Many of you don't know that I enjoy spending time outdoors, communing with Mother Nature, and killing as many of her forest creatures as I can. No, that isn't entirely true, but I do enjoy the sport of hunting.
I just returned from a week "off the grid"...no mobile phone, no laptop, no e-mail. The first couple of days were nerve-wracking as I adjusted to the unconnected life. After the 3rd day, I could relax a little, and by the end of last week I was weaned off the instant communications that haunt my business life. It didn't take long for me to get back in the swing of things as I started my drive home...once my mobile phone found a strong signal, it downloaded 139 e-mails and 10 voicemails...sigh.
The hunt was for spring Black Bear in Montana. The bears are supposed to be coming out of hibernation ravenous, but this year winter refuses to release its snowy, cold grip on NW Montana. Where we usually hunt in t-shirt and shorts, there was still feet of snow, with more forecasted. It was cold, windy, and no place for slumbering bruins to wake up to. Spring bear hunting is for those who want the combination of the challenge of finding a large bear and those that want that perfect pelt or coat. After hibernating all winter, the bears grow a long, full coat to show off in the spring.
We had a good group of hunters at the lodge. Two Norwegians came the furthest to make a hunt. The rest of the group had two people from North Carolina, 1 from Alabama, 1 from Indiana, and two from the Boston area. 9 of us total. Only 2 hunters scored on bear, and both were different color phase black bears. One was blonde, and the other red. That area of Montana is known for having all the color phases of black bears, so a great opportunity for a unique trophy.
One of our hunters and guides were almost made into trophies themselves. A pair of Mountain Lions made a stalk on one of the Norwegians and his guide. They found themselves trapped between a large male (about 90 lbs), and a female (about 70 lbs). The female was on the trail behind them, attempting to push them towards the male in an ambush position high above the trail. They were able to scare them off without having to injure either of them. When they walked out of the woods, they could see where the cougars had tracked them in the snow earlier in the day. After that story, I jumped at every twig snap and suspicious sound.
One of the best parts I enjoy about hunting is just seeing wildlife. We saw countless deer and elk, large flocks of wild Turkeys, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, and even a Beaver! Montana is loaded with wildlife; we even saw a pair of Golden Eagles, a pair of Bald Eagles, and nesting pairs of Osprey. One evening on our drive back to the hunting lodge we decided to count the elk and deer...1078 deer and 139 elk in a 40 mile stretch of Montana highway. It helps to have the sharp eyes of the guide with you, but the sheer number of deer was staggering. Many were lucky to have survived the brutal winter, and it showed. Gaunt, small, and tired looking deer. The snow on the ground made it difficult for spring growth to appear, and the deer were willing to risk getting clipped by a fast-moving car to feed on the shoulders of the highway.
I saw only 1 bear all week on the second-to-the-last day of the hunt. It was a trophy for sure. It was a very mature boar, chocolate brown in color. He was feeding on a cliffside above me about 600 yards. The shot required sniper skills due to the angle, the distance, and the 20 mph cross wind, but I had the rifle to make that shot. I had a steady rest, but my windage and elevation calculations were off, and I missed by a foot. The bear was startled as the bullet struck the rock next to him, and he bounded up the mountain to safety. I had hoped he would come back out the next day in the same location, but no such luck. As they say, that is why it is called "hunting" and not "killing." I know Lori and a few people from work were cheering for the bear all week, so there are some happy people. I felt fortunate to be able to enjoy a week climbing up and down hills, eating food someone else cooked, and enjoying some wilderness without the distraction of work.
I have been invited back to hunt this fall. The fall hunt is very different as the bear are fattening up for the long winter on Huckleberries. They collect in large numbers high up on the mountain tops beyond the timberline feasting on the juicy sweet berries. The hunters ride horses and mules to the top and glass over the collection of bears, and make a stalk on their desired trophy. Anyone want to join me?
Chow!
No comments:
Post a Comment