Hit a bear poorly and its killing me

[allan f]

I was out last night over my bait and three bears came in.  A real monster gave me a broadside at 17 yards and I hit him just below where I envision the spine to be, about one third back from his head.  He was at a very slight quartering away angle. He took off running and went up hill, I heard some crashing and then I backed out.  I got a buddy and we searched for three hours in the dark after waiting 45-1hr.  I found blood but not tonnes.  I went out again at 4 am this morning and searched till 10:45.  Still finding blood but he has gone about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile.  I can't get back tracking until Thursday am.  From my shot I figured that I got the top of the offside lung, and I hope a good hit on the artery under the spine.  I would have thought if it was artery he would have died before then.  What do you guys who have more experience think?

I'm really busted up about this.  It was a great bear and my buddy is pretty pissed that I didn't kill it well.  He's a gun hunter and letting me hunt on his lease.  I really think this kind of thing makes us look bad.  Sorry guys.  I did my best.  I feel really bad about this.    

I was using a 740 grian arrow with a single bevel Tusker on it.  I got penetration up to the fletch so thas about 24 inches.

In two days I think the meat will be ruined what do you think about the hide?

Again any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Allan

[just_a_hunter]

I think you need to call in sick and give her another go....

Todd

[Bjorn]

Many/most on here know how badly you feel. Missing happens whether you are shooting a gun, rifle, or bow. You certainly put in the time to track the animal.
If you hit him as high as you indicate my guess is you missed the lungs entirely-but that's a tough call. My experience has been the arrow is rarely 'just where we thought it would be'.
I can't comment on the hide, the temps in the Ottawa Valley can vary by about 70 degrees this time of year-eh?

[mwmwmb]

I dont know about the hide. but like Bjorn said it can and does happen with all types of hunting. Iknow how you feel. I made a gut shot on a 8pt buck in DEC. But i did find him alive the next day. I was torn up about. it would have been worse if i didnt find him.

[wingnut]

If you hit him that high, he is probably still going strong.  Bear vitals are like pigs, low and forward.  Dang backbone is just above centerline.

Mike

[Smallwood]

[Apex Predator]

Yep, me thinks you may have been over the spine.  That's the real "no man's land"!  If you didn't jump him, and he traveled that far without bedding down, I would guess a non-vital wound above the spine.

[straitera]

Just spoke with a bear hunter last night about this very thing. Bear hair will soak up a lot of blood. If you're finding good blood, my guess is he's hit pretty good. Just depends upon color, size and contents of the blood. If bubbles, you hit lungs. Get a dog +/or a friend to look for you if you can't. Look for beds with "good" blood sign. If not, he may not be mortally wounded. Keep us UTD.

[allan f]

Lets say I caught the top of the lungs how far should I expect him to travel?

What about a liver hit a the top of one lung?

Advise please

Allan

[d. ward]

Hi Allen I personaly have been in on around 50 plus bear retrivels with Tom Phillips in Canada and you can believe what these guy's are telling you.If they are hit high there's a 99% chance he's long gone and no worse for wear.If lungs and or liver are hit 100-150 yards would be a long ways for him to travel.Another thing is bears die real easy when hit hard.We have recoved several within 5 yards of where they had been shot.bd

[John3]

I have been in a bunch of bear camps. ONLY shoot broadside or slight quartering at a relaxed bear aim mid body 8" circle behind the shoulder is a dead bear everytime. Sad to admit that I have been involved in way too many hit bear searches. With the majority of these being compounders new to bear hunting. Probably 15 of these in my life. Everytime with only one exception the bears were never recovered. The one bear found was hit in the neck and just a freak fluke that the bear was found.. Bears just don't leave much blood and can cover alot of ground.

Sorry to hear of the poor shot. Don't give up the search until there is no chance. Practice the correct bear shot and get after them again.

John III

[John3]

I should add that in all of my bear experience single lung hit bears will NOT be recovered. They must be double lunged.


John III

[frassettor]

Never apologize! You did the best you can, and thats all that is to be expected. You are making a valient effort to recover the animal, and if you find him great, if not sure you will feel terrible (as we all would)but I hate to say it but thats part of hunting. We all practice alot and none of us want to wound any game, but the possibilty of not making a perfect shot is always there. Good luck, and keep after it. Your buddy may be mad , but Im proud of ya brother!!  

[Gun]

I'm no guide but have been in on between 15-20 Bear kills. My experience is if they go over 150 yds you won't find them. If hit thru both lungs they die quick. Good chance he's Ok though. I think you may be high. Also he may come back. Seen that before too.