... but didn't shoot

domyalex

domyalex

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Maple Ridge, BC
Had a sort of ethical dilemma hunting today; looking for your inputs.

So, after 4 unsuccessful trips last Spring, we went out today again looking for black bears.

Lo and behold, we stumbled upon a very respectable one with tiny, tiny ears, coming straight towards us and totally oblivious of our presence; when we saw it, it was aprox 80-90 yds away. Because of bushes, the only option was an off hand, unsupported position, but since I know he front kill zone is relatively small, I decided to wait jut a bit more since his path was more or less toward us.

For a moment we lost sight of him (damn bushes again) and instead of keeping coming straight he's now into the tick stuff to the side; I had him (her?) in my scope for what seemed an eternity; I observed him eating / playing around with stuff but was never able to see more than 15% of his body at any given time. I couple of time I was almost going to fire the shot, but in end wasn't really sure if I was aiming at the shoulder or the neck (or belly).

To make matter worse, I noticed a blue ear tag attached (not prohibited here, but not recommended either).

As you can imagine, after a while he just slipped out of sight and that was the last we saw of him.

Thinking in retrospective, I still wouldn't take that shot in the tick stuff; too many bushes in the middle to alter the bullet flight (~60 yds by now) and assuming a non-DRT, it would have meant tracking in a bad, bad place without being sure if it was really down. That basically leaves the initial front shot as the only option.

So, what would you have done differently? My wife is giving me hell for not taking the shot ("at least to try" she says) but I know my reasons...

On the other hand coming home empty handed 5 times it's starting to weight, but hell, at least I enjoy being outside and have a blast with my buddy.

Inputs?
 
All depends on your confidence and shooting ability.

Myself, IF I had a clear shot with NO obstructions I would have taken it if was a vital area.

If you are unsure even the slightest bit, you are better of to wait til next time.
Put out a paper plate at 50, 60, 100 yards etc..........
If you can hit it 10 out of 10 times at that distance shooting offhand you are good to go. If you miss, even once, that means a wounded animal.

You made the right choice. May be bigger next time you see him !
 
I have had the good fortune to get so used to coming home emptyhanded I don't have a problem deciding to not take a shot I shouldn't take. I think you were right.
 
Good call. Enjoy the hunt and don't feel that you you made any mistake in not taking the iffy shot.

Its not like you starve if you don't push the envelope and you behaved to stay inside your comfort zone. I commend you on you're patience and the care you have over the animals that you hunt.
 
If unsure you did the right thing.

Sad thing is there are many hunters without as good of ethic's or moralsthat would have tried the shot, good for you for following your better judgement.
 
If it's any comfort to you I was in a very similar situation this weekend and let a rather large black bear go. I saw him about the same time he saw me. He startled me at first because he started coming towards me rather fast but as I stood still he turned and went back into the bush. I knew he would turn around for a look so I moved towards him and sure enough he was looking back but there was a big tree in the way and all I could see was his head and a bit of shoulder. So I waited but so did he. I walked slowly towards him hoping he would move a bit. Sure enough he did but then there was this deadfall in the way and I didn't have a clear shot on his heart/lung area. He watched me for what seemed like a long time and then moved off. Caught up to him after a very slow stalk and I couldn't see him. Then I realized what I thought was the root ball of a blow down was actually his back! He was a big bear. There was no way I was going to shoot him in the back so I tried to move to the side but then he turned and looked at me. He hopped over a downed tree and crossed over a little rise and then down into a depression. I thought I knew where he would come out and rested my rifle against the side of a poplar and waited. I guessed wrong and I noticed movement to my right and he was tired of the game and moving off. One last look back at me but I felt I couldn't risk an offhand shot.
So I think you did the right thing. Good for you. Now just go back and find him. That is what i plan on doing with this guy as I have seen him in that area more than once this summer.
 
Three shots I didn't take this past Saturday for much of the same reason, also came home empty handed.

Of course I was squirrel hunting not bear...

Only clear shot I had was on a Raccoon and I didn't know the regs or season for hunting them so I held off on that shot too. Though I would have dearly liked a cap. :D

Good on you for waiting for the ethical shot. Look at it this way, it's another excuse to spend more time in the outdoors!
 
I would agree holding off on shots that you are not comfortable with, good for you! A lot of guys would have tried to force it.

But to try and help make you next hunt more successful, I would suggest you practice that off hand shot. It's an important piece that many people don't practice and then when they need it, they can't hold steady enough for a confident shot.

Best of luck and be patient. Things will come together.
 
I am unsure what exactly off-hand means (excuse my ignorance). However I always shoot big game from a kneeling position using my new as a rest for my elbow. I have never had a problem this way. It is a good position to practice.

-Dave
 
davemccarthy707 said:
I am unsure what exactly off-hand means (excuse my ignorance). However I always shoot big game from a kneeling position using my new as a rest for my elbow. I have never had a problem this way. It is a good position to practice.
Click to expand...

He means unsupported, i.e. no rest.

To the OP: You made the right call, imho. Good for you.
 
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