Ralph Barton said he saw this bear twice while scouting his hunting area in Botetourt County this past summer. The area's good white oak acorn crop kept the bear around.
Several hunts from the stand were unproductive, but the bear finally showed up this past Saturday and Barton, pictured here with his 7-year-old son Chris, had his first bear with a bow after seven years of trying.
While growing up in rural Southern Oregon, Mark Taylor developed a passion for the outdoors while he and his younger brother tagged along with their father on fishing, hunting and camping adventures.
Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Taylor spent four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy based in Norfolk before moving into journalism.
After five years writing about the military for a Norfolk-based publishing company, he became the outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times in 1998. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and twin daughters.
Another bear kill with a bow!!! Man that is awsome. Ralph and my uncle Jim used to spank me in bass tournaments,and I see he is doing the same huntin'! Way to go Ralph. Going hunting Thursday morning and I'm off Friday,so I am pumped!
Comment by JR Mitchell — October 22, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Way to go Ralph, Isnt it an adrenaline rush ? I had another bear come down on me tuesday eve off wild wood. They are every where this year. congrads to ya buddy. what did it weigh in at? ....Moe
Comment by Moe — October 22, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
Nice bear. I finally get to do some hunting this Friday and Saturday in Roanoke County. My brother has already seen 2 bears where I will be hunting. Can't wait.
Comment by Jon Branson — October 22, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
thanks for the comment Moe.... didn't get a chance to weigh the bear so I'm not sure. But when were dragging him out of the mountains he weighed plenty!!!! I wouldn't want one any bigger. In the National forest where I hunt the land is steep and rugged and there's no way to get a vehicle close. Thanks to my buddies Tom williamson and Bo Franklin for coming out on a cold night to help me get the bear out, couldn't have done it without you guys!!! I'm heading back out this morning... saw a bunch of deer yesterday and finally started seeing some pre-rut buck activity. Saw three new scrapes opened up and an increasing amount of rubs. Good Luck Guys, Happy Hunting!!!
Comment by Ralph Barton — October 24, 2008 @ 4:56 am