Bad bear encounter

Seeing bears in archery season is nothing new to me.  I've actually had 4 encounters this season and saw 3 in the last week.  Well the one this morning had me truly concerned over my safety.  I don't carry, but I will be from now on.

I was just getting into a 15' ladder stand settled in a narrow piece of woods between a large river and heavy brush, when I heard some noise from within the brush.  I obviously had big bucks on my mind having seen the biggest of my life the previous evening (different stand, same area).  To my disappointment a bear appeared at about 40 yards and continued in my direction.  He was not large, 200lbs guessing.  I was just hoping he would pass through and not ruin my morning.  Wrong.  After crossing my trail (drag line), his demeanor changed from indifference to curiosity.  He sniffed and followed the line for a few yards and then turned directly toward my stand.  In a matter of seconds he was directly under my ladder sniffing around.  Didn't take long before he had my backpack, sat down, and began chewing on it.  That's when it occurred to me that this bear was the one who threw the seat out of the stand a few days ago and broke a wooden stabilizing block.

I was still hoping that he went on his way without seeing me.  I was even willing to give up the backpack b/c it only contained my orange vest at this time.  Nope, and this is when it went from amusing to scary.  He put both front legs on the second rung of the ladder.  Arrow nocked, ready to draw, I yelled at him to git!  That only resulted in him backing off a whopping 5 yards.  After some more yelling, (hunt was ruined anyway), he slowly went back on his way.  Yeah, on his way tracing my every step with the drag line.  When he got to the end of it proceeded to eat the cloth and rope.  At this point I was now hoping he'd choke on it and keel over.  Then he just licked all the estrous from it and spit out.

More tense moments as he returned to my ladder, yelling and all, this time more aggressive.  The bear began to get irritated and started scratching nearby trees and swatting brush.  After more yelling and arm waving he finally started to leave for good, on my back-trail to the stand.  I had other options as there was another way out of this stand.  After he cleared the edge of the swamp and out of sight I quickly climbed down grabbed my backpack and put some distance between us, but only after pulling my trail cam...(which he molested as well but semi-protected by a metal box).

Here's the only picture that wasn't up close bear face.  With my morning hunt ruined and having to work tomorrow, I quit and drove home to Erie.

I won't give up hunting this stand, but I will be packing more than a bow and hunting knife from now on.

Your more patient than me, that arrow would have been right in his head after those front feet hit my ladder. That is the reason I stopped using most scents, that has happened to me before with fox urine cover scent. Only one way to get rid of a nuisance bear in my opinion. Good luck and do what you have to do,,,safety first. Btw,,I've decided to start carrying as well, for the same reason. I have heard alot of "experts" say the worst defense is a loaded gun against a bear in the woods but, its called peace of mind.

was on the ground hunting many years ago and had one charge at me. lucky it was a bluff and he stopped about 10 feet before putting the brakes on.....that's when I started carrying....never came that close again and never care to

wasp spray shoots 25 ft....an eye shot will do it

Had to drive a vehicle at one once at camp after she busted out the window and clawed the door, that didnt do the trick but a couple of shots with the 308 into the shooting range did the trick

Did you level your trailcam after the bear messed with it? Looks like it was a little "off" before he got to it!

My cousin had a run-in this season with a momma w/ 3 cubs and he was b/w them and it was dark. One of the little ones chewed on his Ranger's plastic fender. All ended well for him but he was pretty puckered up.

What would the odds be if you got some time in that stand Nov.14-18
and that bear returned??? What a story that would make....
I know I would give it a shot........Just a thought.........Good Luck.........

Well, I won't have any vacation left if I can't save some, meaning I tag out on a buck tomorrow or early in the week.  I'd really like to try.