Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Gettin ready to go on a spring Alberta black bear hunt. i have been thinking about using a mechanical instead of the Montecs...what do y'all think???

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I too am going bear hunting in Canada this spring and have the same question. I normally shoot NAP Spitfires and have seen how deadly they are on deer, just wondering if they would work the same on Yogi. I have noticed watching some black bear bow hunts on Youtube that a good amount of guys were using expandables. Hopefully we hear some good advice.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I think its a pretty even toss up with hunters who shoot bears regularly. the one thing that i have heard about mechanicals is that you MUST have a broadside shot to avoid haging up the braodhead on impact.However...i can live with that. What i am looking for is accuracy of flight.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Ive taken a couple very large Black Bears in the past with 3 blade Rocky Mountain heads. Excellent results.
I see it's about the same on who uses one or the other.
I have seen a few shots on various biggame with expandables that did not get the penetration a fixed head would have. I want a pass through (my personal preference).I amstarting my 51st year as a Bowhunter & have one rule I like to consider-the "fewer moving parts" in the fieldIS fewer problems. Good luck on your Bowhunt-It "IS" a rush when they come into the bait.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Black bear hides are not very thick and their ribs aren't that tuff either. But you need to put whatever head you use behind the shoulde blade. It will stop most heads cold. A friend of mine uses Rocket Hammerheads, 3 blade mechanical with a 2" dia. cut. He gets some easy blood trails to follow. The big hole helps because the bears fur will soak up a lot of blood.

I killed my only Black Bear with a 4 Blade, 90 gr. Muzzy. It zipped thru so fast the bear never knew it was shot. It just backed down the tree and started to walk away. Only made it 10 yards from the tree and fell over dead. And I got it on video too.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I have killed a bear with a mechanical head.Rocket steelhead 11/8 diameter.I got a complete pass through on a 225 pound bear.I wasn't hunting bear specifically at that time.If I were to be hunting in a baited bear situation where the shots are likely to be 10 to 15 yard shots at a bear that is fairly preoccupied I would opt for a fixed blade head,likely a magnus stinger or one of the other fixed blades that have a reputation for penetration,accuracy and toughness and of course fly well out of my set up.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I'm going to Prince of Whales Island with my 125 gr. NAP Spitfires.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I prefer Fixed Blades for bear. I think you get better penetration with them, but, broad...i suppose its whatever you practice with and are accurate with. oh, and if you decide on using a mechanical broadhead, it better be a tekan2 gotta love the g5's...

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

So what's wrong with the Montecs? They seem to fly extremely well out of well tuned bow with properly spined arrows. And they are hard to sharpen- kinda like a Buck knife - but will stay sharp very well once you get'um sharp in the first place.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Don't shoot expandables myself, but I hunt with a buddy that uses them and I have seen 2 bears shot with mechanicals that I am very sure would have gotten away using a convential fixed head. The 1 shot in particular enteredto the right of the backbone and exited on the same side part way down the side. It tore such a big opening that the bear lost blood and entrails and was recovered within 100 yds. Just my observations with the expandables.

Jim

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

REDMAG...why would've the bears been lost if using a fixed blade? you never explained. Also, how big were the bears. i know that big boars have been shot with both. Just wondering how other guys felt about 'em. I already have some "shuttle T locks 100 gr." However...i wanted to try some mechanicals for the sake of flight.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Anyone else???

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

aNYONE ELSE???

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

Archer's Choice dvd's show how the spitfire will down a bear in couple of seconds. My guide hwo isn't a bowhunter adviced me against it. I used a fixed blade on my bear last fall and dropped him in 40 yards but it all goes back to placing your shot in the vitals. Study the boiler room of one of them before you go and have a great hunt. It's a blast.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

I took a 6 ft 300lb bear in 03 , up in canada, am going back this spring. Sask. I used 100 gr montec and the bear dropped 30 yards and we had the moan at 40 seconds from the shot ( all on video )
got a 1/4 away shot, placed it right behind the left shoulder blade, down through lung,center of heart, lung and on the exit broke the right front leg. Also snapped the Montec when it burried in the leg bone.

After seeing what that broad head did, I dont think I would ever switch to a mec head.
They did well for me in the past and hope they do the same thing again in June.

RE: Mechanicals or fixed for large Black bears
 

About three years ago i used some mechanicals for about a month and threw them in the garbage. I will stick to my fixed blades. Muzzy 100 gr. 3 blade and 100 gr. muzzy phantoms. Both broadheads fly great and do a lot of damage.