Maine hunter in wheelchair kills big bear

I’m inspired by a Mainer in a wheelchair who shot a 300+ pound bear this fall. This fellow is in the same ALS support group as me, and I love to hear his hunting stories.

He hunted out of Camel Brook Camps in Fort Kent. They constructed a ground blind for him. And he made a great shot when that big bear showed up. The bear ran, but died just 75 yards away and was easily found.

This fellow hunted both bear and moose last year, without luck, so it was especially pleasing to hear about his success this year. He’s even having the bear’s head mounted.

ALS has taken almost all the strength from my fingers and hands. I can’t even pull the trigger on a gun. But I’m going to get out with friends, hoping to see them get a deer.

I’ve been asked if I am disappointed I can’t hunt, but honestly, I am not. I’ve had a lifetime of fabulous hunts, and lots of success. I do not feel the need to shoot another deer.

But I’m going to enjoy getting out with others, including my son Josh who hadn’t hunted in years until he came up last year to hunt with me. I’m really looking forward to Josh’s hunt, and very hopeful that he’ll get a deer this year.

Wish us luck!

Favorite Story

I have four big buck mounts in my home office. One time, when our three kids were home, they were standing in the office.

I said, “Good news. There are three of you and four big buck mounts, so each of you can have one.”

Our youngest, daughter Hilary, who lives in Washington DC, said, “Oh,I don’t think so Dad. We’ll put those in your museum.”

My response was quick. “Hilary, I love the idea of a museum!”

 

 

George Smith

About George Smith

George stepped down at the end of 2010 after 18 years as the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to write full time. He writes a weekly editorial page column in the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Morning Sentinel, a weekly travel column in those same newspapers (with his wife Linda), monthly columns in The Maine Sportsman magazine, two outdoor news blogs (one on his website, georgesmithmaine.com, and one on the website of the Bangor Daily News), and special columns for many publications and newsletters. Islandport Press published a book of George's favorite columns, "A Life Lived Outdoors" in 2014. In 2014, George also won a Maine Press Association award for writing the state's bet sports blog. In 2016, Down East Books published George's book, Maine Sporting Camps, and Islandport Press published George and his wife Linda's travel book, Take It From ME, about their favorite Maine inns and restaurants.