2013 MT Spring Black Bear

[GFHunter]

I have been pretty selective over the last few years looking for a bear of any color EXCEPT Black. Last spring I saw 31 bears with 29 being black. This year I am up to 17 bears, all black. I will admit my black bear trigger finger has become a little itchy over the last few years.

So Friday night was no different glassing up several average black bears... AT 7:45 pm this huge black bear stepped out for a green grass feeding. This was the first time we had seen him this year and at first glance I knew he was a Big bear. I was 2.5 miles away and a good hour long hike (or run) to get to him with the last mile going straight up. We were also up against darkness also.

I have done lots of stalks on bears in my life and most of the time the bear has moved on by the time I arrive at the meadow where the bear was feeding but not this time.

Upon entering this meadow It took me a couple of minutes to find this dude. HE WAS STILL THERE which was a big surprise to me since I was totally convinced he would not be there. One look at him at 80 yards...I new he was a special bear.

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[chuckyd313]

Great looking bear. Makes me want to chase one around.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Congrats! That's a gorgeous bear.

 

[Lawnboy]

Great bear congrats!!

 

[ashersdad]

Looks like a great bear. Nice job.

 

[drahthaar]

That thing looks like a toad!!

I definitely see way more colors other than black up here. Mostly chocolate. This year, mine had a little reddish hue.

 

[mtmiller]

Sweet bear.

 

[ida homer]

What a toad, congrats! Of the 14 bears I've glassed this year in Southern Idaho, only 3 or 4 have been black. One blonde, one cinnamon and the rest chocolates. I couldn't tell yah why...

 

[Big Sky]

Well done and even more important well deserved.

 

[elk_hunter]

Man that is a nice fat bastard of a bear! Congrats!

 

[GFHunter]

What a toad, congrats! Of the 14 bears I've glassed this year in Southern Idaho, only 3 or 4 have been black. One blonde, one cinnamon and the rest chocolates. I couldn't tell yah why...

There used to be quite a few colored bears in the areas I've hunted but over the past 10 years or so black has kind of taken over. Not sure why

 

[Big Fin]

Wow, you are putting in some serious time and miles to be finding that amount of bears. You sure deserved that one, and then some. Congrats on a great bear.

I like the look of blackies that have really black muzzles. Just something about them looks cool.

 

[ida homer]

There used to be quite a few colored bears in the areas I've hunted but over the past 10 years or so black has kind of taken over. Not sure why

Well I guess you better round up some buddies and start shooting em!

I agree with Fin. Dark black with a super dark muzzle looks neat, I think it helps make them look even bigger. I haven't seen any decent actual black bears this season yet.

 

[GFHunter]

Wow, you are putting in some serious time and miles to be finding that amount of bears. You sure deserved that one, and then some. Congrats on a great bear.

I like the look of blackies that have really black muzzles. Just something about them looks cool.

Fin,

I agree. Them black faces ARE really cool.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

Congrats on a great bear!

 

[mtlion]

Awesome bear, congrats!

 

[Loaded For Bear]

That thing is a HOG!

 

[putm2sleep]

Righteous man! Great post!

 

[GFHunter]

Finally saw some Brown last night. We tried to get my 12 year old nephew on it but the bear dissappeared before we could get on it.

 

[Festus]

Looks like a brute!
Well done.