Dooley

When I shot my black bear last year, he went down immediately. I waited about thirty minutes to approach him to confirm he was dead. I gutted him the same way you would gut a deer, put some sticks across the inside of the cavity to keep it "puffed out" and air circulating. I tied a rope around his neck and dragged him about 5 feet each pull. It took roughly four hours to get him to a road where I had a friend in a pickup come meet me. I hung him by his front arms (under the armpit) and stuffed the cavity with ice (it was 60 degrees out). Brought him to the taxidermist the next day where we skinned him for a rug. If you have never done it before, I wouldn't attempt it. If it's your only option, than make sure to leave extra meat/fat on the hide and have them clean it up. Also, leave on the head and feet by cutting the spine and ankle bones. Fold up and immediately freeze the hide until you can bring it to the taxidermist. Keep in mind that bear fat is like pig fat, it spoils very quickly and can deteriorate the meat and hide if not handled in a timely fashion. Good luck!

Awesome job - Last month I picked up my black bear rug and bleached skull from Kurt. I cant say enough good things about him.

Got my lifetime on Friday.

While I'm "new" to hunting, last season was my fourth (I only hunt Sat-Mon of opening weekend). The season prior, I got a doe from roughly 75 yards (that was the third time I've ever pulled a trigger in my life, I sh!t you not - luck has been on my side). I'm a life long fisherman, so carving things up is not too foreign. I would say I did a "medium" job on the doe. When it came to the bear - it was almost comical. Obviously not prepared for a bear, I was only carrying a Wyoming knife (blade is a little over an inch). I first attempted to "hang" him up by the neck and realized that I should have paid attention in physics class. A ~140lb me hoisting a ~300lb bear didnt work as I had imagined (would have been extremely comical to watch). So i layed him out and attempted to make my cut from sternum to his manhood; quickly realizing the knife wasnt up to the challenge. It took a few scores, like cutting glass to get him open and get the majority of the organs out. I rolled him over and most of it came out. Dragged it for a few hours and thankfully, when two other guys met me, we hoisted it up and I finished it up with their knives (and their assitance). I found out a few days later that I should have kept the gall bladder and sold it to some Far East folks - I was told that it could have paid for my rug. Dammiitttttt Like you said, there was plenty of shaking when it happened....

Thanks, glad I can entertain! He was not at full charge, but coming quickly. The terrain was pitched downhill and I think that's what kept him at a slower pace. The images of the hind legs moving up and down at the "hips" will never be erased from my memory. I would also consider myself more lucky than "skilled." I shot less than 10 shells in my life before that happened (I'm a very new hunter). By the time picked up the old Remington and had him in my scope, it's head took up the entire sight. Thankfully, I hit him in the throat and didnt ruin the skull, which i had bleached (picking it up when the rug is done). It still seems surreal when I think about it.

I didnt receive my lifetime yet either. What is the longest I should wait to put in an inquiry? I was thinking Friday after the long weekend.

Thanks bkln, I appreicate it. Saw a 6-pointed in my front yard this morning - trying to figure out how to upload photos. They loveeee the apple trees

1) Quality, warm boots are the most importatnt thing aside from your firearm, sometimes more important. You'll want tall boots that provide warm, support and flexibilty. The last two seem oxymoronic, but unless you're hunting a fields or plains, you'll encounted a myriad of terrain. You need the support to avoid rolling an ankle, which can be a huge problem in the middle of the woods. 2) Sharp knife. It doesnt need to be a Rambo knife, just big enough to dress your game. 3) Travel size pack of wipes - you know why.

Thanks all - exactly what I was looking for.

That was my assumption - he was interested in the peanut butter. I did not have a drop cloth, but quickly learned that their fur is extremely resilient to anything you would encounter in the woods; especially because I was dragging it at a snail's pace.

I recently moved from NYC to Northern Westchester (Lewisboro) and am curious to know what the hunting regulations are for hunting private property? Neither DEC nor Town Clerk can give me a definitive answer. I know I must bow hunt deer/doe, but I'm trying to determine the property size/house distance one must be to legally shoot? I'm on 3.5 acres surrounded by a lot of undeveloped land. Before I even entratain the idea of hunting my property, I want to educate myself on the laws and obtain permission from surrounding landowners to retrieve a carcass. Any insight would help. Thank you in advance.

Last year, while whitetail hunting the southern zone I was on a log eating lunch and heard something moving quickly behind me - I turned around and it was a black blear beelining at me. I dropped my lunch, quickly picked the rifle up off of my lap and luckily, hit it in the throat and dropped it instantly. It was 25 footsteps from me when I got it. It took me four hours to drag it to an area where I had reception to call for backup; another hour with two additional guys to get it too a truck. As said above - it gets caught on everything, small stones, brush, rock walls, etc. Dragging 295lbs of dead weight is not what I had planned for. My friends family has had this camp for 30 years and has never seen a bear. You truly dont know what you can enounter in the woods. Thankfully I had my 30-06 and luck on my side that day. My rug should be done any week now!

Thanks Biz - is your name Seinfeld reference?

I took my first bear on opening day; field dressed it, dragged it out of the woods, and drove it to Kurt Fox the next day. I needed to find a place between Scoharie County and NYC and he came highly referred by numerous sources so I gave him a call. We spoke on the phone for a little bit to disucss the process, cost, time, etc. and he was even better to talk to in person; as was his son. Both professional and curtious regarding every aspect. I'm having him do a rug and skull bleach (for the office). I'll post pics upon completion. Note that I'm not affiliated with him in any way - i just stumbled accross this site while doing some research on the matter and figured I should join since I've been an NY hunter for 4 years. Looking forward to learning for the community.