My friend operates Arrowhead Wilderness Lodge in Minnesota and he recently had me up for a bear hunt. This was the first time I've ever been up there and decided to go up early and help put out baits and stands for a few days. I really loved those woods. There were thousands of acres of thick forest and bears were hitting almost every bait so my hopes were high. We had a trail camera photo of a really big one 350lb.+ so I hunted that spot for a few days. The big boy never came in so I eventually decided to change stands. On the first afternoon on the new stand a bear came in. He was very reluctant to come in because the wind had my scent swirling around the area. He started to come in once but changed his mind and slipped off. Then he did the same thing a second time about 30 minutes later. I didn't have a good shot so I waited. Then he came in a 3rd time but spooked again. He stopped in a tiny opening about 15 yards away and I took the shot with my Smith & Wesson 629. He ran 12 yards and piled up. The 310 grain True Shot bullet blew through the shoulders and took out the heart. He weighed 250 lbs. and I couldn't be happier with him. The entire experience was awesome. My first bear in some beautiful country I had never seen before. Getting him with my pistol was icing on the cake.

Congratulations. My first bear was with a handgun as well.

I'm trying to figure out how to post photos. I'll get it eventually.

Congrats on a good trip and getting your bear.

Sounds fantastic. I'm envious of everyone on here with outfitter friends. Couldn't think of a better way to spend my days off than around a hunting camp! Looking forward to some pictures.

The frist bear is always exciting no matter the size.

Congrats!!!

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The frist bear is always exciting no matter the size.

This is so true!!

Congratulations! Now, where are the pictures???????

Trying to post a photo. [URL= ]pic 1[/URL]

It worked! Sorry for the delay but I'm a very slow learner. I'll try to get some more up.

The wolf track by my watch seemed pretty big to me. My watch is 1 3/4" across.

Now that is a fine bear, Arkie! Congratulations!! Thanks, for posting the pictures!

Congratulations on a great bear! Any taxidermy plans for the trophy? And it looks like a tasty dinner cooking on that grill; what is it?

Beautiful bear. Nice job.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by FFemt5287:
Congratulations on a great bear! Any taxidermy plans for the trophy? And it looks like a tasty dinner cooking on that grill; what is it?

Thanks guys. I plan on doing a shoulder mount and tanning the left-over hide. Th meat on the grill is the ribs. I put some dry rub on them and they were as good as any meat I've ever had.

I love black bear meat! It's actually very good!

I have eaten a couple of bears that size.

Very good eating.

Congratulations, well done.....

Very nice Bear.
Handguns always make em better!

OUTSTANDING. Bear with a handgun is definately on my bucket list.

Good Bear,I bowhunted for bear in Ontario. I heard the wolves howl,but never saw one. The pictures of the wolf are cool!Is there a season on wolves in Minnesota ?

Nice bear, congratulations and thanks for sharing the photos and story.

Congrats on a geat bear

Very nice bear..and with a handgun yet. Congrats. Hey Tembo...me, you and gunner on an Alaskan black bear hunt(or anywhere else good)...lets git'er done

Woody That sounds fun. Let me talk to Gunner.

Cool, thanks for sharing the pictures. I love to bear hunt.

Nice bear with your handgun. I have taken a few with my handguns as well. Always fun when it is up close, and with a handgun.

looks like a good hunt.. very well done, and a good meal ...
please remember, we've got pigs MUCH bigger than this, here in texas.. 357's will do a number on them

Jeff remember bears can climb trees.

Nice bear, good shooting.

The S&W 44 Magnum is a hard handgun to beat, everything considered.

quote:

Originally posted by J_Zola:
Jeff remember bears can climb trees.

aww, shucks, I am just funnin him --

quote:

Originally posted by Rgp332:
Good Bear,I bowhunted for bear in Ontario. I heard the wolves howl,but never saw one. The pictures of the wolf are cool!Is there a season on wolves in Minnesota ?

They are supposed to have a season this year. I would love to hunt one of them.