Rifle/ML - break him down with a shoulder shot is as good as any on a blackie with a decent bullet IME. Especially straight on broadsides. If quartering away then tuck it behind the shoulder and out the opposing side, like mentioned. I wouldn't shoot him in the head, it will ruin the skull/face/cape and not to mention I don't advocate head or neck shots on any game....personal thing.


I assume since you mentioned head shots your going rifle but FYI just in case.
Bow - stick to quarter away or broad side shots. For the quarter away same as the rifle tuck behind the face shoulder with your aim point to the opposite leg. Broadside when ever possible let the facing leg clear forward then aim through to the opposite leg - this completely opens up the lungs on a bear. Many hunters don't realize the size and coverage a bears shoulder provides in a classic (deer family) broadside pose. So the shoulder on intial penetration is to be avoided with the string and sticks.