Bowhunter Takes 515 Pound Bear In Gilmer County

Danny Hall, of Ellijay, said it took seven people to drag his 515-lb. Gilmer County bow bear just 30 yards to the Polaris.

“And then we liked to have never got it in the back of the Polarius,” said Danny.

Danny, a professional bass tournament angler who has appeared in GON numerous times, took the once-in-lifetime bear on Sept. 10 on a piece of private land.

“It rained all afternoon,” said Danny. “I had about 30 minutes left, and I heard something behind me, and about that time I saw a doe come out in front of me, and she went up the hill.

“It wasn’t five minutes later, and I heard something behind me, and I turned around and couldn’t see a thing. I turned back around where the doe was at, and there the bear stood like it just appeared. I couldn’t see but the upper-third part of his body, but he was pointed up the hill like he was going to leave there. I made a quick shot, and I saw the arrow hit the mark. It would have been a 12 ring if we’d been shooting 3D.

“He didn’t run 30 yards and pile up. That’s a blessing I guarantee because there was a hole he was fixing to run into.”

Danny is talking with a local sporting goods store about having a full-body mount of the giant bear on display.

“I measured it, and I think it’s going to go Boone and Crockett. With the skin still on, it scored 24 inches,” said Danny.

To make the All-Time Boone & Crockett list for black bear, the skull must measure 21 inches.