What would you do...

[Borngeechee]

If you're out on a deer hunt and a big black bear appears giving you the perfect broadside shot, would you take the shot or wait for your deer?

[Mr VJP]

Shoot the bear, then wait for the deer.

 

[RangerClay]

Depends on several things.  I've always wanted to take a bear.  If was first light opening day, probably not.  Then again with a bear in the area, you won't see any deer.

[Five Seasons]

Only if I was prepared and equipped to get it out. That's always been the thing preventing me from going on a hunt.

[turkeyfeathers]

I'd  pass. No desire to shoot a bear 

[Borngeechee]

Shoot the bear, then wait for the deer.

You can take more than one species on your hunting license?

[JGS]

You can take more than one species on your hunting license?

Two different tags, can take both.

[NFA-ADK]

Unless it is a easy drag it gets a pass.  But on a big bear it would be very tempting.  Not sure I could resist.

[bowaholic]

POW!!

[moog5050]

Good night Mr. Bear - but I would not sit waiting for deer afterwards. Unlikely and too much work to get that boar out and cooled down.

Wont happen in 8H anyways.

[First-light]

It's about time I shoot a bear on my property. Had a few chances with bow and missed. So for me if

a bear comes along he is fair game, opening day or not. BTW someone posted you won't see deer if bear are around. I saw 7 bear one afternoon sit Mom and 3 cubs also three different males (or solo females). In between the sighting plenty of deer coming down the same trails. BTW one of the bears came into my mock scrape dowsed with Wildlife buck urine! lol

[stubby68]

Dead bear

[GreeneHunter]

Only if I was prepared and equipped to get it out. That's always been the thing preventing me from going on a hunt.

My thoughts too , I would be calling the local sportsmans club and asking for help !

[thphm]

It depends as, What will you do with it, do you have money for a mount, are yo alone and what size.

I have let a few pass and friends have also est. weight 600 lbs. Just in too rugged areas up very high.

Helped a friend I was hunting with that day carry out a 375 to 400 pound one from down in a wash out 100 feet up all around.On state land( where no motorized vech.were allowed) we were young and strong back then.First it was like a bowl of jelly and it stunk like hell.And a good hike to where we were parked. I swore that day Never Again.

Edited August 14, 2014 by lurking

[Woodjr55]

I'd have to text my taxidermist first to see how much a rug would cost

[mmkay]

shoot the bear....they are not that much harder to get out fo the woods than a large deer.

Average bear you're going to see will be less than 250lbs. throw it on a cart, put it in a sled, or cape it in the woods. walk ot and come back with an atv if you need to. or call a buddy to help out

Regardless, the bear would be shot, I would figure out what come next after the fact. I'm in my 50's and can still drag a sled with a beer / deer a few miles...might take an hour or so. if i'm in the woods further, I would just cape / quarter same way I would do a deer

Edited August 14, 2014 by mmkay

[Elmo]

It will depend. If the drag will be difficult I might pass.

More importantly, I feel morally responsible to use any animal to the fullest extent if I take its life. For a bear, that means it will be a rug. With it costing upwards of $1K to make a rug, I have to think if I'm willing to spend that kind of money at the moment. For me, it'll also mean I have to buy a gift for the wife while I explain to her why I just spent $1K on a bear rug. If times are lean, I'll pass. If it's a great looking bear, I'll whip out the credit card.

[bowslinger]

shoot the bear i can still get meat off the bear

 

[mmkay]

if price is a consideration, they think twice. It will cost from $1000 to $5000 on the rug / mount and who does it for you

if you have room in the freezer or a taxidermist that will take payments, then shoot it, you most likely won't see another on a non-paid (non-guided) hunt

[ants]

I have had  bears within bow range. I had zero desire to shoot them. Move along Yogi……Its just me.

[NeverSeenNorHeard]

Shoot the bear, then wait for the deer.

 

+1

[Waldershrek]

Shoot the bear, then wait for the deer.

 

Yep!

[Larry]

Depends on the size of the bear if its small I would let it walk. I have had a broadside shots at bears but let them all walk.

[jjb4900]

I would probably shoot it, but having helped get a 250 pound bear out of the woods once I would say it's much more difficult than getting a large deer out of the woods.......

[Mr VJP]

Born, just be advised, not all of NY State is open to hunt bear in.  It goes by zone.  Check your zone regs to see if bear an be hunted there.