Well,

Last night was the night. I finally landed a beaver!  Chuck and Mike have been great guides and fellow hunters.

I skinned it out today and will try to get it to the tanners sometime this week.

Right now it's late. Tomorrow I'll try to get some pics up and the story of the hunt. I have to say that I am pumped!

Glad to hear it, Curlis. Just landed yourself one of the toughest animals you can take with a bow...  

CONGRATULATIONS BILL!!!!!!!!!!    

Glad to see your having fun out there    

(We sure do miss ya though)

I'm looking forward to the story, Bill    

Congrats    

Congrats Bill!!!!!! Way to go!!!!!!

How bout some pics!

Jake

Congratulations!!

Congrats!

Moyle in Heyburn ID did my last hide-came out perfect

Bumped one off a number of years ago.  The hide is still on display on my TV with a bear skull on it. Caught it sitting on the side of it's dam, hit it right square through the pump room and it literally died on impact.  I was very surprised...

Congratulations Bill! Did you use your pretty Widdo I saw at Golden Arrow? When you get rested we'd like the story. Frank

Talked to Bill before he went out,It was just a matter of time.I gave him a few pointers on shooting and told him to pick a spot and concentrate LOL Bill you old Dog first you shoot a black bear in new york and now beavers in Cal,Way to go.  

I'd be careful about bragging rights on shooting fur bearers. Depends on where you are from. I know a guy who got into deep doodoo in a state where it is illegal to shoot fur bearing species. Its unlawful in many states.

Your right Gene....I hope he's talking about the wild furry ones because Bill is married.....

I understand it is legal to shoot beaver in CA but you can't trap them. Here in NY you can trap them but hunting them is not allowed. Any how Curlis congratulations on the beaver i wish we could bow hunt them.

Gene,  like you said,  in some states, you may not have the priviledge of hunting them!   In California,  we do!       Congrats to you Bill!

Mike G and Mr. Chuck have been kind enough to include me in one of the most exciting hunting experiences that I've ever had. Beaver here in California have a hunting season but not a trapping season.

They are very hard to recover.  I have been out four times and have shot 7 of them but I finally recovered one this past Sat. night.

The moon was not out so it was darker than the past nights I have been out with the guys. They have been very good at giving me the opportunity to land one.  It has kind of been a running joke weather or not I would get one in the boat.

We got to the boat landing and had no keys for the boat. Back to the house. No keys, they were in Chuck's jacket pocket all the time. LOL

I thought that was good luck for me. I'm usually the one to do something like that. LOL

We saw a few beaver but not the action that we usually see. Then we went to "action island" right away we were into the beavers. After Mike's turn it was my turn.  We came around the corner and there was a big fat beaver sitting on some river weeds. He had his head down and didn't even know we were there. I took the shot and hit it a little low. He stayed on the weeds. We could tell he didn't feel well and he wasn't sure what to do. I had to decide if I was going to shoot him again. I've shot them twice in the past and had them jump into the river!

Finally I decided to put another one in him. He was starting to sink through the weeds. We were very close and I could pretty much deside where to shoot him. I made a good shot and he flipped over on his back and started to give the death kick. Mike played the hero and reached down to grab him. That's pretty scary considering he was still chopping his teeth!

Finally I had one in the boat! I told Mike on the way home It sure was good to get that monkey off my back. I would like to thank Mike and especially Chuck for taking me along with them and trying so hard to get one for me.
Mike and Chuck



The happy beaver man.

Here are some pictures of the beaver before I skinned him.
 
Look at those teeth!

 

The entry hole of the fatal shot.

 
Entry hole of the first shot.

 

For those interested,  Ca. does offer a license for trapping using certain kinds of traps.   Body & limb crushing type traps are prohibited, period.

well done bill.

Damn, I thought this post was about something else!