1st Black Bear Hunt in May...Need help.

[D. Key]

I'm going to Manitoba in May on my first ever Black Bear hunt.  Having only shot Whitetails and Hogs, could someone let me know if the same shot placement would apply (tight behind the shoulder, slightly quartering away)?  I received a pic of a bear's anatomy and it appears the heart is behing the front leg, moreso than a deer.  Any input or pics would be most appreciated.  

Thanks in advance.  

[gregg dudley]

Do not aim low.  Bears do not jump the string and they have a lot of hear that makes their chest cavity seem lower than it is.  I had to learn this the hard way.  Aim at the middle of the body, right behind the shoulder and you should be fine.  If you can let that front leg come forward, so much the better.

You should have ample opportunities in most reputable camps.  Don't get in a hurry.  Good luck and have fun.

[Lechwe]

Ditto what Greg said. Just relax and take your time. You should get several shot opportunities.

Good luck

[Huntrdfk]

I'll third what was above......broadside is fine, just behind the shoulder and mid body, you will have a dead bear.  Understand that with decent shot placement bears are pretty easy to kill, and normally don't go far.  As Darrell said take your time, and do all you can between now and then to familiarize yourself with what a big bear looks like.  Normally small looking ears=big bear, big ears=small bear.

The last time I hunted in Quebec I didn't shoot until the sixth day and 19th bear, I saw some decent ones, but when this one came in I knew right off.  I knew he was there that morning while baiting when I saw new piles of poop, much bigger that anything we had seen all week.

Have fun with it.....

David

[D. Key]

Which brings up the ultimate question...Is there anything mystical about visually sizing a bear besides the ears?  I don't necessarily want to kill the biggest in the woods but I don't want to shoot a 75 #er either.  Someone said you can judge a bear by it's head; with an equal triangle between the ear width and the tip of the nose.

Also, how tall would a say...200#er be?  2nd ring on a 55 gallon drum?  As one can tell I have absolutely no clue in this.

Thanks for all the help.

[Dirty Bill]

If the bear looks like it will fill a 55 gal drum,it's big enough. Long ears are on small bears.This one is small.

 

 My buddy killed this one in ontario.  

[Larry247]

I shot at one year before last and hit low, HAIR and a little fat was all i got to show for it. I know better from now on.

[doug77]

Doug I am also going to Manitoba in may for my 2nd. bear hunt do as they say above and you will be fine. What outfitter are you hunting with.

doug77

[southpawshooter]

Second ring on the barrel is a good bear.

[Migra Bill]

I have been told it is more inportant with bear than it is with deer to make sure that fron leg is forward so the shoulder bone won't come into play.

[Robhood23]

I wouldn't say that due to the shoulder bone but a smaller kill zone! Burn a hole in the opposite leg and you will be fine.

[Bob Walker]

This may help, Doug.

[Alex.B]

Originally posted by D. Key:
Which brings up the ultimate question...Is there anything mystical about visually sizing a bear besides the ears?  I don't necessarily want to kill the biggest in the woods but I don't want to shoot a 75 #er either.  Someone said you can judge a bear by it's head; with an equal triangle between the ear width and the tip of the nose.

Also, how tall would a say...200#er be?  2nd ring on a 55 gallon drum?  As one can tell I have absolutely no clue in this.

Thanks for all the help.

If the 3 weeks old, bacon grease-soaked doughnut he's eating is 2 and 1/2 bigger than his left ear, you got yourself a record-book trophy, and your name will live on  forever

[Chad Lewis]

Ask any guide or person who has been around bears and most will tell you more bears are lost due to shouldder shots than anything.  Stay off the shoulder, say a hand width back or so and a little lower than middle and you'll be fine.

Remember, if that front leg goes foward, the shoulder goes back a bit and if you're shooting from a tree this could be bad news. Also, if a bear is sitting on his rump, I'd hold off.

Good luck

[Terry Green]

Best of luck to ya!...I'll have to wait till Sept before I can chase them again...and that's way too long.

[D. Key]

Thanks so much for the input.  I feel much mo' better now with all the great advice.

Doug77; We will be hunting with Big Antler Outfitters.  A couple of friends had hunted with them before and all scored on large bears.  This will be a first for me and I am "stoked".

Thanks again to all.

[trapper1]

If you think it's big....it's only 1/2 the size...

If you KNOW IT'S BIG.... SHOOT IT.

most people over estimate the size of bears, resulting in ground shrinkage of about 100#...keep this in mind and the above statement will then make sense.  Until you have seen plenty of bears, nothing anyone tells you will mean squat.

Trapper

PS.good luck on the hunt  

[Bill Carlsen]

Trapper1 is correct. If you have to ask yourself if the bear is big it probably isn't. Where we bear hunt in Maine we use 55 gallon metal drums. If the bear is taller and higher than the drum laying on its side, it's a bear to shoot.