IN THE BEGINNING
My trip as much as Oxbow Lodge in Northern Maine commenced out quite lots the way it continually has these past 4 years, eager anticipation for a endure hunt that no person ought to expect the final results of, and if any body could expect, could you really need to know earlier than all of it had a danger to unfold. To me the pre-hunt arrangements, the studying of hunting articles and magazines and the thoughts of establishing day inside the woods in pursuit of sport with bow and arrow is just as a whole lot a part of my rituals as the hunt itself.
Go North for Big Bruins - Northern Maine That is (a private account of my 2003 massive undergo hunt).
IN THE BEGINNING
My trip up to Oxbow Lodge in Northern Maine started out pretty plenty the way it constantly has these beyond four years, eager anticipation for a endure hunt that no person ought to are expecting the outcome of, and if any body should predict, could you really want to understand earlier than all of it had a danger to spread. To me the pre-hunt preparations, the analyzing of looking articles and magazines and the mind of opening day in the woods in pursuit of sport with bow and arrow is simply as a great deal a part of my rituals because the hunt itself. This yr I turned into planning on making my northerly migration by myself. My bow searching partner and quality friend of nine years, Steve Napiorski (I confer with him as MARINE, he's a Semper Fi from a few years lower back), turned into unable to sign up for me due to latest conflicts at his paintings place. Late summer time I received a call from my wife's cousin and occasional searching accomplice Dave Lowe and he inquired as to weather I became heading up to Maine this year. I replied "of route". He went on to mention that he become interested by going north and could be bringing alongside and older buddy of his Victor for the search of a lifetime. Dave has hunted the Oxbow Lodge earlier than, having harvested a pleasant 300lb boar his first yr in camp. After all, I am constantly up for organisation on a looking ride and the yearly endure hunt at the Oxbow Lodge Outfitters can accommodate a ramification of looking a while and guns of choice.
WE'RE HERE
Our pressure north appeared to pass fast as we loved the increase in stunning surroundings as time surpassed. I by no means seem to thoughts longer drives when I'm going hunting or visiting. As we traveled north up through Maine, Mount Katadin seemed at the horizon. This stunning mountain welcomes site visitors to northern Maine and all that is stunning on this rustic northern land. Viewing this mountain and the converting shades of the fall foliage as we head north has become a attention factor for me, understanding that oxbow resort isn't too a ways off and the hunt is soon to start. We arrived on the hotel on Sunday morning a bit earlier than what's the noontime scheduled arrival for hunters. As I walked into the kitchen I become greeted with a handshake a hug and a completely fond "howdy it is splendid to look you again" welcome from both Tom Aasbo and his spouse Tracey, proprietors of the resort. I reintroduced Dave Lowe (that is his 2d trip in 3 years) and his hunting companion Victor, a seventy two yr old gentleman who become simply beside himself with excitement at the concept of endure searching. We chatted briefly and then proceeded thru the ritual of getting our room venture and a friendly reminder that the traditional prime rib 'welcome hunters' supper became right away at 6pm this nighttime followed via our guidelines and statistics talks.
SETTLING IN
As we unpacked and settled in different hunters started to glide into the motel keen with exhilaration. There became talk of the imminent weeklong opportunity to witness the remarkable black endure in his own northern Maine forest environment and with a bit of luck be one of the fortunate hunters to be successful this coming week.
Having been to the lodge to bear hunt three preceding years, I become acquainted with Tom and Tracey's group as well as the inn so I started introducing myself and displaying humans round in more element as Tom and Tracey welcomed in the persevering with go with the flow of visitors. I had already made my rounds earlier to peer what changes had been made to the hotel due to the fact I know Tom and Tracey are always upgrading the motel to make things as expert and relaxed as possible for his or her guests. This is in reality a top-notch area.
There is a recreation room with pool desk, card table and plenty of photographs to glance at. There is a brand new custom deck out back graced with a huge warm bath for the guests and a bow range out back complete with stands like the ones you will hunt from, geared up to be used. The gun range is just a couple miles down the street and the Aroostic River only a quick walk down the road or thru the woods. This 12 months I had taken what has grow to be my conventional stroll to the creek and I had a bald eagle fly over my head following the river as he fished just 50 toes above the water. It is quite common to look moose during your go to both bulls and cows. This is really a calming hunt and vacation all in one, I wager it's far that particular combination of first-class rest, best searching and nice people that brings me and so many others back 12 months after 12 months.
