Came sooo close to bringing one back

[grizzlyadams]

Found a new honey hole for bear the other day. Left the house kind of late and got to a spot that I hadn't been to for a long time. When I arrived in the area I noticed new signs directing log truck traffic. So I was a bit disappointed, thinking with fresh and ongoing activity that any bear in the area would be driven further into back country. I drove and glassed for a bit, not thinking I would see anything even though the area was covered with freshly torn up stumps absolutely everywhere you looked. After about an hour of looking for a remote spot to hike to thinking that I would have to hike back aways to see anything, I decided that it being only a day hunt, that I should go to another area I hunt with less activity.

Started driving out and almost to the end of the FS road getting ready to get back on to HWY 2 I glanced back to notice a 2 year old cut I hadn't spotted on my way in off in the distance. I decided to stop and glass a second. Getting ready to put down the bino's and leave again I noticed black. Hey wait, that black is moving.....all of a sudden he was in the open. Nice black bear feeding on something. I watched him for a bit to see which way he was headed. Then he looked behind him and then ran up the hill into the timber. I thought to myself, something spooked him...I am going to wait and watch. Sure enough, one of the biggest bears I had every seen came into view, then another one. All of a sudden three bears in the same cut feeding.

Had to get closer, I was about a mile away. Got to the bottom of the cut and 2 were gone but the big bore was still there. He had the most beatiful shiney black coat. Between the ears he looked like you could have landed a plane. Had the crease as well. He was an absolute fat monster. I would say 400 plus lbs but who knows really. I've seen plenty of big bears but this thing put them all to shame. I ranged him....201 yards. Thats a no hold shot as my 300 wm is zero'd at 200. No wind.....such an easy shot but I could not shoot. I was on a FS road. Illegal to shoot from the road, along a road and across a road. I could move towards him to get off of the road but then I couldn’t see him. I could move back, but then I would have to shoot across the road. If I tried to hike up to him, he would surely hear me coming as it was very steep plus I would probably lose him. My only choice was to hike up the other side of the small ridge and come back down on top of him and hopefully cut him off. So I did, but by the time I got there, he was nowhere to be found. On my way up......tons and tons of huckleberries everywhere. Growing in big clumps and they were big fat berries. It was obvious what they were all feeding on. I have never seen so many berries and so big. I was quite bummed but it sure was fun getting to watch those bears.

Going back next week. I’m going to get that big boy if it kills me. Next time I’m bringing someone with, that way one person can spot and direct me over a radio.....

[Bob Williams]

There is an errie uncomfortable silence to your post copnsidering how many have read it.. I think it plays on everybodies hunter "ethics" and being put in that situation nobody has a comment.. So here's the real question? To shoot or not to shoot?  Devil on one side....Angel on the other... Boone and crocket wall hanger or a close but no cigar story.

Better yet process that one internally because i think this board and everybody in it is widely respected in our hunting communities and we would like to believe we all will do the right thing....ESPECIALLy when no ones lookin.

 Grizz- Big props brother for the control

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have to agree, not many would pass on that shot. 
from, along, or across.
I see them during Archery season sometimes riding in the bed of a PU, in lawn chairs w/ arrows nocked up in the Manastash
 

[bearhunter99]

Congratulations on making the right choice.    Keep at him and you will find him again in a better spot, maybe even above the road! 

[h20hunter]

I'll be the first to admit.....it would be very difficult for me to make the same choice. Well done, hope you bag 'em next time.

[kglacken]

Good karma coming your way!

[snowninja]

props to you for the choice you made.

i am not a bear hunter but do live close to the area where you hunt and have been watching a pesky bear on my (deer) trail camera the last couple weeks. curious if you were on the N or S side of HWY2? you can PM if you like.

[Huntboy]

Good karma coming your way!

[grizzlyadams]

Thank you to all have commented and supported my decision to not take that bad boy. Oh, how I would have like to though. I will get him. Those berries are still in high quantity for another week or so and his hunger pains are only getting stronger. I doubt he'll be in the same place but with the great food source I am sure he didn't go far. I will post back after I go back out on Wednesday.....going to bring my road disintegrating gun just in case he's in the same place....

[shedcrazy]

Tough choice...