Spring Bear Story with pics

[Randy Morin]

Took me 3 years to get my second crack at a bear.  The first one went well and finally after a few close encounters over these last few years it all came together on May 29.  I had been hunting a new area to me and when I could get out through all the snow I was finding good bear sign.  Everywhere I went was brand new and most spots were picked looking at maps...both aerial and topo.  I love new areas and this boosted my enjoyment this spring.  However, I think I may have found a home for a while.  Theres more exploring to be done.

The hunt I was on took me up a finger ridge 1800' to the main ridge.  I saw some bear sign starting about 2/3 of the way up. Took me 1.5 hours to get up there.  Once there the view was amazing, but the snow was deep.  I immediately saw a beautiful green meadow about 1 mile away.  I had no idea where I was looking exactly.  I glassed it and...saw a bear.  Long ways off but it looked like a nice brown bear...most likely a Cinnamon or chocolate Blacky but hard to be sure. One week later I would find this meadow and hike into it.  I saw a bear and snuck-up on him to take his picture. He was safe today as my tag was filled.    
   

Back to May 29.  I moved on North up the ridge poking over the lips here and there peeking into the tops of tiny meadows that were snow free.  After a few hours of navigating the snow patches I wanted to go just a few more hundred yards so I could look into one more drainage.  I spied a big bear below me on a gated logging road.  The binocs told me immediately it was a Grizzer.  Dammmn!! Awesome though.  I watched him walk the road for a long ways heading for greener pastures. The second picture shows him best all though he has traveled down the road at this point.  He's mid frame but slightly left 1/2 inch.  Brown blob on the road itself.  In the first picture hes on the closest section of road heading up frame and away from me!!
 

 

[Randy Morin]

After watching the Grizzer for a while it was time to head back.  I was too high...hadnt seen a bear track in all the snow I was walking.  I hiked back to the spot where I had summited the ridge and began to drop back down.  When I got to the big bench I slowed and stil-hunted.  This is where I had seen the bear sign...big poop and tracks.  It was like a new climate down off the big ridge.  This place had the hair on the back of my neck standing up.  It was too perfect, south facing with open mature timber and enough openings where the grass could sprout-up.  

"Theres a big black fur ball" (I said to myself). Binocs..."he's a big one...shooter for sure...what should I do now...he's heading my way already...you've got to be kidding me". He was about 80 yards.

Thats about what happened the first 20 seconds I spotted him.  I dropped and put on my sneaky slippers...which were brand new and never worn before.  I bought them a week earlier after a long stalk on a bear where it wasnt practical to take off the boots.

Standing back up and getting squared away I relocated the bear below me...he was rolling a huge log!! And he was still heading my way.  I jockeyed for position, moving over the lip of the ridge so I could see down the slope better.  Here he comes still, zig-zagging but never for long and always he corrected my way. Within 10 minutes of spotting him he was standing still 20 yards away behind some small lodgepole. He had looked my way twice but never saw me. I told myself to get ready cause when he continues on a few feet he would clear the brush.  No sooner thought that and on his way he went.  Just as he came in the open he started quartering away and then stopped.  At the same time I also realized it was hard to make out his shoulder and pick a spot.  I couldnt see his belly line so couldnt see the back of his front leg.  I did the best I could and zeroed in and took my shot. Looked really, really good.  He growled and snapped at the 3 inches of fletching poking out of his side.  He ran 70 yards and turned to thrash at his sides again.  I was positive I was gonna get to see him go down in sight.  Not!!!  He ran again at full speed downhill and across.  The open timber allowed me to see him for a ways.  He was gone.  Listening for a while...no sounds.

Taking up the track there was a large threat of rain.  I was worried for sure.  It was after 7  pm.  It took about 30 minutes but I found him...he had went 250 yards give or take. When you first spot your bear (20 yards) and give him a judo in the shoulder to see if he moves and he doesnt...the party can begin.  It's still goin-on as a matter of fact.       :D    

What an incredible animal.  I was floored.  I couldnt drag him so rolled him into position for some photos.  I caped him...well dark when I was done.  With my Bison gear pack loaded with head and cape I started the long hike out in the dark.  It had started raining after pictures and it was very, very steep and wet.  I made it back to the car at around 11:10 pm.  After finding my keys...which had fell off there hiding spot into some car parts I was finally safe and sound.  I drove out to where I could get cell service to call my wife and a few friends who knew I was out and about then back to the cozy camper by the stream.  I was in bed by 1:00 something.  Up the next AM and back to the bear to pack out the meat with the frame. All of it could not have went any better...what a deal.  Gotta love what we all do!!

[Randy Morin]

The pics.

When I first saw him on the blood trail. Yeehaw!



After hitting him with a judo to be sure.


A pic with my partner before moving him.



The trophy shot!

[Doug Campbell]

Congrats again Randy, Awesome!!

[Randy Morin]

Heres one of the last leg of the pack out.  You can see my car in the bottom.



Well thats it, thanks for sharing that with me.  I hope the pics arent too big.  I resized them on photobucket but thats changed since the last time.  Not sure if they are shrunk or not.

Have a great one...Randy.

[rastaman]

Congrats....great story!  Awesome pics!

[Killdeer]

That was well worth the wait. I am awestruck...what a story, and great pictures! Prodigal Son, (comes with own fatted calf), welcome!
Killdeer  

[SouthMDShooter]

Awesome story and an awesome bear! what are the specs on the bow? Congrats

[knife river]

THAT'S a bear hunt!  Well-earned congratulations!    

[John3]

Great story and super pics. Man, you just have to love bear hunting.

Thanks for sharing.

John III

[elk ninja]

Great story, great ending, super bear!  Thanks for letting us all in vicariously!
Mike

[Guru]

Once again you have put together one of the best hunts and stories to ever grace the pages of the Pow Wow....just awesome bro!!

Also,One of the best bear "hero pix" I've ever seen you are the man!!

Hopefully next fall I'll be back in MT and we will defiantly get together this time!!

Is that one of the bows you made for yourself?

[bohuntr]

Congratulations Randy!!! Great hunt and a beautiful bear! Thanks for sharing this with us!!!      

[Al Kidner]

Well done mate... well done! Thanks for the pics and story too.

AK.

[Chris Surtees]

Great story Randy and awesome pic's! Thanks for sharing and congrats on a fine bear.

What kind of bow you shootin?

Chris

[oldway]

Awesome Bear and story Randy,Congrats.

[Kingwouldbe]

Randy that's an awesome hunt.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

[JoeM]

Congrats!!  Thanks for sharin, love them bear stories.   Joe

[bob@helleknife.com]

I don't think it can get any better than that!

Congratulations!

Bob

[Walt Francis]

Randy,
Good to see you back on Tradgang.  Congratulations again on the bear.

Walt