I've guided for them and have taken 5 with the recurve. Thin skinned, but full of fat in the fall. Spring.... lean and mean.
The fur is heavy and very thick. Hit them low in the kill zone for better blood trail. Quartering away is ALWAYS best, broadside is good, dont shoot at quartering towards you or frontal.
After the shot, DONT MOVE A MUSCLE. For 30 minutes at least. The longer you can sit without moving the better. This is where most hunters screw up. Make a good shot and dont let 'em know you are there. They wont go far. If you get on them while still alive, they will run on adreniline to the north pole. Seen it a ton of times. Sit TIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bear hunting isa so much fun, you will have a blast! A 45# recurve will take them, but shoot the heaviest you can accurately. If you can shoot heavier, do it. You never know when they shift and you hit bone.
Good luck!!!!!! Take a deep breath and calm! Draw, pick a spot,shoot and watch while sitting absolutely still and quiet. It will seem an eternity but do it. Convince yourself beforehand. Sit still and your bear will be dead as a doornail close by if you've made the shot. If not a good shot, even more important to sit. Leave the bear alone. Let it stiffen up. It may die overnight.