Through the hemlock braches, I make out some black. Slowly rotating my head another half inch I can see a head centered in the trail, surveying the area. That was as much as I needed to see. They were coming out of the swamp from directly behind.
I sat motionless and waited watching the trail to my left. The bear slowly and confidently approaches, satisfied that all was well. The wind cooperated, taking my scent in the opposite direction. Next, another bear approaches, following the first. Through the corner of my eye, I could tell it was smaller and fairly ragged..well rubbed and lanky. I focused my attention on the large bear. Nice coat and I estimated at least 170, probably bigger. The big bear went straight to the barrel. It had a nice coat and seemed to only get it's head and paws in the barrel. The smaller bear was timid, nervously sneaking in to steal marsh mellows while the larger bear was occupied. Each time the bigger bear moved it's head, the barrel banged against the crib and the smaller bear retreated. Although I believed the big bear could be a sow, the other bear was at least a year old and something didn't seem right with how timid it acted. I decided to take the bigger bear.
Soon, the bigger bear interrupted it's feeding, and came nose to nose with the smaller bear. I heard a woof. The small bear backed away and the big bear turned back to the barrel and stood broadside. This was it.
I checked the postion of the far leg, and picked a spot tight to the shoulder that would give me a clean double lung. As I hit anchor, the bear looked up. My eyes came off of the spot and we made eye contact..big mistake. I looked back to the shoulder and released. I watched as my fletching disappeared into the base of the bears neck right in front of the shoulder. There was no reaction from the bear for the first second or two. I immediately reached for another arrow. Although the shot was solid, it wasn't where I wanted and it looked like I would have a second opportunity if I seized the moment. As I readied the arrow, the bear now began to react. He took a few quick steps pausing a few yards in front of the stand. Another few quick steps and he stood quartering away at the side of the crib. I could hear the faint sound of blood hitting the ground, but I was determined to get a second arrow in he bear. I came to full draw and the bear began to vacate, traveling straight away up the rise beside the swamp. I swung with the bear and released. The shot was good and the bear tipped over. I stayed in the stand until all was quite and then slipped out to pick up Charles and head back to camp.
Upon arriving back at camp, we soon learned that Eli and Chad had some excitement. Eli had taken his first bear. Not bad for fourteen years old! Congratulations once again Eli!!
In the morning, we would head out for the recoveries.
Topic: Bear Quest V -- Stories for all Posts (Read 36140 times)
