I thought I would put up a post about the Bear and Buck I took. Nothing special, but the bear was in the same canyon I got one in last year. Same color, (cinnamin), and same size, about 150 lbs. I have a feeling they dont geet too big up there. I think there is a limited food supply. It was at about 4000 ft., just like last year. I had my morning constitutional on top of a clear cut, about 100 yds from where my buddy and I parked the truck. I walked about 40 yds along the top edge of the clear cut when I heard something in the bushes. It was a bear walking twords my improvised toilet. I watched him for a bit then took a 40 yd shot between the shoulders and through the lungs. 375 Whelen Imp, 270 Barnes XLC, 59 gr. 4895, 2485 fps, 20" barrel. It was awsome. He scrambled down about 25 yds, then let out the moan.

Opening day for Buck was OCT 4th. My buddy and I went to the same place as last year. I took the 375 Whelen Imp. My 458 WSM is almost done, but I was waiting for the rear sight. We walked a bit through the woods then seperated when we got into some deer. About 3 miles from the truck, I passed by a doe. A half mile later, I was way out there in a rocky maze, and a buck bounces right in front of me broadside about 30 yds up. He went into the bushes and trees. I saw a opening where he would by going through, so I put my scope there waiting for him. He got in my crosshairs, and I shot. I missed him clean. No lead. The next day I went out to the same spot. I was alone. I could hear a deer up ahead of me as I walked, slower this time. I saw the same buck I missed the day before pass in front of me just like the day before. I held my fire. I kept on going, then turned around to catch my ride. On the way back, I was in the same spot I just saw the buck, and he popped up 20 yds in front of me for less than 2 seconds. I took a shot off the hip and missed by 6". I saw the bullet hit a log. He was gone. So the next Saturday, I was determined to get him. I had invested in this buck. I had it out for him. I walked the same route, this time real slow. I walked up on two blacktail does eating their leaves. They saw me, but didn't care. I was less than 15 yds from them. I just watched then left slowly. I got down into the draw where my buddy and I had split up the week earlier. Same spot as the buck I missed on Sun. I heard a gun shot about 4-500 yds away. About 5 minutes later, the same buck came running twords me. I raised my rifle and shot it throught he lungs. It kept on going, so I shot it again through the shoulders. I didn't want to track it or have another hunter shoot at it. Well, He was a 2x3 blacktail with eyeguards. Very nice and healthy. 89 lbs on the hook, bone and meat, no head. My taxidermist friend says he was 150 or so on the hoof, and measuring its skull, said it was a very big buck, (for a blacktail) with non branching geans. I have pictures on it on my website in the photo gallery. I forgot to mention that my buddy got a forky the opening morning, on his way back to the truck. When I took my deer back to the car, there where a couple good guys there with a 3x4 same looks as mine. There's the story. I am still waiting for the bear pictures.

John:

Good to see you on here.

If anyone is interested John Noveske does some excellent rifle work. I have used him and highly recommend his work and his expertise.

Congrats John...

I hope i get a chance to get down there and hunt some blacktail before the season ends. Hunting the valley just doesnt compare to Jackson/Josephine county!