2009.09.23
Terry Hale's massive black bear from Pulaski County
Here's a shot of Terry Hale Jr. with the 468-pound black bear he killed on his Pulaski County land last year. The bear scored 28 7/8 under the Virginia scoring system, topping the bear class at the recent Western Regional of the Virginia Big Game Contest.
According to Hale, the bear scored 20 3/4 under the Boone and Crockett system, just missing the minimum score of 21 required for inclusion in the all-time record book.
Hale said he recently heard back on the bear's age and was surprised to find that it was only 6 years old.
The animal had been running amok on Hale's farm last year, gorging on corn and autumn olives. One day Hale met some houndsmen and got to talking about the situation, and the group agreed to come see if they could get on the bear's track.
They got started first thing on the morning of Dec. 18, and the hounds quickly picked up a track. It didn't take long for the hounds to tree the animal on the farm, at which point Hale arrived and finished the job.
Congratulations Terry, That sounds like a Great Bear! I sure wouldn't want to have to drag it out though!!!
I couldn't view the bear photo.... Mark could you check it out and see if there's an issue with the file/link?
--The bear picture is showing up for me, Ralph. Anyone else having problems? mt
Comment by Ralph Barton — September 24, 2009 @ 5:30 am
I can't see the picture either. Congrats on the bear Terry.
Comment by P.D. — September 24, 2009 @ 8:50 am
I'm at another computer Mark and still can't see the photo. All the other blog photos are showing up fine ?
Comment by Ralph Barton — September 24, 2009 @ 9:15 am
Mark,
As with Ralph, I am not able to open the picture.
Comment by Brent — September 24, 2009 @ 9:26 am
I can't see the picture either, Mark. Usually there is no problem. Missed you @ the H4H Banquet this year.
--I was sorry to miss the banquet, Chris. I was attending a wedding that evening. I hope I don't have a conflict next year. I always enjoy that event and believe strongly in the mission of Hunters for the Hungry. mt
Comment by Chris V. — September 24, 2009 @ 9:34 am
Yes I cannot view the picture either.
Comment by George — September 24, 2009 @ 9:59 am
I bet I know what happened. I had this scanned at the office and I suspect the color format is different from what I normally use with digital pictures I get via e-mail. I'll rework the file and try again in a bit.
Comment by Mark Taylor — September 24, 2009 @ 10:00 am
No picture here either
Alfie
Comment by Alfie — September 24, 2009 @ 10:03 am
My suspicion was correct. The file was saved in CMYK color mode and not RGB color. And if you have no idea what that means, don't worry. You don't need to know. But it should be visible now. Sorry about that. Mark
Comment by Mark Taylor — September 24, 2009 @ 11:37 am
My gosh...what a MONSTER bear!!!! You'd need a crane to get that bear up in the back of the truck and I wonder how he got it out of the woods? Congrats Terry on your trophy black bear!
--Hale said it took them most of the day to deal with that animal. I have another shot of them using a tractor, but they could use that only after they got the bear to an area where they could get a tractor to it. mt
Comment by Jason — September 24, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
Mark
What caliber of rifle was used to down that Monster?
After a second glance I wonder if anybody report any missing cattle while that bear roamed the area? LOL!
--I don't know the rifle caliber, Backlash. Big as it was, any well placed centerfire round would do the job. The key is "well placed." mt
Comment by Static Lines — September 24, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
Bullet-makers scrambling to keep up with demand
Associated Press: NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Bullet-makers are working around the clock, seven days a week, and still can't keep up with the nation's demand for ammunition.
Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation - even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.
Gun sales spiked when it became clear Obama would be elected a year ago and purchases continued to rise in his first few months of office. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System reported that 6.1 million background checks for gun sales were issued from January to May, an increase of 25.6 percent from the same period the year before.
"That is going to cause an upswing in ammunition sales," said Larry Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing about 5,000 members. "Without bullets a gun is just a paper weight."
The shortage for sportsmen is different than the scarcity of ammo for some police forces earlier this year, a dearth fueled by an increase in ammo use by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are working overtime and still can't keep up with the demand," said Al Russo, spokesman for North Carolina-based Remington Arms Company, which makes bullets for rifles, handguns and shotguns. "We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7. It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."
