I really don't like showing off for myself but I couldn't resist the chance to post results from my latest hunt. I guess I'll do this to brag on the equipment used, how's that?
My brother and Dad had done all the pre-hunt work- running the bait and all. All I had to do was show up and hunt (with a tight schedule and 3 days to hunt, this was great!). Well, on my first morning in the stand this smaller blonde phase bear came in. He fooled around for a little while and finally posed broadside at just under 15 yards. I really don't remember drawing to shoot, but I did see the arrow disappear right where I was looking. As the bear was running away I could see the blood shooting out both sides of his chest so I knew it wouldn't take long... and sure enough just as he turned out of sight at 50 yards he came cartwheeling down the steep hill. What a feeling! It was an incredible experience. To top it all off my brother Mike was right there, catching it all on video.
For the hunt I used a custom GrizzlyBows 3 piece take-down longbow, 55# at 28". I was shooting GrizzlyBows Arrows as well, tapered laminated birch tipped with razor sharp 190 gr. grizzlies for a total arrow wt of 720 gr. It was unbelievable how quick that arrow zipped through the bear and stuck in the ground on the other side- A true testament to how effective a longbow can be if it is built right and tuned correctly with some heavy arrows.
Not a large bear, but being my only bear it sits at #1 in my book! Besides, taking this bear served as icing on the cake for a weekend of hunting with my favorite crew- My dad Mike and my brothers Steve, Mike, and Dan. Truly a hunt to remember.