Posted Friday, September 19, 2008 ---- 4:00 p.m.

From NBC15's sister station, WEAU.

A Cameron, Wisconsin woman had quite a night during her first year of bear hunting, bringing down a massive black bear.

Racheal Gifford shot the 553.4 pound black bear September 12 near Cameron. Gifford says she and her husband have been baiting the bear and watching him on a trail cam for a few weeks. The bear which they nicknamed 'Marmaduke' finally came in close last week and Gifford made the shot from 15 yards. An official scorer from Boone and Crockett will come and measure the bear to see just where he ranks, but Gifford says she believes Marmaduke will put her in the top 10 in state history.

Here is Gifford’s account of the hunt:

After six years applying for a tag for up north, my husband and I decided that with the rise of gas prices and our busy schedules we would give up applying for our cabin in Exeland and apply for zone C to be able to hunt closer to home. Finally after a long six years I received my first bear tag, I was ecstatic. We started baiting Aug. 11th not knowing that this bear was in the area. It wasn’t long and our trail camera’s showed us we were in for a hunt of a lifetime if this bear would cooperate. I ordered a new bow which ended up on back order and never came until two days after the season opened; meanwhile I had to practice with my old bow. After seeing the pictures of the bear I knew I had to make a great shot. I never got chance to hunt until the first Friday of season. I passed on two bears earlier that night, estimating over two hundred pounds. As I lowered my bow I looked over and the big bear was sitting there. We had no choice but to spook the bear off. We prayed that this big bear which we named Marmaduke would return. We sat the next two nights turning down three more bear and only getting pictures of Marmaduke late at night. I was not able to hunt during the next week due to work schedules until that next Friday. On Wednesday Marmaduke showed up on camera at 6:30, we were excited to see him coming in so early but at the same time disappointed we were not there to hunt. With the acorns starting to fall, a corn field to the south of us and plenty of black berries we knew we had to close on him quick. After a long week finally Friday came and we were ready for the hunt. The night was perfect, the wind was in our favor and we knew tonight was the night. The woods were dead silent and I told my husband

I didn’t think Marmaduke was going to come in. He told me just sit still and be patient this is all a part of hunting. He said it’s not about the moment when nothing is there it’s about the suspense of the time yet to come. Finally the first bear arrived but stood motion less staring behind him. My husband said Marmaduke has come in behind this bear before according to the camera. Sure enough here he came. The little bear began putting on a show and running around like crazy barking and wolfing around Marmaduke. Marmaduke sat down scratched his ears and ignored him. The little bear stood off forty yards and allowed Marmaduke to take control. It didn’t take long for him to quarter away from me for the perfect shot.

I pulled my bow back as my husband videoed, when I released the arrow was a perfect hit. I just hit the bear of a life time and I started shaking so bad I had to sit down. I asked him if he thinks I got him and my husband answered he won’t go far. My emotions started to take over and I replayed the shot over and over in my mind. We left the woods called our family and friends to track my first bear. It didn’t take long, we found Marmaduke less then 100 yards from where I shot him. Words can’t express the feeling I had when we recovered the bear. I can’t express the thanks to the people who shared this hunt with me. I am very thankful. What would a hunt be without the excitement of friends and family to share with? Marmaduke weighed in at an impressive 553.4 pounds dressed. He was weighed at Bear Paw in Rice Lake. We thought of the hunt, but we didn’t realize the work that had yet to be done. Shooting the bear was just the beginning. Moving Marmaduke from place to place it took a crew of people, but it was all worth it. This hunt was unbelievable and so worth all the hard work it took to get him. Marmaduke will be a full body mount. Lord knows where I will put him.

Jeff and Racheal Gifford