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Author
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Topic: Called in Another Bear Last Night
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted October 27, 2011 01:51 PM
I was hunting over in PA at night. I started out with the Foxpro hurt pup sound. There were some howls in the area but nothing close by. I eventually switched over to a red squirrel distress. Around 8 PM, I hear something coming from my front left. The animal moved down to my left side. I was stopping the call intermittently so I could listen. When the animal got to my left I hit the red squirrel distress again and it turned and came in my direction. I put up the Mossberg, flipped off the safety and at the same time activated my gun mounted light. What I saw was a big head staring up at me. Stupid bear.
Eventually it left, but came back again. It was hanging around. I wasn't too concerned because I was up in a tree stand, unless of course it began to climb my tree.
This is the second bear in have called in at night. I don't kill many predators, but it can be exhilarating just being out there. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
[ October 27, 2011, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 27, 2011 03:17 PM
Interesting! Sort of contradicts some of the advice I have heard, here and there.
Personally, I don't think I have ever called a bear, at night? I have lit them up and flushed a few in the daytime, but as I don't do a lot of hunting in forested areas, it is not a lot of experience, considering the total amount of time I have spent, on stand.
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31462 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted October 27, 2011 05:04 PM
I would gave had him dead to rights Leonard, if there were a bear season at night. He was at about ten yards to my weak side, perfect for a shot with a long gun.
I guess you don't see too many bear out in the desert? I thought I remember reading some Gerry Blair where he called in a few during the day.
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 27, 2011 06:08 PM
Yeah, but Gerry lives above Flagstaff and that city is higher in elevation than Denver. It's hard to "get" the concept of Arizona, but it's sure not all desert. I think I read somewhere that there are 11 distinct climate zones from subtropical to alpine?
Actually, I'm not sure if Gerry lives in Flag anymore? He may spend time there, but I think he is located in Lake Havasu, most of the time? I think you could consider Havasu desert because it gets real hot, but the last bear I saw wasn't a hundred miles from there.
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31462 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted October 27, 2011 07:09 PM
You're right Leonard, I forgot Gerry was from the Flagstaff area.
AZ is beautiful country. I hope to see it again some day, if not take up roots there.
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted October 28, 2011 05:35 AM
Pretty cool, Nick! My butt would be puckered if I seen somethin' like that...
Curious, why did you start your stand with a pup distress sound? Especially a night stand???
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted October 28, 2011 07:19 AM
Sounds like a heck of a good time Nick, have you had any luck with coyotes.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 28, 2011 08:04 AM
Truthfully, I would be particularly nervous, calling in the woods, in the middle of the night, solo. In the first place, I almost always call from my truck where there is small chance that a lion could jump my ass from behind while I am dicking around with a gray fox and not paying attention. On the ground, I think I would be checking behind me every ten seconds. I have not made a half a dozen stands from the ground, ever. That's just not how we do it, here. Maybe back to back with a partner?
You got balls, 49.
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31462 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted October 28, 2011 01:16 PM
quote:
Curious, why did you start your stand with a pup distress sound? Especially a night stand???
No ryhme or reason Fred, other than I have not had a lot of luck with distress sounds in the past so I figured I would try something different.
quote:
Sounds like a heck of a good time Nick, have you had any luck with coyotes.
I haven't had much luck in the past JD, though this was my first time out this year. It's been busy with work and both boys in football, one in high school and one playing youth ball.
quote:
You got balls, 49
It's either balls or lack of brain cells Leonard, lol... Honestly, I feel pretty comfortable when in a tree stand. It concerns me more when I come down in the dark and I don't know what may have been called into the brush nearby that I can't see.
[ October 28, 2011, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
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Leonard
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Member # 2
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posted October 28, 2011 01:32 PM
Oh shit, forgot about the tree stand! That makes a big difference.
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted October 29, 2011 06:28 AM
Yeah, a tree stand makes a difference, while you're calling. The walk out in the dark, though, can be a somewhat sense heightening experience. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted October 29, 2011 12:28 PM
It sure can. Sometimes the walk out is more exhilarating than the hunt itself.
When I do hunt on the ground I usually try and sit up against a big rock. At least if something comes from behind me it might get forced around to one side, and hopefully not over the top lol.
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Chris S
"SPECIAL ACCOUNT" HM's Facebook page moderator & runs with scissors
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posted November 04, 2011 09:58 AM
If I had bears and lions in my neck of the woods I wouldn't be so footloose and fancy free when I'm out at night.
