So why do we still have a stand alone Bear season?

[fleroo]

We killed a 150lber a few years ago on about 4" of snow.It was a level 1.97 mile drag on a rails to trail.Two kids carried the rifles and three adults dragged the bear.It took us hours.

... and here, I thought those Woodpecker lips were on the "hard" side ? 150 lbs. ? A man of your caliber should have said, "Get the hell outta my way !", then slung that pup over your shoulder and sprinted down that trail.

[dougl]

Moving a bear is different than moving a deer,especially on snow.If we have enough guys,we usually lash them to a pole and carry them out with two guys on the front and two guys on the back and then keep rotating.It sucks and usually the rest of the day is shot if you kill a couple on the first one or two drives.The majority of bears we kill are from 125-180 lbs.When you get one over 250lbs,it's brutal.The vast majority of time,they die in very steep,thick places.About 10 years ago,we killed 4 on the first drive,all decent sized bears.There was a bad storm prior to then that put all kinds of trees and limbs down.With 20 guys,we started carrying them out at 8:00am.It was a steep area with big rocks,laurel and downed trees.About halfway through,the one brain child sent someone back to get a cabelas cart.They strapped two 160lb bears on and had two guys pull and two guys push.I knew it wasn't going to work so I stayed with the guys carrying them out.The guys with the cart got back to the parking lot at 3:30pm.I said that was my last year hunting like that but when my son turned 12,I thought he'd think it was fun.I drive every drive and always liked the anticipation of hearing the shots ring out.Now I just hope that they're all misses.

[moosemike]

We got a 285 pounder once on a drive on top of Old House mountain. I was 16 so while they field dressed and drug it uphill to the trail they had me go down to Camp along 87 and mix up some "shooters". Canadian Windsor and Coke in two liter bottles. I made my own bottle and drank it on the way back up the mountain. We had a pole with four guys pushing on it to drag the bear. We subbed guys in and out. Except me. I was feeling no pain and I refused to be spelled out. I stayed pushing until we got her down to 87

[fleroo]

About 10 years ago,we killed 4 on the first drive,all decent sized bears.There was a bad storm prior to then that put all kinds of trees and limbs down.With 20 guys,we started carrying them out at 8:00am.It was a steep area with big rocks,laurel and downed trees.About halfway through,the one brain child sent someone back to get a cabelas cart.They strapped two 160lb bears on and had two guys pull and two guys push.I knew it wasn't going to work so I stayed with the guys carrying them out.The guys with the cart got back to the parking lot at 3:30pm.I said that was my last year hunting like that but when my son turned 12,I thought he'd think it was fun.I drive every drive and always liked the anticipation of hearing the shots ring out.Now I just hope that they're all misses.

When the guns go to crackin', and the cellphone texts start to flyin', that's a convenient time to "lose your way in the woods" for about 8 hours. COME ON, THINK MAN, THINK !!! Do I need to send you a playbook ?

[dougl]

That would be a good plan.Most of the time,you're almost right on top of the shooters when they shoot so it might be tough to make a getaway.

[fleroo]

Most of the time,you're almost right on top of the shooters when they shoot so it might be tough to make a getaway.

Playbook...PLAN B. Feign a severely twisted ankle.

Playbook...PLAN C. I've only seen used once, for obvious reasons. Feign severe chest pains, and call for a Med-Evac.

NOTE: It's a good idea, to not employ Plan B or C on consecutive years. Or else to steal a line from Mel Brooks... "The Jig Is Up !!!"

[davet]

Plan D.....bring along a stuffed realistic looking rattlesnake...poke two small holes in your arm.....scream that it hurts.....

[rs]

I think the rifle bear season in 2G is fading into the past. The Saturday start was the first blow and the early seasons are the nail in it’s coffin. I believe there are too many sows and cubs being killed in 2G in the early seasons. In my opinion there is no need for early bear seasons in 2G and maybe some other WMU’s. With all the opportunities and increased bear licenses, to shoot a bear, they haven’t increased the overall kill numbers, just what the hunters are killing, which I believe are more sows and cubs. They probably actually decreased the percentage of success. Bear rifle in 2G was as big, if not bigger, than the buck opener at one time. It would be nice if they could keep the traditional seasons in at least a couple WMU’s. Increased harvesting of sows and cubs in 2G will mean a reduction of bears over time in surrounding WMU’s.

[bushmaster]

Last season the youngest Hunter in our group went in really deep on this powerline. I'm talking miles down in this gorge. He said he ran into this very old hunter sitting on a log in the bottom along this creek. The old chap told him "Son you shoot one down in this hole. Just cut the ears off and let him lay" LOL