MARQUETTE — Taxidermist Raymond Caswell of Escanaba killed one of the biggest black bears taken with a bow and arrow in the state during the 2025 season.

The bruin he arrowed on the evening of Sept. 16 in Delta County while hunting over bait had a dressed weight of 443 pounds and en estimated weight more than 500.

It was the first bear he tagged.

Caswell’s hunt started Sept. 15. Based on game camera photos at the bait, he said he had five bears visiting the spot before his hunt began.

“On the first day of my hunt, the only bear I saw was the small male. Knowing a bigger animal was in the area, it was easy to pass up the young one.

“The next evening, the big male showed up about 7:15 p.m. I waited until he was in position for a good shot before releasing an arrow from my 65-pound-pull

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