Should I or Shouldn't I? - Quebec
Meegan and her Quebec black bear.
Hunter: Meegan Turnbeaugh
Cameraman: Lonnie Turnbeaugh
It was May 24, 2009 when we flew into Montreal, Canada. Lonnie and I had never been to Quebec so we were looking forward to this trip. A trip a long way from home was exactly what I needed as one of my best friends and her two sons passed away just a few weeks earlier and it has been a very difficult situation to deal with; so a little "out in the woods" therapy is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Our first day in the woods, May 25 “Memorial Day” was met with high winds and cold temperatures. Sitting in the woods when it is so windy does have one benefit – NO-MOSQUITOES! I didn’t have to break out my Thermacell, which I don’t go in the woods without.
One bear made its way in but immediately took off as quickly as it came in. The wind was swirling so much I am surprised we saw a bear at all. About and hour later a nice bear came underneath Lonnie’s tree and right to her last supper! At first, I could not make up my mind if I wanted to harvest this sow or not, so we watched her for at least 30 minutes. It was only the first day of hunting so I wanted to make a good decision! I was thinking should I or shouldn’t I take this bear?
I kept looking at this bear and she was an average bear for Quebec, she looked old and did not have any cubs with her, so I made the decision to take her. Lonnie was in a tree behind me about 12 feet away so it was a little bit of a challenge to communicate. With me wearing a wireless microphone he could hear me, but I couldn't easily hear him, especially since it was so windy. When we were finally on the same page, I took my Hoyt AlphaMax off the tree hook and prepared myself for a shot.
I slowly stood up and knew my shot was about 10 yards as I had used my Archers Choice Nikon Rangefinder to mark several spots so I didn’t have to stress about the range at this critical time.
My bear took her time to give me a shot, but I laid my Beman arrow right through both lungs and the top of the heart. She ran maybe 15 yards and fell over. I am glad I took her as our guide, Yvon, from La Griffe d’Ours, said the sow I took was old and past her prime.
I was so excited to harvest a bear on Memorial Day and I proudly dedicate my bear to all of our veterans, my sister Shauna, who passed away four years ago on May 26, and my best friend Sheri and her sons Gavin and Garret. I’m sure they are all dancing in heaven right now and proud I whacked my bear perfectly.
I thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity to be in the woods. I have spent hours praying there and it has helped me move forward through the death of my sister and best friend. Peace and quiet along with prayer can go along way to help one recover from difficult times.