Thanks Ben, but I don't know if I'm as brave as you think. I really didn't think about the danger until after it was all over. I was just excited to see a bear in the woods and it came in so fast, I didn't have time to get nervous. It definitely was themost exciting hunt I've ever had and the most rewarding getting that bear on public ground without bait. BTW, it only made it 20 yds. after the shot, fortunately, it was 20 yds. the other way, away from me.