plumberjustin
05-07-2016, 11:31 AM
I've been working 6 days a week for the past month, didn't want the bear season to pass me by. I know it's gonna start really turning on over the next couple weeks, so I made the plan to book a day off this past week and head out for a solo hunt. Based on a tip from another HBC member, I headed out to a local region 2 spot. It wasn't long until the road condition forced me to park and start hiking. I saw no sign whatsoever for the first few Km's. Then bam, scat on the road. Start seeing piles every 40-50 feet, getting fresher as I go. I'm starting to get pumped, must be a bear close in the area.
8:30am, bumped into a big blackie just a few feet inside the tree line, we scared the shit out of each other and he was off like a shot. I held back silently for around 20 minutes, and then stealthily pursued. I followed him up the hill, got to within 15-20yards. He was behind some deadfall huffing and stamping, couldn't get a clean shot through all the branches. We were in a standoff for a bit, then he buggered off into the thicket. I was so exhilarated by this close encounter, had to sit for a break and collect myself. By now I knew that bear was gone so I headed back to the old road and continued my trek.
2:00pm, get into a bunch more really fresh scat, I'm talking still steaming. I immediately drop my pack and sit in the fringe for a few minutes. It's dead quiet in the forest, so I creep slowly around the bend. 5 steps and I get onto another bear, just as he's crapping in the road. It was mega hot, like 25 degrees and I was about 5k from the truck. No way to butcher and hike without the meat spoiling. I had to make the hard decision to let that bear walk. Almost brought a tear to my eye having to pass it up, bear was like 300 pounds. I watched him for a while as he worked down a gully, through the creek and up the other side. Amazing how much ground a bear can cover, in so little time.
In all, I hiked around 18k that day. On my way back to the truck, I stopped and waited for a while in both spots I saw bears earlier. Even at dusk I didn't encounter any more bears. Did see tons of cat tracks, and a big doe around 10 yards allowed me to take a couple photos as she grazed. Was an amazing day out and a welcome break from the daily grind. Got tons of pics of the scenery while enjoying the solice of the great outdoors. Can't wait to get out next weekend, when hopefully a bear hits the dirt.
8:30am, bumped into a big blackie just a few feet inside the tree line, we scared the shit out of each other and he was off like a shot. I held back silently for around 20 minutes, and then stealthily pursued. I followed him up the hill, got to within 15-20yards. He was behind some deadfall huffing and stamping, couldn't get a clean shot through all the branches. We were in a standoff for a bit, then he buggered off into the thicket. I was so exhilarated by this close encounter, had to sit for a break and collect myself. By now I knew that bear was gone so I headed back to the old road and continued my trek.
2:00pm, get into a bunch more really fresh scat, I'm talking still steaming. I immediately drop my pack and sit in the fringe for a few minutes. It's dead quiet in the forest, so I creep slowly around the bend. 5 steps and I get onto another bear, just as he's crapping in the road. It was mega hot, like 25 degrees and I was about 5k from the truck. No way to butcher and hike without the meat spoiling. I had to make the hard decision to let that bear walk. Almost brought a tear to my eye having to pass it up, bear was like 300 pounds. I watched him for a while as he worked down a gully, through the creek and up the other side. Amazing how much ground a bear can cover, in so little time.
In all, I hiked around 18k that day. On my way back to the truck, I stopped and waited for a while in both spots I saw bears earlier. Even at dusk I didn't encounter any more bears. Did see tons of cat tracks, and a big doe around 10 yards allowed me to take a couple photos as she grazed. Was an amazing day out and a welcome break from the daily grind. Got tons of pics of the scenery while enjoying the solice of the great outdoors. Can't wait to get out next weekend, when hopefully a bear hits the dirt.