"I wasn't really chasing records ... it was an incredible honor to have chased him because he was the smartest animal I had ever chased," Melvin stated, reflecting on his remarkable experience hunting this specific bear. He emphasized the bear's intelligence and elusiveness, noting how much effort went into tracking it over the years.
"He never stayed in the same place for more than six months," Melvin explained, describing the challenge he faced during his hunts. He elaborated on the extensive preparation he undertook, saying, "I spent weeks knocking on doors and getting permission for land that I thought he might be on or at least travel through."
Melvin assessed the bear's size, saying, "If you leave them [the bear] intact for more than an hour, they spoil and you lose the whole bear, and I'm just not about that." This insight sheds light on the pressures of game preservation and the swift action hunters must take.
With the bear weighing in at 770 pounds, Melvin noted, "The largest dressed weight for a black bear recorded during the New Jersey black bear hunt" highlights the significance of his achievement. Melvin has surpassed previous records, which emphasizes the ongoing community and competitive nature of hunting.
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