bowhuntin bear

[Instinct]

How many of ya guys do it and do ya have any fears of a bad outcome? Do they usually run away when they get hit or do they charge ya when on the ground? Just curiosity cuz i always have a tag but nvr really went for em but was watching people on youtube spot n stalk em them the other day and im thinkin man gotta have some big balls.

[h20hunter]

If you have the wind I would feel fine taking a shot with a bow. Make a good shot and hold still. Let the bear run and expire. I would go and look for him after either a death moan or a bit of time. I would also carry a sidearm for the tracking process.

[Button Nubbs]

I used to be scared of bears really bad. In 2003 I got charged by a kodiak while on a hike. I literally thought, "well this is it."

Three years ago while turkey hunting we saw a HUGE cinnamon bear down in this cut at about 300 yards he turned and started coming back twords us, I freaked and we got out of there that same year we had 2 encounters deer hunting and with every bear since then I've been a little less nervous each time.

This year I was sitting on a finger glassing a creek bottom/sage flats and a bear. Came busting out of the creek bottom and was heading straight up the finger that was next to me. I was cool as a cucumber and said your dead yogi! I told myself 40 and then second guessed myself in the heat of the moment and put my 50 pin on him, shot right over his back. (I'm still kicking myself for that one).

With ever bear encounter I have I get a liÞtle less nervous. I won't hesitate to shoot a bear from the ground with my bow now.

[724wd]

if you guys have the interest, look up Berry Game Calls Bear Action 4.  I did a review of the DVD for our archery club newsletter, and MAN-O-MAN!  you'll be wanting to hit the skid roads and bait sites (where legal of course...  ) TODAY!

http://www.berrygamecalls.com/hunting_dvds.html

[HighCountryHunter88]

I'm Gona try and get one with my bow this year.. my old man and I are Gona bit some berry fields and give it a try

[seth30]

Only if im in a stand, will I try that.

[D-Rock425]

Bears are big babies 

[seth30]

Not the one I ran into last year

[Pueblo]

I had a different king of scare....On opening day last August I was approaching a bear I'd spotted in the mountains above Camas. I was about 60 yards from coming over a rocky ledge where I could shoot the bear from 30 yards when KABOOOM!!  In a heartbeat I remember: oh, yeah, people can hunt these with guns too.  Being in full camo with a bow in a brushy area during a rifle season is really scary.  Turns out two guys nailed the bear from across the canyon with a high powered rifle.

[quadrafire]

I had a different king of scare....On opening day last August I was approaching a bear I'd spotted in the mountains above Camas. I was about 60 yards from coming over a rocky ledge where I could shoot the bear from 30 yards when KABOOOM!!  In a heartbeat I remember: oh, yeah, people can hunt these with guns too.  Being in full camo with a bow in a brushy area during a rifle season is really scary.  Turns out two guys nailed the bear from across the canyon with a high powered rifle.

Gives new definition to "close encounters". 

[h20hunter]

That is why I put a little orange on my pack while bear hunting.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

My only fear when bowhunting bear is the other people out there... of course a sow with cubs has gotten my attention a few times... 

[seth30]

That is why I put a little orange on my pack while bear hunting.

  I have the cabelas backpack that has pullout orange, and I also bring a cheap walmart orange vest that I put on any animal that I have harvested.  I always imagine myself going up and over a ridge and someone with buck fever only seeing the animal I am hauling

[h20hunter]

I'm with you Seth. I also keep a little roll of biodegradable orange surveyors tape in case I'm dragging an animal. Figure you can't be to colorful once the animal is down.

[saylean]

I bow hunted for em last year a bit....I plan on doing it again this year. I dont worry too much about a bad outcome, I just wait for a good shot.

Of course, anytime I go into thick brush after a bear I just shot, my pucker factor goes up a bit.

[Machias]

I've been lucky enough to take 5 with my bow.  All five had the arrow blow right through and none ran over 50 yards before piling up.  One was standing on the log I was sitting on.  Rolled around and let out a roar and ran right at me.  Honestly could have slapped it's butt when it ran by.  But it was running to get away, not running after me.  None of the 30+ bears I've had at close range have ever acted aggressive towards me unless the hounds had them aggitate before I got there. With the bow I have shot 4 over bait, in Alberta and one while I was watching an elk wallow here in WA.  The rest, with the dogs have been in ID and CA.  A couple of those have been none too happy when I showed up.  The should be respected but not feared.  

[elkslayer99]

I was walking down a road elk hunting rounded a sharp corner and there was a 200+ black bear at 10 yards we saw each other at the same time he turned and ran down the canyon. That gets your blood pumping!

[boonerboy]

respected but not feared is a good way to put it. I rarely pack a side arm when bowhunting bears and have never felt like I needed one. That being said, I have had my blood pumping pretty good a few times, like when the brush breaks loose at 10 yrds....but they have always been going the other direction when that happens.

[kglacken]

My only fear when bowhunting bear is the other people out there... of course a sow with cubs has gotten my attention a few times... 

I was hunting in a tree stand one time when a sow and her cub walked directly under my tree. I turned around when the cub climbed up the tree to my stand and i was inches away from him. I stared at him and he noticed me and ran down. All i could think was.... please dont go tell your mom! luckily the 2 of them slowly walked away.

[GreatWhiteHunter]

My only fear when bowhunting bear is the other people out there... of course a sow with cubs has gotten my attention a few times... 

I was hunting in a tree stand one time when a sow and her cub walked directly under my tree. I turned around when the cub climbed up the tree to my stand and i was inches away from him. I stared at him and he noticed me and ran down. All i could think was.... please dont go tell your mom! luckily the 2 of them slowly walked away.

How long till you unclenched your butt cheeks? 

[pianoman9701]

I'd still be puckered up.

I was hunting in the Mt Adams Wilderness and turned to my left - there was a huge boar with a white chest standing on his hind legs looking at me from 10 yards. I broke eye contact and went to nock an arrow and he tore up the woods leaving the area. I'm still puckered from that 3 or 4 years ago.

[buck man]

Bears are big babies 

true statement. Over 20 years of hunting them I have killed 19 of them with 3 going over 7 feet. All killed with a 270 except 2 that bought the farm with my 44 mag. From everything I have heard and read they die easy with arrows also. Good luck, and get a big in.

[beau6hunter]

i want to try this  but either in a stand or with a trusted huntin partner with a rifle and side arm with me whoooo hooo it would be a rush!

[kglacken]

My only fear when bowhunting bear is the other people out there... of course a sow with cubs has gotten my attention a few times... 

I was hunting in a tree stand one time when a sow and her cub walked directly under my tree. I turned around when the cub climbed up the tree to my stand and i was inches away from him. I stared at him and he noticed me and ran down. All i could think was.... please dont go tell your mom! luckily the 2 of them slowly walked away.

How long till you unclenched your butt cheeks? 

hahaha it was suspenseful thats for sure

[BigKnock]

This year im hopin too take one with a bow, ill have a .44 on my side though cant wait till august 1st!