Hunting Forum

Just got back from a few days retreat at the camp in the southern Adirondacks. It was a bit brisk in the mornings so I went out and started a fire right after I'd turned the coffeepot on.

Got a real nice fire goin', went into the trailer and got a cup and went out by the firepit and had a seat.

I was by myself so just sitting there enjoying the peace and quiet  of being in the woods.

All of the sudden, I see something moving behind the trailer in the back yard. So the trailer is between me and the back yard on the other side of the fire. 

All of the sudden, around the corner comes this black bear. Now, I'm no expert on guessing weights but it that SOB wasn't at LEAST 500-550, I'll eat someones shorts! (preferably J-lo's )

Ok, I have a 12 guage with me as I never go to camp without it.  Where is it?  In the trailer, of course! (remember, hadn't had coffee yet and it was VERY early)

So anyhow, it came around the end, up on the deck, sniffed the bear-proof garbage can, walked down to the other end of the deck (about 40 feet) and then looked directly at me. Now, I ain't moved!  It stood there for a few minutes and then just sauntered off into the woods behind the trailer.

No freekin' camera either!  Sure got my heart goin' though. It was one big mutha bear! (at least for the NE)

Sounds like he just wanted a fresh cup of coffee!!

dunno Jeff but it was a very interesting encounter. I grew up in NW PA and we had a camp in the Allegheny Mountains and we had blackies everywhere so I'm kinda used to them. Thing that got me about this one was how freekin' big he was. I knew there were some large bears around there but had never encountered one.

Yep, they've  been know to grow a tad big up North!!
 Last time I saw a blackie was when I was dragging a deer out of the DEP property along the Ashokan in 2006.  Saw the cub 1st, then concerned about where momma was!  Luckily, she popped up behind her cub.  We all decided to head our separate ways!
 They took a couple of black bears here in Columbia County last year, 1st year the season was open.

This happened in Stratford, NY. We're about 30 minutes north of the Thruway at Little Falls.

I have a DEP Permit but other than fishing the reservoirs have been a bit leery about hunting on 'em.
A lot of pressure? I hear there are some nice walleye in the Ashokan, ever do any fishing there?

I didn't see a lot of pressure the times I went. Mostly I did bow. No fishing, but had a friend who used to fish there. He said the "upper" Ashokan was his favorite, usually for small mouths.

Dang Steve, I doubt you needed any coffee to wake up after that. I would guess it took a bit to even be able to hold a cup without spilling it all. I know know it would have taken me a while. 40 ft is way to close as far as I'm concerned.

Well, let's just say I didn't need the java to wake up. I really wasn't afraid per se, alert as h3ll and if I'da made a noise and moved it probably would have run but I wasn't gonna chance it.  I think maybe I need to set up a game camera on the deck!

Here's a pic from about how far I was, but the firepit is more to the right.

Looks like a nice set up.

hey steve i know what ya mean, for the last 2 weeks or so we have had a sow and cub here in our neighborhood, mostly looking for garbage cans, but i think once the berries get a bit riper she will take her young and go higher for them! she was 3 doors down 2 nights ago, and my dogs have been going off alot lately so she may smell the dry cob i feed the deer!! glad my knee dont allow me to go for night walks anymore!! ROFL!!!

Nice camp, Steve. Anytime ya need company up there, ya can always give me a shout!!

Thanks guys. Just got back. Didn't make an appearance this weekend. Getting a bit nippy at night up there. Fall's just around the corner.

Jeff; I should probably know this and probably did but just don't remember... where ya located?

Just a bit north of you, Steve. I'm in Taghkanic. And once again, no DMP's for my side of the Taconic Parkway (4Z)!!

That sux Jeff, I wonder why not.... certainly not due to a lack of deer!

im in Russell NY and we have seen some big bears up here St.Lawrece county is crawlin with them . a good way to judge the size is by the nose if it has a long nose and jaw line not to big, but if the nose look short and stout like a stove pipe hes a big guy. smart to stand your ground by the way. id do the same thing