Introduction
Hunting bears is a feat not many hunters will experience in their lifetime, and with the very obvious dangers, fewer will ever get the opportunity to do it with a bow.
For those that have, we salute you and for those that are looking to do it, we hope that the information you draw from this article will be helpful in helping you achieve that incredible goal.
The law on black bears and bows
Hunters are under constant scrutiny and for some reason certain animals receive more attention from those who look to strip us of what we love, plus no one wants to be on the wrong side of the law.
So, make sure before you go out into the woods with a bow in hand looking for a big ‘ol bear, take the time to study the laws, regulations, and tag system of the area you intend to hunt in.
Baiting and season dates are other regulations that one needs to be customized with.
Bow setup
When it comes to the smaller softer skinned game such as whitetail and a few varmints, you can get away with a lighter setup, or a little less energy here and there, maybe even a shot placement 2 – 3” off will still do the trick, but when it comes to hunting black bear with a bow it’s best you gear up and make sure your setup packs a punch.
Enough Power?
Chances are if you are considering hunting a black bear with a bow, then you are already proficient in the finer details of how a bow works, and the importance of factors such as draw weight, draw length, the correct broadhead, and arrow spine.
Yet, one factor which should always be emphasized when hunting bears, regardless of the skill level of the archer, is gaining sufficient penetration.
We won’t bore you with the details of how kinetic energy is determined, all we will stress is that before you head on out looking for that 500 lbs. black mass of pure muscle and bone-crunching jaws, its important to understand and know the overall kinetic energy of your bow setup.
The recommended bow hunting kinetic energy for black bears is between 50 – 65 ft. lbs. and that includes everything from the draw weight, broadhead selection, arrow spine strength, and a complete arrow weight of your setup.
Bow setup parameters
Take the below as suggestions all you will and we are sure some hunters out there have either shot a black bear or larger with everything less than we have suggested below, but when it comes to bears it really is not a good idea to go in “under gunned”:
- Bow poundage: 65 – 75 lbs.
- Broadhead type: Fixed blade
- Broadhead weight: 125 – 150 grain
- Arrow spine: FMJ 250 – 300
- Total arrow weight: 500 – 650 grains
Essential equipment
Below is a helpful list of essential items that every bowhunter should carry with them when heading out into the woods for bears:
- Bow, complete with arrows, 3-pin sight, release, quiver, stabilizer
- Binoculars, at least 10×42
- Range finder
- Good pair of well-worn boots
- Camo or well-blended clothing matching the surrounding vegetation
- Bear spray or a side pistol for a follow-up shot or protection
- Quality knife for skinning and butchering
Shot placement
We will delve into the intricacies of how to actually go about hunting a black bear with a bow further in the article but first knowing the shot placement on a black bear is not as simple as that of a deer.
Bears are notorious for being nimble, agile, and inquisitive plus they rarely stand still while feeding, and that means when hunting them the angle at which a bow hunter has to hit the vitals is constantly changing, as well as the actual height of the organs.
Here is an example, in 99% of the shots taken on a whitetail deer, the deer has been standing and in a few rare cases the deer may have been lying down. That means the height of the organs has remained relatively consistent.
With black bears, the height may change slightly as the bear walks forward, sits, lays down, stands, or constantly changes positions as it squirms its way around a feed barrel (more on that later). With that in mind, it is essential to be sure of where the black bear’s vitals are positioned at all times when taking your shot.
It is also well known that game with longer hair or fur can be deceptive in determining where exactly the crease in the shoulder is and the shape of a black bear can play tricks on your eyes as to the angle they are standing at.
For a clean bow kill, broadside or slightly quartering away shots are the best and the placement of your arrow should be at the point where the belly meets the front leg and up 12 – 15 inches from there. Black bears have large lungs and a double lung shot with a fixed blade broadhead will be sufficient to bring the beast down.
Black bear behavior
Understanding the feeding habits, environmental preferences, and general behavioral characteristics during certain times of the year will greatly improve your chances of hunting one with a bow.
