regarding the black bear, ooo man what a story.
I was planning the trip for long time ago, and I was driving to the Rockies (Alberta, close to British Columbia border).
I was in the position with 1 hour before sunrise spotting and glassing all the area. Verry chilly (-4 Celcius), no wind. about 8 am I spot a dark "rock" under a tree.
For the first time I just "pass" ignoring because it was no moving, and at the second glassing at the same spot "SURPRIZE". A BIG MOVING "ROCK"
I could believe - I found a nice bear, but far far away from may spotting place, in verry remote area. Quick I just try to find the distance ith my Bushnell Rangefinder, and It was 1000yards.
To far for me, so I decide to try to get closer.
I pact ant hit the long road thrught the deep icy forest.
After 2 hour I could get closer 300yards from him.
He never move from that area, eating all this time.
Nervos, and with emotion I tryed to find a good resting position, but no chance, because the terain configuration, and the tree between me and the bear.
About 7 minute I just looking and moving down to hell to find a perfect spot, trying to do not make nosy.
Finaly I got it, not the best one, but at list something.
I was looking at him for about 15 minute.
It was a nice dark brounnish- black color, with cinamon nosller.
It was so fat, the ears looks round (at first time I got scare, because here it is ban on grizzly), and his belly almost to the ground.
No doubt it was a nice black bear, but with a BIG PROBLEM.
How can I get him out from thear, because It was a very far remote area deep in the forest, and 2 hour runing, climbing thru the rocks, and tree, no trails..
I check in my mildot scope to see how big it was at chest and it was 2 mils @300yards verry close to 21-23 inches.
Not bad., So finally I decide I will try one shot, waiting for him to faceup to hell. (Wrong decision).
Slowlly I aim him, between the front left leg and the ribs, and I press the triger.
Big and laudy noise, and I so how he just stops, turn the head in oposite direction, and after 1 second he jump in bushess and disapear. I did not have enought time to try a second shot. He was to fast.
At first second after, I could believe? Did I miss or what?
I decide to wait 10-15 minute, because If I hit him I do not want to encounter a wounded bear... alone on his site.
After another 1 hour i hit the site where i so him.
Looking around for traks, and blood, but all I could find it was just the tracks. NO BLOOD. What the ..... hmmmm? I start looking around, and looking, and searching. Nothing.
I was already tired, and no bear around. I start follow the track and after 10 minute I lost him in the forest. The ground it was with to much rocks, and stones, and I lost complete the paw tracks.
Uffff, what a day.
After all this hard work, I lost him.
From 11:20a.m. the time when I decide to return, I was back to my truck at 2:00 p.m.
Long very long back road, following the RINO120 GPS track, to return at camp.
I was tired, and frustated, but release. I DID NOT LEAVE A WONDED BEAR IN FOREST.
I tryed everything, I did the best, but I MISS.
And all this preparation, all this time shooting at 300-400-500yrd from bypod, with good groups, and MISS at 308yards.
What a day!!! What a day!!! My hunting friends will laungt at me when I will told them the story.
But at list I HAVIT A CHANCE, and a wonderful hunting morning, and after years, I will still remember this day.