Blueridge
Senior Member
Met Chris Horsman and his two buddies Rob and Josh from TN. After a short flight from Atlanta to Montreal we rented a van and drove through some beautiful country to the Mastigouche Reseve. Mastigouche is " back in there" and contains Moose, Geese, wolves, snowshoe hares , other assorted wildlife and more importantly a healthy Black Bear population . The cabins we stayed in were perfect for staying in the backwoods , nothing fancy but dry and warm. My hunt was short. Hunting bears over bait was something I had never done so my plan was to watch and learn for a few days. Didn't happen that way. I was dropped off at 4:40 pm and was hunting from a ladder about 8ft high. 10 minutes after I sat down I turned side saddle which is how I like to shoot, I hear a very loud and deep hiss 4 steps behind me, I slowly turn my head and there is a Bear standing up glaring at me. The bear dropped down and went straight to the bait and I got my breath back. I watched this bear for the next 21/2 hrs at the bait all of a sudden trees started shaking, teeth started pooping and a bear comes flying out of the brush hits my ladder stand and is on the other side of a huge spruce tree where my Black Widow longbow is hanging. I'm thinking
" not good, not good!!" Then I hear claws lock onto the big spruce the next thing I see is this bear coming up the tree real fast! Time seemed to slow way down, I looked around and grabbed the first weapon I could- my orange vest. I can still see the end of that vest drill that bear right between the eyes like a well placed arrow as I towel whipped 3 times. The bear then just let go of the tree like a mountain climber who has been "cut loose" it fell in the brush and I have no idea what happens to it. I was proud that I never did yell. The bear on the bait never moved. It's about 8:30 pm and all of sudden my bear takes off up the hill out of sight, I hear teeth popping, growling , snarling and woofing. This goes on for 10 or so minutes , I am really keyed up now and decide whatever comes back is the dominant bear. Sure enough it my bear! I had not yet decided sow? Or Boar? ( I really couldn't tell anyway)
I hit kill mode when the perfect shot appeared at 7 yards and I promptly shot right over the bears back by 1/2 inch. The bear took off and ran between two trees slightly quartered away, I don't remember nocking another arrow nor do I remember the draw or release, I just remember seeing my white nock disappear right where it should have. The bear huffed and took off breaking branches for 4-5 seconds, all got deathly quiet and then I heard the mournful " death moan." I smiled knowing that shot had been a good one, then HE stepped out. It was the boar the sow I had just killed had been fighting with. He was a bigger bear but I was happy with what I had, besides it would have been to dark to shoot him anyway. I would sit there until 11pm in pitch black darkness waiting to be picked up with NO flashlight and a boar slapping the bait barrel around only 8 or so yards away. The sound of Jerry's truck was indeed Heaven sent.
Jerry run a top notch operation, I can't say enough good things about him and the way he does things, he aims to show you a great time and that's exactly what I got. I am going back to Mastigouche with out a doubt.
Will add pics later. My Sow was at least 10-12 years and had a big head on her, a good mature animal.
" not good, not good!!" Then I hear claws lock onto the big spruce the next thing I see is this bear coming up the tree real fast! Time seemed to slow way down, I looked around and grabbed the first weapon I could- my orange vest. I can still see the end of that vest drill that bear right between the eyes like a well placed arrow as I towel whipped 3 times. The bear then just let go of the tree like a mountain climber who has been "cut loose" it fell in the brush and I have no idea what happens to it. I was proud that I never did yell. The bear on the bait never moved. It's about 8:30 pm and all of sudden my bear takes off up the hill out of sight, I hear teeth popping, growling , snarling and woofing. This goes on for 10 or so minutes , I am really keyed up now and decide whatever comes back is the dominant bear. Sure enough it my bear! I had not yet decided sow? Or Boar? ( I really couldn't tell anyway)
I hit kill mode when the perfect shot appeared at 7 yards and I promptly shot right over the bears back by 1/2 inch. The bear took off and ran between two trees slightly quartered away, I don't remember nocking another arrow nor do I remember the draw or release, I just remember seeing my white nock disappear right where it should have. The bear huffed and took off breaking branches for 4-5 seconds, all got deathly quiet and then I heard the mournful " death moan." I smiled knowing that shot had been a good one, then HE stepped out. It was the boar the sow I had just killed had been fighting with. He was a bigger bear but I was happy with what I had, besides it would have been to dark to shoot him anyway. I would sit there until 11pm in pitch black darkness waiting to be picked up with NO flashlight and a boar slapping the bait barrel around only 8 or so yards away. The sound of Jerry's truck was indeed Heaven sent.
Jerry run a top notch operation, I can't say enough good things about him and the way he does things, he aims to show you a great time and that's exactly what I got. I am going back to Mastigouche with out a doubt.
Will add pics later. My Sow was at least 10-12 years and had a big head on her, a good mature animal.
Real happy for you, John, and Chris!! Good Lord willing I will be there next year.
