Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Datbowhunter on October 22, 2009, 02:26:28 PM

Title: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Datbowhunter on October 22, 2009, 02:26:28 PM: Hey I am a first year bow hunter and am totally hooked. I downed a deer the second day of the season but I would like to tackle a bear before the season is over, any tips for a first timer?
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on October 22, 2009, 02:29:44 PM: Yes, make sure you are an andrenlin junkie!!!!! I myself love to whack bears with bows
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Ray on October 22, 2009, 02:31:16 PM: Find the bears. Look for what they like to eat. About a month ago would have been easier. A lot less action the closer to November.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Machias on October 22, 2009, 02:36:13 PM: As a first year bow hunter, with bears, do not take risky or ify shots on bears, you will almost always regret it. Not that they will hurt you but they can be difficult to find even when you hit them perfect this time of the year. They have alot of excess fat that can plug a hole real quick. Good luck.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Datbowhunter on October 22, 2009, 02:42:54 PM: Found an area with lots of wild apple trees and blackberries, tons of scat around and some nearby cedars were pretty raked up. Do they tend to be nomadic or nocturnal? I don't know much about there habits.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Ray on October 22, 2009, 02:45:42 PM: They come out all times of day and night as far as I can tell. But if there are people working or moving around those apple trees or around the area they might not show up in the day. Who knows? They definitely roam to the food sources. If there are berries and apples they will probably be back.

I have been discovering that the less people the better chance of finding a good bear. However I am not a bear guru and will leave it at that.

Make a good straight shot. I recommend this topic: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28214.0.html
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Machias on October 22, 2009, 02:46:08 PM: "Do they tend to be nomadic or nocturnal?" Yep :)
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Datbowhunter on October 22, 2009, 02:53:51 PM: Thanks Ray, great link, that helps a lot with the shot placement.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: Austrian Hunter on October 22, 2009, 02:56:10 PM: Good Luck, I have been trying for the last four years with my bow. Have not downed one yet, but I still love it. I think it's just different with a bow :dunno: Adrenalin I guess :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on October 22, 2009, 07:33:08 PM: Quote from: BLKBEARKLR on October 22, 2009, 02:29:44 PM
Yes, make sure you are an andrenlin junkie!!!!! I myself love to whack bears with bows

Try whackin one with your arrow!
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: ribka on October 23, 2009, 04:57:29 PM: Shot 2 bear with my bow over bait up in Canada from a tree stand . It was an ok hunt and enjoyed watching the bears that came into the baits. Probably would not do that type of hunt again. Stalking would be much more interesting.

Machias is right they often do not leave much of a blood trail even with a really good hit.
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 23, 2009, 08:28:37 PM: good luck to you try to only take good shots like the guys have said and if you do shoot one and lose blood get down wind of were you think he might of gone and smell alot of times you can smell a bear before you see it and shoot strait
Title: Re: Bow hunting for bear
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on October 23, 2009, 10:13:08 PM: Quote from: STIKNSTRINGBOW on October 22, 2009, 07:33:08 PM
Quote from: BLKBEARKLR on October 22, 2009, 02:29:44 PM
Yes, make sure you are an andrenlin junkie!!!!! I myself love to whack bears with bows

Try whackin one with your arrow!

Actually use an arrow you mean?? What sport is that??? :P