Saw a nice bear

[hoyt5199]

2 nights ago my friend and I were hunting a couple nice clear cuts but nothing came in. About 8:30 we headed out and I spotted a bear on a big hillside, we ranged him at 219 yds. I told my buddy to get the rifle, he was shooting a 300 mag and could have made the shot. The bear was a big bruin and was hard to pass up, but it was getting late so we decided to let him go. If we put a bad shot on him or if he didn't role down the hill it would have been a long night, we probably would have had to leave him until the next day. It was a hard choice but I think we did the right thing. We will get him. How many of you would have taken the shot?

[h20hunter]

With a GREAT shooting rest and confidence in the bear and the shot I would have taken it. Put the round where it needs to go and the bear will be down with little to no tracking. Also, I would ask which direction the cut was facing. If the sun was low and light was nill I then may have to say pass. However, west facing, decent light, game on.

[hoyt5199]

It was very low light and it was getting dark fast. It was a north facing slope

[machine]

With the time to line up a good shot on a rest I would take a 219 yard shot.I'm sure you had flashlights right?

[D-Rock425]

I would have shot and I got a lot less gun then that 300
  219 yds with a good rest I wouldn't even think twice

[uplandhunter870]

off a solid rest, yes i would everytime.  219 is not a problem for a 300mag, this is the reason why a good flashlight is a must for every hunting pack.

take it from me, first hand experience, do not leave a bear for the next day bears do not keep and are best packed out asap. that being said if there was a river between me and said bear or some other obstacle i would feel less than comfortable crossing in the dark than i would have passed on the shot.

[boneaddict]

I am extremely comfortable at anything out to 300.  If he wasn't running, hed be dead, really no doubt for myself.  I always have my headlamp so the other would also be no big deal.   I HIGHLY respect the fact you guys knew your limitations and you DIDN't take the shot.  GOOD FOR YOU!

[lewy]

Dead bear for me as well, but it obviously didn't feel right for you so nice job on passing him up.....Lots of season left

[hoseman]

I think you made the right choice.  I think in the heat of the moment, so many people would have made the wrong choice out of exitement,  possibly wounded an animal, only to lose it in the darkness and find it the next day or not at all. I would have a hard time not shooting myself, but I commend you for not wanting to make a mistake.  Chances are, you would have dropped it at 219 with a 300 mag, but if you had to think about it that much and the comfort level wasnt there, you made the right choice. Must have been HARD though.

[hoyt5199]

It was a very hard choice, but I think our ethics helped us on the decision!

[GoldTip]

Excellent judgement in my book.  You didn't feel comfortable with the situation you had, so you passed.  Wish more people would act that way.  What would I have done presented with the same situation?  I would have killed that bear and got after him with the headlamp if needed.  But what I or any of the rest of us would have done has no bearing on how you should do it.  My book, you absolutely made the right choice, good job.

[Alan K]

I'd have shot him no question!  I never shoot unless I'm confident, and I'm automatic at anything under 300.  I carry a headlamp and two flashlights too, just for those situations.  That said, I wasn't there and don't know all the other factors!

[Bscman]

Alone = Pass.
With a buddy and the necessary gear = Game on.

More often than not, the ones I decide I want are the ones that decide to show up just before dark. You've got to be prepared. Getting a big bear out is a big task...even if it wasn't already getting late, you'd probably still be there in the dark by the time you get it cleaned and out of there.

I never go bear hunting without a headlamp and small flashlight, and two more big LED 3D maglights in the truck...Those maglights live forever and put out a heck of a flood beam when you lay 'em over a stump at dark.
While you're at it, make sure you have a few large lengths of rope and a spare leather belt. A spare belt can come in really hand if you have to do much dragging. 

[Baggman]

OK let me clear a few things up guys. I'm the one with Hoyt 5199 that had the 300 mag. To begin with It was not my first time in the woods. I have taken five elk with a rifler and one bull with my bow. Over 20 deer mostly with a bow. So I have no problem knowing when to tag an animal. The last time I fired the mag was at 117 yards and dropped a bull elk in Enumclaw. I screwed up not ranging my rifle before going into the woods this time. My fault. Now it was late and within 1/2 hour of shooting light. The bear was not just up on a hill it was more of a cliff area. lots of rock and small rock shelf's. The shot was a fairly easy one for me but I had this to think about. 1- is the rifle still sighted in for 200 yards. Not 100% sure  2- How do we get the bear a large one out at night with flash lights off of those cliffs and rocks with out killing ourselves. Yes we both had lights. Hoyt never goes hunting without a headlamp. I never go in the woods with out at least two.  3- Its 70 degrees out so there is no backing down after the shot cause I would have hit him.  4- what if it was a bad shot that late.  I had my safety off and finger on the trigger cross hairs on the lungs. I think we made a good decision. Thanks for all the support and make sure you are ready to go all the way after taking one of Gods creatures...

[flinger]

i think you guys made a good ethical choice you know where he is at for next time
Mathewoneshot you should hit the introduction section tell us a bit about yourself
we all like some new huntin stories sounds like ya might have a few to share