Bear Hunting

Bear Hunting - Nov 25 2013 - 2

Several weeks back I met up with my Hunting Partner, Troy, for a little Pheasant Hunting and Scouting around Hawk Mountain. As we walked around, Troy showed me an area where he came across a Black Bear while Deer Hunting. He told me to keep the area in mind for when Bear Season rolled around and we continued to look for Pheasants.

Last week marked the start of Bear Season here in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, my schedule and the weather didn’t offer any opportunities to get out with my bow. As quickly as it came, the week of Bear Archery was over and I hadn’t had plans to go out with a rifle for the remainder of the season (which ends this week).

Troy suggested we pass on Goose Hunting today, due to the weather, and instead head back out to Hawk Mountain to hunt Bear with a Rifle. I was loaned a rifle and we set out to harvest a bear. Neither of us had any luck but the experience was enjoyable, even if I was a little nervous hunting from the ground (I envisioned becoming the prey if a bear snuck up on me).

We are looking at some nasty weather this week, which doesn’t lend itself to Bear Hunting, so I don’t know that I’ll get back out to do it again before the season closes. We are planning on Duck and Goose Hunting later this week and I’m really looking forward to it (even if it will be very cold and wet). The more time I spend Goose Hunting, the more I like it. It probably has a lot to do with seeing Geese as opposed to sitting in a tree for hours and not seeing any sign of deer.

I have one Goose in my freezer and I’d really like to get another before Thanksgiving. I opted to breast out my first goose (the idea of putting it in a crock pot was very appealing). If I get one in time, I think I want to go the traditional route this time and cook it much like you would a Thanksgiving Turkey.

Bear Hunting - Nov 25 2013 - 4

Walt

Hi There, My name is Walt White and as the name of this blog suggests, I am a Pennsylvania resident. In addition to having numerous hobbies that I discuss on my blog - I’m also the father of three little girls and a pitbull.

6 thoughts on “Bear Hunting

  1. Glad to see you get into various hunting opportunities Walt! It is a very rewarding pursuit and one you can share & pass down for generations.

    1. Dale,
      I’m very fortunate to have met someone willing to teach a new hunter. I’ve been having a great time, even when I don’t come home with meat for the freezer.

      Killing my first Goose was a very rewarding experience. I felt very proud having provided food for my family.

      It’s been a while since we’ve talked last. How have you been? Have you gotten the chance to do any hunting lately?

  2. Hey Walt,
    I didn’t do much big game hunting this year, but got another preference point for next year’s Elk tag. Hoping to get a HUGE bull elk before get too old to hike the mountains.

    The geese are thick now in our area, so the hunting should be good for several weeks now. I try to get 20 or so in the freezer every season. Nothin’ better than decoying them in and dropping them right in your lap!

    As you get more geese, try making some goose jerky – best hunting/snacking food ever and easy to do.

    It’s going to start getting cold enough this week that Jake & I will start Coyote hunting soon. That should carry me well into March!

    1. Dale,
      On Monday, PA Rifle Season (Deer)opened and most hunting has closed to accommodate. I think Duck is still open, for the time being, but I don’t see me doing a whole lot of hunting until things kick back off after Christmas.

      We saw some Snow Geese on Saturday but they were way too high and moving with a purpose, we didn’t have a chance at calling them in. I’d love to put 20 Geese in the freezer this season but I doubt I’ll hit double digits. I don’t have a dehydrator but I’ve been looking into how to make Goose Jerky in the oven (seems easy enough) and I think I’m going to give that a try if/when I get another Goose.

    1. I borrowed the rife so I’m not positive but I think it was 30-30.

      The night before we went hunting, I picked up a slug barrel for my 12 gauge shotgun. I was thinking about using that but I didn’t have a chance to sight it in before we left.

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