Yesterday as I was coming out of stand and heading to the car when I spotted a very large black bear (most likely the reason I sat for 5 hours seeing nothing but squirrels.) I was able to stalk within 35 yards of it. I pulled my bow up estimated the yardage at 40 and let the arrow go. This shot was made right at sunset (I left the stand early b/c I haven't seen anything all day.) and my yardage was a little off. I hit him higher in the back but right behind the shoulder. I had good blood to a point then we decided to back out when it started to thin out and give him overnight to die.

This morning we go out and pick up the blood trail and manage to pin him down to this one area. As we combed the area the bear spooked and ran up the hill out of sight. We tried to track him throughout the thick brush but the blood dried up (this was before we spooked him.) When we spooked him there was no blood where we saw him cross either. We found 2 beds from where he had laid down. The first had tons of blood where he tore apart the tree next to it and rubbed his body on. In the 2nd bed there was much less blood but 2 spots on either side of the bed which look like it could have been from my arrow holes.

Now we are at a loss and have no idea what to do next. I was expecting to see this bear dead when we came back the next morning. It was about 15 hours between the time I shot and when we started looking the next morning.

We could not find my arrow but I watched it disappear into the side of the bear. He was also bleeding out both sides of his body.

My question is: Will he be back and will he live? This bear was easily 300-400lbs. maybe larger.

Thanks,
Chas

Sorry for the book.