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comment by mk
mk  ·  4003 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Nick Heil: Shoot or Spray: The Best way to Stop a Charging Bear

I've come across black bears in the wild, but thankfully never a grizzly. Personally, I'd just rather use bear spray because I'd hate to kill a bear.

Not to dish on that guy, but AFAIK most 'bear hunting' simply entails baiting the bear with some food, and waiting in a tree stand to kill it when it comes to eat. IMHO the bad ass hunters are turkey hunters. Turkeys are smart and really tough to stalk. You also have to often call them in, and worry about the wind, etc., which requires a lot of skill. I'm sure dropping a bear with a bow isn't too easy, however.

As an aside, I've eaten bear meat, and it is some of the most rank shit that I've ever put in my mouth. Just plain awful. Not even a flavorfull stew could mask its nastiness. I imagine people would taste better.





thenewgreen  ·  4003 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I would agree that baiting an animal and then shooting it would require little skill or courage. Unless it was a bear and unless you were using a long-bow. NOT a compound bow. I'd also be shocked if he didn't stalk and kill the bear. This guy was a purist and was attempting to recreate a type of hunting that no longer occurs. I'd also be shocked if he didn't eat the bear. He seemed the type that had a "code" about such things.

mk  ·  4003 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I'd also be shocked if he didn't stalk and kill the bear.

That would be badass, but I would be just as shocked if he did. I can't imagine trying to sneak up on a grizzly with a bow. That would be crazy reckless. You'd basically have one shot, and the conditions might really suck.

thenewgreen  ·  4003 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Pre-children, unmarried and just returned from 'nam. I'm not sure if he stalked or not but he did describe it has having "one shot," that I recall.