Shot placement for black bears.

[Gutpile]

If that head shot didn't demolish the skull too bad it would make a pretty cool skull mount, especially if there was a tale of a charge involved.

I have the skull. Perfect hole through and through. No damage to the skull other than that. Truth being told the bear was facing me and was much closer than I thought. I was shooting a 350 Rem Mag wjich starts to fall off at 250 so I put the crosshairs between the eyes thinking it would hit it in the chest. Still a cool pic though when I want to brag about how great a shot I am.    Anyways the bear was at 180ish so the bullet didn't drop at all hence the head shot. 

[shedkid]

shoot them in the sholders, thats where the vitals are! 

[Rufous]

The last post stated- "shoot them in the shoulders, that is where the vitals are". I would like to comment on that and add some of my observations. To just say shoot them in the shoulders is not good advice because it really depends on how the animal's body is positioned. I have told my brother in the past on various animals to try to bust shoulder before and he did so but due to the way the animal was facing/positioned he missed the vitals (for example the animal was broadside but its front legs were positioned forward). One must consider where the center of the vitals are located and aim to put the bullet through that center. Clearly a quality bullet placed through the vitals will kill whatever animal but I (like many others) like to also immobilize the animal so that it cannot move into heavy cover. So what I try to accomplish is to break at least one front leg while also destroying the vitals. My biggest bear was an excellent example and has come to be my favored shot, especially on bear. It was quartering away and I aimed to center the vitals and break the offside front leg. The bear dropped at the shot. I also advocate follow up shots, especially on bear. I have learned the hard way and hope that you will not make the same mistake. Bears in particular can be really hard to find so keep shooting!

[h20hunter]

Quick bump.......season is right around the corner!

[JJB11B]

I plan on stickin one this year. Passed on a couple last year both with a gun and a bow. I've seen so many stinkin bears this year whilst scouting for deer and elk. Washington seriously needs to start selling second bear tags. Its getting ridiculous

[ellensburgpo]

They do sell second bear tags. Pick one up.

[Elliott]

I plan on stickin one this year. Passed on a couple last year both with a gun and a bow. I've seen so many stinkin bears this year whilst scouting for deer and elk. Washington seriously needs to start selling second bear tags. Its getting ridiculous

They do sell second bear tags. Pick one up.

Only thing is only one can be from eastern washington.

[ghostshell]

washington does sell two bear tags....... you get two west side bears or one east one west. 

[JJB11B]

I plan on stickin one this year. Passed on a couple last year both with a gun and a bow. I've seen so many stinkin bears this year whilst scouting for deer and elk. Washington seriously needs to start selling second bear tags. Its getting ridiculous

They do sell second bear tags. Pick one up.

Only thing is only one can be from eastern washington.

I only hunt eastern washington

[Tracker20xray]

.243 168 yds, take the lights out(which are more foward than you know)30 to 100 yds.there done,rifle or bow.   there soft skin and small boned,BUT heart and lungs are not in the middle of bear.

[D-Rock425]

.243 168 yds, take the lights out(which are more foward than you know)30 to 100 yds.there done,rifle or bow.   there soft skin and small boned,BUT heart and lungs are not in the middle of bear.

really 100 yard bow shot at a bear? 

[Tracker20xray]

if you would have checked with your dad,he would have told you that's how far they go with no lungs.

[D-Rock425]

.243 168 yds, take the lights out(which are more foward than you know)30 to 100 yds.there done,rifle or bow.   there soft skin and small boned,BUT heart and lungs are not in the middle of bear.

I guess I miss understood I thought you meant taking 100 yard shots with a bow

if you would have checked with your dad,he would have told you that's how far they go with no lungs.

my old man has nothing to do with it.

[whitey]

Head shot..
 
 

[D-Rock425]

I've done it it works.