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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: jrchambers on November 26, 2013, 04:49:00 PM

Title: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 26, 2013, 04:49:00 PM
i will be shooting a super shrew 58 at 28 drawn to 30.5, currently I shoot a full length ad trad, standard insert with a 175 head I have the ability to up the tip weight by 75 grains, I just seem to shoot better with the lighter setup.
I usualy use 3 blades, ive killed some blackies hogs and deer with razor caps. I began using woodsman extremes this year and killed 2 hogs and 1 buck all but one passthrough
  (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg211/jrchambers/596.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/jrchambers/media/596.jpg.html)

the one concern is that neither of the hogs or any bears ive shot with them left good blood trails.  the bears did die quick.  the hogs made it 50 yards with the quarter away and 80 yards with a little high passthrough.
I absolutely do not want to be walking grids looking for a brownie. I want all the penetration but more blood on the ground.
any and all ideas would be welcome,  looking at simmons maybe don't know how well a 1 9/16 concave head will pop a rib on a 1k critter
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on November 26, 2013, 05:06:00 PM
I'm definitely ignorant when it comes to hunting/shooting bears of any kind so don't put a lot of faith in my advice.

But, going by things I have read, I'm sure you have enough bow for the job. So, as far as arrows go, if it were me going to Alaska to hunt big bears, I would use an arrow weighing about 11 to 13 grains per pound of draw weight and a high quality two-blade head.

Oh yeah, and I would want to get close, REAL close. But, I would most definitely want someone with a BIG rifle close by to back my @$$ up in case browney decided he might know where that sting came from! (I realize I would legally have to have a guide with a back-up rifle if I were to ever be fortunate enough to travel to Alaska to hunt big bear but I don't know about Alaska residents having to do the same)
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 26, 2013, 06:43:00 PM
I am not required back up, I will be set up no closer than 18 or so, pretty wary animal.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: WESTBROOK on November 26, 2013, 07:20:00 PM
You should be drawing 64-65# at your DL, go up to a 1.25" VPA 250g 3 blade, that would give you a 660g arrow. This would be a minimum for me, I would like enough whoop a$$ to go through 2 bears.

I'll never forget Monte Browning telling about his Brown Bear, standing in a shallow stream...shot it a 9 steps, his guide was standing next to him with a rifle crapping his pants, "never been that close to a live bear I guess".

Eric
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Stickbow on November 26, 2013, 08:37:00 PM
I have been on several bow shot brown bears. In my opinion penetration is not generally an issue.

 A good size hole through the hair is. Personally I would shoot 3 blade or 2 blade with bleeders, 60 lbs and up, 550 grains and up, shots 25 yards and under. Extra shorts dont hurt either.    :D
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 26, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
thanks stick bow, that's what im thinking,
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: wasapt on November 27, 2013, 04:46:00 AM
Stick bow has it dead on... Shot my 10' brown bear in AK this past august
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Charlie Lamb on November 27, 2013, 07:58:00 AM
I like Stickbow's advice. Depends are also a good choice as you can bury them on the spot.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: T-Bowhunter on November 27, 2013, 08:13:00 AM
Extra shorts dont hurt either. [Big Grin]

Stickbow that is funny!  

 :laughing:    :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 27, 2013, 12:54:00 PM
seriously looking a big simmons, man those leave some holes
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 27, 2013, 01:01:00 PM
wasapt what head were you using and how long did it take for blood to show on the ground
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Friend on November 27, 2013, 01:31:00 PM
Will be looking forward to reading of your adventure.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: beachbowhunter on November 27, 2013, 01:54:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
I like Stickbow's advice. Depends are also a good choice as you can bury them on the spot.
Check your regulations first though, on National Forrest you probably have to pack them out.   :D
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Stickbow on November 27, 2013, 06:07:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Friend:
Will be looking forward to reading of your adventure.
X2
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Chromebuck on November 27, 2013, 06:12:00 PM
Jason,

The Simmons look like wicked heads, especially with bleeder, but I have heard some concern that they may be considered barbed therefore potentially illegal.  You can contact Larry Lewis at ADF&G on K-Beach with a picture to get a definative answer.


~CB
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 27, 2013, 06:30:00 PM
I was worried about that but I think that rule might be gone now il have to look into it
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: SAVIOUR68 on November 27, 2013, 07:05:00 PM
Jason if you want a 2 blade wide cut look at the Centuar heads,they are build like a tank compared to a Simmons IMO and I have both and the Centuars are on all my arrows now and they are priced very good with either single or double bevel blades.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 27, 2013, 08:49:00 PM
holy crap why havnt I looked at centuars before,
they will be in the finals
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Greg Dearth on November 27, 2013, 09:52:00 PM
Looking forward to hearing how your hunt turns out. A Brown Bear is on my list of to do's. Good luck and keep us posted. I use a magnus II with bleeders. I am sure it would do the job.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Charlie Lamb on November 27, 2013, 09:54:00 PM
I personally wouldn't worry about blood trails or the lack there of. Razor sharp whatever your choice of broadhead and precision shot placement.

