Beautiful bear man! I love the different color phase bears out west. They all seem to be just black here in PA. Hopefully, I can replicate your success on my first bear next spring!
Photo of him a little over a week ago in the same small meadow!
We were on the other side of the meadow when we spotted him. Wind was correct again, even mid-day, and he never saw us. About 80 yards. All we had was a camera and a chainsaw. After hiking out quickly, retrieving hunting gear, and returning- he was nowhere to be found.
Picked up the Black Bear rug from 2016 Spring Bear hunt. Note the bite marks on top of the head in the second picture.
We have spotted a smaller black bear so far this season, but I think the action should really pick up in the next few weeks...