trouthunter

Thanks for all the input fellas! My gut told me this was a small bear. There was a mule deer out about the same distance on the same hillside, and the deer looked larger than the bear (gave me some comparison scale). I'll be back in this area this weekend, so I am hoping to find him (or another bear) again.

I am confident inside 200yrds with the .300. I bought it for longer shooting after spending most of my hunting life in dense timber ground (packing a bow 80% of the time). I moved to open country 2 years ago and seen a need for long range shooting. I just simply have never shot out past 200 yards with any rifle. Just need to get out to the range andpractice.

cjwink

I'd have bum rushed him for another 172 yards.. He would have either run or charged.. If he charged then he would be even closer..

JK You sound like you made the right choice..

kirby375

I teach hunter ed, let me just say, "good for you !" this is the kind of stuff we try to teach the kids. It's the sort of thing my dad taught me, if you aren't sure, don't pull the trigger!

Torqued

You definately chose the right option. I would take the shot in an instant with my current rifle, but it is almost strictly the only rifle I have used for the last 12 years. Hand me a different rifle and I would have done the same as you.

MTMountainMan

Nice job! Now you get to enjoy another full month of hunting.

gmil6184

I def agree you made the right choice. I know that 370+ yards is way out of my comfort range. Here in the northeast I have yet to shoot anything at over 100 yards. The fact that it was a bear makes the shot choice even more important. It sure wouldn't be fun having to track a wounded bear into the bush.

FarNorth

372 yard shot on a bear? A 200 yard shot on a bear is a long shot.
I agree with what you did, and would say that anyone who recommends taking a shot that distance has never had to track a wounded bear into the brush before.
You made a smart choice.

ELKJNKY

myself i would of shot him if he was big enough or the color i was looking for.but in your case new gun not much trigger time with it i think you made the wise choice.