Bear shots

[Ronald Roberts]

That's the plan Ryan has kill and put his hunters on a lot of bears going to do my best to do what he tell me!! Really looking forward to it!!

[Skipmaster1]

I think I middle of the middle is from nose to tail. The middle of that is just a little behind the crease. The vitals are definitely a little farther back than a deer. On a deer right in the crease is center lungs, on a bear it's forward lungs. On deer I aim straight up the front leg, on bear is rather be just behind the crease.

[bkspyder]

I haven't shot a bear but plant to try this fall so I am very interested.
I have seen that the placement issue is commonly debated.
Here is an article that advocates for just forward of "middle of the middle."
To be clear, middle of the middle means middle from nose to tail, not mid way from shoulder to tail.

http://www.bear-hunting.com/2016/3/shot-placement-black-bear-blog-march-17-2016

[Ron LaClair]

Best advice for a bear hunter is patience, patience, patience. You'll have a tendency to want to shoot as soon as the bear comes in range. WAIT! until he gives you that perfect shot. After he runs off if you made a good double lung hit he won't go far. Listen for the "death moan" which usually but not always comes when the bear is down and dying.

[Jon Stewart]

Another is they just show up. You rarely here them coming like a deer. For as big as they are they make almost no noise when walking. As Ron, said listen for the death moan. Out of the three we shot mine was the only one that didn't give me the death moan. My son and cousin said that moan makes the hair stand up on your neck when you hear it.

You and your grandson are going to have the time of your life. Memories that last for ever.

[Bowguy67]

I guess to each his own. To me even the first time the death moan wasn't that chilling instead reminding me of a cow mooing.
Lots of people will tell you lots of stuff when going to bear camp. Some can be concerning. There's nothing to be worried about. Enjoy every minute. I think bear camp is the best. You may too

[meathead]

Make sure you have a letter for you grandson stating he has permission to be with you from his parents. The border crossing gaurds are suspicious of of adults with kids if both parents arn't with them. The first time I took my sons across to Canada without my wife with me it took some time and a couple phone calls to convince them I wasn't stealing them away.

[Ron LaClair]

Don't try to joke with the boarder guards they have no sense of humor. Some years ago my buddy and I crossed over for a spring bear hunt. When they ask what was our reason to be in Canada my buddy blurted out, "We're here to kill some of your bears" next question, "Do you have any guns?" He say's, "no we don't need guns". Next statement from the boarder guard, "pull your vehicle over there".....they took EVERYTHING out of our truck and made us stand back and watch...... live and learn 

[goingoldskool]

Don't try to joke with the boarder guards they have no sense of humor. Some years ago my buddy and I crossed over for a spring bear hunt. When they ask what was our reason to be in Canada my buddy blurted out, "We're here to kill some of your bears" next question, "Do you have any guns?" He say's, "no we don't need guns". Next statement from the boarder guard, "pull your vehicle over there".....they took EVERYTHING out of our truck and made us stand back and watch...... live and learn 

Truer words have never been said!   Answer their questions exactly. ...... do not assume they  know what you're talking about.

[MnFn]

X2 Ray Lyons.  Have only taken two bear with a bow (both at stickflingers) but one was a pope and young sized bear taken broadside behind the shoulder and I don't know if he even went 40 yards.

The first bear was quartering away if I recall, so the shot wasn't right behind the shoulder. But angling slightly forward got both lungs and he went maybe 50-60 yards, iirc.

Just ask Ryan. He wants you to be successful 😁,  and has a ton of experience.  Just don't try to shoot a bear when it is lying down, at the bait site.  I do know that for sure.

[Hoosier_hunter157]

I shot my bear just a touch forward from center of the center. Bear went less than 20 yards. The outfitter I hunted with recommended starting at the center of the center and then moving a touch forward. Worked for me.

[Biathlonman]

I'll be there the week after you, bringing my dad, brother and buddy with me this time.  Stay behind the shoulder, toward the front half and you'll be fine.  I'm a fan of 3 blade broadheads, will be taking Grizzly instincts again this year.  2017 my shot entered about middle of the middle and exited out far shoulder on a quartering away bear, bear went about 30 yards.

[BrushWolf]

So I watched the video. He is giving you a reference point  starting center of center and moving 3"forward. That puts you 4-5" back from shoulder. He said a broadside shot to get two holes through them. All sound advice to me. I've killed 2 so far  both were shot a hands width (4-5") behind the shoulder and dead center of the chest.  One fell within 25yds of my stand the other about 40yds. Listen to your outfitter he'll not steer you wrong.

[BrushWolf]

With all the hair and dark color it makes it hard to define details sometimes. If you come back a hands width behind the leg it should put you in the middle of the good stuff. Thought maybe the pic would help some.

[KSdan]

Would like Jerry R and Ryan D to weigh in.           

[Bowguy67]

So I watched the video. He is giving you a reference point  starting center of center and moving 3"forward. That puts you 4-5" back from shoulder. He said a broadside shot to get two holes through them. All sound advice to me. I've killed 2 so far  both were shot a hands width (4-5") behind the shoulder and dead center of the chest.  One fell within 25yds of my stand the other about 40yds. Listen to your outfitter he'll not steer you wrong.

The video is absolutely wrong.

[BrushWolf]

Ron don't forget to take lots of pictures Canada has some beautiful country. Good luck on the hunt.

[Bowguy67]

I should say something else. The advise guys are saying is not trying to punch through a shoulder bone. Just like a deer if you hit solid bone you may get stopped. The other point of 2 exit holes is real good in theory. The hair can be long, fat can clog a hole etc. Bears though are real easy to kill. They go down real quick when hit well. So quick you'll often see em fall or they'll fall just out of sight.  In well hit bears. Not much track skill if any is often needed. You'll be surprised how quick they drop.
On a bad hit bear when a good blood trail could really help the bears are very often unrecoverable. Bears not hit well often head out n get lost. Idk the outfitter but a track dog can help here. If none is available 2 holes can't never hurt but could be a moot point.
2 holes is best mind you but don't freak out if that doesn't happen.
Hope that makes sense

[beemann]

Think the point of all this is that a bears vitals are back a bit further than what we are all used to.  If you hit the crease you may miss everything.  Nobody is advocating to gut shoot a bear. When crossing the border i have had better luck crossing at some of the smaller ports of entry.  And don't be a smartass or a comedian.  Know the name of the outfitter and where your going.  Take your sunglasses off.  Don't try and sneak stuff across.  Your allowed a case of beer  a fifth of whiskey and a role of copenhagen.  Anything more than that you have to declare.  If you plan on taking food items do the research many items are prohibited.  Good luck and have fun.  I love bear hunting. 

[beemann]

Also passports gotta have em.  Don't forget them....