Back To Back Trophies Of A Lifetime In New Brunswick, Canada

by Ron Koch
(Schuylkill Haven Pennsylvania)

After a couple of mistakes on my part I finally harvested a black bear in New Brunswick, Canada. On the final night of my 3rd hunt.
Could I score on Back To Back Trophies of a Lifetime?

Well, the following year I was back again on the same stand. This time to go after the bear that left two sets of huge bite marks, on the back ofmy 425 pound trophy of the year before.

This time I would be travaling with my brother Roy, who was going through some bad times at home. I knew a black bear hunt in New Brunswick, Canada would be the break from it all, he needed.

After setting up in my stand on the opening afternoon, I wished Roy good luck. From there Roy headed off with our guide to Roy's hunting destination. The night was almost an identical night as the previous year.

In that it was real windy and nothing was happening early. Then, just like last year I heard a tree fall. Within moments I saw a bear coming forty yards out in front of my stand. A quick glance at my watch showed it was 8:20 PM. I had about one hour of hunting left. I shoulder my gun and found the bear in my scope. He looked even bigger than the bear from the year before, because he was so tall. The bear stopped and scent checked the air.

Again I was busted, or at least something caught his
attention. He immediately headed for the thick woods. I aimed my gun for a small opening out in front of the bear. After a few seconds and the bear not entering the opening, I started to panic. I thought he turned and would be gone for good. I looked to the side of my scope and saw the bear. He was standing with his head and vitals behind some trees. I put my eye back to the scope on the opening. Within seconds the Bear's head entered the scope.

When his neck hit the cross hair I squeezed the
trigger. He dropped instantly. In my haste to chamber another round I jammed my gun. Franticly working the bolt on my custom made 300 Winchester mag.I chambered another round. I shouldered my gun again and found the bear in my scope. With the thick woods, I could only see part of the bear. It looked like he was not moving. I kept my eyes glued on the bear for about five minutes.

Being convinced the bear was not going to get up; I climbed
down from my stand and slowly work my way over to him.
I could not believe my luck. The bear was huge. Another male bear and this one weighed in at 359 pounds. He was over 6 feet from nose to the tip of his tail.

Could this have been the bear that put those bite marks on my bear of a year ago?

I don't know for sure, but what I do know is. I scored on Back To Back Trophies of a Lifetime in New Brunswick, Canada.