bear hunting with a bow

[Jsharpe]

I am thinking about hunting bear with my bow never have done this before. My questions are should I consider sitting in my tree stand or ground blind. I have a great spot for next year it's private apple, plum, and pear orchard I have seen 3 big  bears this fall I can tell that this we be a tough hunt for me I was busted all 3 times . should I not hunt the orchard and maybe hunt the trails leading to the orchard ? If I am going to hunt from the ground I was going to concider a tent blind I would set it up weeks in advance and brush it in. Well these are my ideas anything from you experienced bow hunters will be greatly appreciated . 

[archery288]

Never hunted bear in an orchard or anything so I can't be of much help there..  But I would guess the trees in the orchard are to small for a treestand??  If so, a ground blind would seem logical.  But, if the trees are large enough I would use a treestand 100% of the time.  Just my 

Usually I spot and stalk bears in a berry field with my bow.  Took one at 7 yards here a couple years ago.  That was  a rush!

[Jsharpe]

This area is where a old house used to be the foundation is still there. the property is vary small no more than 5 acres . there are some trees  that I could set a stand in, more if I sit on the lower road . the reason I ask is I thought that we should not hunt the food plots ?

[tmike]

Put up some cameras and find out when and where they are coming from. Get in a tree and ambush them there. My 

[Charlie]

 

[TeacherMan]

Make sure you have a 100% perfect shot. I hate to see fellow hunters get eaten 

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

I would watch where they come in at and what they are eating, you dont want to set up where your shot is on the trail, wait till they get into the orchard to feed, you will have a much easier shot that way IMO.. and I also agree that if you have the ability to use a tree stand do so... although a ground blind can be fun, talk about in your face bear hunting!!

[lewy]

I would worry most about scent control, bears have bad vision BUT will catch your movement. Tree stand is best but you shouldnt have a problem killing one from the ground .Good luck man, sounds like you have a great spot...cant beat those apple orchards!

[Ray]

I believe the scent is more important than anything else.

Hide behind the tree trunk or use a ground blind. Step out and shoot it. I was able to stalk and get one arrow in a bear this year with nothing but a small (emphasizing small) blueberry bush between us. Only large enough to sit behind for a moment. I stood up aimed and shot and then sat back down. The area was pretty much void of anything significant to hide behind... But the wind was on my side as I moved in to get the shot. Therefore I believe that the wind and scent are more important if you are planning to sit there and wait for the bear to show up.

[Big10gauge]

I've had good luck either way. Either find a good bear trail and put up a treestand or spot and stalk. The latter is more challenging, but you get to see quite a few other animals on the trails with a treestand.

[Houndhunter]

ya scent is what you gotta worry bout with bear, you can be in plain sight and as long as your still and they cant smell you they'll walk right past ya

[jdb]

Make sure you have a 100% perfect shot. I hate to see fellow hunters get eaten 

[blindpig]

In my opinion a ground blind or treestand would work.  Prior to hunting them, I would put out and old t-shirt or something that smells like you to get them used to that smell.  Remember the old saying, An eagle see's the leaf fall, a deer hears the leaf fall and the bear can smell the leaf fall.  Goodluck.

[PA BEN]

There's an old VCR video out there called Bowhunting hungry black bears. The video shows where to hit a bear with an arrow. Most of the time the bear dies in 14 seconds.

[billythekidrock]

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[Machias]

Now that last bear photo has some serious rub marks!  That's a spring bear I would pass on. 

[billythekidrock]

Now that last bear photo has some serious rub marks!  That's a spring bear I would pass on.