Post by: Roger Norris on November 09, 2023, 08:39:42 AM
The bear I shot was FAT....I anticipate the same on this hunt. I will most likely be shooting my 50# Widow recurve, which gives perfect penetration on whitetails with a 650 grain arrow. I don't see changing my set up from my normal whitetail gear, but I thing I want a wider broadhead...This year I am using ABOWYER 250 grain heads. No complaints, but I see they offer wider versions.
I like Ace heads quite a bit, but I really like the penetration of single bevels lately.
Any advice from you bear slayers would be awesome.
Post by: MnFn on November 09, 2023, 10:13:40 AM
I love bear hunting! I have taken two Canadian bear with a bow. First one was a six footer, the second one was just shy of seven feet and qualified for the P&Y.
The first bear was taken with a 53# Black Tail, a Surewood shaft and a 160 grain Stos two blade. The second one was taken with a 48# Tall Tines and woodie with the same head.
I should have had a third one last year but I screwed up. I was using a VP three blade, but missed my mark.
I think if you put your arrow where it’s supposed to go, about any good sharp head will work. I could not tell the difference between the two bear taken. Both bows shot the arrow completely through those bear. Neither bear went further than 40-50 yards. They died quickly. I heard the death moan from the larger bear.
I got a much better blood trail with the three blade for what that’s worth. And if I go again that is what I would use. I actually tried to bear hunt this fall in MN, but we could not get a bear to reliably come into the bait.
One bear came in and messed with the traIl camera, but didn't touch the bait. Good mass crop and other natural food sources this fall.
Good Luck Roger, wish I was going with you!
Post by: Roger Norris on November 09, 2023, 10:17:59 AM
Post by: mnbwhtr on November 09, 2023, 10:33:05 AM
Post by: kopfjaeger on November 09, 2023, 10:37:59 AM
Post by: kopfjaeger on November 09, 2023, 10:40:58 AM
Post by: Pine on November 09, 2023, 10:47:35 AM
Post by: MnFn on November 09, 2023, 10:49:03 AM
Post by: MnFn on November 09, 2023, 10:50:59 AM
Post by: trad_bowhunter1965 on November 09, 2023, 10:56:03 AM
Post by: MnFn on November 09, 2023, 11:05:02 AM
I know I would enjoy it.
Post by: kopfjaeger on November 09, 2023, 11:08:35 AM
Post by: Roger Norris on November 09, 2023, 11:15:50 AM
This fella looked up at me during my ShrewHaven hunt last month....nothing threatening, he just trotted off. He was fat, wigggled like jello and was breathing hard.
Post by: tippit on November 09, 2023, 11:28:11 AM
Almost all were complete pass throughs even the stone point...tippit
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Post by: Ryan Rothhaar on November 09, 2023, 11:33:27 AM
Back when we were going to Saskatchewan every year I was in on lots of bear recoveries. They are easier to shoot through, generally, than a whitetail. Thin skin, light ribs. They die easy if hit in the lungs....a bit harder if hit back too far. Troubles with recoveries were often from small heads and marginal blood.
I'd definitely look towards bigger broadheads. As far as lighter equipment goes I shot my first bear when I was 16 with a 50 lb black widow recurve and a 2213 with a big Snuffer (550ish grain arrow) ...shot right through him. Shot others with 55lb-ish bows and wood arrows in the 600 grain range, again shot thru them all with big Snuffers. I'd shoot the bigger heads for bears every time.
R
Post by: Tim Reese on November 09, 2023, 03:15:57 PM
Post by: STICKBENDER98 on November 09, 2023, 04:25:32 PM
Jason
Post by: Wudstix on November 09, 2023, 08:47:31 PM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: Mike Bolin on November 09, 2023, 09:22:45 PM
Post by: Cory Mattson on November 10, 2023, 08:34:35 AM
WELL DONE !!!!!!!!!!!!
<><
<——————-<<<<<
Post by: tippit on November 10, 2023, 11:26:17 AM
Post by: dnovo on November 10, 2023, 01:00:57 PM
Post by: Kelly on November 10, 2023, 03:57:24 PM
Sorry for the poor picture but this was mid 1980’s and is a digital copy from a picture.
