Archery Spot and Stalk Double Colour Phase Black Bear
Erik Labrie
I have always believed that it is important to set a goal for each hunting season or species you have chosen to go after. Having a goal will keep your motivations and actions aligned with the positive outcome specific to you. For me, in the months leading up to this spring bear season, I committed publicly, but more importantly I committed to myself; I would spend my personal hunting time attempting to harvest a free chase Black Bear “spot and stalk” style with my new customized APA Mamba 28MT. Personally, I had harvested three Black Bears prior to the events that unfolded that day.
Erik’s Custom Mamba 28MT by APA Innovations
APA Innovations deserves a huge shoutout for their exemplary customer service, personal customizability, and of course the absolutely legendary and unique design of the equipment. The Mamba 28MT performed flawlessly at a moments notice. Now, it is not often I get a chance to hunt for myself during the peak times of hunting seasons, but with the state of the world this particular spring I had a little extra time on my hands. While hosting Bear Camp for the Non- Typical Nation & Ole Smokes Coffee Spring Black Bear hunt, I found myself with a free Saturday evening. All the camp chores had been tightened up and dinner was ready to put over heat for whomever might arrive back first. Tim, Brody, and Tommy sat in their respected stands as I headed out to walk a large clear-cut powerline.
Primal Adventures 2020 NTN Bear Camp
As I approached my prospected parking spot, I spotted a large-body black bear feeding 80 yards in the clearing, completely unaware of my presence. The ground I needed to cover was primarily damp sand and dirt with tall grass and stump obstacles that would be advantageous cover as I closed the distance. Quickly, I geared up with the essentials and hit “Record”.
The stalk consisted mostly of walking on my knees and crawling slowly and quietly as the bear continued to graze on the underbrush of the powerline right-of-way. High gusting winds covered my stalking errors and sent my human aroma in the opposite direction. Confident out to 50 yards in ideal situations, I decided 30 yards with no obstructions would be perfect in this instance. I knelt and watched at 40 yards, I waited nearly 30 minutes, the now obvious boar began feeding towards me. Closing into 30 yards and steering broadside. I focused the camera, stood up, and drew back.
A lot of things had come together perfectly to make this moment possible; I had the slight high- ground, the wind direction was strong, but directed across my shot path, the terrain had allowed me to gain a comfortable shot distance, and the bear was completely unaware of me standing at full draw only 29 yards away. Closely, I watched for a single step forward from the front left paw, exposing the armpit and vital zone almost in its entirety. Step. Snap! …shit!
My eyes easily followed the glowing lighted knock trail dive straight into the ground several inches in front of the bear. With a quick sigh I dove back down below the grass for cover, the boar jumped at the arrow impact and wheeled around with his nose in the air. Holding still as possible in my awkward crouched kneel, I contemplated the possible errors in my actions. I was quick to realize; I would never hit my intended target punching the trigger like that. “Adjust for wind…breathe mother*cker”.
Over the short willows and tall grass, I peaked. The boar was circling back, very clearly confused but he remained clueless of my presence or position. Slowly and cautiously I adjusted the camera zoom wide open and reached for the rangefinder. 29 Yards again. Quickly now, knocking another arrow and adjusting to a ready position. “20 this time, wait for 20”. There is no need for me to move as the mature black bear advances another 10 yards. Nose down, it wasn’t until 15 yards that the big boar veered to the left yet again.
His eyes pointed away from the thin shrub of grass I made use as cover, and I stood. 14 yards but still moving. I clipped into my D-loop and drew back. 1…2…and left leg forward…3. At only 11 yards I pulled through my shot and released an Easton Axis equipped with a BlackWidow Innovations PX2 broadhead perfectly through the vitals. He spun and broke out for high ground, but painlessly expired in less than seconds.
I gave the bear his time before approaching. Living through the stalk and shot over and over in my head, remaining thankful for everything that panned out perfectly. As I walked closer to the boar resting only a stone throw from where the pass-through arrow lie, it became apparent that he had a dark chocolate brown hue to his neck and body. My excitement and gratitude for the situation only grew from there!
I took my time with photos and video content of my first colour phase black bear. Nearly and hour and a half had passed since the fatal shot. That persistent strong gusting wind began to die down quickly. Enjoyable for a moment, however not long after, an epic release of mosquitoes and sand mites of unimaginable aggression sent me literally jogging back to the truck for my Thermacell and Head-net. Eyes down watching my step through the debris and water holes, I trip anyway.
As I dust off, at a glance I make eye contact with a standing- tall blonde coloured bear. Way too close for comfort with no weapon. Before the bear can identify my clumsy stumbling shape, I am able to uncap my pocketed bear spray and begin forcing a circle towards my bow and camera. Cautiously and curiously we circle each other.
Like clockwork we rotate around and I manage myself into an ideal direction that allowed me to gather my camera, APA Mamba, and my last arrow. Losing curiosity in me and the scent of my harvest, which I can only assume was this bears primary directive, this beautiful blonde boar calmly wondered down into a shallow fast-moving creek. A second bear tag, freshly separated from the first, whispered motivation in my ears. I knocked my only remaining PX2 and quietly took for the tall grass along the creek. Slowly I managed over and under tangles and logs.
Bright blonde fur poked up above the grass ahead of me. I searched for a vantage point to identify a target above or through the thick vegetation. Just as I gained enough elevation to get a visual on this true bear of a lifetime, he stepped into an ideal opening, I rolled back and through my anchor position, and watched as my final lighted nock travelled through the vital cavity and out the other side.
Three big urgent steps and a release of air signalling the peaceful passing of a second beautiful animal! An animal that, like all others harvested by me, will feed my family for months, an animal that will be remembered for decades through professional taxidermy, and an animal that I will be eternally grateful for the experience, adventure, and all the resources it provides.
I have always believed that it is important to set a goal for everything you take seriously in life, no matter what it may be. Having a goal will keep your motivations and actions aligned with the hopeful positive outcome. Throughout the season I was tempted to waiver on my goal and switch tactics, I held out and I stuck with it, despite the failed attempts and multiple skunked days. Set some goals and stick with them, because I know; when I think nothing could make a moment better… the world has a funny way of proving me wrong!
