This story first made the rounds in January of last year and is such a feat, it deserves Doubletough status:
Fern Spaulding-Rivers of Talkeetna, Alaska at nine years old was an experienced hunter of that state’s top game species and on this day she was out with her parents in pursuit of bear. Her weapon of choice was a Remington 700 chambered in .375 H&H. Bear Hunting Magazine reported she had to take out a wolf “at 8 paces” when it charged them, long before they stumbled across the bear.
After passing up several opportunities, the three came across this big boy and 32 yards, she knocked it down with a 270 grain Barnes Triple Shock round. After going down, it rose again and a second shot at 112 yards sealed the deal.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife measured the hide at 11’4″ and the skull had an official Boone & Crockett score of 29 1/16″. The bear had an estimated weight of 1,800 pounds.
Fern took her trophy in October, 2006. That’s one little girl who’s not afraid of the monsters under the bed or in the closet!
6 Comments
Now that’s just plain cool! Way to go. That girl is well equipped to handle herself.
This is not a post against hunting, this is a post about senseless killing.
Doubletough status is BS. if this bear was killed with a knife now that would be Doubletough status. ANYONE with a rifle can kill an innocent animal. I hope eating bear is their prerogative. If not what a wast.
For those who disagree with this comment thats fine, I personally think this kind of treatment to our friends in nature only reflects our selfish and barbaric ways. We all have a lot of maturing to do.
This post should not be a celebration of triumph, because there is no triumph. This is senseless killing. This is a trophy for your personal enjoyment. And now with the advent of internet you can share with the world. But be prepared for others to share a different point of view.
Just remember there are those in this world that do think this sort of behavior against nature are looked upon as murder.
Good luck in your endeavors.
M: This hunt was approved by the state of Alaska and a tag was legally purchased. States routinely do this to control populations, otherwise animals would outgrow their range, leading to starvation and other nasty outcomes.
M:
LPC.
Chip, with all due respect, I can’t help but think of how humans continue to outgrow their range with outcomes that make nasty look like a blessing. Her smile does not suggest remorse over a necessary act to help control population. Loss of these majestic animals is a loss for us all. With the passing of each one, it makes our world a little less. In the end, perhaps we all do go to the pearly gates, and it will be her task to justify why this taking of god’s amazing and beautiful creation was a necessary and unavoidable act.
This young lady is participating in the healthy maintenance of the habitat, to the benefit of predators and prey alike. She did not walk into the woods and pick something to shoot; she applied for a license, one of a total number issued that is determined by the state based on population numbers. She’s smiling because of the accomplishment. Tracking, trekking and the post-shot work is a huge undertaking and is she is willing to do it for an animal of this stature then by golly she can be proud of it.
Thanks for reading.