Backup Black Bear Medicine

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Ed Hale

I have hunted black bear in Ontario, Canada many years ago with my 68 pound recurve bow. Canada does not allow hunters to carry a backup pistol. My Outfitter said I probably would not need bear spray. Right? My experience with a very aggressive and very large boar instantly changed my mind.

Today, with a bear hunt in September, I reviewed my 45ACP as a backup pistol. Yes, it can work but it is considered marginal. I have always liked the 44 magnum as a brown or black bear backup. But you will likely only get one good headshot, if it charges. I tested a 44 mag for a moving head shot. It wasn’t easy and I had only 5 more shots left. The 44 mag with 250g or 300g or 454 Casull are very powerful but many can’t handle the recoil. If you can handle the recoil and shoot it straight, go for it. Many are true believers.

Enter the 10mm Glock 20 Gen 5 semi-auto pistol (Retail $620)

Glock 20 Gen5 MOS Pistol

It is a better option for a semi-auto, throwing 15 hard cast 220g bullet at 1200 fps delivering nearly 700 ft-lbs on each shot.

Underwood Ammunition 10mm Auto 220 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose Box of 20

Underwood Ammo says “Hard cast flat nose bullets are non-expanding, powerfully penetrative bullets that are designed with your woods defense needs in mind; whether fending off wild hogs or black bears, the hard cast flat nose bullets are consistently effective in taking down any wild animals that you may encounter. In contrast to the round nose non-expanding bullets, the flat nose bullets are able to pierce through dense bodies of mass while maintaining their nose forward position, which is optimal for maximum penetration. Underwood Ammo’s hard cast featuring a “Black Cherry” coating. Equipped with enhancements from the previous Hi-Tek coating. “Black Cherry” coating is a polymer-based compound; its thermal stability allows it to handle more than any other coating today. The coating will protect against gas cutting with a high degree of wear and abrasion resistance. The “Black Cherry” coating prevents lead to bore contact, thus virtually eliminating lead fouling. All Underwood Ammo rounds utilize flash suppressed powder so that your vision will not be compromised if it becomes necessary to use your firearm in low light.”

The 10mm is increasingly used as a hunting firearm for thin skin big game and a reasonable bear backup that allows faster follow-up shots.

This 10mm 15 shot pistol is apparently taking the Outdoor Industry by storm say many reviews. Like the 44 magnum, the 10mm really does not have enough energy to penetrate a bear skull but most shooters can handle its recoil. We shall see… I just purchased one. Yes, I needed a good reason to add it to my hunt options.

Below is a comparison article from Meateater of 10mm vs 45acp

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/caliber-battle-10mm-vs-45-auto

How you carry the pistol will also be discussed. How handy is it?

More Soon.

7mm Remington Magnum for Black Bear

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Ed Hale

Is the 7mm Rem Mag overkill for black bear? Not hardly. Below this large bear is likely a boar and didn’t get this big by being stupid.

Ursus Americanus Photo Courtesy Wikipedia – Photo taken in Quebec

Many bring the venerable 300 Winchester Magnum with 180g bullets. Yes, you can kill bear with most deer rifle calibers, but I only have three rifles to choose from, (6.5Creedmoor, 7 Rem Mag, .375 Ruger). On the other hand, my .375 Ruger is my anything rifle and has already taken 2 large moose.

I have plenty of 7mm 175g AccuBond LR’s left from my moose hunt four-plus months ago, as Canadian Customs would not let me take it. What? Yes,they said, “if you are not going directly to the hunt, you can’t cross the border with it”.

Well, I’m hunting black bear over bait in the USA-Maine and I may use my Browning X-Bolt in 7mm Rem Mag with those 175g ABLR’s, though Crossbow is possible. Rifle distance to bait is about 75 yards. Crossbow distance to bait is 20 yards.

They are chronoing around 3000 fps at the muzzle. The ABLR is softer thus it will mushroom very well under 100 yards and make a big exit hole for blood trailing. My Browning 7mm below has a Leupold VX-6 on it with optional lighted crosshairs.

