Moose Droppings

Jordan’s first big game animal 203lb Black Bear Photo taken by Jordan’s Dad

Aroostook County Maine:

 He raised a few eyebrows just days before the opening of the Maine Bear season when he stated that he was going to get his bear on the opening morning. Those of us standing around recognized the excitement of youth with little experience hunting bears knowing that bear hunting over baits is an afternoon activity. Jordan’s dad, my brother, told me that recently the bears were coming to Jordan’s bait site shortly after he refreshed it each day. One morning a bear came in before he left so Jordan was sure he would get his first bear opening morning. So maybe the kid will show us all something.

Jordan’s quest for a bear began many months before when he contacted me about buying a 30/06 rifle from me. Jordan picked up odd jobs and saved his money to get a rifle. We arrived at a price that included some cash, a fishing pole, and some fiddleheads that I can’t find here in North Carolina. I arrived on the Sunday before the opener so after church on that day Jordan worked on sighting in his new rifle in preparation for his unusual hunt.

Opening morning Jordan and his Dad went to the ground blind at the bait site first thing. Jordan told me the story and I’ll do my best to recall it for you;

The first bears came in around 7 am it was a sow with a cub. The cub went right into the bait and started eating the sow was a bit more cautious. She did move some of the logs that allowed the cub to drop it’s whole head in the hole and chow down on the food. Jordan and his Dad had to fight back laughter as the cub’s backside bobbed up and down. Momma began working herself closer and closer to the blind and if she got much closer it would have been likely that Jordan would have to shoot her. ( a great benefit of hunting bears over baits is that hunters can be more selective and often avoid orphaning cubs) Luckily she turned away before that decision had to be made. With her being that close she must of smelled them or sensed something was out of place because she bounded back into the brush. The cub was a bit slow getting it’s head out of the ground so it lost sight of his momma in the early morning fog and the brush. The cub called out for it’s mother and the sow responded with some whuffs her self and off they were.

They could only hunt till 9am and about 8:50 Jordan pokes his dozing dad to show him that another bear has come in. This is a lone bear, Jordan’s Dad gets the shooting sticks up and Jordan lines up the shot and squeezes the trigger. The 30/06 roars as the 150 grain bullet finds it’s mark. The bear goes about 25 yards and piles up letting out it’s death moan.

Jordan like his older sister has entered the world of big game hunting with tagging as his first big game animal a black bear.

Kelsee first Big Game animal

In addition to taking a fine animal he also taught us seasoned hunters a thing or two as well, there is no such thing as a sure thing but if you pay attention to the details you might just tag out early.

I don’t know if anyone knows for sure but I got to believe that on opening day at 8:50 am that has to be one of the first bears taken in the 2006 Maine season. Congratulations Jordan and thanks for the fiddleheads.

Did you enjoy this article? Check out these:

• Blizzard Hit’s DC / OSHA buried under Gun Owner’s Responses Rethinks Rules
• Forget the Lemonade Stand
• Update on Wildlife Art Contest for Kids
• One of a Kind Lake in North Carolina
• Looking Back
• Fort McHenry Is Correct
• Where Has Moose Been?
• Pistol Packing Miss America Refuses to be A Victim
• Hunting Classes
• US Navy Willing to Gamble On Pilots Lives for Training Purposes?