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Stephens determination to hunt regardless of what obstacles that were put in front of him.
As the jet roared down the runway in the early May afternoon, I settled into my seat and reflected on past journeys…. It’s been quite a battle! Three Bear Hunts in Maine resulted in the following score:Bears “3”, Hunter “0”. A later spot and stalk hunt in Montana ended with a rushed missed shot. Nevertheless, I considered all of these hunts a success, for the kill is only a minor part of any hunt. The magnificent scenery, the adventure of new places, the friendship of new-found friends and the lasting memories were worth all the time, effort and money involved.
And yet with all these setbacks, my insatiable quest for a black Bear trophy never diminished. As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with the love and idea of hunting black bears and acquiring either a trophy mount or rug.
A return trip to Montana rewarded me with a trophy sized boar. I had finally given the “bear gods” the slip! OR HAD I ? The big,beautiful rug that I received from a Montana taxidermist began to shed hair after a few years. I eventually had to discard it. I was distraught. Years passed, but the desire for a trophy black bear never deserted me. My fascination with bears had not lessened over time. My “fever” for a bear was as high as ever! Unfortunately, my health had started to deteriorate. Sadly I recalled famous booking agent Jack Atcheson's quote, “Go hunting now while you are physically able”.
I had become a dialysis patient – resulting in three days a week treatment over numerous hours. I was devastated! Any extended trips or vacations appeared gone forever. However, I wasn’t ready to give up on life. I was determined to hunt black bear again!
After a period of feeling sorry for myself, somehow, I’m not exactly sure, I came up with the idea, try to hunt bear, if possible, not far from home and also near a dialysis center. After extensive timely research, I formulated the following plan: I would hunt in New Brunswick, Canada, not very far from a dialysis facility located in Presque Isle Maine. I located an outfitter in Nictau, New Brunswick –
Wayne Scott’s Nictau Lodge. After reviewing his website and speaking to several of his references, I was hooked! They all spoke highly of his beautiful lodge, his dedication and professionalism in providing his hunters with an enjoyable and hopefully successful hunt. Wayne offers full five-day hunts, but unfortunately, dialysis would limit me to just three full days. I would still have a chance for success!
In planning for the trip, I decided to hunt with one of my favorite rifles – A Ruger number one in 45/70 caliber, topped with a Leupold 1.5- 5 power scope. I would be shooting my accurate reloads of 300 grain Barnes triple X bullets.
In anticipation of the trip, I started to gather the following necessary documents: Passport,prior Hunting License, Royal Canadian Non-resident Firearm Declaration form (in triplicate) unsigned, and U.S. Customs form 4457 (certificate of registration for personal items taken abroad)
After completing necessary paper work and receiving a 2-way radio for reporting if bear shot, I found myself going with my guide Cole Pagetto my assigned bait site. After leaving me off he refreshed the bait. I put a cartridge in the chamber, set the safety in the “on” position and turned on my thermacell and settled in for the wait.
Myself, and all black bear hunters are naturally hoping to harvest a large bruin. The bear that I had previously shot in Montana squared a little over six feet. I was very concerned that if I was fortunate enough to have a bear appear in my sights, I would make the right decision: Would I pass on an average size bear or drop the hammer?
Not so easy. A black bear is very hard to judge. I have learned through reading and observation that a mature bear normally has a crease in it forehead, and ears that appear on the side of the head instead of directly on top. Their belly appears close to the ground. I remember reading in one of Jack O’Connor’s books that “the big ones just look big”.
While waiting I decided that if lucky, I would be quite content in harvesting a mature boar and not waiting for a “King Kong” size bear to appear. After all, I only had three full days to hunt. With that settled, I concentrated on watching the bait site and the surrounding area.
In the late afternoon the partly cloudy skies gave way to dark ominous clouds. Before long slight drizzle started to fall. After a while my eyes started to play tricks on me! I saw dark areas in the brush near the bait barrel. Could it be a bear? I finally determined it was just dark shadows. As dusk turned into night, I did a final scan of the area. To no avail!
The following morning after breakfast I was speaking to Wayne and he showed me on his computer pictures of a bear that had been visiting the bait site that I had hunted and will be hunting again. The pictures showed a large boar who had hit the bait barrel. In fact, yesterday he was there at 2:00 pm. I missed him by about one and half hours. I was anxious to return!
