I would assume one could still take the hide even if the meat is spoiled? Maybe a messier job for taxidermy but not out of the question?
I would assume one could still take the hide even if the meat is spoiled? Maybe a messier job for taxidermy but not out of the question?
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.” -Otto von Bismarck
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.-Albert Einstein
You have to take the "edible portions" if its sour, that isn't edible. I wouldnt risk taking anything in that cause cause if a CO found you with a hide and skull and no meat its going to be impossible to justify that one.
It sucks losing an animal but it happens, learn from it and move on. Good luck for the rest of the season!
- A hunter who doesn't bring home the meat is just an outdoor enthusiast
I've had better luck with tracking spring bears as they don't have as much fat generally as when they're bulked up in the fall, sometimes less hair too. The bear I shot this spring left a blood trail a blind guy could follow, though it wasn't necessary as it keeled over 20yards from where it was shot. Still had a good hide but not much fat left.
mpotzold: using 30-06, 168grain Federal Fusion I believe (will have to check with him on the exact bullet type)
caddisguy: man we had a couple of serious "sh*t your pants" moments wandering around in the dark for sure. Won't be rushing to do that again anytime soon.
Blood seemed fairly neutral in colour (not overly dark, not super light, and not bubbly).
I think the blood trail itself was a big learning experience. Each of the deer I've either shot or been present for there was a massive exit wound spray and you could practically jog along the trail. I couldn't find an obvious "exit spray" from this bear, and while there were portions of the trail with decent blood sign there were also long durations spent looking under pine needles, looking for fur on branches, etc. I knew going in that bear's are relatively poor bleeders, but now know that they should be bleeding more than this one!
Last interesting note was that we seemed to keep finding spots where it had dropped a few turds (they were fairly consistent in size and colour with the fresh pile we found near where it was shot). I don't know if that is indicative of a certain shot? There wasn't any blood in them or anything obviously abnormal.
".....It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Trudeau government than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their prime minister......"
I'm thinking that your friend most likely jerked the trigger when he let fly. The shot went into a non-lethal area and the bear lives on.
".....It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Trudeau government than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their prime minister......"
I have been crawling through the bush at last light after a wounded bear several times. I will say it is exciting and enjoyable but I have not yet been chewed up. I now run solid copper bullets and aim for the shoulder so as to drop the bear in its tracks, less exciting but more safe.