Sorry guys I posted on another thread and didn't realize that was bad etiquette.
I at last made it to Montana a couple weeks ago. There was snow at the higher elevations. We covered six different mountain ranges in three days. The first day was serious hunting, the second day we were just covering ground looking for good areas. The third day we did some calling, drove some really rough trails, then when we were about done and coming down off the mountains I shot a 20 year old sow without cubs.
I did goof a little. She didn't appear to react so I shot four times. Then I pushed the power of my scope up for a better look. She had died across a big log and probably died on the first shot. I have a little sewing to do because I hit her all four times.
We had to come back in the morning to pick her up. A guy and his girlfriend were sitting there waiting. He was the cattleman that leased and run cattle on the land and was watching the bear also. He had seen us shoot it the evening before. He said he had seen people shoot at animals and not come back and was going to pick up the bear if no one showed. He helped my son and his friend roll it down the mountain to me (heart is still bothering), skin and pack out. Then he called the biologist so I could check it out on Saturday and get back home. Nice couple.
We did see a sow with cubs in the Crazy Mountains. We also seen a herd of over 100 elk on a ranch on the east side. The cubs of that bear must have been late because they were not much bigger than large raccoons. The sow was small also.
I don't know the difference between a rancher and a cattleman, but this guy didn't not want to be called a rancher. Anyone have a clue?
I'll throw in a couple of pics.
I at last made it to Montana a couple weeks ago. There was snow at the higher elevations. We covered six different mountain ranges in three days. The first day was serious hunting, the second day we were just covering ground looking for good areas. The third day we did some calling, drove some really rough trails, then when we were about done and coming down off the mountains I shot a 20 year old sow without cubs.
I did goof a little. She didn't appear to react so I shot four times. Then I pushed the power of my scope up for a better look. She had died across a big log and probably died on the first shot. I have a little sewing to do because I hit her all four times.
We had to come back in the morning to pick her up. A guy and his girlfriend were sitting there waiting. He was the cattleman that leased and run cattle on the land and was watching the bear also. He had seen us shoot it the evening before. He said he had seen people shoot at animals and not come back and was going to pick up the bear if no one showed. He helped my son and his friend roll it down the mountain to me (heart is still bothering), skin and pack out. Then he called the biologist so I could check it out on Saturday and get back home. Nice couple.
We did see a sow with cubs in the Crazy Mountains. We also seen a herd of over 100 elk on a ranch on the east side. The cubs of that bear must have been late because they were not much bigger than large raccoons. The sow was small also.
I don't know the difference between a rancher and a cattleman, but this guy didn't not want to be called a rancher. Anyone have a clue?
I'll throw in a couple of pics.
Seriously though the area did have a Forest fire about 15 years ago. I sure didn't want to try walk over across the canyon to the bear with the sun going down. That could get you a charcoal pungy stick in the face.
