Black bear point of aim?

[TwoArrows22]

I am going black bear hunting for the first time, so I looked up black bear point of aim and found a lot of talk about middle of the middle. The concept is that it's not good to hit them too far forward in fact it's better to hit them too far back. As a whitetail hunter this concept seems very odd to me because the last thing I want to do is gut shot a deer. Can any bear hunters comment on this or share some of their experiences with me?

[ron w]

At the top of the Pow Wow page there is a shot placement post. Find the bear photo and study it. I killed one last June with a 2 lung hit angling back a bit and the bear was dead in 10 seconds. 2 blade Ace from a 45# bow.......pass thru!

[ChuckC]

I would be very leery of any post or drawing that says to shoot any critter further back.  Except a wolf, I heard that their heart and lungs are located just in front of their hips / pelvis.

Google "black bear internal organs.  There are some photos of what appear to be a real bear that has layers removed, to show you where things are.

Sure looks to me like the heart and lungs are more forward than back.  Usually, except in some African antelope game, just behind the elbow and a bit high, or better yet, just above the elbow itself lend the best shots for near all things that run.
ChuckC

[TwoArrows22]

Thanks guys. I have looked at the vital pictures at the top of the pow wow list and on other online sources and came to the conclusion that the vitals don't look like they are located further back. That is why I was surprised to read so many articles about " middle of the middle" I think some of it might have to do with the shoulders being tougher than some other animals. I am not really worried about penetration I'm shooting a 51 lb longbow with small diameter arrows and single bevel two blade broadheads. I think the set up is more than enough for a black bear, just wanted make sure I'm shooting in the right place.

[Joeabowhunter]

TwoArrows22.  You're right on with your thought in your last post.  Shoot bears like a whitetail but be aware of the leg/shoulder bones.  Gut shot bears are nearly impossible to find.  Double lung shot bears die very quickly.  Good luck on your hunt!

[wingnut]

Imagine a football suspended between the elbows.  Let the air out of the football and it's a dead bear.

Mike

[ron w]

Originally posted by wingnut:
Imagine a football suspended between the elbows.  Let the air out of the football and it's a dead bear.

Mike

Exactly........  

[Florida lime]

I found where "the middle of the middle" was quoted. The picture along with the text is below.

 

Is the picture accurate ?  Even if it is, I'd aim further forward than the point shown.

[FerretWYO]

I may be of different opinion here but bears have a large kill area proportionate to their size. Like elk you don't have to hug the bone to kill them. There are some cool pics in the Shot placement thread.  

I have always preferred to shoot bears quartering away. Diaphragm and lung they wont go far.

[ESP]

I like quartering away shots on most animals.  Especially bears.

[Steve Rasmusson]

ChuckC - Your humor was not lost - I'm still laughing my butt off...;-)
Thanks for the chuckle.. Steve

[Sean B]

I killed the bear in my avitar by hitting him dead in the middle, maybe slightly forward of middle. It was about an 18-20 yard shot. He was just a blob of black fur. I couldn't see any definition so I really had to imagine a spot in the middle to aim at. I took out both lungs and he only went 70 yards. I took a spring bear by aiming at a thin spot in his coat that was right where his heart was. That was only about a 6 yard shot, so I wasn't too concerned about that front leg. I think if you stay slightly coward of dead center, you'll be fine. Good luck!

[Two Arrows]

Hello TwoArrows22.

[trubltrubl]

don't overthink this. A bear is no different than deer or elk or moose.etc..behind the shoulder....
just like all the other critters.... wait till the front leg is forward and shoot em like any other...