Brown Bears

[Jack Shanks]

I just booked a cancellation hunt for Brown Bear in Alaska for the first ten days of September and I really don't have a clue. I will be hunting from tree stands and ground blinds along a salmon stream but that is about as much as I know about the trip.

 I'm currently shooting 2018's from my 58lb BW with either 125gr Snuffers or 100 gr Magnus two blades. The 100gr Magnus fit the 2018s better than the Magnus 125s so that is why I shoot them on bigger game animals. Should I be shooting a heavier arrow broadhead combination? I don't expect to be shooting over thirty yards which is my normal limit but for obvious reasons I want to shoot the heaviest arrow broadhead combination I can. The trouble is I will be going on this hunt exactly two days after returning from a BC goat hunt. I plan on using the Magnus 100gr two blades on the 2018s for the goat hunt but I'm thinking something heavier for Brown Bears. You guys that have been before or the ones that are going in the future I could use a little help here.

Thanks,

Jack

[Steve O]

I thought you were going to let me know it you got it    !!! I think it is now time for you to step up to CARBONS there BowJack.  I have some you could try, but a cutting edge guy like yourself would probably want to check out some of the new small dia. thick wall shafts like the Easton Axis or Beeman Black Max.  They are EXTREMELY tough.  Like shooting into steel plate/concrete block tough, with super penetration.  

Cabela's Bog Buster neoperene hip boots would be good for streams and stand.

Maybe a Mini Catquiver to keep your feathers dry.

Your binocs will be good too!  Better have good raingear too. Don't forget your safety harness.

If you are shooting Thursday, I'll bring some carbons that will fit your Widow.

[Jack Shanks]

Steve, The last I heard you were headed up north so I didn't know if you were back yet, sorry. I should have tried to get a hold of you..  I'll be at LOL Thursday and I would like to try those carbons if you don't mind. I did shoot some that James had the other day and they seemed to fly well from my bow.

 Thanks for the other recommendations as well.

Jack

[Steve O]

Jack,

I'll put the carbons in the truck toaday.  You might want to call Bob Morrison.  He can tell you all about the Axis and sells test arrows.  You would probably want 340's and use one of the 110g steel broadhead adapters.

[Don Thomas]

Jack -- No doubt you can get the job done with what you've got, but I honestly think you are a bit on the light side. Don't know the details of your hunt but since you are on salmon streams these must be big coastal bears. The one and only arrow I've shot into a brown bear came from a #72 longbow and I was thankful for every one of those pounds. This just might be the most important shot of your life, and with heavy ribs and thick hide on the receiving end I'd try to move up to a #65 bow, 700 gr. arrows or some such. Have a great hunt. Don

[Ray Lyon]

I'm not going to tell you I've got Brown Bear experience, however from my experience with arrows, that Easton Axis shaft is extremely tough (my experience shows tougher than Grizzly Stiks), good weight potential without extreme concoctions and they penetrate well (Barry Wensel also noted here on Tradgang how he's been using skinny carbons since the mid 90's because nothing penetrates better for him on all sorts of game). If you're going borderline, I'd use an Axis shaft, steel broadhead insert and a strong two blade like Magnus or Grizzly.

That Steve O is a pretty nice guy to boot. Take him up on the opportunity to try some Axis or the Beeman Black Max (made similar to the Axis by Easton as well). Don't let the skinny appearance fool you. They're one tough ombre'.

[Jack Shanks]

Steve, I've been fighting the urge to shoot carbons for some time but I have to admit it is probably the way to go. When I switched to shooting a recurve from a longbow several years ago I went back to shooting aluminum arrows mainly because I didn't have any cedars that would fly out of my Black Widow. I'm not one that makes sudden changes you know. Heck, I've been married to the same woman for 29 years and I wouldn't want to trade her in, especially now.

 Don, I have been exercising and working out with weights in my preperation for my goat hunt next month. I could probably handle a heavier bow but I feel comfortable shooting the weight I'm at right now. I think I could stand to shoot heavier arrows on this hunt though. I do want to step up in weight before that Buff hunt I hope to take with you next year but I'll have more time to get ready for that.

Ray, I don't know if I'm lucky to have Steve for a friend or not? He's still in his thirties and has hunted places I'm still dreaming of going to. Steve has got me booking sheep hunts and Brown Bear hunts that are going to keep me working for years past when I could have retired. Some nice guy!

 Thanks everyone. I'll be working on an arrow and broadhead set up that I feel will get the job done.

[Steve O]

Jack, you are funny...especially now  :D  .  They sell those Axis arrows at Gander Mountain (6 packs I believe).  We could peel off those nasty vanes, do some bareshafting with heavy points and get that 58# pounding those little arrows in straight.  Geez, I think I may be more excited than you about these bears--seeing them in person last fall really has me thinking.

