Goal Achieved

Since I had gotten the fever earlier this week, I drug my husband out of bed yesterday morning and had him pack out my bear by mid-afternoon! We had a cold morning with low fog to start off the day, but quickly warmed up on our climb up Skyline. The bear must have felt chilly as well as it was a couple hours before we spotted him start to feed across the draw on the other mountain. I led the stalk up the trail until we began our long side-hill trek. I didn't seem to notice how long we went, since I was very focused and intent on finding this bear. Pat cautioned me that we would likely find him in our lap as the hill rounded off, and we couldn't really see too far ahead of us. The slight breeze was going down the mountain-side and so I took a low, just above the tree line path. Shortly after Pat had us drop our packs to lighten up, I spotted some black ears just above us. I waved my hand frantically down by my side and tried to point all as my heart began to race and my breath suddenly left me. We began the stalk in earnest as we kept an eye on the bear who was oblivious to us. We followed him and got to within 35 yards and it looked good! After getting in position and having Pat help me by turning my scope down to 3 (everything was blurry at 9-power that close), I got the bear in my sights. He only had to pull up enough to show me his chest for a moment and I took my shot. He immediately began to tumble down the 40 degree slope (at least that's my guess). Pat was ready to back me up with his .44 rifle but as we later found out, my shot was an instantly fatal shot through the lungs. It took me a few moments to truly catch my breath as we watched and cautiously approached my new trophy!

I couldn't have had a more wonderful hunt or hunting partner! What an opportunity I had to scout a bear and follow through with success. The trip back out was a long, tough pack, and I'm so glad I have a strong, willing husband! Thanks, Babe!

We guessed this tub to weigh in around 300 lbs., and he squared out at just under 5'. That was what Pat's bear squared out at, but this one was a bit flabbier and weighed about 100 lbs. more, so his rug will be a bit fuller through the belly! This trophy will remind me every time I look at it of the wonderful hunt I got to experience with Pat. I'm sure I'll be reminded of how much work it was to get it out! It was worth it, and we'll enjoy that meat! (Seriously, it is fantastic, and the closest game to roast beef that I've ever had!)