Big Cinnamon With Traditional Archery

Big Cinnamon With Traditional Archery

I had shot a bear the week prior in Chilliwack, BC. there were more bears in the area so I brought Aaron the next time I went and he wanted to use a recurve. A traditional 55# bow with old school wood arrows and 2 blade broad heads. I knew we could get close enough so I scouted where and when they were coming out the bush and we hunkered down and waited. A small black bear came out of the bush 250 yards from us. We looked for a route and stalked down to about 50 yards. Aaron went left and I stayed right with the shotgun just in case something went south. Just as Aaron was closing in on the smaller black bear we heard a ton of twigs and branches snapping in the bush 40 yards from us directly in front of Aaron. He looked back and I shrugged thinking it was just a deer. As I was shrugging this giant cinnamon pokes his head out and shakes off the rain like a massive dog. Definitely no dear. Ears far apart, low hanging belly and neck like a barrel. Aaron looks at me again and mouths "that thing is HUUUUGE!" In a couple huge strides he comes out of the bush to about 30 yards from Aaron. The small black bear took off immediately. I put the shotgun down and picked up the camera thinking this is going to be epic. The perfect storm. Aaron turns around one more time and I whispered the only thing I could think of. "You got this!" The boar is about 25 yards away now. Aaron is wanting a 20 yards shot. He crawls on his knees just a little higher on the bank and gets ready for the bruin to quarter away. By this time Aaron is 15 yards from him and I’m about 25. He lifts the bow and let’s the arrow fly. The bear snarled rolled over, and popped back up with the fletching of the arrow clearly poking out of its side. The problem was when he was done rolling he was facing me. He took a half step in my directing so I dropped the camera and grabbed the shotgun ready to stop him. Never had a chance, by the time he took another step we knew he wouldn’t make it far. He staggered, turned around, and walked another 25yards from where Aaron stuck him. Bear down.

As we walked up to it after letting it fully pass on we realized what a warrior he was. Both ears were bit and jagged, scars across his face, a big chunk of his lip was missing, and he had a total of about 6 teeth. We figured he was at least 9 years old. He was about 6 1/2 feet. Aaron was surprised how fast the bear went down because his shot felt low. After we cleaned him we discovered it was a perfect heart shot. With a quick prayer saying thanks we tied him up and hauled him out. A perfect close for an awesome spring bear season.

Ps. Thanks to our wives for putting up with us till 3 am bringing this thing in. We owe ya.