ruttinbuc Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Really sorry to hear that, Steve. I can relate to the thick in that part of the world. My biggest fear in Alaska was hitting one and not being able to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Sorry to hear that my friend. Part of hunting and the sad part you keep reliving in your mind on what you could have done different. Wish you continued success in your future hunts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 We know what losing an animal is like and though it's no fun...for sure it could have turned out much worse if the Bear got ahold of you. When all the leaves are off you might find something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iabow Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Keep your chin up Buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hey Steve, I feel your pain, bud. I still can't figure out how I lost that first doe. :no: I still haven't washed off the arrow and it is coated in good blood. She just disappeared! If an animal can disappear on the sage brush flats of Wyoming then I'm sure a bear on Vancouver Island has no trouble in disappearing in the thick cover. Hey, you might find him tomorrow too! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sureshot Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 sorry steve,don't let yourself get down, crap happens, the main thing is you did what you can to get him and it was a ethical shot, I think what gets most hunters mad when animals are lost is those 60 yard shots and then loose a animal, when there was a good shot and the time was put in to do the best to find him that is all that can be done!!the thing that makes you a exellant hunter and great person is you feel bad, and thats enough feeling bad stop it and think of that b&c YOU WILL TAKE THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I hate losing an animal. I even cirled back to check out a realy good blood sign from yesterday where the bear had stopped, and left a puddle. There was nothing there...all washed out. If it hadn't rained like it did yesterday, just after I made the shot, I'd have him. I just know it. All I can hope for now is to find him later and at least get his skull, and a few body parts for a souvenir . I'll be looking for birds for the next little while. It's so thick in spots there that even a dead bear can hide from the birds. I did find out where a lot of bears are hanging out down by the river though. It is so thick in there, that it's downright unnerving . Edited September 18, 2009 by buckee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyohunter Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 heck buckeroo you did more than allot of people would, sometimes it just wasnt meant to be...yes its a shame because you know its dead, but too many factors were working against the recovery.. chin up, we all still love ya man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Hey don't sweat it Steve. I shot a doe in the EXACT same place 2 years ago with a 12 ga. slug. She was so close that I saw the slug come out behind the ribs. I lost her with snow on the ground. She dribbled a little bit of blood at the start and that was it. She was running with 10 other deer and her tracks eventually blended in with the others. To this day I cannot comprehend how that shot missed so many vitals. Like you I said to myself, that animal is just over the noll. So don't beat yourself up. Personally I see this as shot as self defense. What's up with all these animals attacking you? :clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Personally I see this as shot as self defense. What's up with all these animals attacking you? :clown: Yeah Steve...what is up with being attacked all the time? How big is that beard of yours? Could you have been considered a color phase mate in the bear eyes?:clown: Don't sweat the loss Steve, anyone who has bowhunted has been down the road your on. When the woods get a bit more open, I bet you'll find it. Keep swinging kid:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Tough loss Steve. Unfortunately it comes with all hunting, no matter the great lengths we go to to keep it from happening. Your true sportsmanship and love for the outdoors shines through in times like these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Tough break Steve, but we all know it happens. Hope you have better luck next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Man that is too bad Steve. Happens to us all bud. Unfortunate how things go sometimes, rain washed out the blood on the fox I shot last year, and never found it. Really sorry to hear that, Steve. I can relate to the thick in that part of the world. My biggest fear in Alaska was hitting one and not being able to find it. The girls said the same thing Mike. Lots of vegetation can sure make it tough to find a downed animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) Yeah Steve...what is up with being attacked all the time? He wasn't attacking me. He was just cruising and we just surprised one another. It was just too dang close for comfort, and I reacted first. It was too late to go for the bear spray. Maybe I should have went for between the eyes at that range, but I know how dang tough a bear skull is. I feel bad that I had to make that particular shot at all. The girls said the same thing Mike. Lots of vegetation can sure make it tough to find a downed animal. It is incredibly thick this time of the year especially. If all the leaves were off, it would help. But they ain't . All I can dream about is bear and that burned-into-my-brain visual of the arrow in him. I'll just have to watch for the ravens, crows and vultures now, I guess. Edited September 18, 2009 by buckee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Sorry for your loss Steve, but as everyone else has stated, we've all been there. Maybe the birds will show up sooner rather than later and you can still salvage something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Sorry to hear that buckee. Hang in there...it happens to the best of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 ...He was just cruising and we just surprised one another. It was just too dang close for comfort, and I reacted first. It was too late to go for the bear spray. Before you beat yourself up too much buddy need I remind you the Bear could have made the first move instead. Had you not been using your better judgement already(having your Bow drawn) this could have been a memorial thread. You did what you had to do....now go hunting again. If I lived closer I'd slap you on the back of the head and say... "Grab your hunting gear...last one to the blind in the hedgerow is a hoser":hammer1::clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Maybe next season you'll shoot a nice bear and find it had an arrow in its chest. You'll find it eventually or maybe it's still roaming around. I know how you feel though, but try to not let it get to you too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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