Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors OT bear hunting with Angus1895 this weekend

Well, my buddy John and charming wife Melanie are rolling into town this week and we have three days to get him on a bear. He's not going for any of that boo boo bear stuff, he wants a Yogi. And he wants a color phase. No big deal John, we've got three whole days!

We better hit it before the USFS closes down the whole darn country! Visibility 300 yards in spots right now.

Day 1- John'll want the 99 in 300 along. We'll be hunting a big TALL bear in a 1/2 mile wide canyon that drops into the abyss. I know this bear from years past. He's eluded me the few times I've tried for him. He's a black one, but he's a keeper. We'll sneak through the brush and timber calling softly with a fawn bleat, then maybe I'll twist Johns ears and make 'im squeal. I bet that'll bring him in like gangbusters! Lots of water in the draw, good shade, north slope, nice and cool. Winds screw with you here though. Should be an exciting day in an old growth forest setting.

If Day 1 doesn't work and the area doesn't hold enough promise, we'll try some open country 30 miles a different direction. Bring the 308 Norma on this hunt John. Been waiting for the bush acorns to ripen up high, and so have the bears. We may still be a touch early up high, but I keep checking them, and, so do the bears. However, on the hot south slopes the food ripened earlier, so the bears are there now. Trouble with this plan is, the elevation is lower and the poison oak is thick in spots. Stick to the blocked roads and trails and drop the bear where he stands! No running off down the canyon after the shot!!! We'd undoubtedly try some calling here too to leverage our available time between the morning and evening hunts. You'll want iron sights for that bit of hunting. There's many miles of canyon country we could explore in this locale. If John wants to, we could spend two days here easily. The bears are very patternable right now, it's just finding one you want in the short time frame.

If we wash out there, Day 3 we can check on the Volkswagen Bear. I haven't been in there this season due to the 100* heat and work schedule, so we'd be going into a traditionally great bear area somewhat blind. Access is extremely limited to the public and the area will be all ours. Again, poison oak is the norm, but avoidable. This is a low elevation hunt in timber or heavy manzanita brush. The Volkswagen Bear likes to lay in the tiny pools of water scattered throughout the canyon system midday to cool off. After the morning still hunt and maybe some calling, it's a waiting game for them to move for water. At the right time, I've estimated 20 bears use this canyon, but timing is everything. Bring the 300 Savage on this hunt, shots likely 20 to 40 yards. Rain makes this hunt harder as the bears seem to abandon the water holes. Rain predicted for the first time in months this weekend, go figure.

We're gunna try like heck to get a photo of John with a dead bear and a Savage rifle this weekend. Wish us luck! Either way, I'll get some photos for the guys that hang out here to enjoy.

Sorry for rambling, just getting excited for John to get here!

Sounds like you got a plan. Have fun and Good Luck!

Lee

wish it was this John going! wish you guys a safe and Happy Hunt!

We have our plans and the bears have their own plans which don't include us!

Sounds a whole lot better than my 8-5's! Good luck, bring back a few pics with or without a new fur rug.

Good luck to y'all! "Catch a big one", as we kids used to say to Pop as he headed out.

I just hope my new mule spyder isn't scared of yogi.

I didn't know you were bringing bait.

Mules are Better than Horses.

To a bear, they taste the same...

Best of luck.. Looking forward to photos of the bear!!!

I have found horses easier to pack meat. Just never packed bear. The only bear I have ever been around was a boo boo class bear shot near the road. But I agree Steve Mules are my favorite. But don't worry I got a seasoned pack horse in Grants Pass

If we see Smokey Bear STAND DOWN! STAND DOWN NOW! If Yogi.....not so much.....wish us luck please!

sounds like you are well prepared so go ventilate a good one.

norm

Best of luck to ya on a big one, Joe.

"John, I don't think this is a bear"

Nice doggie...

I have to watch those sumbitches parade by the back of my house several times a week. Just itchin' to put one down

Shoot first then develop plausible deniability. This was a good shoot. Self defense.

Nice looking barrel band Carbine, What cal.? Sitting at a campfire last night the Yotes were realy makeing some noise with that big Moon!

Some obscure cartridge I never heard of called 250-3000.