As you all know I have been hard after it trying to get a bear. In my first year of bear baiting I have learned so much and have been keeping an active journal of the events that have taken place. I have gone through 1500 pounds of bait. I was honestly surprised when twinkie filling didn't come out when I gutted the bear. It took several attempts to get into the high country, with one trip needing a wrecker to get me back out. The high country location proved to be active right away. I took in what I beleived to be a months worth of bait only to find it gone in one week. After waiting for 1 week, I decided I couldn't take it any more. When I went in I found that there was a sow and a cub on the bait. They were both cinomon(spelling) in color and I had to let them walk. That night I left only a bag of marshmallows and a jar of honey. The following night I had a friend of mine leave some apples, potatoes and some onions. I hunted it last night and found all of the items gone again. I have been hunting from a blind about 20 yards from the bait. When I went in this time I took in about 100 pounds of bread, marshmallows and some liquid smoke. I got into the blind around 5 and the wait was on. Around 6:30 I heard some noise outside the side of the blind. It sounded like breathing and scratching. I just sat tight as the noise was around 10 feet away from me. The noise subsided and all was quiet til about 7:00. At this time a raven landed above me and was going nuts. When I leaned foward, I saw the bear standing up and smelling the air. I got my bow ready and when the bear went back down and turned broadside, I let her have it. I beleive this to be a sow around 4 years old. She had evidence that she had cubs in the past. My guess is that she ran it or them off to breed again. This is a sweet ending to a month and a half of learning the do's and don'ts of bear hunting over bait. I think that I am getting the hang of it now. Though I still have alot to learn.
I would like to thank all of you who contributed your experience to help me out. This bear was kind of a community project.
Here is the bear
Oh well thats life, I might try this fall if I am not too busy elk hunting!
