2021 Missouri Black Bear Season

Join the FACEBOOK GROUP - Missouri Black Bears this is a group for like-minded individuals of Missouri that want to show growing Missouri Black Bear Population.

The Missouri Black Bear is a hunting/conservation group designed to build a real resource for the serious hunters of Missouri. The Missouri Black Bear is the icon species for conservation.

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No. 3 - October 19, 2021 - 250 lb. Sow, B. J. Applegate, Zone 1, Christian County - Mark Twain National Forest – Ear Tag

No. 3 - October 19, 2021 - 250 lb. Sow, BJ Applegate, Zone 1, Christian County - Mark Twain National Forest – Ear Tag

It was Mark Twain National Forest, the hunt happened quick. A buddy of mine had seen this bear the Saturday before season while he was checking trail cams.

I went in on Tuesday morning waited until good light to walk in. Got in the stand and sat about 20 to 30 minutes.

I saw a black spot that hadn't been there before, focused in on it and could see the bears legs. Got really shook up then, put the Marlin 7mm-08 on the bear and had to put the gun back down and talk to myself to calm down.

She walked up about 15 more yards in the open, I brought the rifle up and shot. She took off like a rocket. About 2 minutes later I heard 2 death growls and knew it was over.

Still almost a surreal feeling on the harvest. I haven't been that excited about a hunt in a long time.

The only real information that they gave me on the tag was: Missouri Department of Conservation had trapped and tagged her in 2019 estimated her being 3 to 5 years of age then. So MDC thinks this sow was 5 to 7 years at time of harvest.

MDC had pictures of this sow on their virtual class that they had prior to season. MDC said the sow had probably lived in that area her whole life.