Hawkins Dexter McKittrick already had a full day by most measures.
The 17-year-old had done early-morning chores on his family's Rusk County farm, attended 11th-grade classes at Flambeau High School, gone to football practice after school and then returned home and tended to the dairy herd in late afternoon.
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All in a day's work for an able-bodied member of a Wisconsin farm family.
But he wasn't yet done with his Sept. 9 "to-do" list. And as commendable as his work had been so far, the last item - hunting with dad - is gaining McKittrick the most recognition.
Jan McKittrick, Dexter's father, had applied for the last decade to obtain a bear kill tag in Zone A. When he received one for this season, he transferred it to his son.
"I've hunted bears plenty," said Jan. "It was time for Dexter to have a chance."
The McKittricks finished their chores and headed out to a hunting stand on the farm about 6:30 p.m.
The stand was in a wooded corner of the farm and adjacent to a bait site; several bears were visiting it daily.
Dexter hoped to get a chance at a huge bear that lived in the area but rarely made appearances before nightfall.
Four bears ambled into view about 6:45, including one that likely tipped the scales at 300 pounds. Jan advised Dexter to hold his shot.
About 15 minutes later, the four bears stood still and focused their attention on a nearby creek bottom.
"After a few seconds, they high-tailed it out of there like a bunch of rats," Jan said.
The reason soon became clear: A huge bear emerged out of the brush and walked toward the bait pile.
Dexter waited and took the first clear shot with his .270 rifle; the bear ran into a patch of tag alders.
After waiting and listening for several minutes, the McKittricks took up the trail.
They found the animal 70 yards away. It was no ordinary bear.
"It was just prehistoric," Jan said.
The bear, a male or "boar," had a live weight of 711 pounds and weighed 656 pounds dressed, according to Jan.
The McKittricks needed a skid steer to retrieve the animal.
After registering the bear in Glen Flora, the McKittricks took the bear to Gunner's Taxidermy in Bruce. The skull "green" scored 23 4/16 inches.
The bear had worn down and lost most of its teeth; the taxidermist estimated the animal was between 15 and 20 years old. A tooth sample is being analyzed by the Department of Natural Resources to determine its age.
According to the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club, the state record bear was shot by George Spaulding in Washburn County in 2002; it measured 22 12/16 inches.
The world record black bear was shot in Utah in 1975 and measured 23 10/16, according to the Boone and Crockett Club.
A 60-day drying period is required before measurements are official.
Dexter plans to have a half-body mount made of the bear.
As Dexter adjusts to his newfound celebrity as potential state record holder, his father is handling questions from the media.
"We aren't really concerned about the record," Jan said. "For us, the most important thing is being able to share the hunting tradition in our family.
"It was one heck of a day."