Bear Encounters (pics)

[theat]

I spent a couple days last week hiking around looking for elk sheds. Of the 20+ bulls I saw in that area, only one had dropped...so I obviously did not have much luck. I did end up having a couple of bear encounters that gave me the opportunity to take some great pics. This is the earliest that I have seen black bears in Montana.

My lab and I jumped this bear at less than 15 yards and he quickly climbed a huge ponderosa pine a few feet away. This fat guy only went up about 15 feet and proceeded to make pose after pose just like a professional model

 

[kansasdad]

Nice pics theat. That last one especially. Looks like the face has been beaten up a bit.

Dave Hawk, paging Dave Hawk......that pose seems right up your artistic alley.

 

[theat]

A couple of days later I headed into a drainage a few miles away. Once again not much luck on the sheds, but I did spot this chocolate sow out feeding on an open hill side.

I decided to sneak in closer and see if I could get some pictures. I was able to get about 50 yards from it and take a bunch of pics before it spotted my dog and I. The bear ran off about 30 yards and disappeared behind a rock.

I couldn't figure out how the bear vanished so fast, so I went down to the rock and sure enough there was its den. It is the first time I have had a close up look at an occupied den. It was very exciting, but I did not want to get mauled so I took a few quick pics and got out of there. Hopefully I have as good of luck finding bears once the season starts!

The den is about 30-40 yards to the right of the bear under the rock.

 

[maginnis]

Man that is sweet, great pics. Thats a nice bear. Maybe he will be around next tuesday! I got out last weekend and found 2 singles and a set brown, but almostevery bull I saw was still packing both sides. Felt pretty lucky to find any. Good luck this spring

 

[maginnis]

Wow I just saw the second bear! What a day man. On my bucket list for sure to find a blackie in the den!

 

[dcopas78]

Beautiful bears, great pictures thanks for sharing!

 

[jryoung]

30 more days.

 

[ERSS]

Very cool ! love those pics. Unique experience for sure

 

[nidahunter]

Yours are way bigger than mine for getting that close to the den, but those are amazing pictures!

 

[elkantlers]

Unreal. That den picture is awesome.

 

[dihardhunter]

2 incredible sets of pictures there 'theat'. That sow is gorgeous!

 

[belly-deep]

You have some big brass ones to get that close to cornered bear. Nice pics!

 

[pointingdogsrule]

The den photo is awesome!!!!

good luck to all
the dog

 

[mr_steve]

Those are awesome! Does seem early. You just made my bear trip during the last week of May feel very far away...

 

[Gerald Martin]

I've been checking the slopes on the way to and from work. Nothing yet, but the grass is starting to get green in some places. Awesome pics!

 

[Elkoholic]

Awesome pics Theat! 30 days can't come soon enough! Both would make a fantastic rug.

 

[schmalts]

You have a bigger set than me for getting that den picture for sure!

 

[clifhunter]

way cool!

 

[JohnCushman]

Hopefully they are around in a month

 

[EODRay]

Thanks for risking your life in order to bring us those great shots. LOL Very cool pictures.