I have had 2 different opinions on broadhead choice, one person said to stick with fixed broadheads and the guy who owns the bow shop I go to showed me pics of what a mechanical(spitfire)did to a black bear, massive entry wound, tore up a lot of tissue passing through. The reason I ask is because even though I am not going exclusively bear hunting, one of the counties I hunt in has a season on black bear that partialy corresponds with deer season. Should I stick with just the spitfires or carry a few fixed blades in my quiver?

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

I'd sacrifice a spitfire into a new piece of plywood and see for yourself what it looks like coming out the backside.
If oyu have a great shot that is double lung and/or heart you are going to have a Bear skin rug in short order BUT if you get a little foward and get the shoulder blade then things are going to get "interesting" in a hurry.
I want to KNOW what my head is going to do in less than perfect situations. I shoot Muzzy's and when I was selecting broadheads for my first Elk trip this is what I did.
8 to 10 inches on the other side of a 3/4 inch piece of new ply and the arrow was still true left nothing to my imagination on a mistake by me.
13 years later no reason for me to change.

Good Luck Taz and I can't wait to see your Bear!


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Although a bears hair is thicker than that of a whitetail, the black bears hide is thinner. Any setup that is proficient for whitetail, is proficient for black bear. Shot placement is the key.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

I like fixed too. Simple and reliable. The guide I used in Canada recommended Snuffer 125 gr. I used a Hoyt Bow Bullet (140 gr.). The blades go in from the front. I passed all the way through my bear and stuck the broadhead in the bait barrel. Then the broadhead came apart. For that reason I don't think I personally would use a mechanical, too many parts. I use a Wasp Hammer SST 100 gr. 3 blade on deer and have enough confidence in it that I wouldn't hesitate to use it on bear.

Darn that Rob, I replied to your other post and Rob locked it just before I submitted this.

I watched a bear hunting video last month , I think it was called &quot;Bear-n-Down on black bears&quot;. Anyway , the husband and wife in the video , both shot the NAP shockwaves. All of them left excellent blood trails , and the wife had a complete pass thru on a big blonde bear. The video said she was shooting 43ftlbs of kinetic energy.<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

&quot;Nocked,cocked & ready to rock&quot;

I agree with Robb, in that any head that works well for you on deer should also work very well for black bear.

TAKE YOUR KIDS HUNTING AND YOU WON'T BE HUNTING FOR YOUR KIDS

I think a mech would be just dandy for bear. If you wanna see what would be more realistic, shoot the spitfire through a jug of water before shooting the plywood. Shhoting the plywood alone can give false results as the blades could either
a: go through the hole...saving the blade
or
b: get stuck on the flat hard surface while opening. Unrealistic as most shoulder blades are INSIDE of the animal (under hide,fat, and some meat)
The jug of water will open the blades the way the hide/fat/meat would.
You could also try coconuts. the round shape doesn't catch the blades. I have found coconuts to be nearly as hard on blades as a steel drum (wait till I post my Muzzy/coconut pics).

As stated before...if you shoot in the vitals (NOT the shoulder) you shouldn't have any problems with the mech head.

[Deleted by Admins]

Well I see I am getting a mixed opinion here also, I think I will put a couple of fixed broadheads in my quiver just to play it safe, I will be honest though, after seeing what that spitfire did to the black bear in the photos I was very impressed.

dartonjames I am not actually going bear hunting, I am going to be deer hunting and the county I am hunting in has black bear and the season is from 12 Oct.-9 Nov., the deer season is from 5 Oct-16 Nov. If I get a chance at a black bear I am going to take it, but only if it is a PERFECT broadside shot less than 20 yards! Even then I may chicken out, there is something about a bear that makes me nervous. LOL

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

Why is it that folks that test mechanicals have the need to shoot them through plywood?

I'm not a fan of mechanicals but will not bash them...but it seems to me that if you want a real test you should shoot them through some material that more models a live critter.

Foam comes to mind as a better choice. Unless, of course, you are hunting plywood..