Monteman11
Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 192
PA bear season is something far different than anything offered by other states across the US. The season is a short four days, there is no baiting or hounds allowed, yet still the statewide kill reaches near 3000 each year. Terrific bear management and research has built a strong and very stable population and while PA has some of the highest numbers of hunters pursuing black bears each season, each season still yields multiple bear breaking 600 pounds or more. I am privileged to hunt with a small group of guys that take bear hunting very seriously, and have become very successful at taking multiple bears each year with as little as four hunters. For most PA hunters, bear hunts include 20 to 30 hunters setting up drives through the nastiest and thickest portion of the bog woods. While we also do nothing but drives, we keep the group small affording a high opportunity and a more organized group that has all come for the same reason.
A little snow to help brighten the dark woods.
This year was one of those years you mark in the good column. Six hunters saw a total of six bears. One was missed and left for another day and a few 2 year olds were let walk. While shooting any bear in PA is legal, and in many cases a PA trophy given the low odds of less than 3%, these youngsters received a pass as I watched them wonder up the hill and out of sight.
The first bear of the day was an average 140lbs. It may be small by most standards, but with the short season and the way in which bears are hunted in PA, size is irrelevant. The 16 year-old gunner took his first hard-earned PA black bear on a drive literally 50 yards in front of me. It was a great thing to witness and a great memory as I walked up to him as he smiled from ear to ear as we approached the downed bear. I even got to hear my new 300wsm bark as I finished off the bear as it worked back towards me. There was no way I was going to take this youngsters first bear and memory from him, I let him tag the bear as I helped with the dirty work.
Being two miles as the crow flies and two and half using the ridge from the near vehicle, the work quickly began as we moved the bear up the ridge to be carted out near the end of day. Working in shifts, we made short order of getting the bear to the top of the hill and re-grouped for the next drive.
A good sign for the upcoming drives along a dense clear cut. Plenty of scat and evidence that the bears are in the area.
As the day continued so did the miles. We were covering ground quickly and making the most out of our earlier move to set two vehicle on opposing sides on the larger multi-thousand acre track of public ground. Covering the "good" areas with a small group was difficult, but we made the most and used the knowledge of our local group leader to execute drives. As the day continued, our group dwindled. Some gassed from the up and down of the steep hills and ravines, and other to start carting out the bear from earlier in the morning. Down to just four, we continued on side-hilling and steep hills hoping that we would again receive some last minute magic. When we came to our final drive, we had high hopes. The area was thick enough to hold bear and had plenty of food. When shots rang out again, we had again received some last minute magic in the form of a great 220 pound black bear. With daylight fading, we were in fact closer to the trucks, but the route to and from them was nothing but glacial boulders and never ending hillside. If you have never drug a bear, I will fill you in a little. They do not drag like deer, more like an alligator spinning continuously and ultimately rolling down the hill. On the flat it isn't much of an issue, but when you are on a steep grade, things are less than fun. While breaking down the bear and packing it out is an option, in PA, we have these things called bear check stations that the bear must be brought to for blood testing, mange testing, weighing, and having a tooth pulled. It is more like a three-ring circus with spectators and hunters, and bringing a bear in dissected is somewhat frowned upon.
A good sign for the upcoming deer season.
While this season is in the books. In one day from dawn to dusk we put between 12 and 14 miles on the boots, saw deer bears grouse and turkeys, and managed to take two bears. When I returned home no worse for the wear with minor bumps and bruises, my 3 year old son walked up to me an inspected the cuts and gouges covering my hands. He asked me if it was from the bear, thinking we must have done some hand to hand combat. I chuckled and said yes, it was from the bear hunt but not the bear. He looked at me and said "I want to go bear hunting to." I patted him on the head, gave him a big hug, and said soon enough buddy. I can't wait for the day he can join us in the woods.
A little snow to help brighten the dark woods.
This year was one of those years you mark in the good column. Six hunters saw a total of six bears. One was missed and left for another day and a few 2 year olds were let walk. While shooting any bear in PA is legal, and in many cases a PA trophy given the low odds of less than 3%, these youngsters received a pass as I watched them wonder up the hill and out of sight.
The first bear of the day was an average 140lbs. It may be small by most standards, but with the short season and the way in which bears are hunted in PA, size is irrelevant. The 16 year-old gunner took his first hard-earned PA black bear on a drive literally 50 yards in front of me. It was a great thing to witness and a great memory as I walked up to him as he smiled from ear to ear as we approached the downed bear. I even got to hear my new 300wsm bark as I finished off the bear as it worked back towards me. There was no way I was going to take this youngsters first bear and memory from him, I let him tag the bear as I helped with the dirty work.
Being two miles as the crow flies and two and half using the ridge from the near vehicle, the work quickly began as we moved the bear up the ridge to be carted out near the end of day. Working in shifts, we made short order of getting the bear to the top of the hill and re-grouped for the next drive.
A good sign for the upcoming drives along a dense clear cut. Plenty of scat and evidence that the bears are in the area.
As the day continued so did the miles. We were covering ground quickly and making the most out of our earlier move to set two vehicle on opposing sides on the larger multi-thousand acre track of public ground. Covering the "good" areas with a small group was difficult, but we made the most and used the knowledge of our local group leader to execute drives. As the day continued, our group dwindled. Some gassed from the up and down of the steep hills and ravines, and other to start carting out the bear from earlier in the morning. Down to just four, we continued on side-hilling and steep hills hoping that we would again receive some last minute magic. When we came to our final drive, we had high hopes. The area was thick enough to hold bear and had plenty of food. When shots rang out again, we had again received some last minute magic in the form of a great 220 pound black bear. With daylight fading, we were in fact closer to the trucks, but the route to and from them was nothing but glacial boulders and never ending hillside. If you have never drug a bear, I will fill you in a little. They do not drag like deer, more like an alligator spinning continuously and ultimately rolling down the hill. On the flat it isn't much of an issue, but when you are on a steep grade, things are less than fun. While breaking down the bear and packing it out is an option, in PA, we have these things called bear check stations that the bear must be brought to for blood testing, mange testing, weighing, and having a tooth pulled. It is more like a three-ring circus with spectators and hunters, and bringing a bear in dissected is somewhat frowned upon.
A good sign for the upcoming deer season.
While this season is in the books. In one day from dawn to dusk we put between 12 and 14 miles on the boots, saw deer bears grouse and turkeys, and managed to take two bears. When I returned home no worse for the wear with minor bumps and bruises, my 3 year old son walked up to me an inspected the cuts and gouges covering my hands. He asked me if it was from the bear, thinking we must have done some hand to hand combat. I chuckled and said yes, it was from the bear hunt but not the bear. He looked at me and said "I want to go bear hunting to." I patted him on the head, gave him a big hug, and said soon enough buddy. I can't wait for the day he can join us in the woods.
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