Ethics

[Dave B]

So I have an ethics question for you guys.  Today I watched a bear for a good half hour.  It was over 600 yards from me and I spotted the bear just wondering the clearing.  And now the dilemma.  On Friday I saw a bear in the same clearing.  After putting the stock on I could no longer see the bear I was stocking, but instead I see a small cub.  So i put the saftey on and bring up the binos and watch for a while.  I didnt see the sow again and the cub ran back in the brush soon after.  So do you think this was the same bear and the cub was not with her or a different bear altogether.  Would you have shot or passed even after watching this bear for so long and not seeing any cubs?


Thanks

[csaaphill]

sorry to correct but the word is stalk, but got your meaning.
I would of passed more than likely with the sow better off letting that one go.
So I think you did right.
there corrected
 

[NWBREW]

sorry to correct but the workd is stalk, but got your meaning.
 

  sorry to correct you but you mispelled word.  but I got your meaning. 


I would have passed if that helps.

[Heartsblood]

sorry to correct but the workd is stalk, but got your meaning.
I would of passed more than likely with the sow better off letting that one go.
So I think you did right.

Sorry to correct you but you have used incorrect grammar. It's "would have" not "would of".... but I got your meaning.... 

[Encore 280]

Could've used  would've.

[DoubleJ]

Could've used  would've.

There appears to be 2 spaces between the words "used" and "would've" but, I got your meaning. 

[Heartsblood]

    
 

[Bean Counter]

If its not illegal then I would have shot it. Less bear = more deer.

[kckrawler]

Try closing the distance quite a bit for a better vantage point. If you still don't see anything after 30 minutes or so, take the shot 

[scout/sniper]

If its not illegal then I would have shot it. Less bear = more deer.

...I see no problem.

[Gutpile]

Are you asking if you should have shot the cub or the sow? I'm not understanding the question. If you shoot a sow with a cub this time of year year killing the cubs and the sow as they stay with mama for two years. If they are still with her in October then they need her for another year since two year cubs would have been kicked out already so she can be bred again. Not illegal in Washington but IMO its definately unethical.

If your asking if you should shoot the cub, well, thats up to you. I wouldn't. Not necesarily unethical, I just dont want to shoot a cub.

[Smokepole]

I shoot just about every thing that walks, slithers, or crawls.  I can't spell worth a darn, either.  If you get my meaning. 

Well seriously, I wouldn't shoot a sow with cubs.  Wouldn't take a  600 yard shot, so you did the right thing stalking it.  If there is a cub in the same area, you can bet that sow was the mother.  You did the right thing by passing.

Ps. Aint much meat on a cub.  Pretty scrawny.  Wouldn't shoot a small bear myself.

[Dave B]

Not saying I want to shoot the cub.  Was just wondering if you guys thought it was the same sow or a different bear.  I dont know how long they stay in an area.

[Kowsrule30]

It could've been a totally different bear... Who knows.... Small cubs don't get to far from mamma.... 1 1/2 year old cubs (which isn't really a cub any more) venture away from mom and sometimes just stay within a certain area of her..... Mainly shadowing her... Usually because mom is trying to get them on their own....

[csaaphill]

I think it was a cub with, or shadowing as others have said. I do believe the rules do say not to shoot so I think you made the right choice. I would be of the opinion that the cub was with the other bear, or sow.