2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
The story.
One of my most heartfelt hunts. Destination Frog Holler. My oldest son and I came across this spot earlier this year. It had potential. It was on the highland but it held water (and frogs) almost year round. Plus it was surrounded by oak laden ridges. I started this bait site in July. It wasn't a strong producer early but once the acorns started dropping it became red hot. I spent the early part of the season chasing a couple PY bears elsewhere, but those sites were on the decline. They peaked with the berries and declined with them. I intentionally allowed this site to stack through the first few days of the season. It didn't have a mega bear, but it held a sure thing.
On Sunday, I baited this site about 10:30 am. Came home, caught up on some yard work, and played with the kids. Headed back to the site around 2 PM only to discover the site had already been hit. It was going to be a good night.
I set up almost directly west of the bait site, slightly north. Wind was out of the SSE. Best bears were wallowing in the hole NW of the bait. Open pocket to my north created a vacuum that pulled my scent slightly easterly. This setup gave the bears confidence to approach before daylight, much like hunting slightly off winds with most big game. However, the wind wasn't steady so I had my doubts the wind would fall and scent would pool last light.
At 3:30 PM ish, I heard a stick snap and saw a good bear coming in from the north. He stopped in some thick cover and just watched. I'm sure he could smell my skin rafts from a couple hours earlier so I did my best to stay still despite a swarm of mosquitos. After he got comfortable enough, he got a little closer and smelled the site up close. This put the bear at 5 yards, face to face, stare down, heart pumping so hard I think he can hear it. Wind got a little touch and go and I could sense he wasnt comfortable. I thought he was going to bolt. He backed off to about 15 yards on a big high stump, sat down, and observed for about 10 minutes. Finally he relaxed a bit and came a little closer. At 9 yards, I slipped an arrow into him and he ran off into the the thick, stopping momentarily after the initial shock of the hit.
Moments later, I heard the death moan so knew it was should be done deal. An hour or so passed I started tracking. And I tracked and tracked and tracked. No blood. I was baffled as it was solid double lung / heart shot.
I then started grid searching in a 400 yard perimeter. I couldn't understand why I couldn't find this bear. He had to be there. No luck. So I walked back to beginning for the fourth time and sat on stump 65 yards north from the last time I saw him thinking about who I should call during the Packer game. I was just trying to replay it all in my head. Where did I screw up? It was then I got the smell of a wet hide. I followed my nose and found him 40 yards from last spot. Moments later I was speechless. Seemingly in shock. A cathartic moment no doubt. It was done. Black bear from the ground with the recurve. Mission accomplished.
One of my most heartfelt hunts. Destination Frog Holler. My oldest son and I came across this spot earlier this year. It had potential. It was on the highland but it held water (and frogs) almost year round. Plus it was surrounded by oak laden ridges. I started this bait site in July. It wasn't a strong producer early but once the acorns started dropping it became red hot. I spent the early part of the season chasing a couple PY bears elsewhere, but those sites were on the decline. They peaked with the berries and declined with them. I intentionally allowed this site to stack through the first few days of the season. It didn't have a mega bear, but it held a sure thing.
On Sunday, I baited this site about 10:30 am. Came home, caught up on some yard work, and played with the kids. Headed back to the site around 2 PM only to discover the site had already been hit. It was going to be a good night.
I set up almost directly west of the bait site, slightly north. Wind was out of the SSE. Best bears were wallowing in the hole NW of the bait. Open pocket to my north created a vacuum that pulled my scent slightly easterly. This setup gave the bears confidence to approach before daylight, much like hunting slightly off winds with most big game. However, the wind wasn't steady so I had my doubts the wind would fall and scent would pool last light.
At 3:30 PM ish, I heard a stick snap and saw a good bear coming in from the north. He stopped in some thick cover and just watched. I'm sure he could smell my skin rafts from a couple hours earlier so I did my best to stay still despite a swarm of mosquitos. After he got comfortable enough, he got a little closer and smelled the site up close. This put the bear at 5 yards, face to face, stare down, heart pumping so hard I think he can hear it. Wind got a little touch and go and I could sense he wasnt comfortable. I thought he was going to bolt. He backed off to about 15 yards on a big high stump, sat down, and observed for about 10 minutes. Finally he relaxed a bit and came a little closer. At 9 yards, I slipped an arrow into him and he ran off into the the thick, stopping momentarily after the initial shock of the hit.
Moments later, I heard the death moan so knew it was should be done deal. An hour or so passed I started tracking. And I tracked and tracked and tracked. No blood. I was baffled as it was solid double lung / heart shot.
I then started grid searching in a 400 yard perimeter. I couldn't understand why I couldn't find this bear. He had to be there. No luck. So I walked back to beginning for the fourth time and sat on stump 65 yards north from the last time I saw him thinking about who I should call during the Packer game. I was just trying to replay it all in my head. Where did I screw up? It was then I got the smell of a wet hide. I followed my nose and found him 40 yards from last spot. Moments later I was speechless. Seemingly in shock. A cathartic moment no doubt. It was done. Black bear from the ground with the recurve. Mission accomplished.
- Nocturnal
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
That's one heck of a feat bass! Congratulations and I enjoyed following your thread. Now you get to focus on whitetails! 5 days out!
- stash59
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- Jackson Marsh
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Great story Bass! A hard earned DIY bear kill. Congrats!
- Dewey
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Great kill story. Glad you finally shared one with us. You have been LONG overdue.
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Congrates and that sounds like it def was one heck of a hunt!
- hunter_mike
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Congrats bass!!!
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.”
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Congrats bass. Proud of you.
- Arrowbender
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Congrats Bass!
Great finish to a great thread.
Great finish to a great thread.
- john1984
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
I wonder why there wasn't a blood trail. Was there an exit wound???
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
john1984 wrote:I wonder why there wasn't a blood trail. Was there an exit wound???
Complete pass through. He was fat and he died before anything came out his nose.
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- strutnrut716
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Congrats !! Great story !!
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Re: 2017 Bear Hunt - BassBoysLLP
Awesome job!!! Big Congrats!
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