Black Bear Archery

[Northlander]

I am anicipating my first black bear hunt in Wisconsin coming up.  Looking for suggestions on equipment.  I currently shoot a 60 lbs recurve, cedar shaft, with 125gr. Zuicky eskimo (two blade).  Lets here some opinions on the lethality of that set up for black bear?  Do I need to get heavier equipment?  Broadhead Preferance?  Any thoughts and suggestions welcome.

[jrchambers]

i would go with a woodsman with that kind of poundage,  heavy or light your arows will more than likely blow right through. they have alot of hair and fat that can make a light to non existant blood but a good hit will kill them in seconds, i think the bigger hole the better.

[Northlander]

Thanks for the advice.

[jrchambers]

but that setup you have would be just fine dont go off and buy a bunch of new heads because what i said,  if that setup shoots well use it, i use my least expensive broadheads on black bears, they are one of the easyest big game animals to penetrate.

[Northlander]

I have heard that from other people.  Thats the kind of advise Im looking for, just wondering what you guys all think.

[jrchambers]

just one warning minor lung and liver hits are bad news, even with a exit it can take many seconds before blood actualy starts to saturate the fur and as any one knows animals can cover too much ground in that time and its usualy the deepest darkest place in the area, Ive never hit one in the guts or liverlung, but every one else i know that has lost that bear.

[Biggie Hoffman]

3 blade minimum. Bears are not hard to penetrate, a JR already said and you'll want as big a hole as you can make for tracking purposes.

[Mike Bolin]

Biggest bear I kiled was with a Magnus II 4 blade (2 blade with the bleeder blade) and it left a big hole! If I hunt bear again, I will use a Snuffer or Woodsman/Razorcap. With the bow weight you are shooting penetration should not be a problem. Just be sure the head is scary sharp and put it in the right place! Good luck! Mike

[mmgrode]

Congrats on the anticipated draw!  How many preference points do you have?  I'll have 4 after this year and hope to get a permit in D in the next couple years.  Where will you be hunting? Happy hunting!

[Northlander]

I am going to be hunting Vilas county.  This year will be 8 or 9 points.  It still might not happen but the DNR is anticipating an extra 2000 tags this year so if is not this year it should be next year.  It sounds like most of you guys are saying go with something like the woodsman.  Any concerns out there about using cedar shafts?

[Paul Mattson]

I wouldn't have any concerns about using Cedars.  If you want more wt you could give Douglas Fir or Ash a try.

I'm waiting for my tag, I'll be going in with 8 points.  Hard to guess what the DNR is planning on doing.

[Northlander]

Yeah, you just dont know.. I am really looking forward to it even though it might be a few seasons off.  Never bear hunted before, although I have had my share of run in's.  Thanks for the advice!

[Fletcher]

I've only killed one and that was with a wide 2-blade, so take my input with that in mind.  I agree with the others that you want a good hole.  A low exit is a real help, too.  I would suggest a wide 2-blade or a multiple.  Make it SHARP and keep it forward; their lungs are small compared to a deer.

[bowmaster12]

i got my first bear this year in oneida county took 10 years to draw, didnt have my trad setu up yet so i used a compound will offer this advice from hunting and doing taxidermy work bears bellies hang low so aim at least mid way up if not for upper third also their vitals sit alittel further back if you imagine a line splitting theire body in half virtically as long as you hit on the head side of that line yourgood also draw aline horizontailly you want to be at that line or above i hit mine low and only caught one lung very little blood that hair soaks up alot of blood, good luck on the draw and good hunting

[Schultzy]

Bear have a tendacy to not always bleed like there suppose to. Big reason Is the fat that plugs up the holes and I'm sure the coat plays a role In this also. I've shot a good share of bear with 2 blades and with 3 blades. It seems my blood trails were a tad better and much shorter with my 125 grain snuffers then they were with my 2 blade titans and bear razors. 2 or 3 blade will do the trick just fine, It really depends If the hole gets plugged up with fat.

Good luck!!