Shoot or Pass?

[bow_dozer]

This spring has been good for spotting the yogi's in MT. Big snow year which is holding the bears lower. Have been playing cat and mouse with a nice (for my terms) color phase. However, had this guy last night at 300 yards for 20 minutes. Buddies are giving me grief for not putting the tag on it. I'll only pull the trigger to fill the freezer or if it gets my blood pumping, this one didn't do it for me last night. But upon looking at pics, now i'm starting to doubt that decision lol.
Not asking about the shot angle from the pics, but the bear in general. You guys shooting or letting it walk?

 

[bsnedeker]

I mean, I'm shooting it for sure, but I don't think it is a monster or anything. Looks like a fairly young bear from the size and shape of the head.

 

[Sourdough]

Young bear, just chased off by its mother, first weeks or month out on its own. Note the length of the ears, the shape of the head, the girth, relative length of legs.

For food, this would be an excellent choice. As a trophy a big zero.

 

[NEWHunter]

He doesn’t look really big to me. More like a Booboo than a Yogi. Unless he’s moving in that first photo, those ears are fairly large. If you’re just after some meat, let it rip. Of course, probably not a ton of meat on that bear either though. Shoot whatever is legal and makes you happy. Interested to see what you tag. Good luck!

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I've taken my fill and don't know if I'll ever shoot another. Sounds like youre having fun, and have access to decent areas. Pass

 

[bow_dozer]

I will say this unit does not hold any "trophies" in term of size. 6' would be a big bear for this area.

 

[Bobcat]

Don’t second-guess yourself. I agree with your rationale for not pulling the trigger the first place.

 

[AlpineMuleys]

This spring has been good for spotting the yogi's in MT. Big snow year which is holding the bears lower. Have been playing cat and mouse with a nice (for my terms) color phase. However, had this guy last night at 300 yards for 20 minutes. Buddies are giving me grief for not putting the tag on it. I'll only pull the trigger to fill the freezer or if it gets my blood pumping, this one didn't do it for me last night. But upon looking at pics, now i'm starting to doubt that decision lol.
Not asking about the shot angle from the pics, but the bear in general. You guys shooting or letting it walk?
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View attachment 181110

Pass. Long wars and snout. Made a good decision if you’re spotting plenty of bears already.

 

[roosiebull]

I will say this unit does not hold any "trophies" in term of size. 6' would be a big bear for this area.

it's up to you and what you want out of the hunt. certainly no shame in shooting that bear... to me, it looks like a bear, not a big one nor small one.

if you see it again and decide to shoot it, i'll be happy for you and would enjoy the story, and it would eat well, and be relatively easy to pack out.

as long as it doesn't have cubs, there is really no moral dilemma in my eyes (I certainly couldn't shoot a sow with yearlings, even though it's technically legal, I couldn't do it)

don't worry about what the internet thinks, our opinion is just that.

I like hunting bear, and I like eating bear, but I am good at talking myself out of killing bear.... that's me. I have friends that kill the first legal bear they see, and i'm happy for them.....

 

[BackcountryBloodline]

Big back end and big ears, looks like a small sow to me. As mentioned though it all depends on what you want out of the hunt and how much season you have left. Either way nobody can say you made the wrong decision, sometimes it's fun just watching them and it's your tag to do with it what you please.

 

[JohnnyB]

Watching bears is rewarding in and of itself. You will know when it is the right one for you. Based on the ears and big rump, looks like maybe a younger sow but still photos can be deceptive. Good luck!

 

[netman]

I bet he would look bigger if he was climbing in your tent at 0200 hrs

 

[Moosehunter]

Not saying you shood have done

Just saying I'm shooting. Or stalking, I'm archery but anything gets a stalk from me.....

 

[ledflight]

Helpful thread. As a newbie my instinct was "looks small due to big ears." Thanks for sharing

 

[couesbitten]

I bet he would look bigger if he was climbing in your tent at 0200 hrs

That makes them all look big!

I'd pass on the bear in the pictures, big ears = small bear

 

[Jim1187]

As has been said, it is a young bear and would make for an easy pack out and good table fare most likely. If you're chasing a particular bear not much sense in tagging another.

 

[Tag_Soup]

Looks like a young bear. Good pass.

 

[Archer_32]

Given how much time and effort I've put in without even seeing a track or scat here in MT, I'm shooting anything legal. But, it's your tag you have to be happy with what you take, even if it's tag soup this spring

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[bow_dozer]

Given how much time and effort I've put in without even seeing a track or scat here in MT, I'm shooting anything legal. But, it's your tag you have to be happy with what you take, even if it's tag soup this spring

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Get high and glass southern facing slopes, bears will be there!

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm shooting, good meat #1, saving deer and elk puppies #2