Bear Hunters...
- Thread starter Guy Miner
- Start date
My bear is certainly not the biggest bear in the woods, but it was my first (and last). If you really want a rush, put the rifle down and pick up a bow :wink: . I shot this bear from 10 yards, may be a little less. The bear was tearing up a log, quartered away from me. The arrow entered right behind the right shoulder and exited the left shoulder.
- Nov 4, 2004
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Here in MI, we only have black bears. It sure would be a treat to get a cinnimon or blond color phase bear.
We hunt with bait or hounds. I like the bait method and plan on pulling a tag this year.
I am half temped to use my S&W 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag.
JD338
We hunt with bait or hounds. I like the bait method and plan on pulling a tag this year.
I am half temped to use my S&W 629 Classic 44 Rem Mag.
JD338
IdahoCTD":36plmwfs said:
I remember having to ride sleds a mile or two to get over the passes in order to get to another truck on the other side. We were hunting up past Warren. It was all part of the adventure. Love Spring Bear. Hopefully I can get some more in next year.
- Thread starter
- #27
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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Runtohunt, congrats! A buddy of mine swears that he puts bears down really fast with his bow - maybe faster than is usual with a rifle. He's taken quite a few bear with rifle and bow, so I value his info.
What are your thoughts about how quickly an arrow kills black bear?
Guy
What are your thoughts about how quickly an arrow kills black bear?
Guy
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,503
- 6,509
Double lunged and not serious alarmed, bears die about as quickly as deer. They can be down and not moving in ten to twelve seconds. A bad hit is a bad hit, whether it is a bullet or an arrow.
DrMike":16i9jk4a said:
So true, so true....
I've also found that an alert bear is a far different critter than one who's content and feeding. If a bear knows, or even senses, that something is afoot.... the odds of a rodeo increase drastically... even on a solid hit.
Thanks Guy.
I agree with what has been said. When I shot that bear, the bear turned looked at me and ran about 10 feet in the opposite direction, stopped looked at me, roared and fell over dead. The encounter was an intense rush. Immediately after the shot I grabbed my bear spay (always carry it with me while deer hunting). When I saw the bear run, I began nocking another arrow.
The arrow took out the right lung, center punched the heart, I believe clipped the left upper lobe of the left lung, and shattered the left humorous! I shoot heavy arrows.
The bear was dead in about 2-5 seconds. With that being said, I would not take a shot that I would not consider a perfect shot, and I don't believe I would attempted to shoot a bear, at least off the ground, that was alert to my presence. I know that things could go terribly wrong in a hurry if one is not careful. My wife hates the fact that I am willing to stock up on a bear.
I agree with what has been said. When I shot that bear, the bear turned looked at me and ran about 10 feet in the opposite direction, stopped looked at me, roared and fell over dead. The encounter was an intense rush. Immediately after the shot I grabbed my bear spay (always carry it with me while deer hunting). When I saw the bear run, I began nocking another arrow.
The arrow took out the right lung, center punched the heart, I believe clipped the left upper lobe of the left lung, and shattered the left humorous! I shoot heavy arrows.
The bear was dead in about 2-5 seconds. With that being said, I would not take a shot that I would not consider a perfect shot, and I don't believe I would attempted to shoot a bear, at least off the ground, that was alert to my presence. I know that things could go terribly wrong in a hurry if one is not careful. My wife hates the fact that I am willing to stock up on a bear.
bbearhntr
Handloader
- Apr 10, 2011
- 553
- 0
Guy Miner":289z484f said:
A close friend of mine just recently made mention of the same idea. I personally like the advantage that a rifle offers of a quick follow up shot(s). I have seen a number of bow shot bears travel less distance than a couple of rifle shot bears. I believe use whatever YOU'RE MOST comfortable with and respect other peoples choice to do the same.
I am SO envious of everyone who is able to enjoy a spring bear hunt.... Anyone need any company???
- Thread starter
- #32
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
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Runtohunt - wow - quite a hunt.
Outstanding! I haven't done a lot of bowhunting, and never for bear.
Outstanding! I haven't done a lot of bowhunting, and never for bear.
I have had a lot of opportunities at bears while bowhunting for elk but the elk always seem to win over my attention. I've considered setting up a tree stand over bait to shoot one with my bow but I like to bullet test on them too. The bullet testing wins out. :mrgreen:
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
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- 693
runtohunt great story. I take my predator call with me and try calling. I'd like to spot a bear first and get set up and then call, but you can't always find them so I've done blind calling also in likely looking locations. I make sure I have something good at my back to cover me or a partner to watch so one cannot come in behind me. I think that would be so neat to call one in and take him with my bow, shooting 125gr. Nosler Accublades!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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FWIW, David, my experience leads me to suggest that young bears are more likely to respond to calls than are more mature bears. Mature bears may look, but they are much more cautious about coming in. However, I've had more than a few youngsters come running, tongue dangling and saliva being flung about. It is still a fascinating sight.
DrMike":13lcah3b said:
I too have called in bears.... both on purpose, and on accident. They are both exciting experiences.... but I prefer plan 'a'. I will tell you one thing.... the only bear I've seen shot when called.... was lost. You better pack a lunch and pick a spot if you're going to shoot a jacked-up bear that thinks he's about to get a Big Mac..... young or old.
Guy,
I love that rug of yours - what a coat on it! My bear rug has hair 3 times as long and looks alot less groomed. I took the bear up in B.C. around Williams Lake. I've taken a few animals with a bow over the years and what I've observed is that arrows kill very quickly if placed through the lungs. The elk,deer, pigs and one bear I've killed with a bow have never gone more than 30 yards. I've never had to track one. On the other hand I've never seen an animal drop in it's tracks when hit with an arrow. Shot placement is critical regardless of weapon.
Calling in large predators is about the biggest rush you can get here in North America. A few years ago my brother and I were fooling around trying to call a bear in that we had spotted and actually had a cougar sneek within 30yds behind us. That was the last time we'll do any predator calling without a firearm! :shock: :shock: .
If I were to take another nice bear I think a life size standing mount sniffing and swatting a bee nest would be cool. All it takes is $s.
Scott
I love that rug of yours - what a coat on it! My bear rug has hair 3 times as long and looks alot less groomed. I took the bear up in B.C. around Williams Lake. I've taken a few animals with a bow over the years and what I've observed is that arrows kill very quickly if placed through the lungs. The elk,deer, pigs and one bear I've killed with a bow have never gone more than 30 yards. I've never had to track one. On the other hand I've never seen an animal drop in it's tracks when hit with an arrow. Shot placement is critical regardless of weapon.
Calling in large predators is about the biggest rush you can get here in North America. A few years ago my brother and I were fooling around trying to call a bear in that we had spotted and actually had a cougar sneek within 30yds behind us. That was the last time we'll do any predator calling without a firearm! :shock: :shock: .
If I were to take another nice bear I think a life size standing mount sniffing and swatting a bee nest would be cool. All it takes is $s.
Scott
bbearhntr
Handloader
- Apr 10, 2011
- 553
- 0
Here are a couple examples of what my uncle has done with two of the bears he has shot. He has another one just soft tanned and uses it as a throw over the back of the couch. My son who was 4 at the time got a real thrill out of riding a bear. The bear in the tree was a small chocolate bear. Another prime example of a color phase bear not living a very long life. Makes for a beautiful mount though! (sorry about the crappy cell phone picture)
