon away from me. I freak out and take off full speed after it falling and tumbling down the side of the mountain. 1 min. later I see it pause at the side of another hill looking away from me as if deciding where to go. I take aim AGAIN at 80 yards and land my bullet through the back between the shoulders. As it growls and bites at its back I put another in its shoulder…..he is down for good this time!!!! I then began to realize...this is the bear I have been after...the one that has haunted my trailcam for 5 years and he is old! He had scars on his head, missing several claws, only one canine tooth left and 3 ground down molers. After a prayer, pics and some good laughs we went to work. I found the bullet to the shoulder…it never made it past the fur… the shoulder was so tough with bone the back of the bullet was still protruding. I had landed all (3) shots but the one to the heart was the killer. To see the bear & bullets I attached some pics. The G&F guys gathered when taking the samples and guess the bear is about 18 years old and 6- 6 1/2+ feet in length (I'll provide actual measurements when I get them, I am 5'10" just to give you an idea when you see the pics). This bear only had one of the premolers to take for inspection. I am just happy to make some more memories with my old man while he is still able to get out. This bear is a trophy to me because I got to share it with my Dad he has taught me everything he knows. He said on the way home, “its tough to fully appreciate hunting until you can hunt with your kids.” I couldn't have said it better...my 6 year old girl (she's the oldest) is still mad I didn't take her with me. Special thanks to my patient Wife, Dad and Dustin from G&F. Now I need your help guys- who is a good taxidermist for a bear rug????????? Please give me some names etc. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loco4coues Report post Posted September 13, 2013 AWESOME! Congrats to you and thanks for sharing! What a cool and exciting experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papa Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Very nice Bear! thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Little Creek Calls Report post Posted September 13, 2013 First day of elk season and checking for pictures, Wow you just stole the show. Nice bear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Very cool! Congrats!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doogan Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Awesome story! Congrats on your trophy! Great to take such an old bear also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ready2hunt Report post Posted September 13, 2013 thanks everyone...I will probably lose my school boy excitement here soon but for now I am still in unbelief. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Congratulations on an old bear! Any of our great sponsors can do an excellent rug for you. Here is a list: AZ Wildlife Designs, Tucson http://www.arizonawildlifedesigns.com/ Weller’s Wildlife Studio, Tucson http://www.wellerswildlifestudio.com/ Mogollon Taxidermy, Payson http://www.mogollontaxidermy.com/ Southwest Wildlife, Scottsdale http://www.swwildlife.com/ Wild Heritage Taxidermy, Young http://www.wildheritagetaxidermy.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Wow! Such a great post all the way around. Fantastic trophy bear, nice photos, well written story, and the best attitude a hunter could ask for. From the way you speak about your Dad and your hunting experience, you've got your head on right. Such a fine specimen of a bear, and 18 years old too, unbelievable. What's even better is that you have trail cam photos of him! Big time congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted September 13, 2013 I'd say congratulations are in order young man. That was one heck of a good story. I like the part where you were on the phone to your wife and the bear takes off. I could just imagine you tumbling and falling down with excitement. Glad it turned out the way it did. That's an awesome bear that lived a long time. It was great that you got to share it with your dad. I'm sure he is one proud papa. Thanks for sharing. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dieselroe Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Awesome job! Really old bear to. Crazy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madx250 Report post Posted September 13, 2013 Wow! Huge congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted September 13, 2013 I have read a lot of great stories here on CWT.... Your's is awesome, heart felt appreciation for taking the bear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted September 14, 2013 What an awesome story! Gets me excited for my bear hunt with my dad coming up in October. So awesome that your dad was there to enjoy the experience with you. What was the bear's weight? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted September 14, 2013 Nice job! That's an awesome old bear there, and you and your dad will have memories to last a lifetime.Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
