North Carolina Hunter Takes Down Massive 695-Pound Black Bear On Opening Week
Lacey West·RIFF OUTDOORS
·October 21, 2022
North Carolina black bear
@calebwalkerhenry



Often referred to as the “Cradle of Bear Hunting Civilization,” no area has boasted longer history in the sport than the Appalachian Mountains. The early, rugged, frontier days of the region created an individualistic-survivalist style mentality that is still largely present today even with the continued growth and urbanization of many areas. And most of the area’s history is rooted in this persona. These elements also lend to the bear hunting sport that continues today.

But contrary to popular belief, black bears don’t grow to outrageous sizes in the region. They typically range in median size of 200-300 pounds, depending on whether they are male or female. Even the occasional 400-pound bear is killed but is still considered quite large.

Harsh weather conditions and the shift of seasons often deters the longevity of life and size in the creatures. But, this week, the opening of black bear hunting in Western North Carolina, has already marked a new black bear record in the Western North Carolina for one local 21-year-old.

An astounding 695-pound kill for the Fines Creek native.

Caleb Henry, the marksman, took out on Tuesday morning with a group of hunters and eight of what I can now assume are some of North Carolina’s finest hunting dogs, a mix of Walkers and Plotts. When the dogs took out on the chase it was just a regular morning of excitement, but the end result is something no one in the group could have expected.

Talking with Riff Outdoors, Caleb shared with us some of the details from the hunt:

“I ran to get in front of the bear, and when I saw it, I said to myself, ‘Holy crap, I can’t believe how big he is!’ I had never been in the woods with a bear that big…”

To understand Caleb’s re-telling or the sheer talent it took to take down the game-ending shot, you’d have to imagine something the approximate size and weight of a vending machine or a utility trailer.

Thankfully, this young man is no slouch in the woods. He’s been an outdoorsman and an avid hunter for the entirety of his life, which probably played no small part in his ability to stay calm and collected in this suspenseful moment.

Caleb took down the bear with a .35, and lucky for him, the kill happened just about 100 yards from the road. When asked about the feat of loading the bear for transport, he said he felt lucky about the location of the kill.

Moving this bear would be like moving just over fifteen 45-pound plates in the gym:

“We hooked ropes to it and pulled it to the road. Then we pulled it up onto the side of the road bank and rolled it into the back of a side-by-side. It took us probably a little over an hour to get him out and loaded.”

Luckily this story’s “we” consisted of about eight other hunters that day. And Caleb specifically credited his friend, Lucas Teague and Lucas’s hounds for helping him nail down the bear.

Parts of the bear will be sent off for age testing, but the sheer size of him led Caleb to believe he was between 10-15 years old, much older than the average black bear lives to be in the rugged Appalachia terrain.

The entire region has seemingly paused to discuss this black bear kill, look at the photos and speculate on what the moment might have felt like. Caleb’s girlfriend, Kenzie, also stopped in on social media to congratulate her partner with some kind words:

“Couldn’t be anymore proud of Caleb on his newest WNC record breaking bear… 695 pounds! It was a great day doing what we love.”

For now, this hunter is just soaking in an unbelievable moment in the woods and his successful take down of one of the biggest black bears to date. And even though pictures do not do this monstrosity justice, they are pretty incredible to see.








https://www.whiskeyriff.com/20...ear-on-opening-week/

Beautiful animal and probably the finest specimen of it's species. I always feel something is lost when a pack of eight dogs and a group of hunters take it down. I think we've had this discussion here before about a pack of dogs putting a record mountain lion in a tree for the hunter to shoot. In these cases the dogs are usually the real hunters.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
Beautiful animal and probably the finest specimen of it's species. I always feel something is lost when a pack of eight dogs and a group of hunters take it down. I think we've had this discussion here before about a pack of dogs putting a record mountain lion in a tree for the hunter to shoot. In these cases the dogs are usually the real hunters.

I'm with you to a point. Hunting should be man vs. animal...no dogs (unless we're talking birds). However, when taking down predators like mountain lions, wolves, etc..., I have no problem whatsoever using any means necessary to eradicate them.

Regarding the above bear, it looks like that one was well fed and ready for winter. That's a big'n.

What 35? My guess would be 35 Remington. I don’t have a problem with dogs. It sounds much more sporting than waiting for the bear to come to a bait pile.

Or, a .35 Whelan possibly.

Looks like Kenzie (the girlfriend) has a magnificent new rug! I assume Kenzie is the one in the middle of the second picture (you know those NC girls).

