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Jesse's Hunting > Hunting Articles > Hunting Articles Archives > Learning Lessons on the Long Ride Out
Learning Lessons on the Long Ride Out
Kirk Edgerton - JHO ProStaff
- Sacramento, CA
August 22, 2006
The view from the rock ledge was simply amazing as the basin before us was immense as it plummeted a few thousand feet to the river below. The sun was just starting to touch the ground as I hurriedly glassed the patches of green growth looking and, quite honestly, begging to see a bear.
Oregon bear country
The rugged grandeur of Oregon's high country provides great hunting and great memories. |
A bruin was not to be seen and pulling what we hoped our ‘magic’ card, Jordon cracked the calm and quiet morning with the piercing shrills of a Lohman’s predator call. To our utter surprise, a herd of 30 cattle came in to our calling. I assume the fawn bawls sounded much like a young calf, and with the amount of coyote sign around, I’m sure they’ve lost more than one family member to predation.
Looking back into the basin and just cresting the ridge, I could barely make out the small form of a young cow running to try and catch the herd. As I began glassing the calf, we quickly realized my initial assumption was incorrect. This was no calf, but a beautiful jet-black bear coming in on a string to Jordon’s calling.
Nocking an arrow and cautiously hiding behind a tree on the top of our perch, I watched as Jordon slowly began to slink out of the sun while keeping his position high in the rocks. The bear was coming fast and I prepared for what would soon become a close quarters shot. Knowing the angle would be steep and not wanting to take a steeply angled shot, I decided to increase my odds and confront the bear on ground level.
Slowly rounding the rock ledge just below and out of sight from Jordon, a large boulder came into view fifteen yards from the base of the ledge. I began clicking my Bushnell rangefinder on various trees and rocks, knowing if the bear comes by, he’d be well within range. Glancing down canyon, I could see the bear’s shadow as he was running, a mere 80 yards away. Another look and I could see his ears come into view at 40 yards and heading for my shooting lane. As his body came into view, I drew my bow and anchored.
The bear steadily walked past the lone tree I had ranged only moments ago, and my 30 yard pin was following his vitals as I whistled progressively louder in hopes of bringing him to a halt. Just as quickly as he had appeared, the bear was gone and out of sight to my left.
I stood astonished that I was unable to stop the bear. Then sheer panic set in, knowing that since the bear was out of my sight, he was climbing the ledge and should now only be a few steps from Jordon. Letting my bow down with the release still locked on, I ran for roughly five steps and rounded the corner were the bear disappeared. He was already halfway up the ledge, and only four yards from Jordon who was still calling and surely unaware that a hungry bear was only 12 feet away. The bear heard my approach, and he quickly spun around on the rocks and faced me head on. Pulling my bowstring back and quickly anchoring, my 20 yard pin found his chest and I pulled the trigger.
The blood was a deep red and although I knew my shot was slightly right of where it should have been I was 100% sure it was lethal.
Replaying the events in my head and discussing them with Jordon, we both knew that if the bear had taken another leap, Jordon would have had an angry and hungry bear literally in his lap. We both agreed that next time the caller should have a weapon which in this case, had been left back at camp.
After a lengthy six hours of tracking, we reluctantly gave up on our search as the blood trail vanished moments after the bear crossed a fallen pine. There are no words to describe the feeling of losing an animal you’ve spent so much time studying, hunting, pursuing, and dreaming of.
For those outside the hunting word, the thought of a wounded or suffering animal is hard to comprehend. For hunters, it’s a horrible outcome to a passion we each pursue. I learned some valuable lessons from this bear and from the rugged country I was in.
In 20 years of hunting, I’ve only had a small handful of opportunities for what I would call “the perfect shot”… the perfect shot angle, no wind, game standing broadside and unaware, everything good and the arrow or bullet flying perfectly, with little to no tracking. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world and with so many variables that can affect the outcome, there’s very little you actually have control of.
When I draw my bow on a big game animal, I want a clean, ethical, and lethal shot. As a hunter, this is your job and the culmination of countless hours of practice, learning, and hunting. The simple act of being close to game is a huge accomplishment, but sending an arrow or bullet into an animal signifies for many, like me, a dream come true.
When the bear was quickly approaching our calling location, I was surprisingly calm and determined, which I would attribute to year round hunting and practice. When the bear trotted past my shooting lane, the thoughts of a large animal charging my hunting partner filled my head. Did I overreact and make a snap shot? As I reflect back, I know I didn’t. Did I make a poor shot? No. Could I have made a better shot? Yes.
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Hunting is a game of measurements; you know the speed of your bow, the weight of your arrow, the miles you’ve traveled, and you know how important being spot-on is. I know had I been an inch or possibly an inch and a half to the left, I would be writing a different ending to this story.
This bear emphasized the importance of angles on game in relation to vitals. What looks to be a great shot, can often be completely wrong and ineffective. An inch off can mean a missed lung and possibly a lost animal. Knowing your game, continual practice, ‘picking a spot’, and understanding angles are the key elements to continually harvesting game and having a full freezer.
It was a difficult hunt and the five hour ride back to the truck was quiet as we reflected on our journey, but as with each hunt and adventure I undertake, I came away with a better understanding of why I hunt and the game I pursue.
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