X-Bolt Speed

I tried shooting black crosshairs on a black target, and in fading light, it was next to impossible to see. I just replaced the battery on the red crosshair light to make sure it was ready for the bear hunt. The trigger is a crisp Timney set at 3 pounds.

On my 2024 September bear hunt, the state reports bear numbers are nearly 24,000 to 36,000 bears. My hunt area has about 1 bear per square mile. I do not know the ratio of boar to sow but am aiming for a sizable representative of the species.

Good Hunting!

Maine Black Bear on Bait – Crossbow or Rifle Thoughts

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Ed Hale

I will be taking both Rifle and Crossbow on my Maine bear hunt.

I believe bears that have been hunted over bait before are more wary than say a bear that has never been baited ever. Experts agree. Sure, I’d like to harvest a big bear with my crossbow but maybe a bigger bear with my favorite rifle. In years gone by I hunted with recurve bow, without success.

I will take both rifle and crossbow on the hunt this September.

Accordingly, these baited bears are smart. They come into view at your bait site in the last hour of light or in the dark.

Larger bears, like trophy whitetails, did not get large by being stupid. Outsmarting big bruins to get them to show themselves in daylight is the name of the game. No human smells near bait, no strange noises are the name of the game.

In some cases, just clicking the safety off can make previously hunted bears jump or drawing your arrow as it slides rearward will make them jump. Having a stand near a gurgling brook provides cover sounds for a bowhunter at say 15 or 20 yards from bait.

I believe rifle hunters often have an edge where stands are 50 to 75 yards from bait.
That said, wary big bears may show in daylight with the hunter at 75 yards because the bear did its homework just out of sight of the bait listening and smelling and circling.
The angle of the bear is not quite as critical with rifle as it is with bow, thus more shot opportunities are favored with a rifle such as my Browning Speed 7mm Remington Magnum.

Add up the 1,2, 3 above and I lean toward a rifle setup. We shall see as setups are revealed in September.

Good Hunting!

New Hampshire F & G – Becoming an Outdoors Woman Winter Workshop

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Ed Hale

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Winter Workshop Registration Opens on Sunday, January 14

Setting My Sights On An Adventure Filled Maine Bear Hunt – Updated

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Ed Hale

An Adventure filled Solo Maine Black Bear hunt is in my plans for September 2024. Come on along as I film some video clips too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_bear

I have not hunted black bear for quite some time, but it can be very exciting with a good outfitter and remote land access. I estimate the weight of this bear in the above image near 400 pounds.

What is even better is that very often you will see more than one bear or two or more on a 6 day hunt.

Most hunting is done in afternoon and evening on ground blinds or tree stands over bait.

Baiting is a great way to hunt bear, in particular, because you can be selective; e.g., to pass or shoot a smaller or larger adult bear.

The tough part is to gage the size of a bear coming to bait. Often, bears, particularly big ones, come to bait just minutes before dark, making judging size, and fur color even harder.

I am very pleased with my 10 Point Turbo Crossbow (390 – 400 fps) and my NAP Killzone Cut-on-Contact 100 grain mechanical broadheads. Bears often hit with a razor sharp broadhead in the heart/lung area, will run flat out for 10 seconds and then collapse deader-than-a-door-nail… never knowing what bit them. Too far forward may result in the arrow hitting the scapula bone and tough tracking so the shot must be true.

My Equipment, a 10 Point 400 fps Turbo S1 Crossbow Arrow Flight with Killzone Broadhead or my Browning 7mm Rem Mag.

Killzone provides a practice blade. It isn’t easy to assemble the practice blade but once done, it works. Note; that the there is a pencil point type head that you can get as well for this broadhead but i prefer a cut-on- contact point.

Haven’t killed a bear with the Killzone head yet, but we shall see. Many experts suggest fixed blade broadheads on bear. I have some to experiment with as well.

