The syrupy sweet smell of fresh blood filled the air. I glanced up the trail, seeing not only plenty of tracking sign but the black form behind the tree that was the bear.
Unmoving, I knocked an arrow anyway, cautiously approaching from the rear. As I gazed into her glassy eyes I realized she was indeed mine at last. I knelt and gave thanks to God for his generous gift...her fur was as deep as my fingers could reach, thick and luxuriant.
She fell in this position....
The head was indeed special, not only an old pearson deadhead, but a head that had belonged to my late great Uncle Tommy. Tommy died right before the Paradise hunt last year...I received a box of a few of his things after the funeral and this head was in there. I was very happy to see it perform so well (even though I've killed animals with deadheads before)...Tommy would have been proud. My first bear and he was still able to share it with me....yet again another moment I hope to recall for many years to come.
My favorite Morrison recurve had taken yet another animal...cleanly and proficiently. It feels like an old friend by now...one that stands by me when the chips are up or down.
The entrance side....
And a good shot of her all cleaned up the next morning with Ray's camera (I had forgotten my mini tripod in my full pack, carrying only a minimum of gear into the woods that night).