Stucko's Bear Season

[StuckoYota99]

Hey all, pretty sure this is my first post.   
      Been snooping around this forum for bout 2 years now trying to learn as much as i could.
Last year was my 4th bear season, my first was an intro into big game hunting, second was riding with my cousin and learning from him. 3rd was me on my own driving, mostly driving and glassing. Yes i was a road hunter but i didnt know any better  this season i hit it hard, got the gear, the spot, and put boots on the ground and hiked a lot.
     This last bear season was the most eventful for me, unfortunately i did not put any bears in the dirt. However i did have several close encounters with bears before and during season. The last trip out before i wrecked knee (and my moms bike).  i spotted a bear approx 600yds on a hill eatin berrys. i was pumped. i dropped down and stalked to within 200 yds. i climbed on a rock pile and finally spotted it again only this one was on the down hill side and seemed a bit smaller, i dismissed it as being a different bear cuz well i was 600 yd away when i spotted it. Anyway i flipped out my bipod, got a good rest, and chambered a round into my tikka. I knew i was sighted one inch high at 100 yards, so i held right behind his shoulder blade. safety off and finger on the trigger. I waited till he stood still and started to squeeze the trigger. BUT before i let it fly his ears stood straight up and he stood up and looked up hill. curious of what spooked him i put my safety on and grabbed my binos and swung up about 50 yds up hill. And behold another bear, a bigger one eating berrys on the hill side. it was about 1500 (3:00 pm) so i knew i had time. However I was by myself at this point so i decided to let them go.
        My question is was it a wise decision to let them be? Or should i have one of them?
my thoughts on it was that i didnt want to:
1. shoot a bear and have to gut it with another bear in the area.
2. Shoot and wound one of them and have to track it with another bear in the area.
3. pack a bear out with a pack full of meat.
Ive spooked bears before but i wasnt sure how skiddish they are when there is blood on the ground and  if the other would be unhappy if i shot his buddy.
Thanks all! 
Just would like to have insight on the matter from "experienced" folk

[Eli346]

 Hard to say whether the other would bother you or not. He probably would have skedaddled on the first shot. Leaving the bear down and coming back in for another trip later would have been interesting as I don't think you could have gotten it all out in one trip. I think you made the right decision just for the fact that you had some doubt before the shot. Good choice. They will be there again and with you knowing that you can set up and be prepared for the shot you like. You might also bring someone along to help with the packing as it isn't easy. Good luck.

[StuckoYota99]

Thanks for the input, i agree that the other would have lit out after i shot but i did not want to come back onto a kill with another bear in the area. that and the second trip would be in the dark.

[skagitsteel]

Thanks for the input, i agree that the other would have lit out after i shot but i did not want to come back onto a kill with another bear in the area. that and the second trip would be in the dark.

Just make sure you have another tag in your pocket when you head back in

[StuckoYota99]

In theory could I down one bear, tag it,  transport it home, buy another tag go back and take a second near on the same day? That's a lot of movin and shakin but can it legally be done?

[180-GRAIN]

I have had bears come in on me after knocking one down on several different occasions. Both times the bears kept there distance. The first time a bears came in on us from behind some small pines, I don't think he knew we were there because he scared the crap out of us and we scared him because he tore out of the area really fast. Second time we were in a basin that held 16 bear at the same time believe it or not. after we shot we had 3 little bears circle us for around 30 minutes but after they got a nose full and figured out what we were they all worked out of the area. Not saying a bear may come into a kill site but in my experiences they are still scared of us even when the scent of blood is in the air.  I would have shot the big bear you seen.

[Rufous]

I would have shot the bigger one. If you do not want to pack bear meat you should not hunt them.

[StuckoYota99]

I would have shot the bigger one. If you do not want to pack bear meat you should not hunt them.

I have no problem packing bear meat or any kind of meat out. however based on the circumstances i was unsure. Dont worry though next time ill come out with something. 

[trophyhunt]

I would have put the big bear down, you don't always get chances like that in the wild. I say put the animal down and call your best buddy to help get it out. That smaller bear would have been out of the area after your first shot, they are very afraid of us stinky humans, most anyway.

[StuckoYota99]

Thanks for the replies guys  this season ill have a lot more confidence when i return to that area, i know for a fact no one took a bear out of there, unless they hacked their own trail down the mountain to get it out. my cousin happened to be in the area but had difficulty locating my truck and was out of range for walkies. hoping to have a hunting partner with me this year for bear deer and elk season.