Chapter 5
I was up early the next morning. Ryan, Robert and I all put on our camouflage gear for the hunting trip. We each wore orange safety vests so we were clearly visible to other hunters. Robert brought along two Browning X-Bolt Hell Speed Bolt action rifles, both .22 caliber. He carried one and gave the other to me. We met J.R. the tour guide at the front of the general store.
“Good morning. How are you boys doing today?” J.R. asked.
“Great,” Robert replied.
“Good thanks,” Jason and Ryan said.
“Nice to see y’all. Are you ready for some hiking today? I do wanna give you some information before we leave. First, we are in the midst of bear hibernation season right now, so the first rule is that we stay together at all times in a group. I am giving you each an electronic tracker just in case any of you get separated from the group for any reason. The trackers will allow the sheriff’s department or medical rescue to find you in case of an emergency. If, while we are out in the woods, you hear three simultaneous shots in the air, then that’s the signal a bear has been spotted in the area. At that time the hike will be over, and we will have to head back to the trucks. Safety is the most important thing,” J. R. said.
“Jason and Ryan, you boys stay close to me at all times,” Robert said.
“Yes, Sir.” Ryan and I responded.
J. R. led us all deep into the woods. The air was crisp and cold. We saw many animals while on our hike. There were rabbits, elk and we even saw some bison grazing.
“Hey look! Bear tracks,” J.R. said
J.R. showed us several bear tracks, but they were days old. As we hiked higher into the mountains, I looked over at Ryan and he looked just as bored as I was. Robert looked like he was enjoying every minute, like he was reliving his glory days in the Army.
“Okay, everyone we’re gonna stop here for a few minutes and rest. I suggest you all drink some water to keep hydrated,” J.R. said.
“Jason, I have to pee right now,” Ryan urged.
“Okay Jason, you go with him. I’ll hold your rifle ‘til you come back,” Robert said.
I handed Robert my rifle as Ryan and I walked away.
“Look Jason, there’s a cave over there behind those big rocks. I need privacy dude,” Ryan pleaded.
“Okay hurry up,” I said.
Ryan walked into the semi-dark cave and I turned my back to give him some privacy. Suddenly I feel Ryan elbow me in my side.
“Jason, HELP!” Ryan whispered to me.
I heard heavy breathing and growling. As I turned, I saw a 300-pound bear standing right in front of us. I could only see part of his head and his bright yellow eyes.
“Ryan, don’t move I’m not gonna let it hurt you,” I said.
I stepped in front of Ryan to protect him.
The bear suddenly started to charge at us. I took half a breath and raised my arm toward the bear, and my mind went totally blank.
Bang, bang, bang. The next thing I knew, the bear was lying at our feet dead. I had shot the bear three times in the head with the 9mm handgun I had taken from Robert’s gun room before we left on this trip.
Ryan put his arms around me and was shaking.
“Dude, that was freaking awesome. That bear could have totally killed us,” Ryan said.
Robert and J.R. suddenly started running quickly toward us.
“Are you boys okay?” Robert asked.
I blinked and looked over at him.
“Yes, we are fine,” I said.
“Jason, what are you doing with my gun?” Robert said.
“I’m sorry, Robert. I just borrowed it from your gun room. I had it with me the whole time. On instinct I felt we needed extra protection.”
“Jason, where did you learn to shoot like that anyways?” Robert said.
“I told you my ROTC recruiter has been taking some of us to the gun range for regular lessons.”
My hand was still shaking as Robert took the gun from me and unloaded it before he tucked it in his waistband. He then put his arms around Ryan and I and hugged us both.
“Oh my God, I’m glad you boys are okay. I think it’s time to go home,” he said.
J. R. led us all down the mountain and back to our truck. Ryan and I loaded up the truck and I hopped in the backseat and let Ryan sit in front this time.
“Thanks J. R. This has definitely been an experience we will be talking about for a long time,” Robert said.
“I’m just glad no one was hurt Robert. But I have been a guide and hunter most of my life and I have never seen anyone take down a bear like your boy did today. He killed it out of pure instinct and with no hesitation. The bear was shot in the head three times, but they were dead center shots to the brain. Where did he learn shooting like that? I can tell that boy has something brewing inside of him and you need to find out what it is,” J. R. said.
“Thanks J.R., I will definitely be talking with him when we get home. Take care,” Robert said.
As Ryan and I sat in the truck, Robert had a very blank expression on his face as he spoke with J.R.. No words were spoken as we rode back to the campsite. It started to rain hard and we were suddenly caught in a storm.
“Okay, go inside both of you and grab all your gear, we’re going back to the lodge today,” Robert said.
“Why Robert? You promised to take me fishing tomorrow,” Ryan said.
“I will take you fishing Ryan, but when we get back to the lodge,” he replied.
We all went inside and packed up our belongings and put them in the truck.
We waited at the cabin for a few hours for the storm to pass. Robert sat on the couch reading a book by the fireplace. Ryan and I sat next to one another on the couch playing checkers.
“Okay boys, I think it’s time to go. Ryan grab our food from the fridge for our trip home.”
As we all walked out of the cabin Robert turned to me tossed me the keys,
“Here Jason you drive!”
“Really Robert?”
“Yup, you got your license now. I trust you. Let’s go”
“Okay!”
I was excited and jumped in the driver’s seat. I couldn’t believe Robert was letting me drive his truck back to the lodge. Ryan jumped in the backseat.
“Hey dude don’t crash us okay?” Ryan giggled.
“Just sit back and enjoy the ride,” Robert said.
Robert slept most of the way while I drove and followed the road signs back to the lodge. An hour into the drive, I looked in my rearview mirror and Ryan had drifted off to sleep. He looked so peaceful. I couldn’t believe I had saved his life twice now. I couldn’t explain how or why I was so emotionally connected to this little scrawny kid. I know the horrible ordeal we had gone through gave us a bond as brothers that could never be broken. I can’t explain the feeling I felt when I pulled the trigger and shot that bear. At that moment a big brother protector mode had kicked in.