Bagging the big one
SLIPPERY ROCK — Jeff McClymonds had not bagged a bear in 12 years.
The 59-year-old Slippery Rock resident has made up for lost time.
McClymonds shot a 598-pound male black bear in Muddy Creek Township, near the south shore of Moraine State Park on the first day of bear season Nov. 22. The bear was the third largest taken in Pennsylvania this year.
A 677-pound bear was harvested in Pittsfield Township, Warren County, and a 623-pounder was bagged in Union County.
“I knew that bear was out there,” McClymonds said. “I was taking a walk in Moraine State Park earlier and recognized the tracks.
“They were the biggest bear tracks I could remember seeing.”
McClymonds shot a 200-pound bear in Tionesta in 1992, but hadn't gotten one since. He said he hasn't been bear hunting every year.
After doing some scouting, he climbed 40 feet into a tree on the first day of bear season this year to take a look around.
He heard a gunshot, then saw the bear running in his direction about 30 minutes later.
“I know somebody took a shot at him and missed,” McClymonds said. “He was really moving and was coming straight toward me.”
The bear never saw McClymonds, who dropped him with one shot from about 75 yards away.
“There was snow on the ground, so it was easy to scout that day. Without that snow, I wouldn't have gotten that bear,” McClymonds said. “The bear had to stand eight feet tall. I called some buddies of mine in West Liberty to help get it out of there.
“It took 12 of us to load it on the back of the truck.”
He said the taxidermist measured the skull at 21.25 inches. The bear will likely be scored in Boone and Crockett.
McClymonds plans to have the bear fully mounted.
A hunter since age 12, McClymonds has bagged a buck virtually every year he's been in the woods. He's harvested as big as a 13-point buck.
He has yet to harvest a buck this season, but plans on doing so.
“Now I want that triple trophy,” McClymonds said. “I got a gobbler right around Thanksgiving.”
Pennsylvania's total bear harvest for the four-day season this year was tallied at 2,444 by the PA Game Commission, down slightly from the 2,473 taken in 2013.
McClymonds' bear was one of 23 harvested in Butler County this season. Warren County had 95 bears harvested to lead the Northwest portion of the state, followed by Venango with 65, Jefferson 53, Clarion 50, Forest 39 and Crawdord 24.
There were 13 bears bagged in Erie County, four in Mercer.
