A Utah Bear Hunt

steadman · May 25, 2011, 10:03:00 AM

Well I can't find the pic of the bear, there was only one and it was about a 150 lb black. the first black color I have seen in two years.

Shane got in a took a couple practice shots.

A view of the stands from the bait.

A view of the bait from the stands

jcar315 · May 25, 2011, 10:06:00 AM

Looks like I am right on time this morning. Keep it coming!!

steadman · May 25, 2011, 10:06:00 AM

Gonna have to wait a bit longer my 2 year old is telling Daddy it time to watch her favorite show. i will finish this in a bit

Shinken · May 25, 2011, 10:32:00 AM

Quotewhile fighting Shane off the burn material

Now that IS funny right there!!!

AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!

Come on Ryan - some of us HAVE to go to work!

Shoot straight, Shinken

wapiti792 · May 25, 2011, 10:44:00 AM

Hey I'm AT work and have access to a 'puter. Take your time...I got nothin' but time today

This is getting me soooo pumped for my bear trip next week

kadbow · May 25, 2011, 11:14:00 AM

C'mon Ryan, throw the kid in front of the TV and take care of us babies

cacciatore · May 25, 2011, 11:34:00 AM

I second Mark!

elkken · May 25, 2011, 12:35:00 PM

keep er comin Ryan

Cyclic-Rivers · May 25, 2011, 01:00:00 PM

:D
getting warm fuzzies!

steadman · May 25, 2011, 01:15:00 PM

Now as i said earlier, this stand was one of the funnest to sit on. The chipmunks were funny to watch. There were at least 8 that would scurry in, take bits and pieces, or a whole cookie and scurry off. At times, we would be looking for a bear, only to see a white ball zip across the forest floor 50 yards away, as one of the thieves would be taking their loot to parts unknown.

One of the best was one little guy would sit and wait for another to bury it's prize, when it left the little one would dig it up and eat it. There were several time we had to make an effort to not laugh out loud!

steadman · May 25, 2011, 01:21:00 PM

As the final evening was winding down, we noticed that all the scurrying stopped, there were no chipmunks to be seen. I got an eerie feeling and the excitement level went up a couple notches. I whispered to Shane to get ready, although I hadn't seen anything, I couldn't help but think we were being watched.
The minutes ticked by, even more slowly. I about jumped out of my skin when a bolt of lighting lit up the sky followed by the crash of thunder. It was getting to be 7 or so. We both agreed to get out of the stand and sit on the ground. After 10 minutes or so, I said to Shane" It's your tag, and I will sit here til past dark, but we are going to get real wet!"

Shane looked to the south and said, " Let's go, this has been a great hunt, and I can't see any good coming from a shot bear tonight."

With thosw words, we gathered our stuff and bailed off the mountain, with lightning and thunder chasing us. We got soaked too!

steadman · May 25, 2011, 01:26:00 PM

So there you have it, a long awaited tag, some mishaps by yours truly, some fun and some time catching up with a great friend who I've been honored to share a lot of these adventures with. i have no brothers, but Shane is as close to one as I'll ever have. I truly believe if I hadn't had to move the first stand, he would have had an opportunity. I also think we had a bear close on the final night, but I think it winded us, and decided not to come in. The weather couldn't have been worse, yet we had a great time. I can't wait for 4-5 more years when he can come back out and do it again.

Baiting is NOT a sure thing, and those that have dione it can attest to the amount of work required to try to get a bear on a bait. Once there it is still not a sure thing, it is still hunting, and the bear are still unpredictible!

kadbow · May 25, 2011, 01:32:00 PM

Thanks for sharing. Are you coming to the shoot this year?

steadman · May 25, 2011, 01:47:00 PM

Not this year Mark. With gas the way it is, and no work. Mabey next year. Can you guys even get up there?

bohuntr · May 25, 2011, 02:37:00 PM

Awesome hunt Ryan, thanks for sharing! I think most, if not all, that come here realize that you don't have to punch a tag to have a great hunt!!!

Tater 2 · May 25, 2011, 02:55:00 PM

Ryan,
Glad you and Shane had a great hunt.!

Wish you were going to make the HCS this year, I was looking forward to shooting a couple courses with you.

snag · May 25, 2011, 03:44:00 PM

Hey, hanging out with a buddy up about 20ft. in the woods is a good thing!...without the lightning! Those mountains look beautiful! Can't wait to see them up close.

leatherneck · May 25, 2011, 03:57:00 PM

Awesome and successful hunt! Thanks for sharing.

coaster500 · May 25, 2011, 04:26:00 PM

Great hunt!! Thank you I'm still smiling ...

jcar315 · May 25, 2011, 04:33:00 PM

Great story telling and pics as usual. Thanks for sharing.