Bow Shot Dilemma

[freshwateroctopus]

Hey guys,

I was doing a side hill stock on a nice boar with my bow in the cascades and found him just below me in some brush. I could just see his head and he was eating in decently thick stuff and had no idea I was there. He was at about 19 yards and I delayed the shot because deep down it didn’t seem ethical to just whip an arrow into the brush and hope for the best. My buddy started walking over not realizing I had a bear and spooked him.

He says I should have shot. I’m bummed I didn’t get the bear, but was hoping I made a good ethical decision for not shooting because I didn’t have the shot.

Thoughts?

[pianoman9701]

You've absolutely done the ethical thing, especially where a bear is concerned. An arrow is easily deflected by a twig, not to mention "brush". Going in after a bear on which you've not confirmed a good shot is risky business.

[Fatherof5]

You've absolutely done the ethical thing, especially where a bear is concerned. An arrow is easily deflected by a twig, not to mention "brush". Going in after a bear on which you've not confirmed a good shot is risky business.

[freshwateroctopus]

Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.

[huntnfmly]

Absolutely the right ethical choice good on you

[BULLBLASTER]

Id say right call. Best not to send a shot unless you are close to positive what the outcome will be.

I regret shots i Didnt take much less than shots i shouldnt have taken. 

[pianoman9701]

Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.

Talk to your hunting partner about ethics to make sure you're on the same page. Spending time in the woods with an unethical hunter not only isn't fun, but can cause needlessly long tracks after bad shots. I've had such a partner. No es bueno.

[10thmountainarcher]

Thanks - I keep playing it over in my head and feeling bummed. I appreciate the feedback.

Arrows do weird things with brush. I missed a 6pt bull in 09 because my arrow deflected off a small, I mean smalllll branch I did not see through my peep. A fifteen yard shot and the arrow went way over his back after glancing off the branch. You absolutely did the right thing in this case. Could it have worked out, yes... but I’d bet money it had a higher chance on going the other way.

[mburrows]

Id say right call. Best not to send a shot unless you are close to positive what the outcome will be.

I regret shots i Didnt take much less than shots i shouldnt have taken. 

100% agree

[Rainier10]

100% without a doubt you made the right call.

[npaull]

Zero doubt, absolutely zero, that your move was the right move.

[Davo]

No question you made the right call. 100% good job

[HikerHunter]

Your buddy didn't see what you were looking at. You went with your gut and it sounds like that was the ethical and right thing to do.

[idaho guy]

  GOOD decision especially archery where weird things happen sometimes with what appears to be a good shot

[Rainier10]

I never second guess anyone who doesn't take the shot.  Never.

I had a youth come through hunter ed.  On the course we had a deer decoy broadside at 60 yards.  She said no shot.  I said you have a gun.  She said it needed to be closer.  Her dad chimed in that they hunt out of a blind.  Right you are young lady.

You made the right call, your partner wasn't there, didn't see what you saw and he wasn't shooting.  It's your call and you made the right one, not a doubt in my mind.