Americans usually buy about 7 billion rounds of ammunition a year, according to the National Rifle Association. In the past year, that figure has jumped to about 9 billion rounds, said NRA spokeswoman Vickie Cieplak.
Jason Gregory, who manages Gretna Gun Works just outside of New Orleans, has been building his personal supply of ammunition for months. His goal is to have at least 1,000 rounds for each of his 25 weapons.
"I call it the Obama effect," said Gregory, 37, of Terrytown, La. "It always happens when the Democrats get in office. It happened with Clinton and Obama is even stronger for gun control. Ammunition will be the first step, so I'm stocking up while I can."
So far, the new administration nor Congress has not been markedly antigun. Obama has said he respects Second Amendment rights, but favors "common sense" on gun laws. Still, worries about what could happen persist.
Demand has been so heavy at some Walmarts, a limit was imposed on the amount of ammo customers can buy. The cutoff varies according to caliber and store location, but sometimes as little as one box - or 50 bullets - is allowed.
At Barnwood Arms in Ripon, Calif., sales manager Dallas Jett said some of the shortages have leveled off, but 45-caliber rounds are still hard to find.
"We've been in business for 32 years and I've been here for 10 and we've never seen anything like it," Jett said. "Coming out of Christmas everything started to dry up and it was that way all through the spring and summer.
Nationwide, distributors are scrambling to fill orders from retailers.
"We used to be able to order 50 or 60 cases and get them in three or four days easy, it was never an issue," said Vic Grechniw of Florida Ammo Traders, a distributor in Tampa, Fla. "Now you are really lucky if you can get one case a month. It just isn't there because the demand is way up."
A case contains 500 or 1,000 bullets.
At Jefferson Gun Outlet and Range in Metairie just west of New Orleans, owner Mike Mayer is worried individuals are going to start buying by the case.
"If someone wants to shoot on the weekend you have to worry about having the ammunition for them. And I know some people aren't buying to use it at the range, they're taking it home and hoarding it."
With demand, prices have also risen.
"Used to be gold, but now lead is the most expensive metal," said Donald Richards, 37, who was stocking up at the Jefferson store. "And worth every penny."
Comment by Static Lines — September 24, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
I was in Greensboro, NC today at Gander Mtn (they had a great sale today). They had plenty of .45 auto ammo because I almost bought a box or two until I saw the price. I have been looking for Remington 6MM 100grain bullets for a while and Gander Mtn was out as well as Bass Pro a few weeks ago. Does anyone know where I can get some?
Comment by Jason — September 24, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
What a beast
Comment by Joey — September 24, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
[...] details and the photo, see this post on Mark's [...]
Pingback by Photo of massive black bear in Pulaski County | New River Notebook: News from the New River Valley - Roanoke.com — September 25, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Hey Jason: I think I saw some Rem 6mm at Gander Mountain here in Roanoke last Friday (9/25). I think they were Core Loks but I don't remember if they were 100 grain or not. If you can't buy them locally, try Midway Wholesale.
Comment by Jack — September 29, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
Jack - thanks for the tip, I may give Gander Mtn in Roanoke a call to see what they have because I live in Hillsville and its about the same trip for me to go to Greensboro and Roanoke. If they don't I will try midway wholesale.
Comment by Jason — September 29, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
I'm sure that the corn and autumn olives the bear was eating were crucial to the survival of Mr. Hale and his family, thus the need to shoot such a beautiful animal.
Comment by Dee — September 30, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Dee, you and your reply are really non-consequential and do not justify a response.
Comment by CRS — September 30, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
CRS, your comment speaks for itself. Do you even know what non-consequential means?
Comment by Dee — October 1, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Dee, it is applicable to you because your comments are of no consequence on a hunting forum. Hate to run but hunting season is in. Don't you be late for your therapy.
Comment by CRS — October 1, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Congratulations Terry! The bear is totally awesome.
Hope you will keep the hide and make great memories
for later down the road. Again - AWESOME
Comment by Ms. Duck — November 14, 2009 @ 5:05 pm