Saw a bear deer hunting... should I have shot?

[Scheindogg]

Wasn’t sure if I should post this is bear or deer thread so feel free to move if necessary.

Anywho, here’s my story I hope you all enjoy.

Last 2 years, my first 2 years hunting I was going with a relative of mine. He wasn’t a very reliable hunting partner. Never wanted to hunt first or last shooting light and always found a way to get us to leave early, was always too loud, never stopped to listen often enough when walking through thick brush.
This year a buddy of mine from high school did hunters Ed and I became ecstatic I had a new hunting partner where we could learn to hunt the right way together.

So we went to a high buck please where I have been one time before hunting as well as scouting once.

We were in our spot on a mossy rock ledge above what we believed was a bit of a game trail. We were sitting and waiting, staying close to silent. Eventually we heard a very loud crack of branches, just down and to the left of us, we were both bear certain right away it was a bear.

I look to the area we heard and more loud cracks, there was a small opening we could see through the bush and I saw a large branch move significantly. At this point we were 100% sure it was a bear. From that angle the bear could have come straight up the ledge at us because of how it was angled. Thankfully we were silent and motionless so it mozied on out in front of us. More to an area it would have been much harder (not impossible but much more difficult) for it to get us quickly if it decided to do so. Once it came out into the open we see it’s a BEAUTIFUL color phase black bear. A beautiful brown coat, almost assuredly a decent size boar. At this point we both had our rifles pointed in the bears direction. I had it in my crosshairs but as we were on a deer hunt and I’m not versed in how to field dress a bear, I passed. (I did have a take just in case, but I wasn’t comfortable taking one and ruining the meat having no idea what to do with it). So he keeps walking further in front of us. Then my friend puts it in his crosshairs, I noticed, and the bear was getting towards the other side of the ledge where it would have been easier for him to get to us from a different angle. In case he felt comfortable taking the shot, knowing I had a tag (he didn’t) I whispered “safety off”. The bear heard the click and popped his head right up and looked right at us... then ran off deep into the woods.
At that point I go “that was ******* awesome but holy crap, what a rush” and then the adrenaline wears off and we are nervously shaking like crazy because of what had just happened. At the start it was about 10-20 yards away and when we had crosshairs on it, 30-40 yards. Dang that was pretty close!

I’m assuming you will all agree I did the right thing passing up, because I wasn’t prepared on how to take care of the meat or anything if I did. It was a beautiful coat but I wasn’t gonna take it just for that.
Would you all have done the same?
Thanks for reading hopefully it wasn’t too much of a cluster jam of words for ya 

[dilleytech]

You did the wrong thing. You should have shot the bear saved a bunch of elk and deer and taken the meat home. You handle bear meat the exact same way as any other game animal. Cut it up into packable pieces and take it home on your back. You would have had the luck of realizing bear meat is better then deer meat and even if you screwed up the hide real bad and didn’t want to pack it out you would have had a cool skull.

[Scheindogg]

I would also consider it noteworthy that I have never field dressed any animal. I have watched videos for deer but that’s it.

[steeleywhopper]

I would also consider it noteworthy that I have never field dressed any animal. I have watched videos for deer but that’s it.

At the end of the day you made the decision that was right for you. In my mind this is all that matters.

[fishngamereaper]

Never second guess a decision not to shoot an animal....

[Blacktail Sniper]

I would also consider it noteworthy that I have never field dressed any animal. I have watched videos for deer but that’s it.

At the end of the day you made the decision that was right for you. In my mind this is all that matters.

  

[Jimmer]

I believe that would have been illegal if your buddy would have taken the shot.

[Scheindogg]

I believe that would have been illegal if your buddy would have taken the shot.

I believe you’re correct.
I worded that part badly.
I mainly meant the was sighted in on it in case it were to charge. And because it wouldn’t have been a safe shot for me (with my friend being one step below me, he was too close to my muzzle for comfort). So he would have had the safer shot in a charge situation. He wasn’t sighted in to hunt it.

[outdooraddict]

def should have dropped it, you paid for the tag (wdfw appreciated your donation to their cause), might as well use it.  bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.  cause now you came hoem with nothing, when you could have came home with a bear.  but to each your own,  it was your bullet and your choice

[Jonathan_S]

Bears have the same guts, joints and muscles as deer. They are just a bit more robustly built.

On a deer hunt like that with low expectations, heck yeah you should have shot it! Good job waiting and watching for cubs.

