Arrow weight for bear

[WVbowhunter]

Okay this year I'm going to try and take my first black bear with a bow. I was wondering if I should increase my arrow weight compared to my setup for Whitetails. My arrow weight right now is around 540 grains and my bow draws 57 pounds at my 31 inch draw length. Thanks for the help.

[newhouse114]

You are good to go! If you avaid major bone structure, bears are VERY easy to penetrate. Very light rib structure.

[Olin Rindal]

You're good. Bears are pansies when it comes to an arrow to the lungs.

[WVbowhunter]

Thanks again y'all.

[Flatshooter]

I agree with Olin, bears give it up pretty easily! You are more than good with your setup!

[Bowwild]

Same as for whitetails for me.

[calgarychef]

One grain per pound of bear, 300 grain for little guys and 1000 grain for big ones.  Only problem is you need to carry a whole quiver of different weight arrows and a scale for the bear  

[curlis]

Anything you use for deer will work for bears

[Dalton Gray]

Honestly I think you're probably fine with what you've got. My general rule of thumb is to shoot 9-12 grains per pound on my set up. Different people have different preferences though and if that works for you then go for it!!!! I'm also hoping to get a bear this year so good luck and shoot a big one!!!! I look forward to seeing pictures soon!!!

[96ssportsp]

Shot a 200#ish boar this last fall. 50@32 recurve, shooting a 592 grain arrow. 29 yards....tucked tight in the shoulder, quarter to, arrow hanging by the fletches just ahead of hindquarters.
Your setup is close to mine. Dead bear!! Good luck. Scott.

[acolobowhunter]

I shot a grizzly and had complete pass thru, but with a little more poundage than you are shooting.  As everyone said, there is not a lot of heavy bone structure in a bear.  Just pick a spot tight to the front leg and let her fly.
I shot my grizzly at 20 yards and it ran back on me, but dropped at 10 yards.  I took the heart out of it.  Was so fast, I couldn't even get another out of my bow quiver.

[Phillip Fields]

I took my 200ish bear with my Black Widow PL, 44#@28" (I draw 28"). Arrow weighed 448 gr. Broadhead was hanging out far side of bear. 35 yard recovery.

[dnovo]

My last bear was 410 #. I shot him with a 53# longbow shooting cedar arrows at about 560 grains with a Zwickey Delta on it.  Complete penetration. He went about 35 yards.