Well this years weather has left a lot to be desired. I like cooler temps. The game seems more active and the mosquitoes less active. So after trying to stand hunt a bruin, which proved useless, when the weather got right I called a few friends and we decided to try the hounds. If you know me I will always be a houndsman at heart, even though due to some obligations I am houndless at the moment.
Well we stopped on the old logging road early that morning and collared up the hounds with tracking equipment and you could feel the excitement in the air. It was a cooler morning and everyone was ready. Three trucks had hounds so we went in different directions trying to cut tracks. In this country that can be a chore in itself, due to the hard packed roads. But you could feel it in the air it would only be a matter of time. Wouldn't you know it, almost at the same time each truck found a track. When looking tracks in our country we like to see where it went into the timber. These bears will get out and ramble these logging roads for miles sometimes.
After a brief discussion we all arrived at one place. A good size track was seen and it headed into the canal. Two trail hounds were walked by the track to see if they could take it. The older hound pulled hard and a huge bawl broke the crisp morning air. Now to houndsman everywhere, when they let you know they can take it, it's music.
The trail hounds were loosed and the bawls and chops of the two hounds let everyone know they were on track. As the sounds start to fade the cadence picks up letting us know the track is getting better and they are moving it along. Other hounds are loosed and the music picks up as they arrive one by one. Then it happens the hounds intensity picks up and they have jumped their quarry. They push and drive the bear in a huge circle bring him back almost to where the hounds were loosed. Funny thing about these big black critters, they can run, and they can be quiet, and they can be noisy going through this country. This one had both.
We knew he was up against the road by the hounds music they were playing but as if out of no where he blew out of the canal crossed the road and into another block of timber taking his pursuers with him, and sounding like someone was driving a car as limbs and saplings crack and split. One hunter got off a shot but didn't connect. But now we kind of have a size, it's a shooter. Bears like people have different size feet, and like people it's not absolute but it's usually a good indicator.
Well this critter takes the hounds on a journey covering a few miles while stopping from time to time to see how committed they are to their goal, which is to stop and bay or tree the quarry. After a few intense discussions on the ground the bear decides to speak from the tower and ascends into the treetops. Now the hounds really pour it on. They can see him and they really are trying to convince him that a face to face meeting is what they prefer. I could sit and listen to the sounds forever, but it's time for the hunters to do their part. Hunters from two sides start in as it seems according to the tracking device he's about 700 yards from either side. I am headed in one side and a novice and an experienced hunter are headed in the other.
Well we all arrive at the same time and discuss how we'd like things to go. The novice will be the shooter with the experienced hunters backing him up. Now I hear everyone say shooting fish in a barrel. Maybe so but I have seen some great shooters choke under pressure. Hit a dime at 100 every time but can't hit small size car at 30-40ft or less under pressure, and this with a rifle.
Now the novice has a 30-30 rifle which is extremely popular for bruin hunters in these parts as they are short, maneuverable, and ammo is easily available. I have my trusty 45acp and the other veteran hunter has a 45-70. The novice fires and the bear descends the tree at a high rate of speed, a shot from the other veteran hunter erupts mid air and thump, like someone dropped a bag of concrete from a three story building the bear hits the ground waging war with the hounds. Now here is where it can get dicey. A bad shot could injure a hound, or worse. How do you eliminate the dangers? Get closer! I know that increases you danger possibilities. Hunters every year are mauled and injured at this point in the game. A misstep puts you in the fight first hand, a wild shot injures or kills a hound or by standers as there are two at this junction.
Well things couldn't have worked out better, the bear bobbed when he should have weaved and took two 45acp rounds from mere inches not feet. Now as you can imagine, the bear crumples to the ground and the hounds pile on and the hunters pile up. Adrenalin and the effort to get through this country has caused a need for rest. The hounds are tied back and after a rest are led back to awaiting trucks. A discussion about the big drag begins. It is decided to throw him in one of our v ditches and float him out as best we can. Why, I'm not sure, but I got the privilege. After the walk and crawl in, the excitement at the tree and on the ground, and the 700+ yard drag float I was exhausted to say the least.
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365.5 Was the bears official weight. It was tagged by the novice. Upon cleaning the bear the 30-30 shot landed mid body above the spine barely in the meat. The 45-70 shot landed mid body gut. But I'll give this veteran his due. Hitting a bear falling out of a big pine mid air, pretty impressive. The two 45acp loads entered in and above his left ear coming out in and below his right ear. I got fresh meat, a novice gets his first experience and no one was injured and everyone had a great time, and I still have a tag to burn.
