Been doing the bear thing every year since 1985.
This is the first year since then I haven't dragged out a bear.
Not saying I'm done with it but the desire has certainly shrunk!.
I once had 12 people in camp and we killed 7 one night.
Dragging out/ skinning/ cutting up the meat sucked ass.
That's way back when I was young/ strong.
Last year (year ago today), I shot my 61st bear. I was alone and I bout blew my nutts out trying to get it loaded myself.
Not a big bear (bout 225#s) but it kicked my ass!!
As for bear meat, it's freeking FANTASTIC, the fable of it being tough and greasy has been passed down through generations same as a .410 Guage slug shoots like a high powered rifle.
Have given away many #s of bear meat, have cooked many #s of it and brought it to local social event and have NEVER brought home any of it.
I've seen the prissyest of the prissystd women that live on TBone Steaks remark on how good it is and getting feedback/ questions/ intrigue from them on how to go and kill a bear means more to me then any I've killed.
I may be slowing down but... I in a small way feel quite proud that I've helped many folks realize how good bear meat is.
Gotta say though, you absolutely MUST get it retrieved, skinned and call
cooled down a.s.a.p.
In short... bear meat is GOOD stuff!.