Don, you should see Jack, he looks 10 years younger and about 3" taller than I remember.  I'm sure he would have me huffin' and puffin' in the mountains right now.  My winter insulation is staying put for some reason...too many chili contests and adult beverages I guess.

Ray, you are pretty decent fellow yourself.

Jack, one more thing, go to  www.shrewbows.com  and read the little write up Ron has about carbon arrows.  He watched one zip right thru a big ol' buffalo with a VERY marginal weight bow.

[Don Thomas]

Good luck on both hunts and let us know how it goes. I'm leaving for Oz in a week and will try to file a brief report before I head north myself... I will be spending 7 of the next 8 weeks in the Bush between the two and that's just how I like it!
I am stubbornly sticking to wood and will be shooting ipe shafts on the buff hunt. They are really awesome, weighing in around 1000 gr. Man do they pack a punch! Highly recommended for those interested in tackling big, dangerous game with wood shafts. Don

[Jack Shanks]

Don, It's a tough job you have but somebody has to do it. And nobody does it that can write about it quite like you do....I'll be looking forward to your report from OZ and then reading the full story in TBM.

 My wife and I will be spending next week fishing with friends of ours in Northern Ontario. When we get back I will have less than four weeks before I'll be headed to BC goat hunting. Then I will have exactly one day between my return from goat hunting until I'll be flying to Anchorage to start my Brown Bear hunt. I know, it could get boring but it's only one day.

 Two friends of mine, one from Michigan the other from Alberta flew out today both headed to NWT to hunt Dall sheep. I knew before hand that they had booked with the same outfitter but I didnt realize it was for the same time period. I called my Michigan friend on his cell phone to tell him I had a buddy headed to the NWT today and I caught him on his way to the airport. Small world I guess. I hope they get a chance to meet each other. It is getting close to the time of year that all hunters look forward to. The hunt is on!

 Don, if we don't talk again before our hunts best of luck! I'm wishing you and Lori a safe and successful trip. We need to get in touch after hunting season when the dust has settled for us a little.

[Greg Dearth]

Jack, Who are hunting with? I have dreamed of one day hunting a Brown bear and hunting one from a stand near a stream would be abit more to my liking.   Lone Eagle

[Jack Shanks]

Greg, I will be hunting Brown Bears with Braun Kopsack in Alaska. He has the most reasonable rates I've seen and comes highly recommended from all of his past clients that I talked with.

I will be doing a Dall sheep hunt with Braun in 07. That is the earliest date he had an opening for sheep. This is his web site.  

  http://www.knikglacieradventures.com/

[Jack Shanks]

Back from Alaska with four Brown bears sighted at less than 25 yards and no shots taken. The closest bears were a sow and her cub that came by at fifteen or so feet. Hard to explain the amount of excitement that these huge bears can generate for someone when at close quarters. The excitement only intensifies on your walk back to camp in the dark knowing that the last time you saw them they were headed the same way. Not to mention the other bear that came by without offering a shot moments before last shooting light headed the other way. As frightning as this may seem my greatest fear happened way before leaving civilization...   That's a story I'm saving to tell around the campfire some day.

[J from Denmark]

Come on Jack, please tell more about the trip and why you couldnt shoot and so on !
Pleeeaase

[Jack Shanks]

Jacob, Even though I had two shooter bears well within range they never offered me either a clear shot or good angle. The last thing I wanted to do was make one mad!

 I have a feeling I'll be going back to try again some day.

[J from Denmark]

Tuff luck
But thats hunting  
Did you get your goat ?
Jacob

[Jack Shanks]

Another tough hunt. I only got to actually hunt three days of the ten because of the weather. First we couldn't fly into our hunt area because of rain and wind for two days and then we had two more days of rain and fog after getting there. The sun came out for three days and we were into goats on each day. Then the weather turned sour again and the pilot had to get us out early or we may have been stuck in the Mountains for a while.

 Beautiful country. I hope to go back and try again some day.

[Art Oneshot]

Sorry to be getting in a little late on this but I would recommend you check out the Grizzly Stick from Alaska Bowhunting Supply...very tough and designed for exactly what you are doing. They give you the best of both worlds...weight and speed...also you might consider a S@W 500 side arm....I guess you will have a guide backing you up with a 375 or larger.

I spent three years in AK and know how tough these critters are..amazing.....

Art

[Jack Shanks]

Thanks Art, A little too late for this year but if I ever go back I'll take your advice.

[Steve H.]

Jack,

Geez I almost missed/forgot about this in the madness that surrounds me.  I leave next Wednesday for my Unimak hunt.  I was thinking of doing a day by day play bak when I get back for the "kids".