Just got back from My Idaho Black Bear Hunt. There were 6 of us hunting bear over bait. Everyone but one saw bear but they were very wary. All baits but one were being hit, either at night or durring the middle of the day. I shot a bear on the first evening hunt in the same place I got my bear there last year. I was the only one to get a bear.

I was using my Blaser K-95 single shot in 308 with Federal Factory 180 gr. Woodleigh Soft Point. I got to the stand kind of late about 520pm but saw a bear at 535pm. He was there for about 30 min. I took some pictures but did not shoot him. I guessed his weight at about 175lbs. I had been told that a bigger bear had been "comming" around. After he left I tried to kick myself without falling out of the stand for not shooting him, as his hide was perfect and I had 2 bear tags. I think it was the same bear that came back right near dusk. He too was wary and actually laid down where I could not get a good shot at him about 25 yards away. He finally came into the bait at near dark. I had been hunting with iron sights but had I put the scope on the rifle a little before dusk [Ziess 3x9 1" tube]. I had the best combination of visibility at about 5x. I shot him just behind the shoulder at 18 to 20 yards. He ran a short distance and slid down hill about 35 yards or so from where he was shot. The Woodleigh SP hit right on a rib causing a 2 1/2x2" entrance wound into the ribcage and exited causing a 1 1/2x1" exit wound on the opposite side. The hole in the hide was smaller. It messed up his lungs pretty good. My buddies tied his feet together and carried him out of the woods "Africa" style. Back in camp he weighed 185lbs with a perfect black coat. This is the only bear I saw.

I cooked a neck roast in camp a day or two later and it was very good. I took all the fat to a lady who runs a hotel in Elk City. I sent some of the meat back to Ohio with my buddies and brought the rest home.

It is kind of exciting tracking a bear in the dark with a single shot rifle.

Congratulations, NE 450! Where were you hunting? I've hunted that Elk City, Red River Hot Springs area, too. That's good bear and elk country. (Some moose in there, too.)

Did you see any elk??

L.W.

We were hunting about 30 to 45 minutes up the Darby Montana road from the ranger station. I have heard elk bugle but I have not seen any. I have seen pictures of elk killed in that area and they were some nice ones.

NE 450, thanks, I know about where you were. I've driven the "old Montana Road" you were on, all the way to the Montana line. Beautiful country.

Good luck on your next hunt.

L.W.