Our Bear Season was opened in our area of the county a couple of years ago. I had my first encounter with a bear the season befor last. I was sitting in a clear cut when I heard a deer snort and come running through the red brush in front of me. I pulled back the hammer and got ready, I figured a buck was comming chasing a doe. Boy was I Surprised when the doe ran out and following behind her was a big male black bear, all I did was look in awe it was the first real live bear I ever saw while hunting.
That year when I saw the bear we could'nt hunt them untill after the first week of gun season passed so even if I decided for a shot I could'nt take it anyway. The bear numbers have really shot up in our county as they were off limits for so long and now there's a-lot of them. I even see them right out my window on occasion when Im at my computer.
Now I've only tried bear 2 times, it was ok but now that we can shoot a bear on opening day of Bow or gun season Im not sure if I really want to take one or not if I get the chance. For one I dont know how to cook it or properly field dress one. The other is were not allowed to shoot a bear in a group of bears and were not allowed to shoot a cub. So If I see a single bear I'd be afraid it was'nt a male and pass on it. I'd want to be 100% sure it was a male and a big one. I just dont have enough experience with bears and knowing them.
So for now I'll just enjoy seeing them and the more time I spend in the field hopefully will help me know what's what.
Any tips on how's the best way to cook one and do's and dont's with field dressing one?
(BP)