Well it's all come full circle now. Almost one year to the date of getting my hunter course and PAL, I harvested my first animal. After not filling several tags (deer and turkey last fall, and spring turkey this year) I feel immensely grateful to be able to fill my freezer for my family.
After waiting 20 - 30 mins to assure I didn't see any cubs, I took a 33 yard shot with my excalibur crossbow and managed a well placed double lung pass through. She did not go more than 30 yards before expiring. On approach I noticed it was a beautiful mature sow and not showing any sign of nursing cubs.
After getting her to the taxidermist, she was estimated at 250-260 lbs, and 7-8 years old with missing teeth. I will know more about her age when I send her pre-molar to be aged at the omnrf.
Tonight being the actual year to date of my hunter course, I smoked one of the tenderloins as a celebration. Not only was it a proud moment but one of realization that I am now divorced from the idea of not knowing at all where my food comes from. It will be hard for me not to want to go back to that way. The pursuit for quality organic wild game meat to nourish my family will always be at the forefront of my future.
2020 spring bear hunt update, Tag notched!