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Post by: frassettor on November 10, 2023, 04:58:47 PM
I was planning a bear hunt prior to Covid and I was told by the outfitter, who accommodates to traditional bow hunters , to use a 3 blade because “they don’t bleed a lot”. So currently I am shooting the VPA 1 1/4 3 blade.
Post by: frassettor on November 10, 2023, 05:02:57 PM
Post by: ozy clint on November 10, 2023, 08:02:38 PM
Post by: ron w on November 10, 2023, 09:31:11 PM
Post by: dklug on November 12, 2023, 12:15:20 PM
Post by: goingoldskool on November 12, 2023, 07:59:57 PM
Good luck, shoot straight and God bless.
Rodd
Post by: MnFn on November 12, 2023, 11:34:41 PM
Post by: Wudstix on November 12, 2023, 11:54:24 PM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: Over&Under on November 13, 2023, 10:40:55 PM
One was hit pretty far forward and one was hit way too far back…all three died quick with easy blood trials
I hunt everything with three blades for that same reason…everything I’ve shot with them goes down quickly with good blood trails
Post by: Bowguy67 on November 14, 2023, 07:50:39 AM
Post by: frassettor on November 14, 2023, 07:53:30 AM
Broadheads don’t matter terribly on bear. They go down so quick 40 yards seems far. Even with no blood you’d find them often falling down in sight or just beyond so don’t over sweat it. I worked 2 bear camps and saw hundreds killed.Bad shot ones are super hard to impossible to recover even with bigger heads. Seen bad ones unrecoverable even with bear dogs tracking.
Why do you think they go down so quickly? I’m just curious, as I am close to drawing here in wi
Post by: Bowguy67 on November 14, 2023, 08:01:16 AM
Post by: Gun on November 14, 2023, 02:04:05 PM
The only one I didn't get was w a Snuffer when he turned a bit more quartering away when I released. It slid along the ribs under the shoulder. A friend killed him two weeks later
So my tip would be, wait for a broadside shot. :)
Post by: mnbwhtr on November 14, 2023, 05:10:13 PM
Post by: Biathlonman on November 24, 2023, 09:15:02 AM
Post by: Terry Green on November 24, 2023, 03:08:55 PM
My biggest animal killed to date was over 2000 pounds, and it was a Buffalo killed with a Wensel Woodsman and a 70 pound longbow buried to the fletch, no issues was so ever.
Post by: Dave Pagel on November 28, 2023, 08:38:02 AM
My best blood trails were with the VPAs, but to be fair, on pthe Snuffer shot bear my fletching hooked some fat on the way through and plugged the exit wound.
DP
Post by: Tim Finley on November 28, 2023, 09:23:56 AM
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 29, 2023, 09:59:50 PM
You should have talked with Greg and I at camp!!
You’re a great shot. Bears die easy if you hit them right. Greg and I have both killed bears with Zwickey two blade Delta’s. Short death runs (under 40 yards) and my longest went 60 yards. Last bear was with 3 blade Razorcaps. It went 35 yards and walked to him without trailing because of death moan. Study Bear anatomy and place your arrow and you’ll have your bear. Sharp broadhead and placement. Looking forward to bear roast in camp next fall - it was one of Lobo’s favorite meals.
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 29, 2023, 10:06:04 PM
First bear 1986. Two blade Delta. Ran 40 yards
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2008 Bear, 18 3/4”. 3 blade Razorcaps. 35 yards
Post by: Bow man on November 30, 2023, 05:10:56 AM
Post by: larry f on December 13, 2023, 03:56:57 PM
Post by: Roger Norris on December 13, 2023, 08:27:38 PM
Well Roger, inquiring minds want to know… what are you going to use?
Well, I just finished sharpening 3 250 grain VPA 3 blades. I was shocked how easy the were to get hair popping sharp using a series of bench stones.
They fly great, I plan on shooting late season deer witht hem this weekend....I will probably go with these for the bear.
Post by: Dave Pagel on December 13, 2023, 09:24:17 PM
DP