Shot placement is a bit different on a bear.

look at the location of things with angle shots in mind.

Bear have a heavy hide and strong bones it is good to take this into consideration when planning a shot.

a shoulder shot will nail him everytime ..been there and done it .

I try to get a quartering away shot and shoot for the heart and lung on the enterance side and try to hit the shoulder on the out going side.

I have used both shots,I have take 2 with a bow and 2 with a muzzle loader, the other 7 were all taken with a rifle. I put this up for some one who is going bear hunting this spring and has not hunted bear before. I think that he will have to realize that a bears organs are a different size, andshape and the location is a bit different, I think he will do fine, I also believe that if he has a picture in his mind it might help him to place his shot better, much better than trying to tell him. Lee

You guys that hunt bears are so lucky, black bears are protected in Missouri and are creeping up from Arkansas. Maybe they will have a season but no time soon. Do you guys use large conicals? And what do you use?

PA has a 2 day archery season and a 3 day rifle season for bear. No baiting or dogs is allowed so trying to get one with the bow is next to impossible. A couple have done it legally (I think). I've taken 4 with the rifle a 45-70 and none went more than 30 yds. I was carrying my Hawken loaded with 300 gr shock waves this year but didn't have an opportunity to drop the hammer. Maybe this year.

There are many good choices, I personally like 300gr Gold Dot at 2000fps+, One of the ones I got the biggest as a matter of fact was taken with a 54 cal Hawken rifle at between 170 and 180 yards with a35 inch barrel and 130 gr of RS Pyrodex and a PRB, it knocked him down and by the time he got up and started to stagger away I was ready and smacked him again both balls were inside the skin on the far side all flatten out. If I had not got that second shot I might have had to track him. The Partition bullets by Nosler the 300gr Gold Dot and the Bonded 300gr SW should be about the level of bullet you want. The Barnes all copper could be good to but I have never used them so I am not sure. Lee

That isawesome and one helluva shot you had. It puts into perspective how deadly a roundball is. Congratulations is in order my friend.