Bear in his Sights

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 7/18/2019 | J Lund

[w1n1]

A Hunter's Encounter with a Stealthy Bruin - We dropped anchor and casually glassed the shores as we readied our gear. “Bear.” Tony was right; there was a nice bear on the beach just off the bow. It was feeding in front of a small island at the tip of a tidal flat. We quickened our pace, dropped into the raft and motored toward shore.
It was just before 5 p.m. on a Friday evening, so we had more time that night plus the entire next day, so when this bear spooked, and spook it would, there would be other chances. But by the time we were halfway to the shore, the bear was still there, busy eating mussels and partly blocked by a few rocks.

We made shore, tied up the raft and ranged it at 260. It sat down, gazing directly in our direction. It was big and had a noticeable rub between its eyes, but not wanting to take that shot, we backed up and closed the gap by sneaking back into the woods.

When I crawled out to take the shot, it was gone. No big deal. There was still time. Tony and I sat at the edge of the tide’s reach – mostly hidden by trees – for an hour.
Shortly after Tony went back to check on the raft as the tide continued to rise, the bear emerged from the island. There were 50 yards of grass between the bear and the protection of the forest. He walked behind a fallen tree and only paused when he was directly behind the root wad. I had no shot. He walked out from behind the roots but didn’t stop. Sensing something was wrong, he scampered the rest of the way and disappeared. I didn’t really do anything wrong.

I was happy I didn't force a shot, but couldn't help but feel that seeing that bear twice and not getting a shot would doom the trip for me.

MAKING MISTAKES
Knowing why you screw up is important. Not just in decision making but also in a mechanical, routine sense. My lack of patience has ruined stalks on steelhead, deer and bear. I was determined to be dialed in and do what was necessary.
So the next day, when Tony dropped me off at the same spot before he motored to the opposite side of the bay to sit and I saw a bear, I was ready to shoot. I worked through the same trees I had the previous day. I was on the edge of the shore and the bear was still there, standing. But the wind was bad.
I couldn’t even find a clearing for a shot before the wind hit its nose and it retreated into the woods. Two bears; three chances; no shots. Read the rest of bear in his sights.

[Bonemaker]

Jesus, from the excerpt I was cheering for the bears and waiting for someone else to have to finish the column with “sad” news about author!