Look what I called up...

Birdbow · May 17, 2018, 04:45:55 PM

After setting the dekes and popping the blind, I started calling. 30 minutes later look who showed up...[attachment=1]
Have had encounters with sows and cubs turkey hunting over the years but this guy REALLY got my attention.
He smelled the decoys and stared me down in the blind from 4 yards. I was considering my options and didn't have my
bear spray, had grown lazy about it. Now it's back in my vest....

Pine · May 17, 2018, 04:49:09 PM

I never thought of using a turkey call for bears, I might have to try that next month.

Rough Run · May 17, 2018, 05:05:27 PM

That sure is a big, ol' thick one!

Alexander Traditional · May 17, 2018, 05:15:46 PM

That's cool! I would've been quaking in my boots.

Birdbow · May 17, 2018, 05:30:28 PM

Rough Run,
Have seen a couple more bears here this spring and all were FAT. Last year had a banner year for mast (Soft & hard) so they all went into winter carrying extra lbs. Coupled with a fairly easy winter they'll have to get out the jogging shoes

Biathlonman · May 17, 2018, 06:43:07 PM

You don't need spray, you need a bear tag.

kadbow · May 17, 2018, 06:48:18 PM

Cool, I love close encounters.

Possum Head · May 17, 2018, 08:49:32 PM

4 yards may as well be 4 inches with that big ole dude. You've got more nerves than me

Trenton G. · May 17, 2018, 09:22:39 PM

Very cool! The possibility of calling in a bear did cross my mind briefly this spring. All I got were raccoons...

BowMIke · May 17, 2018, 11:15:00 PM

WOW! I hope I can see a bear that big when I'm up bear hunting at Stickflingers the first week of June! He really is carrying some weight. Nice big head too.

Ray Lyon · May 17, 2018, 11:29:34 PM

wow, that's a story for sure. Great looking bear

Steve Leffler · May 18, 2018, 08:29:53 AM

Really cool. 4 yards is great for turkeys but I'm thinking that is a little too close for that guy! Great pic and story.

Buckeye1977 · May 18, 2018, 09:09:12 AM

Wow he's a big one!

YosemiteSam · May 18, 2018, 11:14:47 AM

My heart was thumping with a tom at 4 yards. I can't imagine how I'd feel with a nice big bear like that at 4 yards. Might have flung a blunt at him at 15 just to remind him to be cautious of humans. Or to make myself feel big for a second.

kennym · May 18, 2018, 12:08:16 PM

That is really cool since everybody minded their manners!!

amicus · May 18, 2018, 03:16:54 PM

Good looking bear.

Bowguy67 · May 18, 2018, 09:07:28 PM

Idk we've got a million bears around here. Never seen one go after a turkey. Never heard of it either. Don't know if it was actually called up or just wandered through and caught an odd scent on the deke.
I've had em at 4 yards as well boring a hole through me. I don't think it was more than trying to decipher what we were. My daughter was I think 13, it nerved her up enough she missed him at ten yards and she can shoot her bow. She even had a hard time getting to full draw. Great story for her though as I'm sure for you

Cyclic-Rivers · May 19, 2018, 08:02:29 AM

Cool encounter. Beautiful bear

Birdbow · May 19, 2018, 08:41:28 AM

Bowguy67,
I agree. It's the rut and he probably came by happenstance and got curious. However, maybe my calling was so bad and weak he thought there was an easy snack waiting!

Bowguy67 · May 19, 2018, 10:07:39 AM

Some birds have really weak calling so it wouldn't matter. Either way I'm sure you're calling is fine, your handle is birdbow. You must have taken a few.
I've killed many, never one w bow. Don't know why as a kid I tried but that was in the early 80s. Maybe tomo I was thinking last night. Already taken a few this spring w a spear! Just kidding I took them w gun