Before I go any further I'd like to say thanks to you guys for always showing support in any of my adventure. It certainly is a good feeling to know you guys are always out there and willing to insert a kind word at just the proper time. Thank you! Your kindness is very appreciated!!!!
I'll not imbelish this story with too much color at this time. I must say that the colors inside my head formed from comaradrie, friendship, and fellowship on this trip will last forever. I'll save the color for the future pages of Bowyers Journal. I do hope you'll pick up a subscription and share in our lifestyle. I heard a friend of mine might write something up. :D
As the evening shadows begain to grow long and the temperatures begain to descend into the uncomfort level I spot movement. Surreal is a great word to describe the next few minutes as the slowly unfolded. I'd spent many of the last few years wondering where the surges of adrenaline I once felt had gone. As this bear begain his slow lumbering in my direction I'd somehow rediscovered the adrenaline that had somewhere along the way been lost. I grasped for breath as the loud ringing in my ears was only eclipsed by the thunderous pounding in my chest.
I was sharing space in close confines with a bear!
Somehow through this very shaking chain of events I'd reached for my camera. I'd tried to always capture my prey of film prior to taking their life. This is something I do for two reasons. If I make a mistake in bowhunting I can still capture my trophy on film. This assures that I've always reaped my rewards. The other reason is a simple show of respect in capturing his life and not only their death. I somehow find it eases my mind in knowing I'd taken a life once I've capture his life on film. Here he is in all his glory, his final minutes in the beauty of the place he called home.
The bear had made his mistake and I'd done what I'd come for. The gap was a mear 6-7 yards and the shot was as clean as humanly possible. It had severed the Aorta and passed both lungs. The arrow stuck 6" in the dirt the other side of him and somewhere within my shaken mind I'd thought I missed. It wasn't until my eyes cleared and the ringing in my ears subsided that I realized the true chain of events that I'd been graced with. Sometime you just know it was a blessing and nothing else.
And it was here beneath the giant Red Cedars in a dark canyon that the bear finally secumbed. To die in a more beautiful place would be hard to imagine. I can only hope he felt the same in his final moments.
I'm sure the shaken sound of my voice came as no surprise as I radio'd back to Gary and Ted, "Bear Down"! I'd traveled across a Nation to share this space with the bears. The Outfitter had done his part, the bear had done his part, and I'd somehow also done mine. This was one of the most rewarding moments I can remember. Also a blood trail through the dense folage that I will not soon forget. Sweet Spot was somewhere in Texas and I was on the ground with a wounded bear. I certainly could feel my heart that day. CK
Topic: Curtis Kellar - Weitas Creek Bear!!!! (Read 17924 times)
