Last night I went out to my bear stand earlier than normal probably due to the anticipation of the last hunt and the fact that the bait had been hit 4 successive nights. Every time I approach the bait for a stand you just hope the bear hasn't got there first otherwise I'd have to head back to the cabin and rebait the site. That was not the case however, everything was intact. The wind was suppose to be terrible for this stand but once I got up the tree the wind was perfect. 2 1/2 hrs went by without a sound other than the red bellied and hairy woodpeckers that came to the bait site each night. Today I made an adjustment to the bait station in an attempt to get any approaching bear to turn giving me hopefully a broadside or quartering away shot since two previous visits by a couple of others led to quartering to situations, now only time would tell. Time however was at a premium with only 15 min. remaining in the season. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw blackness. It was showtime. I turned away to concentrate on the bait and what I needed to get done. As he got close I took my first real look and he was a very good bear. One I hadn't seen and probably approaching the 300# mark. He came in on the trail that quartered toward me so I was hoping that my bait adjustment would make him turn. He stopped at the location where the bait had previously been located and started licking the remains of the old bait. He licked and licked and licked as time passed. He was quartering toward me and never changed position as shooting light disappeared never once looking at the full bait station that would have turned the bear. Then he backed away sensing something, moved off 30 yds and sat. Time had passed so I packed up and the bear moved away. I nervously left then thought I heard running, quickly turning hoping he wasn't charging. I think it was my imagination. I'll try again in 3 yrs. if I get a permit. Four different bears observed at this bait on our own property made this a special season. Great hunt!
Topic: The last stand (Read 142 times)
