Dear Bill, Glen and anyone else who contributed to the “bear hunting obsession” book…
Here is my story, and I’m sticking to it. I am a 57-year-old hunter from Milwaukee. I mostly hunt deer, by bow, crossbow, rifle and muzzleloader.
However, I have hunted birds in Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. I have hunted whitetails and muleys in Nebraska.
In Wisconsin, I hunt on 60 acres in eastern Jackson County, which is part of a cranberry farm. When I first got access to this area, I wanted to put out a camera to see the deer in that area. So I put out Craines Kettle Corn (brother’s company) and buck jam.
The bears were happy to pose while eating this kettle corn. I have a picture hanging in our family room of a large sow with a yearling eating this kettle corn years ago — one of the best pictures I have.
But I wanted them to go away, as I was just a deer hunter.
As I got older, I added killing a black bear to my bucket list. Figuring I would get one in Ontario, where I have fished 30 years.
Then this June I saw a couple of big bears on my trail cameras. I know that these bears were big. I know everyone thinks big, but I was assured by bear hunters around me, whom I know, that these bears were big. They told me I should be hunting them and said I have a great spot to do so. I thought … BUCKET LIST. It is moving home. I have the chance to do this now.
I read everything the DNR put on the internet about bears, but I don’t do the internet well and I don’t read books. LOL!
I asked my bear hunting crowd thousands of questions, and they helped me, but they are a secretive bunch.
Well, I saw this book you wrote and ordered it through the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association. If you ask my dear mother, she’ll say I never read any of those books I was supposed to in my 12 years of schooling.
Your book…I COULD NOT PUT DOWN! I read it immediately. Twice. Ok…I did not read all the recipes, but I learned a lot. In part of the book, Bill, you said you have the knowledge but might not be able to convey it. I get that, and Glenn did an awesome job with that.
I think the most important thing I learned was preparation, and what I will do after the kill. This I have asked of my friends, and they have agreed to help me some day. I also tell myself I probably will make mistakes, but I think I will make fewer because of you both. Yes, I will be prepared.
On July 1, I got my first bear point in Wisconsin. May not seem like a lot to some folks, but you two lit a fire in this old boy’s mind, body and soul.
Also, being a school engineer with the covid crisis and things happening in our great country, I needed something to take me away. Thank you for that — your book did that.
So, with all that being said, your Obsession has been passed on to me, and I hope to pass it on as well.
I am now a bear hunter! I haven’t even spent time baiting or chasing them yet. I cannot wait to feel the whole stand shaking with my first encounter.
John W. Crain, Milwaukee, WI