I will have my backup Kimber 45 ACP and my Browning Speed 7mm Rem Mag Rifle along with me as well.

X-Bolt Speed

I called to further discuss rifle at 75 yards vs bow at 20 yds and will decide when I get there. Rifle setups are further away from bait thus allowing less human odor at dusk near bait. Big bruins didn’t get big by being stupid. They use their nose and minor noise to determine when it is safe to approach bait, often after dark. Take away noise and smells at the bait site and maybe enough to to make a show.

What will I do with the hide, skull and meat? If the bear is large, I will make a rug and have the skull cleaned. I am a meat-eater and home-made butcher and self- trained chef. Bear fat can be rendered for lubricating/rust protection and also the lard makes a great ingredient for pie crust. Bear meat and fat was a real commodity in early America for its versatility in cooking/frying and for both lubrication and rust prevention and even lamp oil.

My Outfitter “Foggy Mountain Guide Service” hunts deep in the wild woods of Maine. Driving from southern New Hampshire to my Maine hunt location will take me about 5 hours, where I’ll spend up to six days hunting.

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/laws-rules/licenses-permits.html

Fishing during morning and mid-day will be my pass-time before the hunt.

Stay posted for more on this Adventure filled hunt.

Good Hunting!

Focus on Young Hunters

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Ed Hale

I am very excited to introduce my grandson Thomas Hale the hunter (age 11).

Above, Thomas holds his first youth single shot shotgun intended for hunting snowshoe hares up in New Hampshire’s North Country.

He has graduated from .22LR and .223 Winchester to 20 gauge shotgun and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Together pictured below with his Dad Jason Hale, Thomas holds a scoped Howa 1500 rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, which he shoots well. The 6.5 CM has less recoil than the 20 gauge.

It gives me great pleasure to see three generations of Hales’ who hunt. Below left is my son Jason who hunted Africa with me and to the right of me is young grandson Thomas.

We believe hunting and fishing are essential for boys and girls to understand the natural beauty and responsibility gained in the circle of life. Unfortunately, hunting and outdoor skills are so starkly absent in our government run K to 12 schools. We as a family, love the outdoors and choose to develop survival and hunting skills that aid in maturing young male and female minds.

Most importantly, where our meat and fish come from, along with the life and ethical death and respect of the game hunted. Importantly, we revel in the bounty of the food harvest, care of the meat, the cooking, and presentation of wild game around the family dinner table. Just imagine a warm venison or rabbit stew in the cold of winter. It put a big smile on my face! Yours too!

Additionally, safety was our utmost concern with Thomas. Accordingly, we spent time training and demonstrating how to shoot hold his rifle/shotgun around other hunters. Thus we created walking and turning drills to always carry and point the barrel in a safe direction. And it was fun too.

In this recent hunt we did not harvest any game but had great comradery on the hunt, told some tales of the hunt, and had some man time with father and grandfather. Hope you can get some too!

Good Hunting!

Lapua 6.5mm Mega 155 Round/Flat Nose Bullets – Hit like A Hammer

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Ed Hale

Lapua 6.5mm round nose bullets back in Midway stock. These bullets hammer big bucks!

See my summer article below. Use them in handloading the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Reloading: 6.5mm Lapua Mega 155 bullet now in stock at Midway

Close Encounter of the Moose Kind

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Ed Hale

Many years ago, before I hunted moose, I was bird hunting with my youngest son Jason,not far from Lake Francis in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. It was early October. We entered the woods off a dirt road. Jason carried a 22 rifle and I had a pump shotgun with birdshot. The sun was shining and the north wood smells of fir trees and falling colored leaves gave us a great feeling to be alive and hunting in the Northwoods.

Ahead of us, we saw some movement, a cow moose and calf appear. “How cool”, I whispered to Jason, who was 11 years old at the time.

I had learned some moose calls with my mouth by pinching my nose, a cupping my hands around my mouth. So, I thought perhaps the cow would hang around.

I pinched my nose and let out an “arr” sound. The cow and calf didn’t like my sounds and melted into the trees ahead.

