range.

[MountainWalk]

how far away will you shoot a bear with a rifle. do you take longer shots at elk and deer than bear? do you shoot for lungs or shoulders?

[mossback91]

HEADSHOTS

[Michelle_Nelson]

Well considering I have never taken a shot at either Elk or Bear I may not be of any help. 

Though with any animal I try to get as close as I can.  Preferably within 100 yards.  If I don't feel good about the shot (doesn't matter how close I am) I don't take it.

[MountainWalk]

i dont really have a hard and fast rule, but with a bear, 150 yards max. but i always try to get closer, thats for sure. but as with elk, i never try to get closer than 15 yards or less.

[billythekidrock]

I have shot both bear and elk just beyond 200 yards and within 30 yards with my .270.  Heart/lung area is my target usually, though I have purposefully busted elk and bear in the shoulder as well. My brother lung shot a bear over 350 yards with my .270 years ago and he walked in a figure 8 and layed down on the spot.

[GoldTip]

I don't limit myself by animal as far as the range.  Bears and deer and elk all die quite quickly with a well placed shot.  I limit the range based upon whether or not I feel I can make the shot, not on what type animal it is.  Bears, deer or elk, I shoot'em through the shoulders with a rifle.

[Head-shot]

I agree with gold tip, placement is key. I have no doubts out to about 300yds, but at that range I t would be a lung shot. inside 150 then I think it depends on what the animal is for meat or trophy. Trophy are vital shots and meat is a head shot.

[Intruder]

I don't limit myself by animal as far as the range.  Bears and deer and elk all die quite quickly with a well placed shot.  I limit the range based upon whether or not I feel I can make the shot, not on what type animal it is.  Bears, deer or elk, I shoot'em through the shoulders with a rifle.

Me too....

[mossback91]

I dont like shoulder shots

[GoldTip]

Mossback, why not?

[Broken Arrow]

Never shot one with a rifle, just a bow. With a bow I obviously shoot for lungs. I have had a couple of friends ask my big ass to help them pack out their harvest (kind of like when folks need to move...they ask the big guys for help). Both bears I assisted on we both shot in the front shoulders. Both bears didn't go far. One was a 200 yard shot, one was close to 300. Both were proficient marksman.

[Houndhunter]

i will admit i tried to throw lead at one atleast 600yrds away, i was 12  . i kept pulling the trigger and couldnt figure out why it wouldnt fire, had the saftey on

now though the same as anything 400yrd max, but i probably wouldnt go over 300

[Machias]

I have been lucky enough to take 7 so far, longest shot was 14 yards.  I have missed two bears, both with a rifle, one was 80 yards and one was 25 +/- yards away.....    I really need to stick with a bow!

[saylean]

Usually, my shots are well under 100 yards, for rifle. I aim for bears, same as I would for deer or elk, behind the shoulder, get the lungs, provided the shot is offered.

But, like most on here say, if it isnt a quality shot, regardless, I wouldnt take it. For example, last year I had 2 bears within 15-20 yards and I didnt fire once....one was on the run (I had a bow) and the other, he stood up next to me in chest high brush, but the sun was blinding me and I wasnt sure if he/she had cubs...

[mossback91]

Animals can go a LONG wyas on a broken shoulder mayb not deer but elk can for sure