LETS EAT
Before you understand it suppertime has arrived and anybody is given their first flavor of the oxbow hospitality. After an enjoyable high rib meal with selfmade deserts, it's time to settle in and concentrate to Tom make his speech of what to expect on the inn and how matters will work for all of us throughout their weeklong looking enjoy. The residence staff is delivered in addition to the very capable manual staff and there's even an officer from the Maine searching and fisheries department (Tom Ward), reachable to area any questions you might have. The air is thick with exhilaration and majestic bear mounts surround us in addition to other flora and fauna mounts, a lot of which Tom has taken himself along with his bow and arrow. The surroundings of the lodge, specifically the large dinning region is one in all an old comfy Adirondack inn with massive handcrafted tables, comfy lounging chairs and couches or even a massive rocking chair surrounded by means of elk, caribou and trophy deer mounts. Even even though I were in this case three preceding years Sunday nighttime continues to be contagious with pleasure and just full of smiling hunter faces as all of us jest approximately massive bears and what we all think goes to manifest obtainable.
By this time it's far apparent to many hunters that I am a regular and I start to discipline questions from new resort hunters on their first undergo hunt or on their first Maine undergo hunt. "Have you ever been up to Canada for black endure?" "Have you ever gotten a bear before and what did you use as your weapon of preference?" Well every 12 months these seem to be two normal and routine questions and I am thrilled to talk about them both. I tell them that "Yes I were to Canada for black undergo and while Canada has its deserves you just can not beat Maine USA for black bear motion and you can't pinnacle the hotels you get hold of here at Oxbow each a field and at the hotel." I pass on to tell them of my two bad Canada reviews bear looking and demand that I lots favor to spend my time and money within the USA. "Yes I am additionally lucky sufficient to have harvested a black bear my 2nd year up to Oxbow.
I took a pleasant 175lb sow and he or she made for terribly thrilling bow hunt and a lovely rug." As the night passes on we communicate about many other matters as although we all have been looking pals for years now and this changed into simply any other one in every of our many trips together. To me the camaraderie and not unusual desires of the quest is something I also enjoy a lot on my journeys, it makes the complete trip revel in profitable. As the clock turns toward midnight all of us start to slowly head to our rooms for a terrific nights rest knowing that thus far the whole lot is right and well in undergo camp.
DAY 1
Morning brings a complete bounty of breakfast items and the hunters now acquainted with final nighttime's ritual of forming a line. Helping themselves to the buffet style meals provided the line turns into an area of jokes and stories as the week progresses. The feeding frenzy of the hunters is a notable time to speak and meet new parents as Tom and manual personnel be a part of proper in and eat with the hunter's each day. Questions approximately the location, preceding hunts, bear trivia, and simply plain talk is a everyday interest for all the hunters in the eating region.
Finally the time to seek become upon us all. After the noontime dinner, all the hunters went to their rooms to alternate for the search. As the hunters filtered outside and around the vehicles that could finally take them to their stands, Tom gave guiding assignments to the body of workers. As all of us loaded up into our rides there were echoes of "right good fortune", "shoot a big one", "do not doze off to your stand". We were off. My guide changed into a gentleman named Don. Don turned into a native Mainerd and become a real veteran whilst it came to guiding within the Northern Maine Woods. I might be looking in a well-hooked up stand area about a 20 minute force from the Lodge. After the first day Dave and I were allowed to pressure in ourselves. We have been hunting inside the equal widespread location approximately two miles or so apart. I become bow looking and Dave chose a 44-magnum Smith and Wesson as his firearm for this hunt.
The first day was uneventful for me, but Dave had more than one neat sightings however pick out now not to reap on the first day. As the nighttime drew to an cease and the daylight diminished my first hunt become over. A amazing hunt despite the fact that I had not appear a endure. As we wound down the street toward the motel we chuckled about many stuff that had took place that day and anticipation of seeing a few endure striking on the sport pole became almost to a lot to attend on. As we pulled as much as the hotel we could see the light out returned by way of the sport pole become on. This may want to handiest imply one component; someone shot a endure this night. As I remember there had been dandy bears taken that night, both around the 200lb mark. One with a muzzleloader and one with a rifle. We had numerous bow hunters in camp this week, as a depend fact it turned into almost a 50/50 break up. None of the bow hunters had a shot however there have been several more bears visible this evening.
