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

[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.