back up for bear hunt
 

Should a guy take a side arm while bowhunting black bear?

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

I didn't, but I wish I would have;)

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

It's illegal here[>:]

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

For what reason? to shoot the bear, then you wouldn't be bowhunting, for protection? A pistol won't do anything an arrow won't do. Besides, in most juristrictions it's illegal to carry firearms while bowhunting. My answer to your question would be a resounding no.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

i would because after u stick it, it may attack u never no. (if it is legal) b/c u can put 7 shots in a bear faster than u can put knock ur second arrow

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

The 2nd admendment right gives you the right to carry a sidearm while bowhunting wether or not the regs say so. As long as there is no bullet hole in the animal they can only sight you for carrying it.

I've seen alot of bears hit with rifle and bow and they don't always go down right away. And as far a bear bleeding out while he's attacking you remember that a bear heart rate is really slow. Thus meaning you could be in a bad situation. I always pack a sidearm in the woods regardless hunting or not. Not going to be a snack because I didn't think it could happen to me. Read the book Ghost Grizzlies and then think about it.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

i carry a can of pepper spray and a knife on my hip when ever i walk in the bush without a firearm. I have used this spray before and it does work. A rifle is the best line of defense but my second choice would be the bear spray.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

yeah but in PA you can get fined if your caught with a pistol while hunting bears with a bow.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

I assume you're hunting for Black Bear and I would say no. You do not need one in your stand. If you're that concerned about the Bear, don't go after it with the bow.
Now once you shoot the Bear and go to recover it ,if it was a poor hit, a shotgun with slugs is the norm.
I've hunted Black Bear for years, help bait and see tham all the time while Deer hunting. They are not a threat in the woods to a hunter. It is a different issue in camp grounds and parks where idiots have been feeding them and they have lost their fear of man but I doubt that is the case where you will be hunting.

Either way have a good hunt and learn as much about the game you're hunting as you can from a reliable source before you go afield.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

Just my opinion.

I used to rifle hunt. I no longer do.

I have a CCW license and carry a sidearm almost every day of my life.

I chose bowhunting for a reason. I want to be closer to my targets and I want to be closer to nature. I like the element of danger involved in hunting any large creature without a firearm. I hunted unsuccessfully from the ground for both grizzly and black bear this season and I never though twice about not bringing a sidearm. I had numerous grizzlys inside of 30 yds, but none I wanted to take. Using proper wind direction and good hunting skills they never reacted to my presence. If they had, it wouldn't have mattered...a handgun would have been useless at that distance since they can cover it in under 3 seconds.

I live in country that has numerous bears. I've had them in the back of my truck. My dog was half eaten in my front yard by a sow griz and two cubs. Yet, I still let my young children play in that same yard with no fear. You have to become relaxed and oblivious to it or you would go crazy living here worrying about bears. Might as well move to the big city and get murdered by some two legged predator.

So, I choose to leave firearms at home when bowhunting and I don't feel any less vulnerable because of it.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

Take it, don't be stupid... why not?!!! why not give yourself better protection, or mental fealing while out hunting they old bear? TAKE UR GUN!!!!

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

hey guys have a read on a book called Bear Attacks 2 Myth and Reality---by: James Gary Shelton. Its a real great book explaining bear attacks and how to protect yourself. He explains that black bears will be predatory and stalk you without you knowing it. The line that bears are more afraid of you than you are of them is a myth. I have had a few encounters were bears were certainly not frightened of me at all from yelling and firing warning shots over them. Why would you want to put yourself in that situation. With all of my encounters i was never even hunting bears just walking in the woods hutning deer and just hiking. It's not that much trouble to carry along a can of mace just to be on the safe side because you never know what might happen out there.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

In PA there is no bow season for bear. Bows are legal and so are handguns. I am almost 100% certain it is legal to carry both simultaniously.

You may be thinking of archery deer season. It is illegal to carry a sidearm then.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

I have had numorous run ins with bears and all came out good. I don't carry a side arm and never will. You will be o.k. if you handle yourself accordingly. Even been stalked by cougars. One walked away and the other made a beautiful rug for the back of my couch.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

Mitch,

I would assume you are refering to your up comming bear hunt in Maine. Maine regulations allow ou to carry a side arm while bow hunting deer although you can not dispatch the deer with it. The only mention of special regulations for hunting bear and possessing a firearm are as follows.
Note: A permit to carry a handgun to track wounded bear after dark may be obtained from the Warden Service Headquarters
There is no "bow season" in Maine for bear. There is a general hunting season, Baited season, and hound season.

http://www.state.me.us/ifw/hunttrap/...%20INFORMATION

I've never read of a bear attack occuring in Maine after a bear had been shot with an arrow. For that matter I can't remember the last time I read or heard of a bear attack in Maine. I'd personally be more worried about the moose population as they have been known to charge people / hunters on occasion.
Bottom line, if you feel more comfortable with a sidearm bring it along.

Happy hunting:D

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

PAHunter86,
I would double check your regs as far as carrying a sidearm during bear season, seeing as how the season is open to both bow and gun. However if it were archery season for deer then you would not be permitted to carry a firearm of any sort.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

I never have, and I hunt an area where there are lots of bear and cougars. I mean ya they could attack, but the chances go along with the territory, I mean there could be a flash flood, earth quake, lightning strike, you know what i'm trying to say, I have had several encounters with bears. I have walked into sows with cubs only twice, and yes it was scary but thats part of bowhunting, and if I think if one did try to charge I really don't think you would have time to pull the pistol and react fast enough to stop a bear. I have shot 2 nice black bears with my bow, fair chase and both went down fast, I am amazed how one arrow can kill bear so quick, I have confidence in my bow! But if it gives you that extra comfort knowing you have a pistol then by all means carry it, but I say the bow will do what the pistol can do and maybe even better, if you can get the shot off in time, but thats part of hunting, it does involve some risk.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

Maybe I was wrong. I checked the reg book quick and it didn't say anything about it being illegal to carry a sidearm during the bear season. However, using a semi-auto pistol is illegal for hunting, and if your out hunting and you posses one, you might get fined or warning...but I'm not sure on that.

RE: back up for bear hunt
 

here in canada we are not allowed to hunt with handguns but when I bear hunt there are two of us in the tree no hunter and one tapes we each have a bear tag. the hunter uses the bow and the camera man pack a rifle in. there is no worst feeling then looking for a downed bear with a bow. we use a a bolt .308 remington a 720? maybe it has 19" barrel and peep sights that give alot of comfort. even baiting we pack it in. if I could use a handgun which would be easier a .44 mag would be my choice. But this year for baiting we are going to try some pepper sray