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 I scrambled back up in the tree stand and grabbed the video camera. It was hard to wait for it to rewind and begin to tell me what had happened. In
all the excitement, I had not even heard Vic Morrell, our guide, approach the site and then heard his voice say "where is he"? Referring to the bear. Even if I had
been listening, Vic probably would have been able to walk right up on us. He moves much like a bear in the woods and can walk in and out of places and never
leave a trace. It scared the heck right out of me. I returned my focus on the video tape and did not answer him.
Is the taped played I watched the previous footage of some squirrels we had taped and then the tape went
blank. I waited for the typical pause when new footage begins and nothing but snow flakes on the screen appeared. I had looked over and seen the bear in the screen for the camera myself. I had purchased a
video camera just for this trip that had the view screen to preview/shoot video through just so if I was in the stand alone that I did not have to look into a little viewfinder to see what was taping. It
suddenly hit me what had happened.
I hollered over to Dave who was still looking for any sign that I had hit the bear by the site,
"Dave, did you remember to hit the record button?" He got this silly look on his face and then I heard Vic start laughing that same laugh I had heard Dave make shortly before. That good
down deep, laughing from the soul. It was Vic's and my turn to share a feeling now. Many times has Vic come face to face when traveling in and out of his bait sites. Neither he or his
help, Eckie, carry any type of protection or cameras with them. They have missed some very nice photographic opportunities and kicked themselves for not having one with. Dave looked
back up at me and said, "sorry, I think I forgot." Then it was time for us all to share a good giggle. I crawled back out of the tree stand and we all three made a large loop of the
surrounding area making sure we found no sign that I had wounded this magnificent animal. We could find no sign what so ever that I had even come close. I believe I shot right over the top of him.
That old bear got the scare of his life. He thought that the thunder had hit but could not figure
out where the lighting was. He was not alone..... I also learned a greater respect for these black bears of Nova Scotia, they are a crafty animal, with a sense of their surroundings that few
animals I have encountered share. I will return next season and see if this bear is still looking for me. I have one advantage, I will not forget and I do hope this bear survives the winter to
meet me again in the woods someday. I am not sad that I missed that shot and spent several days in other stands and then again one night in the same stand. I wanted that bear as bad as
any animal I have hunted and wanted it on video worse than that, but I think it was a moment that was meant to be shared by Dave and I alone.
 You see, I meet Dave when he originally contacted me asking a few questions in setting up a
ring on Archery. It was not a very long relationship at that time and he pursued his efforts and I also did mine. Last year, the Hunting Trail had grown to a point that the costs of providing this service
were far exceeding what I could afford and I contacted Dave, among others that were not interested, concerning having a script written and providing a team effort to ensure we could
continue to provide our free service. Dave and Deb, his wife, jumped in both feet and have never looked back. We really didn't know each other and they still had enough faith in my ideas to see a
future. In one of our very first e-mail Dave typed something on the bottom of an e-mail. I do not still have that mail but remember the statement well for some reason.
It went something like.
May we someday soon share the shade of a tree, enjoying the fresh cool autumn air of a hunt.
Getting to know more about each other and the sport we both love. I look forward to this day my friend.
It was much better put than that and I wish I had not lost that e-mail during a computer crash,
it described just what happened. We, Dave and I, shared this moment and it was one of the most exciting I have ever experienced in the woods. I don't think it was meant to be shared. It
was what hunting is all about The friendship and bond between man and fellow man, animal and human, nature and life. This was one of the first reminders that this trip was special from
the start. We shared this moment in terror, excitement, anticipation and friendship and bonded from it. I am glad he was in the tree with me that first day. It was a thrill for us both.
I ask again, why do you hunt? This was the first of many special, almost spiritual moments I
was blessed with during our trip. Did I go to Nova Scotia with the express intent of harvesting a bear? Yes, I did! Was it the driving force to get myself to travel 3,000 miles to a foreign
country, leave my wife and children for 2 weeks, the first time in 9 years we have been apart for more than a few days? Again, I must answer yes. What did I get out of this black bear hunt?
More than I can begin to tell. There was rarely a night that we did not return to the cabin at Morrell's Guide Post that someone wasn't there to meet us. I do not mean just meet us, but to
become our friends. Honest hardworking folks that just wanted to come say hello and touched our lives with a friendship that words can not describe. Victor Morrell was and will always
remain a true brother to me, I would encourage anyone that wants to take a break and go on an honest outfit and experience first class hunting, fantastic accommodations, incredible food and true friendship, to give Morrells Big Paws a serious look.
 I realize this trip was a little different than what is normal around Vic's operation. I mean, I did
become good friends with Vic before we came out and Dave and I have done our best to help promote his site. I am an honest person and want to be clear, we
got special treatment I'm sure. It is also the very first guided hunt I have ever been on. I can not imagine many that could top this one though. It expounded all
the aspects that my father gave to me when he shared his love of hunting with me. It reminded me of why I choose to call myself a Hunter and do so with great pride. No, I did not harvest a bear, not in anyway
reflecting upon my Guide, I was not prepared for this adventure, he on the other hand did his job very well. My harvest this year was friendship and learning, what
more could I ask to gain. It beats the heck of any trophy I have hanging on my wall now.
I invite you to join me again for Part 4
. There are many more special days left to cover from this trip complete with pictures from the Titanic Museum and grave sites of the souls that meet
their fate on that fearful night. Plus meet some of the best folks I have ever found in the World that we had the privilege of making friendships with. Share in a night of old fashioned folk
singing and more! Morrell's is the place my heart will be during the hunting season this year!
Stay tuned! I have lot's more to come...
Besides, you haven't gotten to know Hank yet! See ya soon!
Back to Part 1, Part 2, or on to Part 4 and Part 5
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