DAY 2
On the second day I had still not visible a endure. This was unusual for me, as I have come to nearly expect to peer the black bruin on my each day outings as within the past. This simply is going to expose you that not anything is automatic and that the black undergo is certainly an elusive and cautious animal. I studied each and every twig, branch and shadow in front of me because the hours ticked through. My area become energetic with many signs of bear visitation, scat changed into visible as were a chain of trees wearing the unmistakable marking of a bruins claws. Even though it is simplest my 2nd day on stand, I even have come to realize this place thoroughly. It is remarkable just how properly a hunter can familiarize himself with a hunting setup in this sort of quick time. As I sit down and listen to the desolate tract around me I can't help however permit my mind wonder and ponder many thoughts of the wild north. The woods are full of activity and sounds but simply as quick as those sounds come, silence, I imply authentic and utter silence and solitude fill your each feel and surroundings.
If you are lucky sufficient you are paid visits from some of the nearby animal species from coyote to grumble, to hare and possibly even a moose as well as among the regions chicken species. As the daylight hours fades on yet some other day, over again I bring with me the sensation of satisfaction, I am at peace with myself and the stunning environment. I make my manner to the truck and choose up Dave. Yes Dave has been visited by using bears once more. He says the bears have been exclusive these days than the day prior to this, a Sow and cubs. Dave is going directly to give an explanation for how a good deal he loved his site visitors and we speak of the video footage he took of the bears. We had been both eager to get back to the lodge to view the tape and to look if the sport pole had any movement this evening.
As we pulled into camp, another time the light in the back by way of the sport pole turned into on. This ought to mean most effective one thing; sure some other bear or two should be striking. One of the bow hunters in camp had arrowed a satisfactory sow that weighed in at over 225lb. He had a grin on his face that literally went from ear to ear, he was definitely happy with his shot and his trophy and he had every purpose to be. This changed into his first undergo and to take it together with his bow became simply that rather more unique. One of the opposite looking parties were nevertheless out as the nighttime went on. This supposed that both they were getting bears out of the thick north Maine woods, tracking one or the truck broke down. Well we have been all glad to listen that the truck became just first-class and that the radio dispatch came through saying that they have been headed again to camp with extra bears. Upon arrival the hunters that had already arrived have been eagerly gathered around the sport pole watching for the bears to arrive like a collection of youngsters watching for the ice cream truck to come down the road. Finally headlights broke the horizon of the roadway and shouts of "listen they arrive", "make room" rang out from the institution of giddy hunters. We had been all excited for the group almost as if we had taken the bears ourselves. The truck sponsored in and what came into view have been more than one best bruins. One sow weighing in at 185lb and a boar weighing in at close to 300lb. What a perfect give up to a super night in northern Maine.
DAY 3
The sun rose at the 1/3 day and it turned into a at ease 50 ranges. Everyone made their way via the morning breakfast ritual and afterwards I went out lower back to shoot. There have been a few different bow hunters taking pictures as I joined them. The arrows have been flying real today and everything regarded handy. Today I would shoot a whole lot longer than ordinary, time just whisked via as I created numerous one-of-a-kind shot cinereous within the range area. After practice I were given ready for the imminent hunt, checking my gear and cloths. Dinner had come and surpassed and again we were inside the truck heading in the direction of our appointment with what we all was hoping become Mr. Black Bear. I dropped off Dave and proceeded onto my stand as I did the preceding days. I pulled over to park earlier than normal. Today I might park only a little further faraway from my hunting setup, I could make an extended trek to the wooded logging road as I accrued my tools.
Today my walk in turned into about a 1/2 mile, as I desired a little greater area between the truck and my wooded looking place. The stand setup changed into 70 yards in off of a logging street, which had not been used for quite a while. They air become still, now not a breeze to be found. The sun became out yet it changed into very secure. I eased into my stand even slower than my standard sluggish tempo. Looking listening and being more cautious no longer to even step on a spray to alert what I hoped might be a large bear in my location. After all of the spot was perfect, the signal changed into there and we had been in northern Maine for black endure. As I ascended my stand I did now not make a peep. I were given set and the ritual of ready and staring at began. By 5PM or so I was visited by way of a totally massive sow and two cubs. I could wager this sow at about 225lb or higher. Her coat was thick and shining and black as shoe polish as the solar danced through the canopy above. Her cubs were active and full of that playfulness that youngsters have. They too had a complete and exquisite coat.
