I brought the camera and tagged along the first night on the stand. The bait had been hit hard a few times. About 6:00 (very early for bears I understand) four bears came in from across the swamp. There was a sow and three cubs, all of which were probably 100 pounds already. From what I have read, cubs can live on their own after 6 months, and given that we only had two days to hunt the whole season, I had no doubt my buddy would try to fill the tag.
While the cubs spent plenty of time messing around and munching on M&Ms and licorice, the sow was much more cautious. She never quite came into the bait, but stayed back in the thick, constantly sniffing and even eying us up a few times. She finally turned around and began heading back into the swamp. My buddy drew back and waited till she turned in an open lane. He released the arrow at 15 yards quartering away, hitting far back. The arrow penetrated just in front of the rear leg but exited along the bear's centerline just behind the front shoulders. With just a liver hit, we gave it time, and found her laying about 200 yards from the stand.
Two of the cubs took off at the shot, but one stayed and continued to eat. After sensing something was up, it took a few steps from the bait and reared on its hind legs looking around. After failing to see any other bears, it took off as well. I was filming with my new Canon vixia in HD and I must say the video quality is AWESOME. It will truly be a hunt to remember, even though I was not the one who released the arrow. I plan on purchasing a bear tag for next year.
I posted a picture of myself with the bear, although I was not the one who shot it.
.... i think 
