Bear hunters, broadhead input.

[Bigriver]

I have never killed a bear , I need some input on braodhead selection. I am going to draw a coveted WI tag for fall & am going to hunt with a sponsor of Tradgang.I will get a shot at a bear.

 I have Magnus4blade, Stinger 4 blade150`s,  Snuffers 160, Woodsmans & Magnus 1 in stock. I have killed a few critters with each of these, just never a bear. I am leaning to the Stingers or the Snuffers, I prefer these for deer & elk. Lets hear some opinions on those choices from those who have killed a few bears.

 I am shooting CE Heritage 250 @ 30&1/2" with my 55# Bigriver r/d longbow.

 Thanks to all who reply.

[JBiorn]

Well, depending on how big a bear your hunting, I would say any of the above would do the job. However given a choice, I would use the Snuffers. Black bears really aren't all that tough skinned, they just have a heck of a constitution.

[Bigriver]

I ordered a blackie between 300 & 500lbs  

[rockfisherman]

I've only killed one, and that was with a Bear Super Razorhead.  The Super Razonhead went right through a shoulder blade and did a pass through.

I haven't used those heads you've mentioned, except for the Snuffers.  That said, I wouldn't hesitate to trust the Snuffers.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I killed 3 black bears (2 P&Y size) with recurves between 52 and 55 lbs, arrows 530-580 grains, with big Snuffers.  Shot through all 3, 2 went less than 50 yards, one went 150 (liver hit).  I've been in on lots of bloodtrails as well for other guys.  Bears die easier than whitetails in general, smaller lung capacity, and all that.  Stay off the shoulder and you'll be fine.  They are thin skinned (despite what some people will tell you) and the ribs are relatively light.  Think of a 300 lb coon-that's exactly what your dealing with.

Good luck!  Bear hunting is a blast.

Ryan

[dino]

My dad has taken a few more bears than myself (12 or more Onterio bears) and he taught me to use large multi blade heads to make big holes.  Most of them he shot with Magnum I heads (which is a monster 4 blade).  I don't think you can go wrong with anything large and multiblade.  Like Ryan said, stay off the should and they won't go far. dino

[longbowben]

Snuffers 160 My bear didnt go 35 yards.

[Mike Bolin]

I killed my bear with a Magnus 4 blade and was very pleased with the results. 55#@28" recurve with a 29" 2216...pass thru with a 25 yard blood trail. 300#+ bear. With all that being said, I would not hesitate to use the Snuffer. Used a Snuffer on my deer this year and had the best, shortest blood trail I have ever had. Mike
 

[jrchambers]

any thing with 3 or more will do just fine, there is no real worry about penetration,  i know that the blood doesnt flow out of a fuzzy fat bear like it does deer.  if you get both lungs youll see him fall, both of mine went down in 15yards at a full sprint.  i use razorcaps but they are a bit spendy compared to the woodsmans.

[joebuck]

I killed a 450# blackie from the ground on Prince of Wales Island,AK with a 160 snuffer on POC shaft ( 615 grain arrow/b/h) with a 60#at 29" recurve. Arrow went coast to coast.

[Gene Roberts]

Something very sharp,Snuffers.

[Brian Krebs]

I agree with SHARP. I have killed a lot of bears with a 2 blade zwickey delta; and they didn't go far!
 In fact the thing that makes you almost fall out of the stand: is most often how fast that big bear hits the ground!
 If your treestand hunting; make sure you can maneuver your bow for a shot.
 I have never killed a bear over 15 yards- and with a longbow- that means your bow can hit the stand; and you really want to know before you draw; if you can draw !
 I shot a bear this spring; where I had to sit sideways on the seat; and lean over to the right.
 I prefer to stand to shoot; but sometimes bears just appear out of nowhere and standing up can scare them off.
 Then again; maybe your bones don't creak like mine yet  

[Curtiss Cardinal]

It isn't that a bear is tough skinned but a Fall bear has the thick coat which can absorb the blood and keep you from a good trail. I have yet to kill on BUT I have my bear hunting arrows tipped with the 160 grain Snuffers on 100 graiin steel inserts. I sharpen them with wet/dry automotive sand paper and get them scary sharp, haor splitting sharp.

[Tater]

I prefer a three blade head (Snuffer)for Bears, with their long hair and thick cover where they live, I want as much blood as possible as soon as possible.

[legends1]

Five bears,all with Zwickey.All down in a hurry.

[Curveman]

Two down with Wensel Woodman's but I have friends who took them with stone points and selfbows this year. I'd worry more about making the shot. If fatally hit they pile up quicker than whitetails in my experience.

[Bigriver]

Thanks for all the advice/opinions. I think I am going with the Snuffers. Im going to up the front end weight on my carbons a little too, that should do it.