Got my Black Bear

[SafeCracker]

Well it happened Monday morning but it took me till now to get on the 'puter. Heres the story but I just got my film dropped off today so I'll have pics probably Sat or Sun.
On sunday I found a fresh pile of bear poop in what seems to be about a 5 year old cut over. Near the pile there was a big Oak tree that was never cut down. I could only find enough bare trunk to put the bottom piece to my stand up about 15 feet high. I grabbed a 5 gallon bucket and sat on it on the bottom part of my stand. So anyways I got up Monday morning and went out right as it got light and made a quick dash to the tree and up it. (I tell my self I wasn't scared but after seeing the bear a few times I couldn't help it.) I climbed up to my stand and about 5 minutes later it got quiet and could hear a turkey not far away. I pulled out my black window after about 20 minutes and I was just about to try and bring that hen in when the birds around me took off and 4 hens came right under the tree about a 100 mph. I hears some twigs snapping and mind you, around this tree there is only about 15 yards of open area where deer would come in and such. After that its all thicket except for my path I cut in. I was watching in the way I heard the snapping and saw the top of the 8-10 foot saplings moving towards me. All of a sudden. BAMMMMM. There he was right in the opening smelling his own feces. I stood up nice and slow and managed to whack the bucket I was sitting on while trying to get my feet planted and the bear snapped his head at me for a few seconds and then looked the other way sniffing the air. I pulled back and the little noise I made got his attention this time pretty good. I stuck the dot of my scope behind his shoulder and let loose. I knew immediately it was a great shot and I forgot to mention I had the shakes worse than any buck fever I ever had. After the shot I was still shaking. So I heard the bear crash through the thicket and silence after two seconds. Either he dropped or he was coming back out of curiosity. My excitement got to me and I jumped down probably 30 seconds after the shot and hauled butt to the house. I called my buddy and uncle and told my uncle to get over here to give me hand. 10 minutes later he showed up and we went tracking. The arrow was sticking in the ground covered in blood and a few black hairs. I didn't see any blood on the ground though. I started to make a circle and decided to get close to the ground to make sure I wasn't missing anything. And then I saw him 50 feet away from my stand in the thicket laying near one of the many cedars. My uncle led the way and I made sure he had the 380 in his hand just in case. We came up from behind a gave it a poke (actually a whole lot of pokes just to make sure) He was dead. And the bloodless trail was due to his stomach or organs covering up the entry and exit holes.
I'm planning on getting a full rug made he shortly. I'd have to say the bear weighs around 300 or so. Maybe more...I'm not great with weight.
I will post the pics as soon as I get them. It was killing me to let yall know for the last two days.
Good Luck and Good Hunting.

[SafeCracker]

By the way, I shot him with a Darton Trailblazer with Carbon Express Sidewinders and SpitFire Mechanicals 85 grain. They definately did their job and opened up. He had a nice triangle hole coming out and in.

[BOWFANATIC]

Congrats bud! That is quite an accomplishment! Bear hunting without bait or hounds is almost unheard of around here.
Cant wait to see the pics!

"Nocked,cocked & ready to rock"

[royak]

Congrats on your bear you lucky devil...............

[carpetguy]

Congrats on your bear!!

Im still waiting my turn to get to hunt one.

It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!!

[JUSTINL]

Pics ! Pics !

A bruin with a bow is always impressive!

Pics ! Pics !


&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;