BIG CALIF BEAR

Guys,
Thought you might enjoy these pics.
This Bear was killing calves pretty regularly around Porterville, Ca. and I was invited to try to cancel his dinner invitation. Planned on spending 5 days but found him on the first morning about 1/2 a mile and 4 ridges away. Bailed off the top and scooted over three ridges and shot him at about 350 across a canyon. Killed at 8:15 in the morning, got the last load to the truck (1/2 mi. away straight up) just after dark. this Yogi:

Estimated weight - 500 - 550 lbs
Hide (unstreched) - 7 ft. across front paws X 7 ft. nose to tail
Weight of head & hide - 125 lbs
Skull (after mandatory drying period) - 20 6/16 (B & C Awards Book)

In about 35 yrs of doing this I have taken 7 bears ( 6 blacks and 1 Grizzly) and been to the tree to help with another 2 dozen or so, and I will tell you faithfully that I have never seen a bear with a larger front paw (see pic)

ENJOY.

GOOD HUNTING,
Spike
9,449
Buckmaster
How old would you say this bear was?
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sneekeepete
that is one big bar!!!! Congrats on a great one hopefully no more calves come up missing.
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MuleyMadness
WOW dang, great story. Looks like a beast for sure, thanks for the story/photos.
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Default Avatar
Years ago every sucessful Bear hunter in Ca. was required to present the skull to DFG for removal of a tooth. That tooth was then sent to a biologist where it was sectioned and "aged" using a method similar to ageing a tree (counting growth rings).DFG would then send a letter telling you the exact age of the specimen. For the last few years that requirement has changed.
Now the only Bears that are required to provide a tooth are the hunters with odd numbered Bear tags. I had an even numbered tag so the answer as to age is speculative. I am not a Bearologist but years ago I killed another brute by French Gulch that was determined to be 7 1/2 yrs old. The letter from the biologist stated that this is the age where a Ca. Black Bear is in his prime as regards size, fitness, etc.
I believe this Yogi to have been 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 yrs old as his teeth were in pristine condition and fully developed, his body musculature was massive without excessive amounts of fat, and his skull was 20 6/16.

Sorry for the long winded post to a short question, just thought you might be interested.

GOOD HUNTING,
Spike
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NotEnufTags
Great Story. Never be sorry about long winded posts. I think most of the time too many details are left out. I like reading the stories. Thanks for sharing.
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AGCHAWK
VERY COOL! CONGRATS on one heck of big bruin!!!!!!!
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BIG R
Congrats on a great bear 10sign:
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AntlersOutWest
What a impressive bear! Congrats
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Hiker
Huge bear! 10sign: Great job!
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CodeRED
That thing is a brute! Congrats on the kill and the great story to go along with it. Man, I gotta start putting in for Black Bear here in UT... "If you don't do it this year, you'll be a year older when you finally do." (Warren Miller quote)
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