I LOVE being out there at night. Nothing like it.
[ November 04, 2011, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Chris S ]
Posts: 534 | From: Oakland County, MI USA Earth | Registered: Jul 2011
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted November 05, 2011 09:03 AM
I like being out there at night also, Chris. But I don't know what you mean by "footloose and fancy free?"
A gent over on GT commented on me being out at night (alone) in bear country. He feels I should bring someone with me. He seemed legitimately concerned for my safety, which I appreciate. Fact is though, I don't have a steady hunting partner, and do 99% of my hunting alone, which I prefer actually, that is at least until my son starts going with me.
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted November 05, 2011 09:46 AM
First, location makes a big difference. I get into some very remote areas and it is risky to do it alone. Much better to hunt with a partner, they always come in handy when things happen.
Second, walking out here, in the dark, in warm weather can be dangerous. You at least need to be aware of rattlesnakes, and it is easy to miss really viscous cactus while walking. I can't tell you how many times I thought I was brushing up against a harmless creosote and failed to notice a cholla growing within the bush. These are things you notice in daylight, but it's harder in the dark.
I once had to literally carry my partner who was walking by a giant cholla wearing soft soles. This cactus was over 6 ft tall and the litter around the bush was comparable to walking on broken bottles. He was attempting to lodge a target in the branches, so he could check his zero and was a little careless. If I wasn't within shouting distance, I imagine he would have had a painful walk to get out of the danger. Darkness would amplify the problem.
I have stumbled on open shafts in the middle of a grass field, big enough to fall in. Scares me now to even think about it! People that leave these holes should be shot. It was daytime, but I still came close to taking one more step without looking down. Yikes!
But, maybe the eastern woods are less dangerous?
gh....lb
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 31462 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted November 05, 2011 12:02 PM
I don't think the eastern woods pose the dangers that you have out there, Leonard. My biggest concerns are bears, the (potential) of mountain lions being in the area, and the possibility of being shot by another hunter.
I guess anything can happen though. My buddy who owns the property in PA hollared at me (not really) when I told him I walked across the frozen lake (short cut) to get back to my truck. And when I called the bear in last week I had sent a text to my wife to tell her there was a bear in the area. Now my wife is not one to worry, but she answered back wanting to know where I was. It turns out there were two of my friends standing with her at my kid's football practice, and she had told them about the bear and it was them who had asked where I was. I know I gotta do a better job telling people where I'm gonna be hunting when I am out at night.
[ November 05, 2011, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
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Chris S
"SPECIAL ACCOUNT" HM's Facebook page moderator & runs with scissors
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posted November 05, 2011 05:09 PM
4949, what I meant by footloose and fancy free is that I don't worry about anything. No lions or bears or snakes to look out for. All I have to worry about is stepping in a woodchuck hole and braking my foot or falling in a bog or something. Not much danger so I don't get uptight. If I had bears or lions I'd be more wary/ alert for danger.
I'm gonna be going out later tonight for some excitement.
Posts: 534 | From: Oakland County, MI USA Earth | Registered: Jul 2011
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted November 05, 2011 07:59 PM
Gotcha Chris.
Good luck later. My little guy's team is 9-0 by the way.
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted November 06, 2011 08:53 AM
quote:
I know I gotta do a better job telling people where I'm gonna be hunting when I am out at night.
Boy, ain't that the truth! I used to head out without a thought and could have been dropped down a canyon in any of three western states and all my wife would be able to say is: "well he left three days ago and should have been back yesterday". Not much to go on.
I'm still guilty of it. All I do, (sometimes) is ask across the street if they can pick up my newspapers and mail. More likely, they know that if my truck isn't in the driveway, do that stuff for me. When I get back there will be a plastic bag hanging on my door, shortly. It is nice to have good neighbors.
gh....lb
[ November 06, 2011, 08:54 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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Chris S
"SPECIAL ACCOUNT" HM's Facebook page moderator & runs with scissors
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posted November 09, 2011 02:24 PM
I don't make a habit of telling anyone exactly where I'm gonna be. "I'm going out!" is my general statement as I sneak out the door.
I've been out on windy days and nights with trees in old swamps that are cracking and uprooting that I could probably be whacked in the brain by. A 15-20 mph wind in a swamp will cause havoc. I've also gone one hip deep in some soft soupy slop before. That's freaky. I usually carry a fully extended monopod shooting/ hiking stick now.
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