Post by tuketu on Feb 3, 2016 10:48:35 GMT -4
Patience is the Key
Patience cannot be over emphasized. It’s hard not to get excited, especially when your first bear comes in.
The first thing you are going to need to do is size up the animal. If using a barrel , what is it's size in relation to the barrel? Is it taller or longer than your barrel? Could you stuff it in the barrel? Is it's back higher than the flagging tape you have wrapped to a tree? Do the ears look big and close together or are they small and far apart? Is it fat and pot bellied or have a slender look?
So now you’ve determined whether or not it’s a shooter. This is where you’re patients will be tested.
You"ll need to compose yourself - trust me you will ! Take a deep breath and concentrate on making a good shot ... remembering ... (Middle of the Middle). If bow hunting mentally and methodically walk yourself thru Draw, Anchor, Release. It will be a waiting game, if you are quiet and still the bear will eventually come into the barrel. It may make several exploratory attempts before committing to come in to the bait and will be wary of other bears being around the site. The bears demeanor may also indicate a larger more dominant bear nearby. By this time, your hearts will be pumping, but you must be patient, wait for the best shot opportunity! If you don't feel you have a good broadside shot or feel rushed because you think he/she is leaving don't take the shot. If he runs off that's ok, 99% of the time they'll come back, usually within minutes. Once the bear returns to the bait and feels relaxed it will be preoccupied with the bait. It will snack a bit but be ever vigilant of its surroundings. This allows time you to make slight adjustments to ready for the shot you have been mentally preparing yourself for.
Once broadside and looking away take your shot !
Hopefully the more bears you see the more comfortable you'll become. Not to say you won't still get excited but once you size up a non shooter there's a lot you can learn from just watching them , so don't be in a hurry to shoot the first bear that comes in ... Papa bear might not be far behind. Smaller bears can be a good indicator of a bigger bear when they suddenly tear off at a dead run.
Patience, patience, patience ... will reward you !
tuk
Patience cannot be over emphasized. It’s hard not to get excited, especially when your first bear comes in.
The first thing you are going to need to do is size up the animal. If using a barrel , what is it's size in relation to the barrel? Is it taller or longer than your barrel? Could you stuff it in the barrel? Is it's back higher than the flagging tape you have wrapped to a tree? Do the ears look big and close together or are they small and far apart? Is it fat and pot bellied or have a slender look?
So now you’ve determined whether or not it’s a shooter. This is where you’re patients will be tested.
You"ll need to compose yourself - trust me you will ! Take a deep breath and concentrate on making a good shot ... remembering ... (Middle of the Middle). If bow hunting mentally and methodically walk yourself thru Draw, Anchor, Release. It will be a waiting game, if you are quiet and still the bear will eventually come into the barrel. It may make several exploratory attempts before committing to come in to the bait and will be wary of other bears being around the site. The bears demeanor may also indicate a larger more dominant bear nearby. By this time, your hearts will be pumping, but you must be patient, wait for the best shot opportunity! If you don't feel you have a good broadside shot or feel rushed because you think he/she is leaving don't take the shot. If he runs off that's ok, 99% of the time they'll come back, usually within minutes. Once the bear returns to the bait and feels relaxed it will be preoccupied with the bait. It will snack a bit but be ever vigilant of its surroundings. This allows time you to make slight adjustments to ready for the shot you have been mentally preparing yourself for.
Once broadside and looking away take your shot !
Hopefully the more bears you see the more comfortable you'll become. Not to say you won't still get excited but once you size up a non shooter there's a lot you can learn from just watching them , so don't be in a hurry to shoot the first bear that comes in ... Papa bear might not be far behind. Smaller bears can be a good indicator of a bigger bear when they suddenly tear off at a dead run.
Patience, patience, patience ... will reward you !
tuk