Trad Gang

Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: oldway on May 16, 2008, 02:03:00 PM

Title: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: oldway on May 16, 2008, 02:03:00 PM
Hi Tradgangers,I haven't posted for awhile,but thought I would share some pictures and a short story of the bear that I shot on May13.I should be calling him my "prayer bear", because of a stupid thing I did that evening.
This was only the second time that I hunted this year.We've had a very cold spring here in NE Saskatchewan and weather has only warmed up in the last week or so.With the higher temperatures the bears really started hitting the baits.
Anyway getting back to the story.So like always when I got settled into my stand,I took a few practice draws towards my bait imagening a P&Y bear was standing there.But when I drew back the rubber straps on my quiver made a squeeking sound.Knowing that the sound would draw attention to me,I made a REALLY dumb mistake and took my quiver off.So as the evening progressed I had bears feeding off and on,and noticed they were very nervous.This is a good sign of a larger bear in the area.At about 8:15pm the bear at the bait,attention was drawn to the north of my stand.Immeditaly the smaller bear ran off and at that point I knew something larger was approching.Withing a minute I caught the first glimpes of him,a very large male.As he approched the bait I knew this was a very good bearand my heart rate increased rapidly.
When he made it to the bait I knew he was a shooter,and I began the process of getting ready for a shot.I watched him feed for awhile,giving me time to calm down and focus on my shot placement.Then it happened,he turned slightly to pick another piece of bait out of the barrel giving me a perfect quartering away shot.In one fluid motion I drew anchored and released,like I did thousands of times before.But this time it was different,as the arrow sailed towards the bear I knew something was terribley wrong.
The shot had struck the bear 10 inchs further back than where I was aiming.The bruin let out a loud OOOOF as the arrow passed through him,he ran about 60 yds. and stopped.As I watched him  standing there a sick feeling came over me.
By removing my quiver it threw the balance of my bow way off and in turn my shot placement .Minutes went by,then the large bear started to walk off.Knowing I just made a huge mistake,I immediatly began to pray to my lord for his intervention.He can turn a marginal shot into a 100% kill shot,I know because I've had it happen before.
So I waited till almost dark and left my stand quietly.I picked up my arrow and checked the shaft for blood sign.To my relief it was solid blood,and looked like a liver hit.
After a restless night I went back in the morning and picked up the trail where I last saw him.To my relief he had gone only another 40yds.I thanked Jesus again for this magnificent animal then began the joyus job of getting him out.
I used a 3pc. longbow that I built this winter to take my "prayer Bear".It draws 57# @ 28",62"ntn.The riser is figured bubinga and bocote.the limbs are stained action boo.I shot Beman Classic shafts and Ziwickey heads, a deadly combo. I hope you all enjoy the pictures an story,by for now
                   Dell.
 (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m285/delljohnson/DSCF0595.jpg)
 (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m285/delljohnson/DSCF0602.jpg)
 (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m285/delljohnson/DSCF0596.jpg)
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: vermonster13 on May 16, 2008, 02:06:00 PM
Nice bear.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: txcookie on May 16, 2008, 02:08:00 PM
good lord bro
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: tradtusker on May 16, 2008, 02:08:00 PM
nice
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: bowdude on May 16, 2008, 02:10:00 PM
:clapper:   That's the way!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: twosheds on May 16, 2008, 02:16:00 PM
what a brute!!! Congrats and I'm glad everything turned out well. Tripper
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: bbassi on May 16, 2008, 02:24:00 PM
Nothing wrong with that one! Man you guys have some bruzer deer and bear up there. BUT - you only get to wear shorts 3 days a year, so I guess it's a trade off.  :)  

Congrats on a fine animal!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: MJB on May 16, 2008, 02:26:00 PM
CONGRATS on a fine trophy   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Can Hahaka on May 16, 2008, 03:04:00 PM
Holy Wha-a-a-a-a - are the front tires coming off the ground. Nice bear!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: George D. Stout on May 16, 2008, 03:12:00 PM
Congratulations.  Every outing is a lesson.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: swp on May 16, 2008, 03:25:00 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Taiga Recurve on May 16, 2008, 03:30:00 PM
Wow, nice bear and congrats.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Jack Denbow on May 16, 2008, 03:31:00 PM
Way to go Dell.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: heartshoth on May 16, 2008, 03:43:00 PM
great story and photos...you are going to need a bigger atv...hahaha

heartshot
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: wislnwings on May 16, 2008, 04:54:00 PM
Nice bear and nice bow.  Congrats.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Bonebuster on May 16, 2008, 06:02:00 PM
You were right, he was a very big bear!

Congrats. Wise move, praying, and then waiting
to follow up. "When in doubt... back out".

Awesome.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: MWhitehair on May 17, 2008, 10:23:00 AM
Congrats! Thats a beauty of a bear!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: oldway on May 17, 2008, 10:24:00 AM
Thanks for the congrat's guys,I hope someday you all have the chance to come up here to enjoy our great hunting and fishing.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: JoeM on May 17, 2008, 10:29:00 AM
Beautiful bear!!!  I love bear stories.  A beautiful bow also its lines remind of a Striker LB.   Joe
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: straitera on May 17, 2008, 10:49:00 AM
Well done all around...bow, bear, & story! How about some specs on that bear?
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: smokin joe on May 17, 2008, 12:15:00 PM
That is a very big bear, or a very small ATV. A great looking bow as well. Congratulations.
Joe
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: oldway on May 17, 2008, 04:21:00 PM
Staitera,I would guess him to weigh 300 to 325 lbs.and I rough scored his skull at 19".I've been bowhunting Black Bear for over 20 years and this one is in the top 5 largest I've shot.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Mike Tomano on May 20, 2008, 08:48:00 AM
Great job!

TOMANO
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Tim Fishell on May 20, 2008, 09:03:00 AM
Awesome Bruin!!  That is a really nice bear!!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: GrnMtnTradNut on May 20, 2008, 05:34:00 PM
wow nice pumpkin head!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Bert Frelink on May 20, 2008, 05:58:00 PM
Nice bear Dell,
Congrats!!!!!!!
Bert
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on May 20, 2008, 11:27:00 PM
Great bear and good looking bow. Congrats Dell   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Kingwouldbe on May 21, 2008, 03:38:00 AM
Dell, smoken BEAR & BOW my camo hat is off to you sir   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: BowHuntingFool on May 21, 2008, 01:50:00 PM
Well done, congrats on a great bear! He sure is a big brute!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: KYArcher on May 21, 2008, 08:33:00 PM
Congrats nice bear & purty bow!
                                  KY  :archer:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Blackhawk on May 22, 2008, 02:54:00 PM
Dell, you da man, EH?

Great story and pics...  :clapper:
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: John3 on May 22, 2008, 09:06:00 PM
You need a bigger Quad,,, or a trailer..LOL

That could be a bear of a lifetime. Congrats


JDS III
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: kennym on May 22, 2008, 09:11:00 PM
Very nice bear,Dell!!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: TonyW on May 22, 2008, 09:12:00 PM
Now I see why they made you meat department manager.
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on May 23, 2008, 03:29:00 AM
Very good job, Sir!
Title: Re: Oldways 2008 Bear (Pic's)
Post by: Kevin L. on May 23, 2008, 10:31:00 AM
Great bruin and bow. Plus a great story. Congrats!!