I had masses of time to watch and examine as they interacted with each other and the cubs wrestled with each different for the sow's interest. I became pretty secure with them now not greater than 17 yards away, and the fine thing became they'd definitely no idea I become there watching them perched 12 foot up in my stand. The air become nevertheless and the occasional breeze was carrying their sent to me. I heard a snap to my rear, all of sudden the sow came to a nonetheless pose, ears up and ahead in my path. I right now notion she winded me. A quick take a look at of the air and I knew it became now not me she changed into alerted by way of. She took two steps in my direction and stood directly up on her returned legs. He nostril, ears and eyes were busy scanning and looking the area in the back of me to my right. I may want to see nor listen a component. My coronary heart turned into racing and the adrenaline was rushing thru my frame. I concept "YES" this is what it's miles all about, that feeling, that anticipation of what is set to spread. Then simply as unexpectedly as she stood, she went back down on all fours, became toward her cubs and made a sound. At that point the two cubs scattered but the sow remained. With bow in hand I turned into prepared for what ever turned into about to occur. I waited on the threshold of my stand seat, heart nonetheless pounding yet in full manage of myself. It regarded like for all time but it was most effective a minute or so, abruptly the cubs returned as fast as that they had left. All was calm now and the sow was again on top of things of her cubs.
Time handed, it become now about 5:45PM and the bears have been still approximately 17 yards away. I changed into getting fatigued at having to stay so still now. Just then as my thoughts was questioning every other snap broke the relative silence of the instant. The sow all over again stood tall on her hind legs. She became searching even extra carefully than the first time. She stood for about 15 seconds and them returned to all fours. The sow moved to her cubs and they all iced up and listened. Their heads became off to my proper as they seemed and their ears have been moving, looking for sounds, sounds of oncoming risk. All right now the sow became, signaled and all of them broke out in a useless run through the woods and thickets. I could listen them as they crashed through the woods and through what turned into apparently a few body of water. Excitement grew to a climax as I could best think about what had made them go away in this type of panic. It had to be a massive boar, I thought to myself. I knew it became now not every other hunter or another man or woman for that be counted, so it needed to be a boar. A sow with cubs does now not react that way unless it is a dominant bear in the location. I waited with bow in hand till my hand started out to cramp up.
An hour had surpassed and I had not moved an inch, however no sign or sound of some thing. The woods have been as quiet as any woods have ever been. You may want to pay attention each little scurry of red squirrels and dropping of twigs and nuts as they climbed and completed their ariel acrobatics off within the distance. I handled each sound as if it have been my prey. Still not anything. I become tuned into my environment like I have been on many events at the same time as hunting. The evening become perfect, the air became nevertheless and I became prepared with each a part of my hunting frame. It became now ten after seven and the light became fading speedy. I could not stop wondering that perhaps this was an possibility ignored, did I do some thing incorrect or turned into it easy fate that I could not view a bruin this nighttime. I raised my bow intentionally and quietly to check if I ought to nevertheless see my TruGlo sight pin. "Yes" I said to myself. I became not shifting from this spot till I couldn't see to shoot. There have been actually just a few minutes of capturing mild left once I heard a slight brushing sound after which a single snap beforehand to my left. I stared into the fading mild looking for movement.
There it changed into motion, black motion in the front of me to my left. A head seemed at the back of a few green leaves about 15 yards in front of me. The bruin changed into moving in slowly and very deliberately with an ere of cautiousness. "A bear" I thought. "A bears head". As the top have become greater visible inside the fleeting mild I should inform it turned into a pleasant endure and simply a shooter. I slowly started to elevate my bow from my lap. Just as I commenced to transport the black bruin glanced in my course. I froze right away, questioning no longer to fear, live calm, live nonetheless and wait. Wait, I can't wait too much longer the mild became fading rapid. He took every other step and I started to raise the bow again. As the the front of his shoulder regarded he stopped once more and seemed in my course. Again I iced up. My fingers were in midstream of having my bow into capturing function and I wasn't about to provide this bruin an inch of motion to capture me on.