Suddenly, the boggy ground underneath us began to shake. “Did you feel that? I asked Jason. “Ya dad, what is happening.”

In the next moment, we heard tree limbs breaking from where the cow and calf came from.

A very large bull moose appeared. He was headed straight for us with his head tipping side to side displaying his a huge palmated antlers as he continued his approach. I pulled Jason to a dense group of large fir trees and stood very still. The bull had not spotted us yet but still approaching. I kept large trees in front of us as a barrier.

I realized that we were in trouble.

I chose to move closer to the large group of trees as the bull was advancing.

He spotted us!

Head tipping, he began to step around the trees to get to us.

Jason, tugged on my jacket whispering. “I want to go to the truck now, Dad!” “Shhh, I said as we began to move around the large group of trees as the bull circled. The guns we had with us would be useless, I thought in case of a charge.

Keeping those larger trees in front of us and between the bull was our best defense.

Undaunted, the bull changed direction and circled in the opposite direction to get at us. Jason whispered, “I can see the white of his eyes.”

The bull widened his distance and circled ever widening till he decided to turn and walk away. Whew!

The bull crossed the dirt road, near my truck, when two fishermen campers near the lake appeared with camera in hand.

They followed the bull.

I shouted, “be careful, he is dangerous.” They snapped a photo of the bull and came over to us where we shared our encounter. I asked if they would be so kind to send us a copy of the photo. Here is the bull below.

Safe in our truck, it was clear, after some thought, that my moose call drew in the bull. He thought I was competition for mating the cow.

The lesson here is calling in moose can be dangerous unless you are hunting them, and even then, they are still dangerous.

Moose Meat- Processed In My Kitchen – Continued

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Ed Hale

My wife and I continue our effort in turning our frozen boneless moose parts into vacuum sealed burger, stew meat, steaks and a few roasts.

We began by finding parts to be ground into burger, and found lots of it as you see in our transformed freezer below.

Moose meat has no fat thus we mixed approximately 20 to 25% pork butt in with the burger. Pork butt has pork meat and pork fat to allow burger patties to bind and stick together. Pork is also a key ingredient in making meat balls and pasta sauces.

After around 18 hours of processing we have nearly completed the burger packaging of maybe 130 pounds and 60 pounds of steak and stew meat.

Last night we had moose stroganoff and it was a hit. Meat flavor was excellent with no hint of gamey taste. I prefer steak thin slice 1/4 inch x 2 inches or thinner against the grain for stroganoff as I have made in the past to my families delight.

Most all on-line beef stroganoff recipe’s will work just fine with moose steak, just thin slice it against the grain while raw and partially frozen before you saute it. Just don’t overcook the meat.

Today we cut backstrap butterfly steak, many sirloin steaks,and stew meat.

Note: Some steaks will be made into tips and stews as winter gets here. More to do but it is safe and frozen. We will rearrange the freezers so we have a better inventory. Already we have given some meat to friends and family. Nice!

Good Eats!

Newfoundland Vacation Snips

Posted on October 7, 2023 by Ed Hale

Our Vacation was among the many bays and coves around picturesque Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. My wife and I drove our car and spent the last month and a half in Newfoundland in the family cottage overlooking Bonavista Bay.

But the cottage on the bay was a home base from which to explore.

Human life on Newfoundland is centered around the thousands of bays and coves, Inland, are thousands of miles of virgin forests where big game such as moose, caribou and black bears thrive.

And where rivers and lakes teem with Atlantic salmon and trout.

Cod Fishing on the bay is one of my favorite pastimes with friends and family. The cod are market size and plentiful right in front of our cottage.

Cod fishing in front of the cottage

I fished with Mike Hogarth and his friend Jeff Power on one such outing at Trinity Bay just up the peninsula.

The old red building below in Peace Cove, Trinity Bay were formerly fishing rooms where cod were historically split and salted and placed outside to dry, then shipped to foreign markets in barrels.