Reading the post, it's clearly a friend taking another friend on a trip, paying gas is one of those expected items, now if the guy requested payment, advertised or solicited for payment then it would be as a "Transporters"- must have a license if they accept a fee or exchange of anything.
"More than likely a friend to a friend, helping out the cost of gas is what accured..."
It is no different than you or I driving somewhere sharing the cost of fuel.... Just his fuel is probably five-six bucks a gallon...............
Great job on your buddies part, good Bear, any Browine/Grizz is respectable, any size! Besides it helps out the Moose and Caribou population in a good way....