Paul Peterson puts his body to the ultimate test in Ursus, Idaho.
Bear hunting certainly isn't for the faint of heart, nor is hunting the backcountry in Idaho. Yet, First Lite's Paul Peterson decided to tackle both simultaneously, while also finding a new respect for all wildlife that survives in this part of the country.
In this video, Peterson is reaping the benefits of drawing one of the most coveted spring black bear tags in the United States, and it just so happens to be his first-ever bear hunt.
"Once I understood where we'd be hunting, I knew that this is some of the most rugged country in the Lower 48," Peterson says. "It's kind of awe-inspiring and imposing at the same time—definitely formidable, but kind of enticing."
While the taxing terrain challenges Peterson's body, it also offers encounters with multiple black bears. But will he find success on his first black bear hunt?
Watch the video below:
As someone working in the outdoor media industry, I watch a lot of hunting videos, I read a lot of articles and I hear a lot of stories. Rarely do they include the mishaps and the hiccups. Yet, I don't think I've ever been on a hunt where everything went exactly according to plan. In fact, I wouldn't want a hunt without those challenges.
This video is different in that way. It feels honest and real. Someone who's never been on a big-game hunt should watch this to understand how many things can go wrong and the importance of perseverance.
Fortunately in this case, Peterson walked away with not only a bear, but also an updated admiration for his quarry.
"Putting hands on that animal was different than any experience I've had," he says. "It was definitely a little more moving. I definitely felt remorseful as a predator; it just felt different. More than anything, I just have such a profound respect—a newfound appreciation—of the strength of this animal. I had no idea."
NEXT: THE YETI TUNDRA'S RUGGEDNESS MAKES IT MORE THAN JUST A NICE COOLER
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