Bears!
Posted: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:21:52
OK, so I wasn't exactly in Va. but just a little south of the State line in Gates Co., NC.
So, there I was,.... ignoring my husbandry duties, while perched peacefully about 18' up in a pine tree, in hopes of observing what had been nibbling at my (legal in NC.) corn pile. Sitting in a drizzling rain and thinking to my self that,..."You know, you have dry clothes in the truck dumb a$$." Just about the time I was seriously considering calling it a wash, I heard a light noise behind me. To my surprise, it was a small Bear cub about 60lbs or so. A second cub followed and bringing up the rear was momma. She was a little on the small side but an adult bear none the less. The three lumbered under my stand for about 20 min. It appeared they knew "something" wasn't quite right and after a third pass by my pile of corn "momma bear" grabbed an ear of corn and made off for a brush pile, never quite "winding" me. The cubs followed suit, enjoying the afternoon snack momma had scored. The three lumbered off none the wiser to my presence. Even though I never saw a deer or even lifted my smoke pole, it was one of my most memorable hunts I've had in more than 30+ years afield. Sure, I ended the day cold, wet, and empty handed, but having killed close to a hundred deer, I consider today one of my greatest hunting experiences.
So, there I was,.... ignoring my husbandry duties, while perched peacefully about 18' up in a pine tree, in hopes of observing what had been nibbling at my (legal in NC.) corn pile. Sitting in a drizzling rain and thinking to my self that,..."You know, you have dry clothes in the truck dumb a$$." Just about the time I was seriously considering calling it a wash, I heard a light noise behind me. To my surprise, it was a small Bear cub about 60lbs or so. A second cub followed and bringing up the rear was momma. She was a little on the small side but an adult bear none the less. The three lumbered under my stand for about 20 min. It appeared they knew "something" wasn't quite right and after a third pass by my pile of corn "momma bear" grabbed an ear of corn and made off for a brush pile, never quite "winding" me. The cubs followed suit, enjoying the afternoon snack momma had scored. The three lumbered off none the wiser to my presence. Even though I never saw a deer or even lifted my smoke pole, it was one of my most memorable hunts I've had in more than 30+ years afield. Sure, I ended the day cold, wet, and empty handed, but having killed close to a hundred deer, I consider today one of my greatest hunting experiences.
