North Idaho bear

[JakeD]

Day 2

This was a pretty similar hunt to the first evening. I hunted the same bait as the first day, and right on time the gobbler announced his presence and gave me a show for quite some time. Somewhere between 7-8 I saw a small color phase bear coming. I assumed it was the bear from the day before, but when it got closer I could see it was noticeably smaller. It came to the bait and started eating, but was constantly watching and acting paranoid.

After 15 or so minutes I catch more movement and see the bear from the first day coming. Once the small bear saw the bigger one, you would've thought somebody hit it with a cattle prod. It shot about 60 feet up a tree as fast as lightning. It was pretty amazing how fast it went. The small bear proceeded to pop its teeth, whoof, and growl as the other bear started feeding.

Those two came and went the rest of the evening, and as it got dark I packed my things up and waited for Sheldon to come pick me up. Day 3 I would be headed to a new bait, and give me an opportunity that I had been waiting on.

[durp]

kevin...theres only one place he can go from clarks fork...unit 1 is a no bait unit so unit 4a is the only other choice

[kevsuperg]

 Got it durp, thanks.  Still new to bear hunting .
 Enjoying the story so far.   

[JakeD]

Day 3

Since I was only seeing small bears, we decided that I would go sit a different bait about an hour away. I was all for it. There is just something about the excitement and anticipation of hunting a new stand/spot.

The afternoon passed by without much to show for. I was starting to miss my turkey entertainment when I caught movement far down off a hillside from me. All that I could tell was that it looked like a cinnamon bear, but couldn't tell how big. I got ready just in case. After about 15 minutes it showed up to the bait. It was a pretty bear, but not what I was looking for. At least it was some action though.

It didn't stick around too long and it went back the way it came. I didn't have to wait very long and I saw a nice black bear coming. I immediately told myself he was big enough to shoot. He slowly made his way to the bait and I let him get completely relaxed. He rolled the logs around and laid down to start eating and I drew back. I picked a spot.....and then let back down. I just wasn't sure that he was quite big enough. Over the course of the next half hour I drew several times on him, but kept hesitating. He came walking up to 7 yards begging me to shoot, but I let him go.

He left and the rest of the night passed without any action. I was hoping that I made the right decision, but doubting that I did.

After getting back to camp, the owner told me that I should have shot. Talk about kicking myself. But, I still had two days left to hunt and I would be sitting that bait again. Chances were good he would be back.

[JakeD]

Day 4

With what happened the 3rd evening, I was really hoping to see the bear that I passed up. It wasn't meant to be this evening though, as it was a really slow evening with only one small black bear seen. I had no interest in shooting it, as it was a rough little fella and really small. I only had one evening left to hunt, and I was sure hoping to get another chance at a good bear.

Day 5 ( last evening)

Well, i had one last hunt to make it happen. The evening was passing slowly and I hadn't seen anything at all, when all of a sudden there he was at 25 yards. The black bear had showed up again and was going to give me another chance. I don't know how I never heard or saw him coming, but it didn't really matter at that point. I went into auto pilot and slowly got ready as he worked into the bait. I let him get broadside and slightly quartering away before I started to draw. Everything was looking good as I drew back, picked a spot, and released the arrow.

It was beautiful in flight. I remember watching like it was in slow motion. Everything was lining up like I had imagined. Except for one small problem. I missed high and gave him a buzz. I couldn't believe it. I completely botched the shot. He hopped behind the bait, wanting to come back. He thought better of it though, and slowly worked away from me. Talk about heartbreak.

[JakeD]

So at this point I couldn't get much lower. I had about an hour and a half left, but I radioed my guide and told him to just go ahead and come get me. He was still over an hour away, so I was going to have plenty of time to sit there and cuss myself while I waited.

So I sat there cussing myself and feeling like an idiot for blowing the shot. Well I guess the man upstairs must've either felt sorry for me or just wanted me to quit whining. I happen to glance to my left and caught movement on the hillside. It appeared to be a nice cinnamon bear trotting down the hill towards me. I couldn't believe it. Was I actually going to get another shot?

The bear came to the bait, and I was already up and ready to shoot. It didn't stop at the bait though, and was just walking by. It stopped completely broadside at 18 yards and paused for a moment. It was now or never. I drew, burned a hole behind the shoulder, and let the string slip out of my fingers.

Once again, it was like slow motion watching the arrow speed towards the bear. This time was different than the first though. That arrow flew as true and perfect as any I've ever shot. I watched it hit exactly where I was looking, and the bear took off. It ran 30 yards and started looking around, wobbling, and took off again.  It stopped behind some trees, broke a few dry limbs as it rolled around, and then all was quiet.

Talk about a rollercoaster of emotion. It's funny how quickly things can change. I checked the time. I had 35 minutes left in my hunt. I sat there waiting for my guide to show up, eager to go get the bear.

It didn't take long to find the bear. It only ran about 65 yards total. The shot was perfect and I had my first bear. It's no giant by any means, but I was absolutely thrilled with it. It turned out to be a sow with no cubs. She weighed approximately 160 pounds.

[kevsuperg]

Wow , a beauty. Nice job.
 Great story, I suspect you'll be back again to these mountains.

[Trenton G.]

Congrats! Way to get it done at the last second!

[TIM B]

Attaboy Jake......great story and pics! 
I think there is more to the story tho......keep it coming
Tim B

[durp]

congrates!!! and please come back and kill another one 

[Tater]

    Congratulations again, that's a nice Bear. Great pictures of your trip as well.

[supernaut]

Awesome story, pics and bear...Congrats!!!

[Blueridge]

Congrats!  Looks like you had a fantastic trip. 

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats! Northern Idaho is beautiful. I was there 3 weeks ago and saw 6 in 2 days hunting.

[swampwalker]

Great story and a better bear!

[goingoldskool]

Great first bear!!!! Way to stick with it and not get too down on yourself!
Congrats

[JakeD]

Thanks everybody. Sorry the story was so long winded. Just had a lot go on during that trip and tried not to leave too much out.

We really had a great time hunting in Idaho. There is a good chance we will be going back again next spring. My wife had a chance at a nice bear, but things didn't work out in her favor. A little bit of bear fever saved a bear.

[arrow30]

congratts! on your first bear, good story.

[Tom]

Great story and pics of your trip. Also a fine looking bear with a good shot put on her.

[kennym]

Nice job on trip and bear man! Great pics!!