After what seemed an eternity, he seemed ahead once more and started out to move broadside in the front of me. I will constantly consider this second, because the bruin stepped into full view I was immediately amazed and in awe of the big stomach as it nearly dragged along the floor. As soon as he grew to become his head away from me I persevered to raise my bow to final position and drew back all at once. Everything seemed perfect and almost in gradual motion. I keep in mind it vividly as I write this story; it changed into one non-stop motion of elevating and drawing again my Martin Altitude bow. I fast and routinely located the pin and the target as I launched the arrow. My Beman ICS Hunter shaft tipped with a Montec G5 broadhead left the string and quickly entered the bear's lung area. It looked and sounded like a solid hit or even a bypass through shot. The undergo jetted off right now upon impact and crashed through the now darkened thick poplar and pinewoods. I iced up but it become tough to include my emotions as I listened to each sound that the woodland might feed my ears. Just as fast as the endure bolted off across the woodland ground the sounds stopped. I listened even greater carefully however no death moan, no extra charging via the woods, not anything however silence again.
After several mins had surpassed it was now very darkish. I pulled my flashlight from my % and amassed my equipment for the stroll out to the truck. My stroll returned was one in all mixed feelings. I had captured the whole looking occasion on videotape and I had to observe it. I stopped and watched the tape and noticed that it seemed to be a great hit but perhaps a bit bit closer to the returned. It changed into difficult on the tape below the low light situations to peer if the undergo changed into genuinely quartering away in any respect or now not. I watched it numerous extra times and changed into pretty superb that it became certainly a deadly hit. I couldn't clean my mind of the possibility that this bruin might go off a long distance and be very difficult to locate in the thick north Maine woods. After all I turned into used to seeking out my personal shot game in woods that I knew very well and had sought for years but this become not the case here. The shot regarded strong and pretty properly positioned but I discovered it hard to consider that I had just shot at such an brilliant creature. We as hunters dream of truly remarkable encounters with such trophy animals and whilst it takes place it would not appear actual. Well this was sincerely real and it was an excellent shot I concept.
As I again to the resort to find my manual, he become nevertheless out accumulating other hunters. Terry, one of the other guide team of workers had simply rolled in and turned into in the kitchen talking with Tracey. I walked in and seemed over at the two of them and will rarely communicate. Terry requested what had took place, "did you get anything tonight". I spoke back, "sure", with a smile, but said I turned into uncertain of just how lethal the hit became and that it became a huge bear. Without hesitation Terry stated, "Lets go get him". At that, we were off. Myself, Terry and Dave climbed into the truck and headed back to the location in which I had hunted. As we entered the woods Terry went first and Dave and I marked the manner in with ribbon tape. About 1/2 way through the quest my guide Don confirmed up and joined in. The blood path changed into sparse as we carefully navigated the dark woodland with our flashlights.
About forty yards out from the shot sight the blood signal had now not shown a whole lot improvement. Now as I tripped along through the woods, so many mind had been racing through my head. Was it an awesome shot? Was this undergo going to be one of these that by no means receives found? I can't agree with we aren't seeing a far higher blood path. It became obvious by means of the blood that we did locate that the shot become a bypass via. Just then Terry and Don hollered out "hear we move". I shouted, "Did you locate him"? "NO, but the blood sign is much better now". Then another shout. "Here we go, he can not be some distance now". The sign turned into unfold everywhere in the woodland ground; this is where he subsequently slowed down. I raced up thru the wooded area knocking branches aside and pushing via thickets. Wow I idea to myself, this became greater find it irresistible. The sign become everywhere and I changed into excited. Just then both publications hollered out "right here he's, oh my gosh he's massive". I ran once more in the direction of the voices and pushed through a few cedar thickets, oh my gosh, he became massive. I became so excited and so many feelings were strolling through my frame.
I speedy slid down beside him and laid his massive head upon my lap and smiled. "Well I stated, I advised you he turned into a great one". Terry exclaimed "I guess he is an amazing one he must be 400lb I'd wager, what do you think Don". Don replied "oh yeah, I'd say even 450 of so, both manner have been no longer pulling him out with just the 4 folks". Dave poked through the trees and could not accept as true with his eyes. At that, we all admired the massive bruin for a while then headed back to the vehicles to get help. It became tough to depart him for a while but I knew soon he would be lower back on the lodge with us all. It took hours to retrieve the massive bruin from the thick Maine woodland however it turned into an revel in I desire all dedicated hunters ought to revel in. The shot grew to become out to be ideal. The arrow entered the bruin close to the again of the lungs and quartered forward to go out about 6 inches at the back of the opposite shoulder. Ultimately it took nine of us to retrieve this bruin from the terrific north Maine woods. He weighed in at 502lb live weight and green scored the cranium at just under 20 inches. This became certainly a hunt I will in no way ever forget about and will surely cherish forever.
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