I planned to hunt one last evening at batman's yesterday, befor our planned trip to Preston's place for a weekend try. I dearly wanted to see if I could parlay his on-going, generous endeavors (to help me get a shot this year, after two dry years) into the desired result. I really wanted to make Don's efforts pay off, not only for me, but because I know he is wanting it as much as I. As mentioned in other previous posts, at least I have been seeing deer this year, and really enjoying my hunts, at any rate. It was predicted to be cloudy but no rain untill after sundown, and then a pretty good front, and rain, moving in for the next day - perfect set up for an evening sit.
"Best laid plans of men and mice, etc. -" especially when dealing with weather. It started raining just before I left my place in mid-afternoon. I figured it was just a spate - LOL. It poured most of the way but I was still being optimistic. It did let up as I headed down the final road to Don's. It was just playing with me though but actually let me get into my tree stand befor it started up again - prior to my getting my camo umbella fully in place above me, I might add. Oh well, what's a little rain down the neck - inside my rain suit :rolleyes:
I was finally settled and relativly comfortable and the rain stopped again. I just knew things were in good shape now, and still cloudy. Surly the deer would walk early.
Just about the time they would have "walked early", the rain returned. It decided to get more serious as the minutes passed. I stuck with it for about a half hour, after all I was well protected with rain gear and an overhead sheild. It was minutes close to sundown when I decided it was not about to stop or even let up. Though we can hunt for a half hour after sundown I knew it would dark down fast now and I'd better call it a day.
I tied my bow and quiver to my haul line and lowered it quickly but my wet gloves prevented me from making the half-bow that I usually use, as a safety, on top of the simple overhand knot - "Not a big problem," (says I). I turned around and faced the tree to remove my safety vest tether, and take down my umbrella. Of course this produced another, wetter neck drenching (Forgot to put your hood up again didn't you, Dunn?). I turned to the front again in preparation to lower the sheild from the limbs it was above, and to "unclimb" my tree.
"When what to my wondering eyes should appear..."
The prettiest, large Black Bear was imediatly below my stand, just to the right of my tree base and moving onto the trail. It stopped there to scan the area - about 6 or 8 yards from my tree. Now, I've hunted bear befor and I know what to look for - this is a big bear! I'd say no less than 300# and more wouldn't surprise me any. Fat, sleek, and sassy.
"I can put an arrow in that bear," I thought, with full confidence. You know how sometimes, you just know it will work?
Keeping my eyes on the beauty (and trying to swallow my heart back into it's proper place) I grabbed my haul rope and quickly started pulling my bow and quiver back up into the tree.
Suddenly something didn't seem just right. It was so light weight! Was I pumped, or what? I glanced at the rope just as the end came into view - the EMPTY end. I looked, redundently, down over the climbing sticks and, sure enough, my bow and quiver were resting peacfully on the ground, where the knot had come undone.
I was shattered, quickly edging towards aghast, as (I Swear) the thought blasted my mind, "It is next to dark, and here I am up here with nothing but LEAVES to throw at a huge Black Bear." (Oh sure, now he's huge!)
I virtually grabbed myself by the nap of the neck, and snapped my eyes around to watch the bear again. He was still standing there in the trail, just looking around, doing nothing. Somehow that calmed me down just enough to think of my bright Shurefire light in my fanny pack, hanging on the climbing stick top rung. I got it out, with some nervous fumbling, and flashed it down on the bear's rear. The big fellah (I think) did a little start, as critters tend to do, when lit up. Then I shined it around the other side of a smaller tree between us, at his front end. I could plainly see the small, rounded ears that say, "big" when judging a bear. Thankfully He was thinking about what to do, perhaps more clearly than I, and started doing the "Bear Shuffle" into the thick behind my tree. I followed him compleatly out of sight with the beam of the light. He picked up to a faster, flatfooted shuffle as soon as he got into the thicker stuff, and soon faded away.
I can tell you, from this, and other experiences with bears, that nothing can move through the forest any quiter than a bear - unless they are running from a recent body hit of some kind. Even when the leaves aren't soaking wet. Don't ever think that because you didn't hear anything, that there isn't a bear standing under your tree, or watching you. Be alert - the world needs more "Lerts"
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After getting myself together, somewhat, I finised taking my umbrella down from the limbs above me. Climbed down, grabbed my stuff and headed out the trail to Don's. Believe me I was scanning the area around and behind me with that light as I moved right along. Yes, I did remember never to run from a bear. I hardly ever run anymore, anyway, even under duress :D
I was very glad to reach Don's well-lit back yard, and so happy to see his wife, moving from her car to the house, that I about scared her to death with a hearty hail, "Hi, Trish!" (I wonder what my voice sounded like - LOL)
Shortly, I was reliving the great "hunt" with my good friend, Don, and doing a little shooting with him, in his barn.
Topic: Well, That Was Different (and started the 'ol blood pump up) (Read 627 times)
