Need advice on tracking wounded bear

[jnutzalot]

So I shot a bear 3 days ago with my bow. I must have hit too fat back as he was not found dead after tracking him for more that 4 hours and almost 4500 feet (zig zagging through a creek), about 400 yards or so as the crow flies. Blood trail was strong at first, pools of blood, then heavy drops, and then it tapered off with smears and occasional drops before disappearing all together.

I searched high and low, including the stream he frequented and nearby marshy areas...still nothing after 3 days of searching. I was hoping to see if anyone knew of anyone that has tracking dogs, I think that would be the only way I could find the bear at this point. Having a hard time stomaching the fact that a perfectly good animal might go to waste in the woods.

Do you guys think there is still a chance of finding him at this point or am I wasting my time?

Attached are some pics of the blood and arrow. The arrow was cover from tip to tail in blood with long black hairs stuck to it.

[washelkhunter]

After 3 days in the nice weather we've been having all you'd find is a big stink. Fughetaboutit.

[jasnt]

By now look for birds,crows ,ravens, and magpie's. It may have survived the shot as well. Bear are tough critters for sure. Their fat can seal the wound. If he was hit good he'd be looking for heavy cover near water. Loosing blood means a bad thirst. May even soak in the water to ease his pain. I'd be looking for the deepest darkest spot to hide and tend to my wounds.

[n_mathews13]

Yeah, 3 days is to long.  I have hounds and even with them 3 days might be a long shot. Bear are a pain to deal with tracking , I just spent 7 hrs tracking a bear for a friend. It had long hair and lots if fat, those are tough cause the fat can close up a cut and hair can clot up the blood. And like jasnt said, they are just dang tough and can go forever. Sorry, not a fun thing to have to deal with

[jnutzalot]

Update: Thanks for the replies. Spent a total of 5 days and over 15 miles of searching in a grid and never found the bear. I can only hope my shot was much worse than I thought and he will go on living...hopefully to walk past my trees stand another day.

[sirmissalot]

Looks like a flesh wound to me, that's not very much blood. Bears die just like anything else if hit good, but are tough critters if hit bad. I'd put good odds on the bear living through it from what I can see on your arrow, and if I were you I'd sleep well knowing you looked hard for him.

[woodswalker]

Did you watch for scavengers, like crows or ravens...or anything else that will eat down game?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Not enough blood to worry about ...Plus it looks really dark ...