Re: GaugeGuy
Hey Wes,<br />I never was really into bear hunting, but there are a lot of them around here so one year I bought a bear tag and got one and was immediately addicted.<br /><br />Bear season starts here 9/1 and it is still pretty warm. Because of the thick coat they have this time of year, time is of the essence after downing one. They have to be field dressed immediately and then they have to be shown to a dnr officer. Then the hide comes off and off to the butcher.<br /><br />A lot of people do not like the taste of bear meat, and I (and everyone I have ever given some to) don't understand why. I get steaks and stew meat from it. I marinate it and it melts in your mouth. My wife who is not a big meat eater, loves bear meat (and is not fond of venison). A bear carries a lot of fat, because they hibernate and need that fat. The butcher takes care of that and the cuts I get back have little fat on them.<br /><br />Bears are actually closer to a pig than a dog. The adrenaline rush I get after shooting a bear with my bow is incredible. I get the adrenaline shakes really bad, teeth chatter, the whole nine yards. It is better than any drug, honestly. Bears are very cute, especially the cubs when they are the size of a small dog. I make every effort to take only boars as the sows are pregnant and usually have either small cubs or yearlings in tow.<br /><br />The adult black bears here go between 150-400 pounds. My biggest was 242 pounds. Standing on his back legs he was easily 7' tall. Walking on all fours he was about 36" at the shoulder and as big around as a 55 gal drum. His front claws are over 3" long.<br /><br />He is now a mount in my den, it's pretty impressive. It's a half mount, his mouth is open and his arms are extended with his hooks exposed.<br /><br />I will never, ever hunt over bait or use a rifle to take one. It's kind of like cheating. I do hunt in (around) an orchard which is a food source but it isn't the same. I am into the "fair chase" thing. <br /><br />We may get 1 bear attack a year around here. Usually campers who don't look after their food, or someone who gets too close to a sow with her cubs. They aren't like gizzlies, you can't play dead with a black. If you try, you will be dead. You have to stand up to them, make noise and back away SLOWLY...and a can of pepper spray is a big help.<br /><br />Wow, this was long...kinda shows you how "into it" I am.<br /><br />Peace SW
