I jumped over this thread a few times and wasn't going to say anything, (and I might be sorry) but... oh what the heck...
I earned a living for the major part of my adult life as a guide. One of the things I guided for was black bears (which was primitive weapon only, mostly bows).
I would always try to pick up the bear the same evening it was shot to preserve the quality of the meat and the hide, so I usually went looking for them after dark.
Kind of long to explain the "whys" but I never ever carried or even had access to a firearm. Still don't when I hunt for myself and the few people I take out now.
I don't know how many times I did it, but I must have found at least 500 at night. Most died fairly quickly and didn't have time to run very far before expiring, but there are always exceptions.
Usually: if the hit is not good, you will not be able to catch up to the bear and he will heal (gut shot bears can be an exception), and if you do catch up to the bear, he will not be in any shape to be very dangerous.
Occasionally though I would find, and have to deal with a wounded bear - the spine shot bears are usually the most dangerous because they're feeling very little pain, their vitals are normal, and they are still thinking clearly. A bear's business is all in the front end and a spine wounded bear can sometimes travel as fast as a man can walk just by using his powerful front legs.
Anyway, the most practical, effective, and humane way I dealt with them was by cutting a pole, duct taping my sheath knife to the end, and slipping it between their ribs.
Letting them suffer or letting them die in some isolated swamp a few days later would have been cruel and a waste.
But, I'm definitely not advising anyone to do that. It can be and in fact it is dangerous. You really have to know what you're doing. Better to err on the safe side... if your not sure of the hit wait until daylight, don't track alone, and if you have any doubts (about yourself or the bear), carry an open sight rifle or shotgun.
I'm not a doctor, a lawyer, an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, or an engineer. In the big scheme of things, I know nothing.
But I know black bears.