A Beaver County hunter bagged a massive, record-setting black bear while hunting over the weekend. Nate Miller told Pittsburgh Action News he was in his hunting spot in Moraine State Park in Butler County while it was still dark outside. “Ask the big man upstairs for just a sight of a bear, let alone harvest one,” He told Pittsburgh Action News 4. Most of the morning Miller said was spent watching squirrels until he decided it was time to take a walk and check out the terrain. After finding a secondary spot to hunt in, he grabbed his binoculars and once again began to wait in silence.That move paid off. After only 30 seconds, Miller said he saw motion about 60 to 80 yards in front of him. “Grab the binoculars again and confirm it’s a bear! Darn thing wasn’t there when I looked with the binoculars so I grab’em again and double check, yep it’s a bear,” Miller told us in a Facebook message. In total, Miller said he took three shots from his Remington 721 30.06 before the bear disappeared. Miller said he loaded two more shells into his rifle and began watching for the massive bear, as he called his wife to tell her he had to find it. Shortly after finding a blood pile in the leaves, Miller found the massive 717-pound black bear. “He didn’t run at all, must have rolled down into a depression that I couldn’t see from the spot I first saw him at,” Miller said. What came next was the recovery, with the help of his brother Jason and a few friends. In total, it took 4 people to roll over the bear for field dressing. The bear was strapped in and rolled out of the woods.”Farthest we went with 4 of us was about 20’ downhill. Would get some good runs in but took a lot of breaks and water,” Miller said.The trip took 4 to 5 hours, with park rangers coming in to help the last 100 to 150 yards. After celebrating the hunt, it was off to the Venango County check station for more excitement.From nose to tail, the bear was 7 feet 5 inches tall and had a live weight of 717 pounds. Dressed, the bear weighted 608 pounds.Miller plans to do a full mount and have the skull cleaned.

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. —

A Beaver County hunter bagged a massive, record-setting black bear while hunting over the weekend.

Nate Miller told Pittsburgh Action News he was in his hunting spot in Moraine State Park in Butler County while it was still dark outside.

“Ask the big man upstairs for just a sight of a bear, let alone harvest one,” He told Pittsburgh Action News 4.

Most of the morning Miller said was spent watching squirrels until he decided it was time to take a walk and check out the terrain. After finding a secondary spot to hunt in, he grabbed his binoculars and once again began to wait in silence.

That move paid off. After only 30 seconds, Miller said he saw motion about 60 to 80 yards in front of him.

“Grab the binoculars again and confirm it’s a bear! Darn thing wasn’t there when I looked with the binoculars so I grab’em again and double check, yep it’s a bear,” Miller told us in a Facebook message.

In total, Miller said he took three shots from his Remington 721 30.06 before the bear disappeared.

Miller said he loaded two more shells into his rifle and began watching for the massive bear, as he called his wife to tell her he had to find it.

Shortly after finding a blood pile in the leaves, Miller found the massive 717-pound black bear.

“He didn’t run at all, must have rolled down into a depression that I couldn’t see from the spot I first saw him at,” Miller said.

What came next was the recovery, with the help of his brother Jason and a few friends. In total, it took 4 people to roll over the bear for field dressing.

The bear was strapped in and rolled out of the woods.

“Farthest we went with 4 of us was about 20’ downhill. Would get some good runs in but took a lot of breaks and water,” Miller said.

The trip took 4 to 5 hours, with park rangers coming in to help the last 100 to 150 yards.

After celebrating the hunt, it was off to the Venango County check station for more excitement.

From nose to tail, the bear was 7 feet 5 inches tall and had a live weight of 717 pounds. Dressed, the bear weighted 608 pounds.

Miller plans to do a full mount and have the skull cleaned.