One camp neighbour told me earlier that this year was the worse hunting he experienced since he’s been hunting that area in October and the other moose hunters in the area were saying the same thing apparently. So I started to think where the bears should be in the area by habit a this time of the year. They had to be present but not very active. Generally most hunters prefer to stay close to main trails and mature bears would know such behaviour so I decided to go check a spot I discovered earlier in my hunt. That area appeared to have good features a mature bear would look for to stay safe while being close enough of some hunting activity.
My plan was to follow a marsh hoping to find a fresh grizzly track. After analysing my map I had an idea where to hike and after a few hours I found a fresh grizzly track of decent size. I followed it for a bit until I found a small opening in a good spot. I didn’t want to follow that track for too long since the bush was very dense and being alone I wasn’t comfortable to face a grizzly in such environment. I pulled out my small hunting chair and sat down overlooking the opening where I tough was the right place to be factoring the wind.
I was patient all day and stayed put without really moving with my rifle ready on my legs. Sunset was at 6:30 and I did my last moose calls at 5:45 to give enough time for a bear to move in. My plan was to start making my way back at 6:30 so I wouldn’t have to face a bear in the bush in the dark. Remember the footprints were fresh ones of the night or early morning so I knew a bear was in the area.
Just as I was about to put stuff in my backpack and to leave I heard something coming behind me cracking branches and it was moving at a fast pace. I turned my head and WOW all I could see was some big dark brown grizzly legs at 20 yards! Let me tell you the adrenaline rush kicked into high gear instantly and I was almost freaking out thinking "that’s not where I want to you come out"!!!!!!!!!!!!
At that moment I taught the grizzly was coming for me especially since he had the wind right in his nose. I had to analyse the situation extremely fast because he never stop moving. Finally I could tell he wasn’t looking at me but more in front of me in the opening, so I let him walk by at 20 yards. I certainly didn’t want to take him that close since I would only have those 20 yards of play if he charged after a good or bad shot.
I’m no expert in bears but I believe I have enough experience black bear hunting to recognise what a real mature black bear looks like and with my homework on identifying grizzlies done prior the hunt I knew he was a big mature boar the moment I completely saw him. He went down a small drop that was in front and at 75 yards away he was turning and sniffing around with his head held high. I believe this boar was in hunting mode for a calf moose. What a show to see that close, maybe too close, such a big and beautiful dark colour grizzly!!
My rifle followed him the moment I turned my head to check the branches noise, now at 75 yards I couldn’t support my left elbow on my knee for support for a shot. It was out of question to take him freehand so when he turned facing away I got up and reposition resting one knee on the ground. Now I was firmly steady and ready to take him and my mind was going 100 miles an hour, I didn’t want to make a mistake and loose him.
I adjusted my scope to 10x and everything was in place, now it was up to me. The rush was intense, my hearth was beating like never before and I was focused like I’ve never been too. He was quarter shot facing me with his head high up turned to his right and I had a great view of his front left shoulder. Since I was slightly higher than him I didn’t aim high but higher in the center of the shoulder so the bullet would cross downward first through the shoulder and into the vitals. Confident at that moment I fired a shot at him.
OH GOD WHAT A RUSH!!!!!!! He jumped, turned dancing and roaring then he came back running in my direction. From experience I could tell he had no clue what just happened to him and he was coming back in his tracks not for me. In no time he was at 20 yards again just bellow the small drop and I couldn’t find him in my scope, time to re adjust the scope at 3.5x. He had serious issues to walk and I could hear him filling up of blood, my 7mm Barnes 160gr TSX was a deadly one! I was following him behind some big spruce trees and as soon as I could take a second shot I fired in the shoulder blades/lungs. Again some bear noise and he started to run in his tracks to drop down almost where I saw him the first time!!!!!
I don’t need to explain that at that moment I was seriously freaking out and writing these lines I’m reliving the RUSH in my head!! I had some spare bullets ready on my backpack beside my spare magazine, I filled my rifle’s magazine while keeping a eye on him without any movement of his part. Finally I made my move to him with my rifle in my right hand and a small 5 foot dead tree in my left hand. At 10-12 feet I threw the log on his neck and at the same moment I was ready to fire with my two hands on the rifle. No movement WOW so I slowly move forward and touched his head with my rifle nothing again and again WOW WOW WOW WOW "Alright man your grizzly is really dead"!!!
I did the same thing from the opposite side just to make sure with the same result. Finally I approached to touch him somewhat still nervous. I have a huge respect for such an amazing animal and to harvest one and of this calibre provided me the most insane and intense moment of my life by far!!! What you guys need to understand too is everything appeared to be so fast but at the same time very slow, from the moment I saw him to the when he collapsed it must have passed a minute and a half max!! I don’t think I’ll ever relive such an intense rush again.
Finally I took some time to make a video and to take some pictures. I would have loved to take more pictures and of various angles but the spruce trees were so thick it was impossible and moving him was not an option since he’s a really big boar. I previewed my pictures and I was happy enough so I went to work as the night was setting in for good. First I kept a fire alive all night and snow started to fall heavily shortly after. I finished skinning him at about 2 am and the hike back to camp was brutal in the dark with a hide, head and paws still attached, that didn’t stay fix on the backpack.
A video right after I checked the bear. Yes I’m French but you can still understand how much emotions were going thru my mind.
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"It's not the kill, but the thrill of the chase" - Deep Purple