guys i shot a bear the other day and could not find it. I shot it behind the shoulder same place i would shoot a deer i saw the arrow go in and it looked like a great shot but he quit bleeding after about 200 yards he bled good going down hill but when he crossed the creek and started up the mountain he quit bleeding. are bear vitals the same as deer or do you have to hit then further forward i hate wounding anything and we looked hard for the bear any ideas

Why would you shoot at a bear if you do not know where the vitals are located? Were you fending for your life?

Mike, I gotta hope, that you knew where to shoot the bear before attempting to hunt it with a bow. Not doing so would, of course, be irresponsible and definitely dangerous. Nasty critters, them wounded bears.

Anyway, I don't hunt bear, but here is a link that shows the anatomy and shot placements suggestions. Also I heard that bear have a great ability to stop bleeding quickly if they don't drop. I can't remember where I read it.

http://www.nursingfawns.com/text/bearshotplacement.pdf

Good luck.

Keep 'em all in the Bull.

Edited by - Bulzeye on 11/04/2002 12:24:59

Mike if you hit just behind the shoulder like you would a deer it should have been a good shot. The bear will probably die and I know if you are getting the rain like me then all sign is gone but the kill is the same.

Oh and by the way pay no attention the ethics police it seems that this whole board has gone to hades in the last few months.

It used to be a great place to get help now it seems all these newby's want to do is jump on someone.

Oh by the way do you ever hunt down near Valley Head.

Edited by - royak on 11/04/2002 12:30:14

Everybody remember that you need to know where to shoot any game animal you plan on hunting from a variety of angles. Animals will not always present a perfect broadside, 20 yard shot. Know if you should shoot and where to shoot before going out. If you have doubts, wait for a better opportunity and brush up before you hit the woods next time.

Now, how do I get down off of this soap box. It didn't seem this high when I was on the ground.

Keep 'em all in the Bull.

Once again your first visit is from the ethics police <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

Greatdane why not offer him some advice on tracking or picking up the trail and let the thread collect more and more info BEFORE you jump down his throat for something no one can do anything about now.

It is done, the animal is wounded......EVERYONE's first concern should be with helping this guy find and recover it.

It is a pretty reasonable to assume that a shot behind the front shoulder of an animal that walks on all fours will take out vital tissue as long as you are not too high or low. He stated he knows the vital shot on a deer and a bear is not DRASTICALLY different so why get all over his case?? That sure won't help find the bear.

Let's help him find the bear and THEN let him know how important it is to know this stuff before you hunt game is.

Deer and bear........same ballpark.......not like it's a turkey or something.


Geeeez guys.........call off the dogs man.


Seeing how the closest I come to a bear with my bow is the name on the limbs I will leave this to more experienced in this field.

I personally think you would have benefited more from better tracking skills then shot placement. Sounds like you may have pushed him pretty far.


Hope you find your game

Mike, first off, sorry to hear about you losing the bear. Its not a good feeling for anyone.

Now, my opinion is that your shot was not what it seemed. In my experience, a bear shot well with a bow will go down within 100 yards, usually within 50-60. Is it possible that your shot was low? They have lots of hair, which may throw you off on where your arrow appeared to have hit. If it &quot;looked&quot; low, it was probably &quot;very&quot; low.
How did the blood trail look? Lots of blood, or minimal?
I hope your able to find the bear, good luck.

Sorry on loosing you're bear, I would think in my experience if he were hit good he wouldn't have went that far and definately wouldn't have went up hill after already going 200 yards. probably a nonleathal shot.

Well never again will I ask such a question it seems everyone is a perfect shot you people are so critical I guess you have never in your life wounded an animal well i guess i cant say that I have killed bear with a gun but thought mabey i needed to do something special with my arrow. For those of you who were helpful thanks for everyone else I will strive to be perfect like you.

He may have been hit just fine. I can't help you much on finding the bear, but their fur tends to soak up a lot of the blood. So, I would keep searching.