Hunting with dogs is just another form of the sport of hunting. I don't do it myself, but know many people who take great pleasure in the handling of the dogs and the thrill of the chase. That's one fat bear, though...impressive animal.

I don't live in bear country, so please educate me why a bear would need to be taken out. Over population? Threat to the general populace? Outside its natural habitat? Other than the fur, what resources would be used from the bear? Is the meat fit for human consumption? If not, would it be sold off to a pet food plant? Pretty ignorant on bear hunting and the end purpose if it can't be used for meat.

Thanks!!

While I do not [ethically] agree with hunting with dogs to chase the prey (pointers and retrievers are a separate subject for me) to quote Alton Brown:

"That's some Good Eats."

Wow. A few weeks ago I had a random dream that I was taking my two, fairly small, dogs out at night in the front yard. I scan the street with my flash light and about 25 yards away was a Momma and cub black bear walking our way. Then I woke up. I don't live in "bear country" but every now and then there are sightings, two that were about a mile down the road a few years ago...

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
I don't live in bear country, so please educate me why a bear would need to be taken out. Over population? Threat to the general populace? Outside its natural habitat? Other than the fur, what resources would be used from the bear? Is the meat fit for human consumption? If not, would it be sold off to a pet food plant? Pretty ignorant on bear hunting and the end purpose if it can't be used for meat.

Thanks!!

Bear meat is edible.
Bear fur is warm.

Black Bears can be extremely dangerous. Once acclimated to people, problems start. House/car breakins for food, trash raiding, never mind a 300lb mamma with her cubs walking across your backyard while you are there.

Etc.

I am not a fan of killing animals for "sport", but if they are dangerous, a nuisance or for food that is another story all together.

We have lots of black bears here and I've had my share of encounters. None of them threatning but it's not unheard of. Can't use dogs to hunt them but baiting them is legal. Even at that a lot of guys who hunt don't bag one so I'm guessing most are smarter than the average bear. Population control is the only reason to hunt them here. They are not predatory in the sense some other bear species are unless they are seeking out your garbage can or berry patch.

The real predator problem around here are wolves. The population is exploding and they can be rather brave entering peoples yards looking for your pet dog cat or any chickens wandering to far from the coop. A guy a mile down the road from us at the lake gave up his cattle farm due to the wolves getting most of his calves every year. They would kill but not eat them. The DNR would trap and relocate them but there is just to many and they will eventually come back.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
I don't live in bear country, so please educate me why a bear would need to be taken out. Over population? Threat to the general populace? Outside its natural habitat? Other than the fur, what resources would be used from the bear? Is the meat fit for human consumption? If not, would it be sold off to a pet food plant? Pretty ignorant on bear hunting and the end purpose if it can't be used for meat.

Thanks!!

I am seeing more bears at my lot in Loudoun County. I carry all the time while out there now and it is a mountain environment. There use to be two coveys of quail and six or eight whip-poor-wills.



Some places in NC raise turnips which the bears feed on and get big.

The bear population here takes out alot of deer in the spring.


Jim

I've come across a few black bears when I've been out hiking. The common trait in nearly every encounter was them running away.

The only time I ever had any hesitation was coming across two cubs when hiking with my nephew who was about 11 at the time. He was in front of me as we came across two very young black bears that were on the trail looking at us. I wasn't worried about them but I was interested in knowing where mommy bear was and more importantly had ended up between her and the cubs. Luckily they ran off quickly.

I've never worried about black bears or carried anything when in an area with them. Brown bears are a different discussion.

quote:

Originally posted by PeteF:
Bear meat is edible.
Bear fur is warm.

Black Bears can be extremely dangerous. Once acclimated to people, problems start. House/car breakins for food, trash raiding, never mind a 300lb mamma with her cubs walking across your backyard while you are there.

Etc.

I am not a fan of killing animals for "sport", but if they are dangerous, a nuisance or for food that is another story all together.

Thanks for the insight...[thumbs up]

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
What 35? My guess would be 35 Remington. I don’t have a problem with dogs. It sounds much more sporting than waiting for the bear to come to a bait pile.

Yes 35 Remington very common with bear hunters.

That is an amazing black bear. Just look at the condition of it's hide, absolutely beautiful. If that were me, I would seriously be considering a full body mount.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
I don't live in bear country, so please educate me why a bear would need to be taken out. Over population? Threat to the general populace? Outside its natural habitat? ... Is the meat fit for human consumption?

Yes...Yes...Yes...Yes in that order.

I will add my two cents here,the hide has to be trimmed off every inch,the tanning if it is quite expensive at least for me a dozen years ago[$625.00] for full rug mount with claws for rug.
The meat is quite delicious