Toad of a Black Bear

[Sideswipe]

Well the shooter was a bolt gun guy but it is still a good story & picture for bear hunters. The Skagit Spring Damage Control Hunt in the state of Washington is a drawing for 20 hunters. The state & timber companies are trying to get the tree peeling under control on their land. If you aren't familiar w/Northwest timber economy, black bear tree peel'in can be really significant in replanted (reprod) fir trees of 20-40 yrs old. Fresh out of their dormant period, black bears, if they don't find a lot of grass or skunk cabbage, will peel the bark off fir trees in the Spring to get the sugar-laden cambium layer. A bear can girdle several dozen trees per/day. In the old days of WA, timber companies hired professional hunter/trappers to control the damage. They got paid a nominal monthly salary plus so much per bear tail. That was when bears were varmits & not game animals.

Anyway, if you want to see some pics of a 20"+ boar & read a short story, go to: Hunt Washington forum/Bear Hunting/Skagit Bear Down. I hunted this unit in 2008 & got a 300# boar (see avatar). Thought you bear hunters would enjoy. Haven't gotten drawn since 2008 although I have built up 5 preferance points. At least I can enjoy the good luck of a fellow WA hunter eh? (even though he hasn't grown up to a Marlin yet). My 1895MR (22" bbl 450) has dropped my last 2 bear....guess its my bear go-2 gun. I do love some smoked bear brats w/my Bud Lite.

[BloodGroove4570]

mmmmmmmMMMMm Beer Brats

BG4570

[Marlinjunkie]

I like to take the freash heart, slice it into steaks, roll in in flour and deep fry. It's even better if you're camping out and have it in the woods. I do like bear!

[Sideswipe]

Hey Marlinjunkie....never ate bear heart! I have had Whitetail sliced heart (looked like tomato slices) fried in Crisco (don't tell my cardiologist....he wouldn't undertand) along w/fried (same) grouse breast & fried eggs for breakfast....ahhhhh deer camp in Eastern WA. Can't wait!!!!!! Will be tak'in my pawnshop orphan (1967 35 Rem...good woods Whitetail gun).

101st eh? Me straitleg inf, 7th ID, Korea 63-64.