[huntnfmly]

You made the right decision you weren't comfortable knowing what to do after the shot so good job knowing your  limitations. As already posted you take care of a bear the same way as a deer and you didn't come home with nothing you came home with a great story and memory you can not underestimate that if you go hunting and only consider it a success if you kill something you're already missing out before you even leave your truck.
Congrats on being out there

[Bob33]

I would find it difficult to criticize someone for not taking a shot he didn't feel comfortable taking.

Going prepared means knowing what is legal, and being ready to take it from field to table.

Take advantage of the learning experience and grow from it.

A thought came to me recently that field dressing a road killed animal could be an excellent way to learn, as there's nothing to lose if it goes poorly. There is no legal wastage consideration.

[pianoman9701]

I made an ethical decision last week to walk away from a hunt set up my partner had taken us into. If you don't take a shot based on your ethical standards regarding the outcome, you're a good sportsman, plain and simple. However, for the future, watch some videos on the field care of bears and save them to your phone. The next opportunity that comes along will work out differently. You can certainly use the gutless method on bears and they have lots of tasty meat.

[dilleytech]

I would also consider it noteworthy that I have never field dressed any animal. I have watched videos for deer but that’s it.

If you saw a deer would you have shot it? Sounds like you weren’t in a position to properly take care of any animal. Theres no real wrong way to get the meat off a animal. Key is keep it as clean as possible, besides that your just cutting the meat off the bone. Experience creates skill. Again a bears not much different then a deer. Again to answer the original question yes you should have shot it and figured it out. It would have been enjoyable experience I promise.

[nwwanderer]

Good job, hunt on!!!

[Jonathan_S]

I would find it difficult to criticize someone for not taking a shot he didn't feel comfortable taking.

Going prepared means knowing what is legal, and being ready to take it from field to table.

Take advantage of the learning experience and grow from it.

A thought came to me recently that field dressing a road killed animal could be an excellent way to learn, as there's nothing to lose if it goes poorly. There is no legal wastage consideration.

I agree with the first paragraph particularly. Only reason I say he "should" have shot is - in my keyboard warrior estimation - his doubts were unfounded.

Agreed too that it was a learning experience

[bearpaw]

I would find it difficult to criticize someone for not taking a shot he didn't feel comfortable taking.

Going prepared means knowing what is legal, and being ready to take it from field to table.

Take advantage of the learning experience and grow from it.

A thought came to me recently that field dressing a road killed animal could be an excellent way to learn, as there's nothing to lose if it goes poorly. There is no legal wastage consideration.

  I agree, it didn't seem right to him, he made the right decision. All good points! 

[trophyhunt]

No better way to learn how to process an animal than to just do it. My first deer I was by myself, never seen it done at all. I just looked at it like a big fish, I knew how to clean them. Hardest part is the pooper, bladder area, you either hone it out or just saw the bone away so it all comes out easy.  Just don’t poke the bladder and get urine on the meat. Not a game changer if you do, wash it off.  I think bears are easier than deer myself, seem to have less guts.

[WA1232]

I’ve passed on many bears while deer hunting, as it essentially ends a backpack deer hunt. I would rather take a big ol’ buck than a bear any day.

[Lumpy Taters]

Part of learning to hunt also means when to shoot and when not to.   If your partner was too close and you were unsure of your self then you did the right thing.  Never take a shot you are not sure of.  No matter the species, when field dressing the same principles apply.  Try not to contaminate the meat by puncturing the stomach or bladder.  If you are really that new to hunting you should also consider studying the vital areas of all species you plan to hunt for.  Wounding a bear especially at close range would never be a good idea. 

[Scheindogg]

I would also consider it noteworthy that I have never field dressed any animal. I have watched videos for deer but that’s it.

If you saw a deer would you have shot it? Sounds like you weren’t in a position to properly take care of any animal. Theres no real wrong way to get the meat off a animal. Key is keep it as clean as possible, besides that your just cutting the meat off the bone. Experience creates skill. Again a bears not much different then a deer. Again to answer the original question yes you should have shot it and figured it out. It would have been enjoyable experience I promise.

I hav watched several different videos on how to field dress a deer, and the meateater one I’ve watched atleast 20 times, I was definitely confident enough that I would have taken a deer with an opportunity and thought I’d have done well enough on the gutting/skinning Job. Just wasn’t sure on the bear.
That being said I appreciate everyone’s input and it’s exactly what I posted for, to hear what you all think. I plan on taking whichever comes first next time I go out 

[Scheindogg]

Part of learning to hunt also means when to shoot and when not to.   If your partner was too close and you were unsure of your self then you did the right thing.  Never take a shot you are not sure of.  No matter the species, when field dressing the same principles apply.  Try not to contaminate the meat by puncturing the stomach or bladder.  If you are really that new to hunting you should also consider studying the vital areas of all species you plan to hunt for.  Wounding a bear especially at close range would never be a good idea.

