Oregon Spring Bear

[TBASTIAN]

Ended up shooting my first black bear yesterday...it isn't the biggest in the woods but it was a great hunt. Shot her right above breaking waves on the Pacific Coast!

Shot was 134 yards using a .300 Remington Ultra Mag, with 180 grain Sierra hand-loads. The pictures don't do justice to the steepness of the country.

 

[Elkman]

congratulations, looks like a nice day and a great hunt. At least you were not to far from a road.

 

[DrMike]

That's a great bear, TBASTIAN. Congratulations. It likely qualifies as the first of the season for anyone of the board. I haven't gotten out yet. On the other hand, the snow is still pretty deep and there is no green anywhere yet. However, your pictures do stir my blood.

 

[Guy Miner]

Outstanding!

The sweat on your face is being honestly earned. Looks like a heavy load! Looks like you did a fine job. How'd the Sierra do from the big .300 Rem Ultra Mag? Obviously it worked... :grin:

Congrats, Guy

 

[TBASTIAN]

Thanks, guys.

As for the Sierra...it worked, but I'll be developing a load with a tougher bullet in the near future. I've been playing with the 200 grain AccuBond, 180 grain Partition, 180 grain Tipped TSX, and some Nosler Trophy Grade 180 grain Accubonds...however, I can't keep any load below 1.25". The Trophy Grade are actually shooting around 1.5" - 2.5". The Sierra is shooting under MOA, hence the reason I took it on the hunt. It zipped right through the bear at that range, but made quite an exit wound...Trailing was NOT difficult!

I just loaded some of the Speer DeepCurl 180 grain bonded bullets. Now to try them out on paper. I like the fact that they don't have any exposed lead tips. If they don't pan out, I'm going to try some 180 grain TSX's.

Here's hoping for an accurate, maintainable load!

 

[SJB358]

Awesome bear! Congratulations. Seems like the 300RUM is stacking some game up around here! Pretty popular. If non of the 180's work for you, look into the 200's. I have used the 200gr Sierra GK in my 300WM for awhile and it shoots good and is a pretty sturdy bullet. I have since loaded up some test rounds with the 200gr PT. I am pretty sure if they shoot the same, I will use them in my 300WM and 300WBY. Again, great bear and pictures! I am pretty jealous. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Sierras have always shot well in my rifles, and they performed well on game. At the velocities you are generating, I would think that the 200 grain bullets you mentioned would work very well. I'll be interested to see what you develop with the DeepCurl bullets.

 

[SJB358]

Same here, the guys over on Marlin Owners are raving about the DeepCurls' or whatever they are calling them in the 444's. Scotty

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/inde ... 274.0.html

 

[str8meat]

way to go no luc for me this year in the tag dept. waiting till august 1 though

 

[jmad_81]

Well done! I havn't even tried to go out yet. There is still to much snow around here. If the weather stays warm I might have to go out here in a few weeks.

How you plan on cooking that thing up?

Nice hat by the way!

 

[TBASTIAN]

Going to try some jerky and some smoked backstraps on the Traeger Pellet Grill...I've never tried bear before, so it'll be an experience. After stories I've heard I was pleasantly surprised during the skinning/butchering process - granted, it was a spring bear but the smell was quite pleasant, and the meat looks great. Now for the taste test!

GO BEAVERS! :lol:

 

[ACLakey]

Congrats, good work.

 

[DrMike]

TBASTIAN,

Unless you shot a garbage bear, they don't smell bad. In cooking, remember that the meat is very lean, so keep it moist. Bear is excellent fare. Jerkey should be a real treat, and cooking on the Traeger will produce some excellent meats. Sausage will be a real treat from your spring bear.

 

[TBASTIAN]

Thanks, Dr. Mike! I'm looking forward to it.

 

[DrMike]

TBASTIAN,

I've posted a few recipes that worked very well with bear.

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=12567

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10111

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10110

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10109

The Barbequed Bear is especially good, though the meatloaf (either of them) is excellent. Sandwiches the next day are a real joy.

 

[SJB358]

Man, that sounds pretty appetizing Mike! Might need to go and find a bear! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Bear is some of the finest meat anyone can eat. I do love the ribs and the barbecue, and the meatloaf. Heck, it's all good.

 

[atmoshpere]

Dr Mike,

Have you noticed any difference between spring and fall bear meat as far as flavor or condition? I've always heard that bear was greasy, though i've never had a steak or anything other than sausage so I couldn't say myself.

 

[DrMike]

I have never found bear to be greasy. In fact, the meat is not marbeled as the fact is quite distinct from the muscle. Spring bear tends to be a darker red, likely due to a measure of breakdown of protein and some accumulation of haem. Flavour wise, the meat of spring bear or fall bear is indistinguishable. I enjoy taking bear off of oat fields or off of wheat fields, simply because the shooting can be fast and furious in standing grain, and if the bear has been dining there for a period, it is like finishing beef in a feedlot. There is really no difference in the meat if the bear is taken from a berry patch or if it has been grazing on ground mast or clover.

 

[SJB358]

Man, your description of bears off the wheat or oat fields made me pretty hungry Mike! Scotty