Fetzer,

First off, let me say, my question was in no way an attack on you.I apologize.I just wanted to know, hypothetically speaking andif allthings were the same with the exception of your FIL not shooting a bear, how you wouldfeel. Thank you for your answer.

You stated: "With that said, would I have the same satisfaction doing it with I guide as I would if I were to go up with enough time and do it on my own? No way."

I'm curious, Why? I mean, I've been on plenty of guided hunts where both guide and hunter worked together to acheive a successful outcome. It was a symbiotic relationship-if you will. Input was put forthand analyzed by both individuals.A plan was devised and executed and both parties were responsible for the outcome (one did not over shadow the other). I have also been on hunts in Canada where my guide was nothing more than extra luggage. I killed my moose and bear while wiping his nose the entire trip. To this day I still feel great satisfaction-despite the fact that it was guided. I killed a moose and a bear while spot and stalking. I had a total goof in tow the entire trip-pretty cool, eh!

"Is it wrong of me to feel a greater sense of accomplishment in shooting a deer with my bow."

The answer: not just no but HECK NO! You should feel elated! You have added a degree of difficulty to your hunt and were successful. If you were to do it with another person (a guide for example), I'd say even better. It's harder for two people to beat the nose, ears and eyes of a monarch. Would it be fair of me to say your accomplishment was anything less than great had you used a gun, muzzleloader, guide and not a knife?
Again, HECK NO!

"Is it wrong of me to be more impressed by the bear that my father in law got without a guide than the one my father shot with one?"

That's a question I cannot answer for you. You will have to do that yourself. I would have been equally impressed and would enjoy the tales told by both men. I'm sure there were plenty.

"I could also sense that he felt a little regret that he had not done this for his bear."

Ten bucks says he's beyond the learning curve now. Then, he didn't do his homework. Now, it won't be long before he adds his own degree of difficulty (unguided)-at least it sounds that way to me.

"Who should I ask for bear hunting advice, my dad or my father in law?"

That would depend on what advise you want to know. I bet your father in law hasn't a clue which guide serviceto use for bear hunting! I think your father has seen enough to be a fairly proficient bear hunter. One bear doesn't make either an expert. If the guide did his job, he's passed onto your father a well of information. I'd probably listen to both.

One more question from me. Have you ever been on a guided hunt? PM me your response.

I wish you the very best!