I’ve studied the vitals in both deer and bear and their whereabouts. Thanks for your concern. The meateater field dressing video I’ve watched umpteen times also shows you how to not spill the bladder pretty in depth as well and not puncture the stomach.
 

[Henrydog]

I believe you did the right thing.  It also sounds like you were far away from the truck making the dressing and pack out super hard if you have never actually done it. 

[7mmfan]

I was also out on the high hunt this weekend, and also ran into bears. The first bear I saw, my buddy (who was only deer hunting), and I talked about it alot. I knew if I killed that bear our deer hunt was basically over. It actually took a lot of convincing me to go after that bear because I didn't want to ruin his deer hunt. After that stalk fell apart, we talked a little more about it and he basically told me that if I am presented with an opportunity to make a clean kill on any game animal, take it. Opportunities can be few and far between so they need to be seized whenever they are available. That made a lot more sense to me.

That being said, what others have stated about never taking a shot you aren't confident in the outcome of, is spot on. If you have even a sliver of doubt, don't pull the trigger. You can't call that bullet back, and once you've killed that animal you now have the responsibility of taking care of it. So good job on making a good call. Get better versed over the winter and you'll be ready to roll next year.

[Special T]

If were out deer hunting and saw a bear or Cat, I'd shoot it.  Most bear and nearly all cat kills in this state happen while hunting other game.

You did what was right for you, but predators will not get a pass from me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[bobcat]

All I know is I would have a hard time passing up a bear at 20 yards. I may regret it afterwards, but I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm not pulling the trigger.

[hunter399]

All I know is I would have a hard time passing up a bear at 20 yards. I may regret it afterwards, but I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm not pulling the trigger.

[idaho guy]

All I know is I would have a hard time passing up a bear at 20 yards. I may regret it afterwards, but I'm pretty sure there's no way I'm not pulling the trigger.

x2 I usually shoot first and ask questions later! The op is probably smarter than me as my approach has led to some miserable days getting the meat out  I would not regret your decision at all. Don't make the meat processing more complicated than it needs to be either. If you can skin and quarter a deer you can also do any other big game. if you think you want to mount it youtube  skinning a bear it's simple but irritating. Sound like it was a cool new experience for you so don't worry about not shooting. I have more respect for someone that doesn't shoot, even if I would have, than someone that goes ballistic on anything that moves just to say they "killed" something 

[Angry Perch]

Bears have the same guts, joints and muscles as deer. They are just a bit more robustly built.

On a deer hunt like that with low expectations, heck yeah you should have shot it! Good job waiting and watching for cubs.

But they look a lot more like a little human being, which is kind of creepy!

[Scheindogg]

I believe you did the right thing.  It also sounds like you were far away from the truck making the dressing and pack out super hard if you have never actually done it.

Yes we were ~3 miles from the car, and 1200feet up. That wasn’t on my mind though because we were prepared for that if we got a deer

[Scheindogg]

So good job on making a good call. Get better versed over the winter and you'll be ready to roll next year.

For the record I will be out again atleast once THIS year and now have watched videos on gutting bear as well as deer I have seen already several times 

[7mmfan]

 

[OutHouse]

So good job on making a good call. Get better versed over the winter and you'll be ready to roll next year.

For the record I will be out again atleast once THIS year and now have watched videos on gutting bear as well as deer I have seen already several times 

You made the right choice. It was an experience personal to you and you gotta follow your gut in that situation. I'm sure you educated yourself about field dressing by now but give some thought to a good gut hook blade. Since I bought one have not looked back. I cut just into the cavity below the sternum then open the whole with my fingers, put gut hook in place and zip right down using my other hand as a guide in front of the hook.

[Remnar]

So good job on making a good call. Get better versed over the winter and you'll be ready to roll next year.

For the record I will be out again atleast once THIS year and now have watched videos on gutting bear as well as deer I have seen already several times 

 
 
 Good on ya !No shame in not pulling the trigger .
 With that remember the old saying "more than one way to skin a cat " . As long as the meat is kept clean and cool it will be desireable. Lots of burger
I applaud you compared to people who either don't care and or think they know and treat their meat like crap .

[Bango skank]

No big deal, youll get more opportunities to fill bear tags.  No mystery breaking down a bear vs a deer.  A dead mammal is a dead mammal.  Bears just have a lot thicker greasier fat layer between hide and meat than a deer does.  Only way to learn is to get your hands bloody.  Knock down the next one you see and get cutting.