... but didn't shoot

That is why it is called "Hunting".
You did the right thing by considering your shot options.
There are lots of bears around right now and you just need to be in the right place at the right time.
Ear tag is interesting, it may have been one that was relocated or trapped once before as it was close to human dwellings maybe...
There is always next weekend and as long as your not dropping $500.00 every weekend the wife is likely wants to keep you home so you can dip into the "Honey Do" jar ;)
Where did you in general location, region and sub region is close enough for me.
Rob
 
If you are not comfortable with a shot, don't take it. Don't worry abotu the ear tag, it just means it's a problem bear. Good one to take out, actually.
 
good call

The only thing I may have done differently (since you asked) was cautiously approach where you last saw it (maybe after 20-30min) and see if you could pick up a track, maybe catch it in a clearing. But you said the bush was thick, so depending on that, you maybe have been better off staying put.

Was there no way of flanking it when you saw it coming directly you at you?
 
My woman doesnt even let me call going hunting "hunting" due to the lack of meat me and my party bring back.
 
Did you really want to go in those dense bushes after a (large) bear when you were not sure if your shot was good? And of course that's the minor point compared to poorly shooting the animal. Good for you. It'll be that much more of an accomplishment when you connect.

RG

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Am beginning to understand hunting as lazy hiking (walk slow, wait, or heck sit for hours), carrying a firearm, quiet time, and getting to play with a truck (and hopefully not getting stuck too many times) - its all good. Though the objective is for meat in the freezer, in some senses its secondary to quality time. With that in mind, being ethical and safe is so much simpler. Good call.
 
Thank you for taking the time to think the shot through.
If you are comfortable enough to do that, 'buck fever' will be less likely to bother you, and your game will be downed much more cleanly.
When instinct says NO, it's probably right.
There will be other bears.
 
You made the right call. It's better to not take the shot than to take the shot and wish you hadn't. I've taken the questionable shot twice in 20+ years and regretted it enough that there won't be a third time.
 
You did right - biggest thing about being a hunter is being ethical. You showed respect in not taking a chance shot, and that's a big part of being a good hunter.
 
I don't know.. it's hard to say. You played it safe and that's never a bad thing. Like I always say.. "Sometimes you gatta risk it to get the biscuit" In the back of your mind at that moment because only you know how it felt, not the wife nor the friend, the risk was greater than the biscuit and your self-conscious didn't let you pull the trigger otherwise it would have Okayed and shot it. Never look down on yourself for things you did or didn't do. You later sit back and reflect to come to a decision beforehand for the "next time".
 
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