Bear Hunting Question
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 105
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From: Billings, Montana
I am new to bear hunting and am going this spring on a bear hunt with my bow. The question I have is, are there any good sites on the web that show the bears anatomy and good shot placement on a bear. I would appreciate any help.
Thanks MT
Thanks MT
#2
Don't know of any but the leathel area is pretty much the same as a deer, right behind the shoulder. DO NOT take a shot at a standing bear, very poor percentage shot, ArticBowMan can vouch for that.
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,062
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From: CWD Central, WI.
Years and years ago, before my first archery bear hunt, I went to the local zoo and checked out the Blackies. Its not your typical zoo visit when your imagining placing an arrow behind the front leg. Its great for watching their mannerizims(sp?) as they waddle around. How they stop and look at you. How lift their legs, all kinds of neat killing sequences. Check them out and think about tucking an arrow in behind the front leg. And hey, the wife and kids never have to know whats really on your mind. They think your at the zoo for their benifit.
#9
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,540
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From:
One thing to keep in mind with Bear compared to Deer, Elk and the other animals commonly hunted with bow is that the total broadside shot is better than the quartering away shoot. Also the the hair and fat reduces the amount of blood that reaches the ground. If you don't get a good hit it makes it a bit harder to follow a blood trail.
The strange thing is that Bear don't seem to go as far os the other big game hit with an equally well placed shot. Never had one go more than 25 yards in all the unts I had or in which I helped.
Take a good look at the anatomical drawing and keep in mind that the boiler room is 90 % below the center horizontal line of the Bear. You can get into real trouble if you get a high hit. Bears don't seem to go down and do well compared to deer and such with high or further back poorly placed shots. They seem to live longer with such hits hits. They may die but you may not find them and the blood trail disappears very fast.
Nub, I have been doing just that for years. I once ran into a fellow hunter at the Milwaukee Co. Zoo doing the same thing before a trip to Africa.
The strange thing is that Bear don't seem to go as far os the other big game hit with an equally well placed shot. Never had one go more than 25 yards in all the unts I had or in which I helped.
Take a good look at the anatomical drawing and keep in mind that the boiler room is 90 % below the center horizontal line of the Bear. You can get into real trouble if you get a high hit. Bears don't seem to go down and do well compared to deer and such with high or further back poorly placed shots. They seem to live longer with such hits hits. They may die but you may not find them and the blood trail disappears very fast.
Nub, I have been doing just that for years. I once ran into a fellow hunter at the Milwaukee Co. Zoo doing the same thing before a trip to Africa.
#10
Hi MT,
One thing you don't want to do is hug the front shoulder too close! Try this, focus on the middle point of the bear and then go forward. If you focus on the front shoulder and try to aim a little back, chances are you will place the shot too far forward. A bears vitals are placed somewhat back more than that of a whitetail.
Broadside or slightly quarting away are perfect.
What kind of broadhead are you considering using on this hunt? Go with a fixed blade if you can get it to fly. Remember your shot will probally be under 15 yards, so don't worry about shooting the lightest arrow, or the fastest set-up. You want to shoot something that will get the job done.
If you are hunting with an outfitter, give them a call and discuss this with them. They should be more than happy to talk to you about any questions that you might have about your hunt!
Good luck.
One thing you don't want to do is hug the front shoulder too close! Try this, focus on the middle point of the bear and then go forward. If you focus on the front shoulder and try to aim a little back, chances are you will place the shot too far forward. A bears vitals are placed somewhat back more than that of a whitetail.
Broadside or slightly quarting away are perfect.
What kind of broadhead are you considering using on this hunt? Go with a fixed blade if you can get it to fly. Remember your shot will probally be under 15 yards, so don't worry about shooting the lightest arrow, or the fastest set-up. You want to shoot something that will get the job done.
If you are hunting with an outfitter, give them a call and discuss this with them. They should be more than happy to talk to you about any questions that you might have about your hunt!
Good luck.


