jimpok61

Tried that one on my bride. She scoffed, " I'd rather you go after that D.C. deer", I replied," OK Dear"! Funny, to keep the peace around here I find myself repeating that response, OFTEN!

Buckfevr

Pull out the 44 mag Ruger Redhawk and explain to her that there is nothing to worry about.

AKDoug

Just tell her that people live all over the country with bears right in their back yards. They aren't exactly devouring us. I average about 6 bears in my yard every year. A pair of cubs did try to eat my dog once, though.

4 years ago my 3 y.o. son walked around the back of my store right into the lap of a grizzly. The next thing I saw was a bear doing about 30 mph through my parking lot. The bear was more scared of the kid than I would have ever believed.

I'm a believer that when your time comes, it's all over. Regardless of what kills you. Frankly, way more guys are killed falling out of tree stands than being killed by bears.

silentassassin

I would just tell her that I wasn't asking for her permission.

RiverBottomBowHunter

Its easier to ask for forgivness after the hunt than to ask for permission before.

benhuntin

Just tell her that Dave goes bare hunting all the time there in Florida and the worse thing that ever happens is a few briar scratches in some unmentionable places.[&:]


If shes anything like my wife, it doesnt matter who tells her its safe. She wont change her mind. My wife freaks out everytime I mention getting a motorcycle.[:'(]



Good luck

ArcticBowMan

Show her these pics, she'll really love letting you go play with bears then! These pictures hurt for me to see, this was a legal bear in season, but they just switched my area to drawing, so I couldn't take him. Got lots of great video and pictures though.

Scott Sullivan

Thanks for all the responses. Silentassasin, your thoughts were exactly along my lines of thought. I told her I AM going. I think she realizes this but will not agree with it. That's all right, as if my addiction during archery deer season wasn't enough to get her ticked off at me all ready. It doesn't matter, she'll be a bit pissed at me but it won't be the first time . I'll be there in Sept. and I'll take the heat when the time comes. (Isn't that what mariage is all about, Hehehehe.) It's just a matter now of getting out there to where my parents live and doing some scouting and hopefully finding a productive area. I'll keep you all posted and let you know what I come up with. I wish handguns were allowed with me here in Ma. but I believe they are not. Now the big question is, "How do I get it out of there whole by myself? . I'll figure it out though. I may have a friend who is interested in joining me and he weighs in at about 275 lbs and pretty much all muscle. I'll keep working on getting him to join me and help me drag it the hell out of there. Take care all, Scott.

ArcticBowMan

Don't drag it. Go to a taxidermist and learn the cuts you need to make on the bear for what type of mount you want. If you are getting a rug made, learn where to make the cuts up the arms, and you can usually take the hide and head out in one pack. Leave the ankles and the head attached to the hide if you aren't familiar with turning toes, ears, lips, nose, and eyes, as these details will show on your mount when finished. If you decide to drag, bring a sled or something to put the bear on, you don't want to rub any hair off, as that will show on the mount as well. It took three of us to carry my first bear 200 yards from the woods to the boat, but we had to stop frequently because of its weight, and they are awkward to carry.

You might consider bringing a pack frame or two along with you. You can skin the bear out in the field and put the head and hide in one pack, and the quarters and back straps in the other pack, that way you can get in and out of there, and not have to leave anything out in the field.

Scott Sullivan

Hi Arcticbowman, If I remember reading the rules correctly, the bear has to be checked in whole, just gutted. That's where my problem lies. If I could quarter it and take it out in pieces then I wouldn't have a problem. But bringing a whole bear is what worries me. I don't worry that much if the bear is under 200 lbs. My last deer I dragged was 167 lbs gutted and while it was alot of trouble to get out (I was about 1 mile + from the car I made it without too much trouble. I'm just concerned if I get a whopper (200+ lbs). I read that a 400 lb'er was taken this year and I don't know what I'll do if by some chance I get that lucky (or unlucky :-)) It doesn't really matter though. Where there's a will there's a way. I probably will try a sled or one of those wheelbarrel type setups (I don't recall what they are called). My first concern is getting an arrow through a bear and then I'll get it out of there somehow. Take care, Scott.