Close range, wounded bear + multiple bullets and multiple guns = "life insurance" + many good stories told in the future. Nothing to regret there. Sounds like a smart investment to me!
I had the luxury of 50+ yards and a river between me and my bear. Hit him hard in the shoulder with my first shot (good old 175gr CoreLokt) and he turned and took off to where he'd come (across a small shallow slough from willows). I pulled my second shot over his back like you did out of excitement! Subconsciously kicked myself in the "arse" and put the 3rd one where it was supposed to go. The third was probably not needed as he died in the slough BUT I did not want him getting back to those willows! We crossed the river to him, dragged him up the bank and gutted him as it started to get dark. I later spent a very uncomfortable night in the spike tent several hundred yards away and across the river. Bear trails in the grass and salmon carcasses everywhere! No bear fences back then.
Once listened all night to many bears arguing over the carcass of one of their own. By morning the only sign there had ever been a dead bear there was a little blood in the grass and mud.
