Shot a monster bear yesterday

[RadSav]

Not saying this is what happened, BUT a lot of guys shoot bear too high.  Looks like a good shot with lots of early blood and then usually two or three pools and nothing from there on out.  When I was guiding we saw this often.  Most of the time we would kill the bear later as he returned to the baits in a few days.  Hard to get that reassurance now that we can not bait.  However, they are really tough animals and recover very well if the shot somehow wasn't where you thought.

Sounds like you are doing every thing you can to find him if he's down. Be sure you don't beat yourself up too much - crap happens.  When all is said and done you will find some comfort in knowing you gave it your all.

A good lung shot usually starts out slow and gets better as you go since you have to fill the chest cavity and area under the shoulder before it really starts pumping on the ground.

Skulls and claws are great trophies too.  If you do happen to find him too late for hide and meat recovery not all is lost.  You'll still be able to recapture those memories with what you'll have.

Passing on all my best wishes and positive hope to you.

[boneaddict]

Nice post RadSav.

[billythekidrock]

Nice post RadSav.

[mulehunter]

 

Mulehunter.   

[ashersdad]

well on the update me and six other guys have spend 19 hours looking for the bear. about 2 hours ago I found him. he was walking a ridge and seemed a lil ginger on his feet but all and all seemed ok. I am positive this was the bear i shot i have watched for for  a while now. I still cant figure out what happened. I have ran the whole hunt through my head over and over. But the good news he seems to be alright so that makes me feel a whole lot better. I did not have my bow with me so we did not go after him but we did hit the trail he was walking an to see if he was bleeding. and we found nothing. so on my next days off ill go and try to find him again and finish what i started. thanks for all the help guys.

[h20hunter]

Strange things can happen indeed. Have any glass on hand? See a wound? Any major signs of distress? Maybe you just nicked him and he will be good to go. Or, maybe you will get on him again and have a shot.

[ashersdad]

I watched him for quite a while with binos. I could see a spot that looked different  but was it was high i am thinking it was dried blood but was unable to tell for sure. he seemed to be ok was walking slow but other than that seemed fine. but he is now the only bear i will take and ill send every spear monument tracking him until i get him.

[boonerboy]

must have hit him in the "O" zone. Hope you get him. good luck!

[boneaddict]

THanks for the update.  GOOD LUCK!   They are very tough critters.

[3Under]

Sometimes the shot doesn't go right where you want, and unfortunately that's just part of the game.  The dedication that you have shown after the shot is admirable.  I hope that you're able to get back on him and get to enjoy a well earned trophy.  Good luck.

[Curly]

Sounds like maybe it is exactly like what RadSav predicted.  Good luck on putting him down next time.  Are you going after him again with the bow or you going to take a rifle next time?

[high country]

There is an amazing amour of fulfillment that you will get from killing that bear. I had a similar experience a few years ago, I shot at this bull and scrambled a scope on the shot. It was a shot I felt I could make every day, but did not know if the bullet flew true. I looked for 3 days and he popped up not far from where he was shot at the first time. This time I killed him clean. Upon skinning I found no evidence of my earlier shot, but in my head, this guy was suffering and I was going to end it.

 

[Buckslaya]

Yeah, perhaps take a rifle next time to finish him off. Better to be safe than sorry.

[SkookumJeff]

Any chance the arrow was deflected??  Doesn't take much....

Skook

[high country]

Use whatever floats your boat. You sleep with your choices and by your posts, I think you try dang hard to be a great hunter. We will all have that shot we wish we could have called back eventually. Don't beat yourself up over it, just go get him.