The availability of food sources will be the biggest determining factor for bear location. Thick stands of berries especially will be quickly found out by bears.
Hunting methods
It doesn’t have to be all spot and stalk hunting when it comes to black bears and for those that may feel a little unsure walking through the woods not knowing if they are hunting or being hunted, then it may be a good idea to opt for some other hunting methods.
Always remember, first double-check all hunting rules and regulations or the state you are hunting in before deciding on the method of hunting:
Baiting
Baiting entails the intensive feeding of black bears, usually by filling a drum or container of sorts that cannot be destroyed, in an area where bears are known to frequent.
Because bears have a varied diet are looking to bulk up before winter sets in they will readily feed on almost anything that is made available, from popcorn, sugar sweets, bread, oats, pastries, berries, nuts, and so on.
The trick however to getting them onto the bait is by creating a strong-smelling odor that the bears can pick up on from a distance. Fermented corn, sour milk, and rotting fish guts seem to be the favorites amongst many bear baiters.
Ideally, baits should be refilled every 2 – 3 days to keep the bears interested and have them coming back. A trail camera will be a great tool to determine how often the bear frequents the site and whether or not it is worth hunting. Once the bear has been identified and given the all clear, a shooting lane is then cleared and a blind erected or hide created from where you can shoot.
Baiting is the best option for bow hunters because it allows you to set the site in a way that is ideal for the shot. The hide can be established at a distance of 20 – 30 feet, perfect for most bow hunters, and even having the bait station set up a certain way will keep the bear broadside while you draw back for the shot.
Calling in
Bears are apex predators and they love nothing more than taking the opportunity to fill their bellies. Distress calls, whether they be a jack rabbit, fawn, calf, piglet, or any bite-size snack will have them come running in.
Calling while using a bow can be tricky and in order for it to work, a lot of preparation is needed. Unlike rifle hunters where both hands are free until the moment comes for the trigger to be pulled, a bow hunter will have to keep bow and arrow in hand and allow enough time to draw and set the pins before firing.
When bringing in a bear on a distress call, the chances are extremely high that the bear will be facing forward which makes for difficult shot placement with a bow. There is also the very obvious notion that the bear is responding to the distress call with every intent of killing whatever is making that noise, just in case you needed reminding.
Stalking
Getting down to eye level and going toe-to-toe with a black bear is what most enthusiastic bow hunters would prefer. When stalking a black bear wind and the bear’s movements will be the biggest factors to consider.
Black bears are very active when they feed and are constantly on the move, which means as a bow hunter you need to mobile at the same time and be prepared to shoot from almost any stance.
Wind and sound will be your biggest factors, so move slowly when persuing a bear and keep the wind in the right direction.
Ambush
Black bears are creatures of habit and if there is a good food source they will visit it regularly. Well-used paths are clear with tracks and dung. A trail camera will be a useful tool in determining the time of day and how frequently a particular bear may use the trail.
When establishing an ambush spot, be sure to provide yourself with enough of a view so that you can see the bear coming from a ways off. The last thing you want to happen is for the bear to be right up on you while you are still nocking an arrow.
For safety’s sake, be sure not to block yourself and the bear in. Make sure there is enough “retreat” points for the bear to run off into after taking the arrow.
Conclusion
Black bears are a formidable adversary for any hunter, especially bow hunters. No black bear hunt will ever be the same and you need to be adaptable in how you go about pursuing them.
Regardless of the method you choose, either way, you will have to get in close so remember the fundamentals of keeping quiet, moving slowly, and checking the wind but most important is to never get yourself into a situation where you or the bear is trapped with no easy exit.
Lastly, preparation before the hunt may very well be your biggest asset as a bow hunter. Take the time to learn not only the bears, but the terrain, weather patterns, and how your bow and arrows shoot, improve your fitness, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment.
So, I suppose the answer to the question of “how to hunt a black bear with a bow?” is this, with preparation.