Back on same stand 3pm. I found out from Coal it is called the Judy stand. We found the bait barrel down. Coal replenished the bait, rubbed grease over the barrel and left me for the wait. At approximately5:08 a large black bear walked from right to left and approached the bait barrel. I think my heart skipped a beat! As I raised my rifle slowly to place my crosshairs on his heart/lung area, he suddenly ran from the barrel into the thick brush. I prayed that he would return.
At 6:05 he reappeared slowly and cautiously out of the brush. This time I figured I would wait until he started eating out of the barrel. I didn’t move a muscle. I turned into a statue! When he arrived at the barrel, he got on his stomach and started licking the grease on the side. I moved my rifle ever so slowly and tried to place the cross hairs. Just as I was ready to pull the trigger, he again ran into the brush. I was stunned! By some miracle the bear slowly came out of the thick brush. This time he was facing me! It was about 7 pm. My only shot would be a frontal chest shot. I was extremely concerned that he would bolt once again. I quickly placed my shot in the middle of the chest and fired! I radioed Coal and reported “shot fired”.
In a short time, Coal and his father Trevor (also a registered guide) reached me. We all approached the bait barrel and searched for signs of a hit. I was astonished when after a diligent search no signs were found! I couldn’t believe it. I did rush the shot. Could I have blown the shot? As I mentioned I didn’t want the bruin to run again.
After a while, I finally had to face the fact that I missed the shot. When we returned to the Lodge,it was reported that two other fellow hunters had scored on two small bear. The ice was finally broken.
The guides checked the trail cameras on the bait site(Judy). Several bears have been hitting it. It was decided that I would return to hunt it again for my last day. After breakfast, I went to a nearby rifle range with guide Trevor just to verify my rifle’s zero. It was one inch high at fifty yards. Dead on! Evidently yesterday I must have definitely rushed my shot.
Arrived at my stand at 2:55. I settled into position and prepared for the long scrutiny. No sightings during most of the day. At approximately 8:30 I scanned the area thru my scope. I was shocked when I spotted a black bear partially hidden in the brush. Perhaps he was waiting for full darkness to materialize. I aimed my crosshairs at his heart/lung area that was visible and slowly applied pressure to the trigger. The recoil and muzzle blast jolted my shoulder. I searched the area thru my scope. Dusk was turning into night. I retrieved my radio and called Coal that I had taken a shot. In a short time he arrived and shortly after his dad did also. They searched the area for signs of a hit. None were found! Unfortunately, I had to leave the Lodge at4:00 am to make my 6:00 am flight home as I was scheduled to have my dialysis that afternoon in NYC where I reside. Coal stated that they would return the next morning to continue the search. I should also mention that last night when I returned to the Lodge, it was reported that one of my fellow hunters shot with his crossbow a 300 pound bear.
That night, in the comfortable surroundings of my room I slept contentedly. Yes, I had not been successful so far. I’m still optimistic that Coal’s search finds my bear. Nevertheless, I still considered my stay at Nictau Lodge a wonderful and highly enjoyable experience. I met a great bunch of fellow hunters, a group of highly professional and dedicated guides and a wonderful chef. Even more important, I experienced, at least for a short time, a return to somewhat of a normal life that I cherish so much. For this, I am eternally grateful to Wayne Scott and his devoted staff. Without their support and assistance this adventure could not have happened.
After a day at home, I played the two “missed” shots in my mind. When I fired at the range, my rifle was dead center, one inch high at 50 yards. At the range I used a basic front rifle rest;I assumed filled with sand. I had a Stoney point bipod from home with me. However,my ground blind had a limb running across it to use as a rifle rest that I employed. I am wondering if by placing my Ruger number one’s forearm on the wood hard surface did it somehow affect the vibration of the barrel and throw off my shot. My research basically stated that point of impact is only affected slightly.
I also contacted Barnes Bullets. I believed that besides being extremely accurate in my rifle, the 300 grain triple X bullet would be deadly and yet the guides and myself found no signs of a hit. I spoke to a technician at Barnes Bullets. He believed that a big bruin with thick black hair could possibly run several hundred yards with no initial blood loss. He further stated that a thick coat of hair acts like an absorbent sponge.
Next spring bear season I hope to return to Nictau Lodge to once again seek trophy black bear. With my experience this hunt, I believe I will only employ a head shot in the future if I’m fortunate enough to have a mature bear in my sights.
NOTE: Two days later I received an email from Wayne. It stated that they had found my bear, the one that kept bolting on me. With Wayne’s years of experience, he reckoned that it weighed approximately 250 pounds. Unfortunately, the hide was too far gone to be saved. He did send me pictures of my found bear. At least I have them to admire!
