RE: There goes my chance at a brute!!
I wanted to chime in and commend you for not taking the risky shot. I was in EXACTLY the same situation 2 years ago with a 140 class bruiser that I rattled in. I did everything in my power to hold full draw while he stood quartering towards me. He made scrapes and rubbed a tree, but offered no shot. I didn't take the shot either . . . never saw him again either.