Unfortunately my time at stickflingers was sort lived. After leaving my house in northern VA early Friday morning, I pulled into camp right at noon on Sunday. It was great meeting everyone, the guides, and hearing bear stories. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to getting into the woods. After settling in, shooting some arrows, and forgetting to eat lunch, we headed out.
I was to hunt the stand by Swan Lake (I believe that's the name of the stand) and after dropping Mike off at his stand, another 10 min truck ride, and about 15 min quad ride, we pulled up to the bait and were greeted by 2 cubs on the bait with the sow not far away. I climbed into the ladder stand, set up my camera, and prepared for an exciting hunt.
I sat for about 2 hrs (in guessing, since I forgot my phone at camp), weathered a couple short showers, and quietly climbed down to pee about 150 yds away. After returning, the first bear came in as I was sitting back down. It was a small rubbed black colored bear. It was very entertaining to watch as it played with the bait barrel, especially since it couldn't knock it over. A few min later, a beautiful cinnamon boar came in and helped the smaller bear by knocking over the barrel. The cinnamon was bigger, I'm guessing a year or two older, but definitely not a shooter. I watched those bears knock the barrel around, eat the trail mix, and chase the squirrels for most of the evening. The cinnamon bear came over to cheek me out a couple of times, which made for some fun video.
Just before dark, the small bear was at the bait alone and jumped up looking behind me (downwind). I slowly turned my head to see a very big bear about 20 yds behind me on the trail that came right next to my stand. The big bear was smelling the air and knew I was there. He backed up, and walked down the quad trail and out of sight. I thought he walked off for good, but I saw him pacing around down the quad tail, mostly out of sight. A few min later, he walked back up the quad trail, behind me, and continued passed where I first saw him. He entered the woods about 40 yds passed me, and appeared to just walk off. About 2 min later he walked straight in to the bait from directly in front of me. He was very cautious, and he walked off about 10 yds then came bank to the bait 3 different times. Each time I thought I had missed my chance at the big boar. His third return he wss standing broadside at about 15 yds and I took my shot. It was getting dark, but I could still see to shoot and where my arrow hit him. The shot looked great about 4-6" behind his front leg and about halfway up his side. He snapped at the arrow and ran back the way he came in. I heard loud crashes for about 2 seconds, then dead silence. I could see my arrow on the ground where he was and I had no doubt he was down.
About 15 min later, I heard the quad coming to pitch me up for the ride back to camp. As discussed prior, the SOP is to retrieve bears I the morning and it was to get down to 37 that night. The guide asked how big he was, after I explained the shot, and I thanked him for the idea of comparing the bear to the size of the barrel, if the bear can fit then is not a big one. If I tried to stuff my bear in it, it's back legs wouldn't fit inside. The guide said that I shot "Lucky" and he's a 7 footer at that bait. Two other hunters had Lucky at 9 and 12 yds, by couldn't get a shot off. They both said Lucky acted very cautious.
The next morning, the two guides, another hunter in camp, and I returned to track my bear. My arrow was broken, but soaked in blood and the trail was amazing. After about 50 yds that all changed. We spent the next 5 hrs on our hands and knees and walking different trails in a swampy area looking for blood or bear. I can't begin to explain the tail, but I found blood 4 different times after we lost the trail, because Lucky backtracked. We find several beds with 3 blood pools, entrance, exit, and mouth. There were 3 beds within 40 yds at the end of the trail. Unfortunately, we were unable to recover my bear. It was the craziest blood trail I've ever seen or heard of.
I have no doubt in my mind that the guides did everything they could to find my bear. I believe my shot was slightly higher than what I saw and the bear had exhaled when the arrow hit. This caused my arrow to pass through just above the lungs and not cause the immediate death of the bear. I was shooting a VPA 3 blade 1.25" 200 gr broadhead that was deadly sharp.
Having to deal with a lost bear, I headed home that evening. I deal with things best by myself, and a long drive helps. It will always be a sore topic, but it happens sometimes.
I am making plans for another trip to stickflingers in the near future. That place is simply amazing! My experience was short, but I learned a great deal and I will be better prepared for next time.
Topic: Stickflingers bear hunts pics (Read 20382 times)
