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Spring Bear

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airforcediver View Drop Down
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    Posted: May 17 2010 at 2:57am
So, I went out looking for meat.  Myself and my chair bound hunting partner, decide to drive a few of the higher ridge lines (3200'+) However we couldn't get into any of my sweet spots on account of a few of the west facing portions of road still have over 3' of snow on them.  So I wanted to show him the way to a meadow he shoot be able to either shoot from the truck into (he has his permits) or that we would be able to get his wheelchair into.  But before we made it onto that road, we were driving up a switchback in a steep drainage.  I holler stop, that stump moved!!  I needed to get my glass on it, to verify it wasn't another burnt stump (tonnes of them in that area) Sure enough it's a blackie, the first thing I noticed was the appearance of VERY long looking legs.  Not good, I open my door (pushing 600yds away) I mount the spotting scope to the open window.  As I continue to watch (looking to make sure there are no cubs) I exam the eyes, they don't look big, they actually look rather small.  We watch, then she sits down on this stump that is easily 5' across. 
I look at my buddy, he says "go get it."  I grab my rifle and mag, throw my bino's into their caddy and I'm off on a stalk.  The initial plan was to walk 100-150yds down the road then find a good place to hike up the slash.  After scaling approx 35yds, getting a good vantage I watch somemore.  Then the bear lies down, I think to myself "It's spring and that isn't a monster"  I slide back down the slash.  Heading another 250yds down the road, I then climb up the slash a ways.  I stop and check the bear, unfortunately she is down wind of me.  However she is still completely unaware of my presence, I climb a little higher.  Not only to reduced the angle on the uphill shot, but also to reduced to crosswind.  I make the last 20yds to a good rest.
 
I get setup, peer over the log, and................. She's gone.  "Ok suck back, reload" I think to myself it's going to be in the edge of the bush I grab my bino's and slowly scan the treeline.  I locate the bear, and switch back to my rifle.  I judge the distance, adjust for the wind and send the round downrange. I here the crack and watch the bear jump straight up.  She then bolts approx 25' and goes stiff legged and tumbles down the hill. 
It took a good hr to walk down across the road and up the slash to the kill site (dam winter logging)
 
 
Give you an idea of what I'm dealing with Wink
 
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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airforcediver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2010 at 3:01am
A view of the bear
After the shot
 
 
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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airforcediver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2010 at 3:03am

I got a few more pics but am running out of patience trying to post them right now.

      AFD
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airforcediver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2010 at 6:16am
The view into one of my favourite Drainages, that I still can't get to the back of(damn snow) 
 
 
 
The view to town from the office Wink
 
 
So Hatch when you coming to town ???Big smileWink
 
      AFD
 
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hatchetman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2010 at 5:08pm
Mate looks unreal. I would absolutely love to join you out there on the Island for a shot one day soon.

Hopefully I will be able to get there before I have to start work in late November or early December (If I have a job lined up.....)

Failing that I will be there after the season.

Thats Courtenay isn't it?
But the winters coming,

And the snow will cover tracks,

And I'll be watching,

Because I'm hunting you



- Sarah Blasko, The Gardens End
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airforcediver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 17 2010 at 5:10pm
Ya that is 2 of the 3 city's that make up the Valley. Courtenay is the closer half and Comox is the other half.  Across the water is Powell River.
 
     AFD
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EnfieldHunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2010 at 11:53am
Did you have to quarter the bear to get it back out or were you able to drag it back to the truck?
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airforcediver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2010 at 10:14pm
Originally posted by EnfieldHunter EnfieldHunter wrote:

Did you have to quarter the bear to get it back out or were you able to drag it back to the truck?
 
The beauty of adrenaline and 45 degree downhill slope. I got it up on a stump and onto my back to drag it cross the slope and then roll it down the hill Wink
 
      AFD
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 20 2010 at 10:14pm
Excellent pictures
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2010 at 1:15pm
Thanks CM
 
I got another couple bears in that drainage, one looks to be a biggun. Having a hard time getting a good look at him and he refuses to present a shot. I shall continue till he is in the bag Wink
      AFD
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2010 at 3:07pm
One must use all his skills at hand AFD.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cookie Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 22 2010 at 3:07pm
Oh and your welcome
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2010 at 10:12am
I brought my half retarded cameraman with me yesterday, he is new to both the area and to hunting.  Hard to tell in the vid, but when the bear is snozzing on the stump it as its ass to me.
http://www.youtube.com/user/skinnadoor?feature=mhw5#p/a/u/0/7x7HTHl2VF0
He is not quite as big as I initially thought, but given his elevation he'll make excellent sausage Wink
 
      AFD
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote badbudgie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 23 2010 at 7:08pm
Awesome stuff AFD . What rifle and calibre were you using ?Clap
Brenton.
Long live the smelly
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote airforcediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 24 2010 at 2:41am

A No 1 MkIII*, 1918 BSA. She was drilled and tapped beofre she landed in my hands, now has a Synthetic stock and bushnell elite on it.  Hopefully it will soon have one of Richards mounts on it.

      AFD
If all else fails call in a MOAB and call it a day
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hoadie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 25 2010 at 4:19pm
Ive said before..there aint anything out there as reliable as the No1MkIII*! I have 2(one serice/1 sport)both 1916.NEVER let me down..& Ive taken a good share of game over the years with it!
Hoadie
Loose wimmen tightened here
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