Black Bear has been on my bucket list for a while now. Had a hunt planned for the last three years, but due to minor setbacks with my job, it wasn't possible till this year.

My son became a Senior in High School this year and I thought the hunt would be a great Senior gift. He has used my Bisley Hunter quiet extensively for the last six years and I thought it was time he should have his own; what better for him to use on a bear hunt.

His weapon of choice (obviously) was his new Bisley Hunter shooting a 300 WFN LBT by Beartooth Bullets over 19.0 grains of H110 for about 1250 fps.

On the first evening of the opening day, at around 6:20pm, he tagged out...



The shot was 35 yards and broad side. He aimed for a center shoulder shot and the bear dropped at the fall of the hammer. He managed to crawl ten yards away, toward a river, and fell 35-40 feet off a straight down cliff into a creek. We could hear the bear splashing, so we climbed down and he give him a finishing shot to seal the deal... Neither bullet was recovered. The guide skinned it and was though before I could get photos of the bullets damage, but he said there was a lot of damage.



Oh...I failed to mention; I was videoing the whole hunt and got some great footage.

After opening day, the role turned and I became the hunter and he became the cameraman. Day two ended with no sightings of the black ghost, as well as day three. Day four of the hunt brought a cold front in and got my expectations up a bit. That morning showed in the mid-40's with highs forecasted in the mid-60's.

That afternoon prove to be cool and windy. At about 5:15pm, a beautiful sow came in quickly! I kneed my son and he barely had time to turn on the camera when it arrived at the bait sight. Unfortunately, she didn't have the bait on her agenda and started to depart as fast as she came in. At 45 yards and the only clearing I had for a shot, I "macked" her; didn't even think about it, it just came out naturally. She stopped in her tracks and I steadied the JPoint red dot on her shoulder.

My weapon of choice for this hunt was my FA M97 shooting the Hornady 250 XTP over 20.0 grains of 2400. It prove to be great medicine for a Black Bear...



At the jump of the muzzle, the bear did a barrel role and crashed about 5-7 yards from where she stood at the shot. The XTP passed completely through both shoulders and did massive damage to the heart. This is the entrance hole by the 250 XTP at around 1250 fps...



I was so intrigued with the entrance hole, I forgot to take a picture of the exit hole, but it looked identical.

My son got everything on video. We couldn't have had a better Father/Son Hunt...

Awesome job! Congrats to both of you on your hunt! Whenever you get the opportunity, could you upload the videos to the member video forum?

If I can figure out how!

I don't even know how to uploaded it to a computer, yet.

Congrats to both of you. Great job. Maybe one day I can get one.

That is outstanding for sure.Congrats to you both.

Great story, and great hunt.

Congrats to both of you on the bears.

Good job guys. You have taught him well.

Awesome report KRal, thanks for the additional details. Sounds like you guys had a great time, congratulations!!!!

That's awesome Kim. Can't wait to see the video.

Super!

Sounds like a great hunt. Congratulations to you both!

Thanks, gentlemen. I plan on writing an article on the hunt once I find the time. It'll cover more of the hunt in detail; I just hit the high spots on this thread.

Great story and awesome hunt! Congrats to the both of you!

so that 300 WFN LBT at 1250 FPS would be a Hot 45 colt?

Sounds like a great hunt! Thanks for sharing!

Good for you and your son... Great hunt

Awesome.

Very nicely done, Kim! Congratulations! You must be very proud!

Awesome, what a great trip you guys had!

RMag,

Sorry, I failed to mention the Bisley Hunter is a 44 mag.

Well done!! Congratulations to you and your son.

I love it when a plan comes together. Good show!

Congrats on the trophies, but a bigger congrats on the memories

Exactley! These bear are only trophies in our "books", but it's a hunt I'll not soon forget.

My man! Congrats KRal to both you and Clay - awesome job on a longtime trip in the making!

Great going! Huge congrats! reflex264

Great hunt KRall for you and your son. Excellent!

Nice job by the both of you. I'd like to plan a trip like that for my oldest son soon and then in a few years for the 12yo. What guide did you use?

Sounds like a great hunt & congrats to both you & Clay.

I used a good friend, Jesse Cote, owner of Back Woods Guide Service . He's located in Caribou, ME. I highly recommend Jesse. He puts in 110% and will show you a good time. You may not get a bear, but you won't be disappointed.

Thats awesome. Congrats guys!

Kim, congrats on a great hunt and raising that son of yours to be a straight shooting young man. My son will be a senior next year and was thinking of doing something like this with him as well. I know your darned proud of him. Congrats again!

Congratulations to you both. Nicely done all the way around.

Dan

Nice Father and Son Hunt Way to go Good Dad!

What a memorable hunt! Congrats!!
Joe

Thanks, Joe! It's still fresh on my brain and will not fade away any time soon.

Fantastic time for you and your son. Way to go!!!!

Ok....I finally found a little time to write an article on this hunt. It posted in the members articles: Handgun'n Black Bear In Maine

Awesome all the way around! Keep on your son and don't let him get caught up in the stuff! You're well on the way to that though! I know hunting with my dad was a way to do things with him. I miss those days, but will never forget the memories.