Saturday, september 11th, it was a beautiful evening, warm and no wind. sitting in the same tree burning molasses in a coffee can, the lack of wind is proven by the fact that the smoke from the molasse burn is rising straight into air, not even a slight breeze. i'm enjoying the end to a nice day. i notice a chipmunk playing behind me, for entertainment i start watching him between discouraging glances and stairs at the bait (the bait that the 'damn bear' is hitting during the night.
after about an hour in the stand, i turned once again to look at the chipmunk and standing in it's place was a black bear (not a sound was made by him, the night was so calm i could hear the chipmunk playing in the leaves, but never heard a sound of the bear).
the first thing i noticed was how small his ears were in relation to his head, i knew it was a nice bear. he stood on the edge of the brush for a few seconds then takes about 5 steps forward and stops behind a pine tree, (he's on my right side and i shoot right handed). i keep thinking, should i shoot lefty? he again takes 3-4 steps forward and again stops, he looks in my direction (under my stand, but doesn't look up) i'm thinking "it's all over, he's going to turn and run into the woods, i need to shoot him left handed". he returns his attention to the molasses burn and walks within a foot of it. i look through my scope and only see black, i think "damn it, he's too close" (20 feet). i open my left eye while looking through the scope and that helps me see where i'm shooting, i squeeze the trigger, BOOM, he drops right there. the death moan sent chills up my spine. after a few seconds i realize he is'nt going anywhere and call the wife on the cell to tell her the news.
225 lb field dressed boar (we figure close to 300 live weight). the adrenaline rush was like nothing i've ever experienced in my life, shooting my first deer was'nt even close.
thank you to everyone who helped me keep the faith.