A Magnus II w/small bleeder, or Stinger 4 blade would be all the broadhead you'll need. Each comes in enough weight variations to meet your tuning needs and provide short, ample blood  trails, multiple blades and yet not so big as to impede penetration.

Both heads are nearly identical to the broadhead used by Fred Bear on his adventures and he knew a little about what it takes on big dangerous game.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: beaunaro on November 30, 2013, 12:27:00 AM
It's interesting the different experiences people relate when using exactly the same heads.
I started years ago with Magnus two blade 100s, tried a lot of other stuff, came back to the Magnus.

Used the BuzzCuts with bleeders on five animals in Africa with very little blood.

I'm now using the single bevel new Grizzlys.

I think the big Simmons would also be a good choice.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 30, 2013, 12:57:00 AM
I think the silver flame xl would be a tougher option than simons or centaur for a screw in head.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Ibow on November 30, 2013, 07:31:00 AM
I've never understood the physiology of shot placement and what does and does not precipitate good blood trails with bears. It seems at times like two different shots with two different broadheads that end up in the same place can end up with two different types of blood trails. And while I've certainly never hunted brown bears (although I sure would love to!!!), for black bears, I've always stuck with the same ol’, same ol’ – the Zwickey 2 blade Delta with great results.


With bears, the bottom line is, if you put that 2 or 3 blade broadhead where it needs to be, bears go down much quicker than whitetails. Take whatever setup you shoot most accurately and effectively. Wait for that broadside shot when you can get BOTH lungs and you won't have to worry about a blood trail – the bear will likely go down within sight.


Best wishes for your hunt of a lifetime! Looking forward to reading about it!
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: jrchambers on November 30, 2013, 04:51:00 PM
Ibow I know what your saying ive watched all but one of my blackies fall the other one I don't know what happened just tough I guess, but in my limited knowledge of arrows and brownies is the just live longer, I have watched countless videos with great hits and a good bit of time before the bear lays down, my buddy shot one with a gadget head. through and through both lungs, blood 5 foot high on both sides of the alders, the bear still went 100 yards into some really scary stuff. it was very reassuring to be able to look up the blood trail and know he didn't double back yet
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Walt Francis on November 30, 2013, 10:40:00 PM
Believe me, trailing a Brownie through thick stuff on a faint to non-existant blood trail is not for anybody with a weak heart!  You want to be able to see the blood without taking your eyes off the surrounding fauna. I trailed one that was shot with a gun and had very little blood to follow.  While I worked out the trail Brother Bob (the back up with the gun) gave the brush 100% of his attention.  Let's just say there are a lot of things that are more pleasant to do when you're in the woods.

This coming spring I will be using my usual 145 grain Eclipse with bleeder blades while hunting Brownies in Alaska.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Stickbow on December 01, 2013, 08:40:00 AM
I  used to guide BB hunts an archery was our bread and butter.

Someone said earlier in the thread how fast they go down when hit right and they are spot on! Not sure if it has something to do with their heart rate or what but it always amazed me, they flat pile up in stride and short order.

I never had a bowhunter fail me (gun hunters, thats a different story).When my hunters made a good shot and that bugger would go quiet within 30-40 seconds I felt like I needed to tip them.

I helped trail a few bad arrow hits with other guides and they were memorable times.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Ibow on December 01, 2013, 01:37:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Stickbow:


When my hunters made a good shot and that bugger would go quiet within 30-40 seconds I felt like I needed to tip them.

I helped trail a few bad arrow hits with other guides and they were memorable times.
That's pretty funny. From a guide's perspective, I can only imagine!
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Steve H. on December 20, 2013, 01:22:00 PM
I will likely be using either a 54# or 59# (conservative style)longbow, routine Douglas Fir shafts (or slightly heavier larch with the 59#), and grizzly BH.

My last brownie, albeit small, went one yard after the hit.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: damascusdave on December 20, 2013, 05:43:00 PM
I believe VPA made some 1.25 inch Terminators a while back...you might find you would get good flight out of a full length Easton FMJ Dangerous Game in .300 spine...those arrows mate nicely with the VPA broadheads

DDave
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: JamesKerr on December 20, 2013, 06:00:00 PM
I would seriously consider snuffers, 4 blade zwickey deltas or Magnus 1 4 blades. Bears don't bleed well at all. As long as you stay away from the shoulder bones I would think you would be fine.
Title: Re: arow setup for brown bears?
Post by: Steve H. on December 21, 2013, 12:02:00 PM
No way I would use a wide three blade or a Simmons on a brown bear.  A narrower 3 blade like Wensel or VPA etc, yes.  Widest 2 blade I would consider would be a Magnus I.  Make sure you get two holes!  That said, I wouldn't over think the equipment choice either.  Most brownies are smaller and softer than most elk.