We have hunted bears in Colorado since the 1980s. At that time, it was legal to hunt bears over bait or to use dogs. Also, we had a spring and fall black bear season. We remember with fondness how very successful we were in harvesting bears. We enjoyed hunting bears together with our kids. We didn’t have much money in those days and couldn’t afford a guide nor could we afford to hunt from a tree stand, so this meant we would be on the ground about 20 yards from the bait when the bear appeared silently at dusk. On Cathy’s very first bear hunt, she was so startled by the appearance of the bear that she hyperventilated and had to put her head between her legs before she could shoot. A few moments later, she recovered and harvested her first bear.
In the next few years, Colorado passed a ballot initiative that eliminated spring bear hunting, baiting, and the use of dogs. Over time, the impact of this initiative has resulted in increased conflicts between bears and humans. We later started applying for preference points for bears. In Colorado, bears aren’t readily seen. Although Southern Colorado has a larger bear population and increased opportunities for bears, we continued with the habit of applying for preference points knowing we could have our focus for hunting on other species in Colorado.
Fast forward to 2020. By this time, we had accumulated 23 years of preference points to have the opportunity to hunt a Ranching for Wildlife area in Southern Colorado. I drew last year in 2020 and never saw a single bear, just some tracks. The year had been extremely dry, and a late spring freeze crippled the scrub oak acorn crop. Couple that with an early snowstorm and freeze in September and my success in bear hunting on the ranch resulted in going home empty-handed.
The following spring, Colorado draw results were revealed and we were elated that Cathy had drawn a bear tag for the same ranch. As spring and summer passed, we prepared for the hunt with eager anticipation and heightened hopes for success. Returning to the ranch renewed our love for its uniqueness and mystical qualities. The ranch owner does not manage it for hunting, instead, he manages it for the wildlife he cherishes. As a result, there are just a few licenses for all species. We are benefactors of having the opportunity for hunting on an unusually large parcel of land.
In October, as we travelled south from our home headed to the ranch once again, we were excited yet a bit apprehensive about what opportunities would arise. We were hopeful Cathy’s 23 preference points would result in harvesting a great black bear. We couldn’t imagine the anguish we might feel if we went home empty-handed again!
As we hunted for black bear, the ranch also had a public elk hunter. Sure enough, they connected with a tremendous bull. The season lasted several weeks, so we headed home after not seeing a single bear. We headed back to work and back to take care of our property knowing we would soon return.
As planned, we returned to continue Cathy’s quest to harvest a great black bear. We were elated upon arrival to hear about the success of the youth hunter harvesting a great boar. Things on the ranch had changed. There was bear scat all around the area we were hunting and large tracks. Bryce and Brett, our ranch guides, set us up in the trees about 80 yards from a cattle water tank. They confided that there was a big black phase bear they had seen in the same area. They had nicknamed this bear “The Beast.” Together, we had a combined 46 years of points accumulated to be able to hunt bears, and we had yet to see a single one!
It was a beautiful October day, and the weather was perfect as we sat in the trees. It was mid-morning, so we waited. The magpies and crows arrived and left as well as other scavengers. It was a perfect day for harvesting a bear. Cathy was set up with a great rest – her Outdoorsman tripod, faithful Weatherby .270 magnum, and Leupold scope. Our confidence and hope continued to grow.
Just before 5 p.m., the sun was out, the weather was perfect, and the big boar they had named The Beast had arrived. He came in directly toward the waterhole. It seemed like he came out of nowhere through the trees, not making a noise. We looked for just a moment. His head popped up, and he sensed something was up. Luckily this time, Cathy didn’t hyperventilate. She was ready. He had come in silently and kept lifting his head, sniffing the air. He walked just a few more yards and sensed something was wrong, so he whirled around to leave. When he was broadside, Cathy made the perfect shot. He traveled only 10 yards. We were all so excited at the outcome. Bryce and Brett added to the specialness of the hunt. They were so excited for us and kept replaying the shot. Cathy loved hearing the story again and again. Sharing the hunt with others who are so excited for you adds to the specialness of the experience. That moment of elation was definitely a highlight.
We took many photos of all of us with the bear. Bryce and Brett loaded Cathy’s bear onto one of the ranch’s three-quarter ton flatbed trucks. We were grateful for how incredibly strong and tough they were to get Cathy’s bear loaded onto the truck. Rickie, one of the ranch managers, was waiting in the processing area to help skin out and cape the bear. We appreciated the expertise and the hard work of Rickie, Bryce, and Brett. Skinning, caping, and loading the bear took a lot of time and hard work, which we appreciated very much. In Colorado, you are required to have your bear sealed with a metal tag after harvesting. Colorado Parks and Wildlife also takes a tooth for aging purposes as part of their stewardship goals for this special wildlife resource.
When Bryce, Brett, and Rickie finished skinning, caping, and loading the bear into our Jeep, Rickie contacted the local Colorado
Parks and Wildlife officer. It was late in the evening by then, and we were eager to head home. Wildlife officer Bob Holder agreed to meet us in Aguilar, a small town on our way home. It was 11:00 p.m. when we arrived, and there was Bob Holder just as he had promised, ready and eager to check our bear. He wasn’t annoyed in any way about it being 11:00 p.m. He greeted us cheerfully and was eager to check Cathy’s bear.
Bob Holder has worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 45+ years, certainly an indicator of his dedication and commitment to the stewardship of Colorado’s wildlife. It was a bit of serendipity for him to be the one to check Cathy’s bear as we had met him 15 years earlier when Cathy had a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep license in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness area. We had contacted Bob at that time to seek his expertise and advice on where to hunt. Now there we were late in the evening in the tiny town of Aguilar excited to have Bob check Cathy’s bear. Bears are Bob’s true love. He has deep knowledge, wisdom, and experience with Colorado’s black bear population. He speaks with respect and reverence for them. He was so excited for Cathy, and it added to the specialness of the evening for him to be equally excited for us. Bob had his headlamp on, taking a tooth sample and sharing all he knew about Cathy’s bear. He talked with excitement and indicated it was the best bear he had checked for his region out of 42 bears. This added to our elation coming from a great person and conservator of wildlife.
As we think back on Cathy’s hunt, we have such gratitude for the special people who contributed to the success of it. We want to thank ranch managers Jeff and Rickie along with guides Bryce and Brett. We also want to express our appreciation to the landowner of the ranch for a hunt-of-a-lifetime. Harvesting The Beast was so special in every way. Incidentally, he made the most amazing sausage.
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