I've got the spirit of the wild inside of me!

[Deno]

Yeah, wake up dude we need the pinchi story… Your killing us.

[el Toro]

First of all, I will say that I killed this bear with the help of a well trained pack of hounds. If you think that is wrong, you probably have never experienced it personally. Regardless of how you feel, I don't care and don't want to hear it. Do not turn my post into a bitch fest about hound hunting!

I got bit by the hound hunting bug last year while on a hunt with BOWUNTR. It was gnarly and one of the more physically demanding hunts I've ever experienced. After hunting all day and a few failed races the dogs finally caught a monster boar. 4 hours later we finally get close. It was in the bottom of a hell hole canyon. We get within 75-80 yards and the bear breaks without us ever seeing him. The dogs were too tired and couldn't keep up. We never saw him again and were defeated. We just barely got the dogs rounded up by the time it got dark. I didn't get home until midnight that night and was up at 2:30 the previous morning. Experiencing the adrenaline rush when approaching a bear is like nothing I've ever experienced while hunting. It's addicting and I was hooked.

Fast forward about a year later. Ed put me in touch with these guys who he believed were some of the best houndsmen in the state. I scheduled a hunt and made it clear I wanted a big one.

I find myself in the Southern Sierra, right where the foothills turn evergreen, about 4000 feet or so. The guys had seen the track of a big boar in this pocket of National Forest above a couple of small hobby apple orchards. This bear had been marauding the orchards. He had his home territory, the guys knew it, and were saving him for me. The homework had been done, and done well!

Right at first light we are driving up a county road. We put the rig dogs on top of the box and they strike 15 min later. Off they go. 30-40 minutes later the guys can tell from the bark that they have the bear caught. Straight up hill about 1.5 miles. We reposition the trucks as close as we can and hike over and then up. It's slow and difficult going because of the thick brush. There were lots of tangles to negotiate and branches to go over or under. The thick blanket of slippery leaves made it tough because you would lose a 1/2 step for every one you took. The guys couldn't tell if the bear was treed or bayed up on the ground. It would sound like it was on the ground then it would sound like it was up a tree.

I really wanted it in a tree because if they are fighting on the ground it gets tricky with archery. With a bad shot the bear may tear into a dog and they might have to shoot it with a gun. If at all possible, I did not want any bullets going into this bear!

The excitement built as we got closer. You could feel it among all of us. It's tense. The dogs get louder and louder. Finally we come around a corner of brush and we can see the dogs barking up the tree. That was good but we still couldn't see the bear through the thick growth. It wasn't until we were right under it that I about shat my pants. There would be no need to field judge this toad. I could tell right away this was one I wanted. He had an absolute monster head. His ears came out sideways he was such a fathead. This was boss hogg of the mountain.

We got the dogs leashed up and I had to move in position for a clear shot. It was hairy. Big boars rarely tree and when they do, they don't like to stay in the tree. They'd rather fight on the ground. He could have easily jumped out and it could have been ugly.

What really scared the hell out of me was that the only way I could get a clear shot angle was under, downhill, and in front of the bear. That meant I had to take a frontal shot. He had limbs blocking both his sides. I was vulnerable having to take this kind of shot. If he came out of that tree, he was coming out right at me. I wouldn't of had time to react. I got an arrow on the string and just zoned out. I honestly don't remember much.

I do remember knocking my arrow off my rest twice while trying to draw. The hillside was so steep and I was canting my bow. I was probably shaking like a leaf too. Once I got my mind to check my level I got the bow back and the pin centered below his neck, right in between his front legs.

I let fly and saw the arrow hit. All I heard was screaming coming from the other guys to get another arrow in him. I was trying to but also trying to keep one eye up the tree in case he jumped out so I could at least try to get out of the way.

A second later, I got the arrow nocked and looked up just in time to see the bear falling down, stone dead. He hit the ground with a thud and never quivered. I had drilled him right up through the heart with the arrow exiting the spine. My first animal with the Innerloc Stainless Extreme and I have to say I'm really impressed. It cut a big hole, killed quickly, and made it through a big bear's spine with just one blade slightly bent. Thanks Marlon!

Then the celebration began. Once the exhilaration, fear and adrenaline wore off it was time to take in what just happened. There were lots of hoots and hollers and back slapping. This was a giant bear. I haven't taped him yet but his skull is huge. It should easily book.

Then the work started. Ronnie took the head and hide (what a stud!), while Billy and I split the meat in our packs. It got a little hairy coming down that slope overloaded like that. At least our packout was downhill, steep downhill. I went down on my ass a few times. The truck was a welcome sight. We celebrated with a few coldies. It was only 9:30 but ya gotta do it right.

This is my best critter with a bow so far. It was a great experience to share with my brother too. Like usual, I think he was more excited than I was. Taylor got most of it on video too. He just missed the bear falling out of the tree as he was too busy just trying to get the hell out of the way!

I haven't figured out what to do with him yet. I want a respectful and classy mount. I initially was thinking a shoulder mount, or maybe 1/2 mount with some habitat. I don't have the wall space for a rug but this guy has such a thick and beautiful coat. It would be a shame to waste any. I might have to rug him out and put him in my family's cabin for a while.

Thanks for reading.

[Vermonster]

Awesome story Nate! Congrats!!!

[Fresh One]

That thing is beautiful. Dude, full rug that monster, there is no doubt. Put it under your bed if you have to.

[okie man]

great report, what kind of rig did you shoot him with? you gonna get a full body mount of that beast?

[srfnkill]

Damn! We should send you after Bin Laden cause it looks like you kill everthing your after. Congrats!!!

[Deno]

About time , thanks for sharing…and congrats again..

[Sluester]

Outstanding Nate!!! Congrats!

[el Toro]

Thanks all. I've had a lot of luck go my way this year.

My rig is a Mathews Switchback at about 72 lbs, shooting a Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350 with an Innerloc Stainless Extreme 125 head. About 430 total grains going about 270 fps.

[Troy]

Cool story. Congrats!

[Jerky]

Nice!

[aeon]

That is kick ass!!!!!!