Thirty Years Later: A Black Bear, A Promise, and a Purpose
I was Blessed to harvest a Black Bear. This bear will be made in to food, clothing, and Traditional Medicine.
Brody and Keith are inside their ground blind. Unfortunately, the young bear was in it just moments earlier. Safety was a definite concern. A tree stand approach would have been safer.
Brody and Keith worked together to document, and film, several key Bear Awareness an Bear Safety Principles.
This young bear will make great hams, sausages as well a couple pairs of mitts.
Bear 2025
Keith Denoncourt
I cannot tell you how relieved I am to harvest another Black Bear for myself. It has been well over thirty years since I last took one for myself. Out of respect for a family, I only used my skills as a Bear Guide to gather video data for my Outdoor Education students. This was before the days of Google and YouTube. Although I absolutely love filming bears up close and personal, I never had the intent to kill one for myself.
This time, Brody and I made an agreement before we started. It had to be done in the most respectful manner possible. It had to be substantially more than just a kill. So far, it has been a wonderful experience, and such a substantial relief to just be able to once again be going through the process.
When Brody and I first started baiting, we were Blessed that a large boar targeted our site hard and fast. We studied him and his patterns hard with our Reconeco cameras. We knew exactly what to look for. I practiced my close-quarter shooting drills, while Brody sharpened his knives and got the cameras ready. We even had backup bear spray for non-targeted bears. We were set!
Then on our first sit, we had him point blank at less than 20 yards. However, it was impossible to film him, and with him being as large as he is, he winded us quick and took off before a quality shot could be given. This did anything but deter us. Brody and I got even more excited having such a large bear so close to our ground blind.
As we went home and regrouped, we noticed from our Reconeco Trail cameras that two smaller bears were also hitting our bait. Earlier in the day, they were coming in—as the larger bear was coming in later in the afternoon. I even went back to the gun range again to help me stay prepared for the upcoming adventure. Yes, I was getting excited!
When Brody and I returned to the bait site, one of the bears was already at the site. He was inside our ground blind and was eating one of our seats. He scared off without incident as we settled in for our evening hunt. Within an hour, we had one directly behind us, then another one just off my left shoulder. The one to my left came right to the ground blind. No hesitation. Just walked right in.
Then when he locked eyes with me through the blind at 15 ft., I saw his intent. I did not hesitate. Safety always comes first. I stopped him with a .270, 150 gr. directly into the chest. Very respectfully, I knew instantly that I had made a clean harvest.
It was definitely not the target bear, but if the day ever comes where I stop getting excited at just the adventure—or stop putting safety first—that is the day that I quit. This was pretty cool! I was beyond excited to have a bear that close with such intensity. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the bear that was already in our blind just a few moments ago, and without the use of force, safety would have been a factor.
The big bear will be there for Brody, and I look forward to the continuation of this year's bear season with NTN. For now, this bear will make great sausages, ham, and mittens! An outstanding adventure with an absolutely great guy! Never hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions, or if we can help you get involved.
Just a special shout out to Brody Teale and all of my friends who have supported me for all of these years! It truly took a team. Thank you!
Thank you for respecting wildlife, and always remember to sponsor a nonprofit conservation organization.
Keith
A straight cut is made down the back leg roughly two inches below the anus. Connect the back leg cuts with the front leg cuts directly at a directly 90 degree to the chest cuts, otherwise symmetry will be lost.
Brody Teale is Master Taxidermist with multiple years of World Class experience. Watching Brody skin and prepare the hide was impressive. He made the “I” cuts very easy to understand and apply. Here Brody, while protecting the bears white chest crest, has made the first incision of the recommended ”I cut” strategy for removing the hide.
Brody Teale is flexing the knuckle joint to demonstrate where, and how, to cut the connecting tissue with a knife. Using a meat saw across the exposed bone to remove the paw/ hide from the meat is an alternative. Special caution has to be considered when a saw is used. It is easy to catch and cut the hide.
Brody is just finishing up the “I cut” technique on the bear. He is using special precautions to protect the bears white patch, by rolling the hide until the base of the bears skull is exposed.
Removing the hide from the skull and paws is best left to the professional Taxidermists at Dave Booth Taxidermy. It is advised to fold the hide on to itself and roll in in to a ball with the tag attached and readily available. I used a game bag to transport the hide immediately to Dave Booth Taxidermy, otherwise it would go directly in to my freezer.
Keith is removing the backstraps and the hind leg with a basic fileting knife, while the bear is being skinned. He is using the inside of the hide to keep the meat clean until he can get the meat inside a game bag.
I placed the backstraps , front shoulder, and both back shoulders on to a clean piece of cardboard for deboning. I am not a professional butcher. Honestly, I am looking forward to learning with friends like Kevin McNeil with Canadian Wildlife Adventures and Brad Fenson with Harvest Your Own. Both are an excellent resources. When I know better I will do better, and love the learning in the process.
This is the meat from my bear. I left two roasts separate, otherwise I am getting myself ready to start making sausages.
Bear fat can easily be made in to cooking lard, or when ingredients such as Fireweed, Vanilla, Lavender or Lilacs get marinated in to it, it becomes a Traditional Medicine hand cream.
The bear meat is prepped to the best of my ability. I am eager to learn and grow my harvesting skills. Stay tuned for when the food hits the table !
To me, this was so much more than just a kill. It was a complete harvest. I am so grateful for the Respectful manner in which this bear was harvested, and the manner that it will be utilized. It means more than you know !
