This is the first season I've ever gone bear hunting. My cousin and I had a tripod feeder with corn set up on
the backside of his property feeding deer. Then one day the feeder was gone, all that was left were the
legs. We found the bucket about 50 yards away and empty. It did have around 100 lbs of corn in it. So we
started baiting for bears, which is legal where we're from. We had anywhere from 5 to 7 bears hitting the
bait. I had gone out and sat on the stand three previous times but was never able to stay late into the
afternoon. I'd only seen one small bear come in and believe I was busted two other occasions by the wind
even after using Scent Killer.
On Monday October 9th I left work early, with every intention of returning, to go bait since I was planning to
hunt a late afternoon that week. I took my bow "just in case." While I was dumping bait I heard something
walking on the dry leaves in the thick brush. I quickly and quietly got up in my stand. About ten minutes
later he walked out and went straight for the unfinished bait pile. What seemed like an eternity was only
about 2 or 3 minutes before he gave me a broadside shot. I double lunged him at 17 yards. After he was hit
he instantly turned and ran right for the tree I was in then veered off about 5 yards from it. Yes, I did think
about bailing!! And yes I did have to check my shorts afterwards. He went 40 yards into a nearby dry creek
bed, stumbled, fell over and started to moan. I was already shaking from the rush and that just made the
hair on the back of my neck stand up. I stayed up in my stand for 45 minutes. Keeping my eyes on him the
whole time. I called my wife from my spot and told her I had a bear on the ground. She thought I was lying to
her! After I finally convinced her, she was so excited. I think she was more excited that I wouldn't be going
bear hunting for at least another year! I climbed down from my stand and grabbed the (2) dozen donuts that
I didn't’t put out as bait. Thrilled I drove to where my cousin and both our Dad’s work. As we ate
donuts, I recounted the story and afterwards my cousin helped me to retrieve the bear. He
weighed over 200lbs, around here they say this is an average bear, but he’s a trophy to me! He
was my first bear and my first archery kill and hopefully not the last! It may look small next to me
in the photograph….. But I'm 6'8" and 275 lbs!
the backside of his property feeding deer. Then one day the feeder was gone, all that was left were the
legs. We found the bucket about 50 yards away and empty. It did have around 100 lbs of corn in it. So we
started baiting for bears, which is legal where we're from. We had anywhere from 5 to 7 bears hitting the
bait. I had gone out and sat on the stand three previous times but was never able to stay late into the
afternoon. I'd only seen one small bear come in and believe I was busted two other occasions by the wind
even after using Scent Killer.
On Monday October 9th I left work early, with every intention of returning, to go bait since I was planning to
hunt a late afternoon that week. I took my bow "just in case." While I was dumping bait I heard something
walking on the dry leaves in the thick brush. I quickly and quietly got up in my stand. About ten minutes
later he walked out and went straight for the unfinished bait pile. What seemed like an eternity was only
about 2 or 3 minutes before he gave me a broadside shot. I double lunged him at 17 yards. After he was hit
he instantly turned and ran right for the tree I was in then veered off about 5 yards from it. Yes, I did think
about bailing!! And yes I did have to check my shorts afterwards. He went 40 yards into a nearby dry creek
bed, stumbled, fell over and started to moan. I was already shaking from the rush and that just made the
hair on the back of my neck stand up. I stayed up in my stand for 45 minutes. Keeping my eyes on him the
whole time. I called my wife from my spot and told her I had a bear on the ground. She thought I was lying to
her! After I finally convinced her, she was so excited. I think she was more excited that I wouldn't be going
bear hunting for at least another year! I climbed down from my stand and grabbed the (2) dozen donuts that
I didn't’t put out as bait. Thrilled I drove to where my cousin and both our Dad’s work. As we ate
donuts, I recounted the story and afterwards my cousin helped me to retrieve the bear. He
weighed over 200lbs, around here they say this is an average bear, but he’s a trophy to me! He
was my first bear and my first archery kill and hopefully not the last! It may look small next to me
in the photograph….. But I'm 6'8" and 275 lbs!
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| FIRST Season - FIRST Archery Bear! Bobby Tedder |
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