black bears

[chris K.]

I plan to use 56# longbow, I was wanting to know if I should use my cord weighted carbons or would my unweighted carbons penetrate just fine? I am using 55/75 Gold Tips I will be using 145 grains of Wolverine or a Bear Razorhead (very old ones) on a adapter that have the same weight. The unweighted carbons shoot a tad bit flatter, of course this is because of the faster flight, but I am more worried about leathality of my arrow. I have never shot a black bear before, so I want to get all my questions out there before I do and have to worry about 100-400 lbs. of really mad wild animal, or not recover my game. I would use wood arrows, but I do not have the patients for the care for them, carbons do not need care and they are always straight and take a lot abuse!

[beachbowhunter]

If your unweighted carbons are over 500 grains that would be plenty. If you are hunting over bait, arrow speed is not that big of a deal.

[chris K.]

My carbons are about 480 grains, I was planning to hunt spot and stalk, I was wanting to avoid using bait if possible. Not that I really have anything against this method, many bears are harvested this way, I just think it would feel more intense stalking the game you are pursuing, especially since it is a predator. Besides, baited hunts cost much more than spot and stalk, especially when you are most likely going to have to go all by yourselve.

[DAS Kinetic]

Chris,
    480gr out of that bow is plenty.  Black bears aren't tough to shoot through.  Just be patient and only take double lung shots, broadside.  They go down quickly.  A one lunged bear will run into the next county.  A good 4 blade head or 3 blade is best.

[Bill Carlsen]

My wife shoots a 46# @ 26" and shot a 27" Beman Max 4 that weighed 500 grains and tipped with a four blade Phantom head she shot it completely thru a black bear last season. I've killed four bears with a bow and the only one I did not get complete penetration on was one I shot with large Snuffer at four yards from a 70# Black Widow. It has been my experience that a good four blade, like he Bear, will do the best job and leave the most blood on the ground.

[chris K.]

I have some original bear broadheads, I guess I will just get some bleeders for them.