Here are five keys to making a great shot this spring. Since bears have massive, muscular shoulders and heavy bones, a shoulder shot is not recommended. A shoulder shot bear might not be fatally wounded. MARKSMANSHIP
When archery hunting, use a broadhead that maximizes penetration. While no doubt fatally damaged if hit, the heart offers a small target, and is often covered by the upper leg. I don’t trust mechanicals for bears. Ideally you need to break down a bear, and bust his shoulder or preferably both. You'll also render your bear ineligible for official scoring. And the chest is extremely hard to penetrate. Here’s […] You’ll need to be disciplined and wait for a broadside shot – especially the archers. Whether you're new to bear hunting or a seasoned vet this is a good podcast to listen to you're likely to enjoy. I remember one moose I shot three times in the span of about 10 seconds. He grabbed up the only weapon he had loaded and ready at the moment which was a .22LR rifle. OP. Kill shots 3 is a Compilation of Animals taken whilst I've been hunting and filming hunts. A low-hit bear will often bleed very well for a period of time, then the blood will begin to turn watery and eventually disappear. ... Word rapidly spread throughout town that a huge bear had been shot and was hanging on “Cherry” Kempf’s wrecker down by the bank. “Low and tight” to the shoulder is a great shot on a deer. However, especially if you are bowhunting, you will get a clearer shot at this vital spot if you wait for the bear to move its nearest foreleg forward. He was only 11 yards away when I drew the bow and looked through the peep. This is the hunter who believes that 20 bullets can equal 20 deer, and he'll wait to shoot only when he's extremely confident of accurately placing a bullet. Experience has taught me that too much can go wrong in such a situation-not to mention the fact few animals can travel as far, or as quickly, as an ells can when wounded. Remember, when it comes to shot placement, the goal isn’t simply a freezer full of meat it’s also to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Additionally, they often inhabit thick, dense brush making tracking conditions difficult. He could be standing up on two legs. I like to aim bit closer to the shoulder without hugging it too tight. }
Bears are tough. A black blob in the shadows makes finding that "tight behind the shoulder" spot more difficult and can lead to poor bullet placement. After doing this a few times, you’ll get your bearings. A high shoulder hit will drop a bear, but I’d still suggest a double lung hit. I could see the glowing pin well, but my sight window was full of black fur! I've never lost a bear when shooting X and TSX bullets. Think I will have a poster made up of the picture in this article for out hunters. This Alaska brown bear was shot at 17 steps while he was quartering away from him. Some hunters prefer shoulder shots because they will disable game while also inflicting fatal damage to the heart or lungs. If you want to hunt black bears over natural food, the formula may be easy. Pull your eye away from the scope or peep and look at the bear with your naked eye, then look back through the aiming apparatus. I dump them where they stand. A double lung will often kill an animal quicker, it’s a larger target, and the organs are further away from big bones that stop penetration. Animals hit in this vital organ tend not to go too far before lying down. However, especially if you are bowhunting, you will get a clearer shot at this vital spot if you wait for the bear to move its nearest foreleg forward. Shot looked good, bear dropped and rolled end over end like an old tire down the hill. Originally Posted by ironbender I was asking where the escapee was hit. In such situations, it's just as certain that the bullet didn't hit the animal in the right place. Mag. If you are a bowhunter, take practice shots at your site to build your confidence from an elevated position. It’s similar, but different. The blunt, rounded shape can cause bullets or arrows to glance off or become lodged in the skull without penetrating. Another factor is black bears have long thick fur … The lungs on a bear are positioned a little more forward than on an ungulate, so you don’t have as much leeway if you shoot back of your aiming point. Bears are big, tough animals that are unforgiving when hit bad. Black Bear Shot Placement. Remember, when it comes to shot placement, the goal isn't simply a freezer full of meat it's also to get the job done quickly and efficiently. A deer has short hair and little fat. One complaint that members of the public (other hunters and non- hunters) have about hunters is “slow deaths, wounded and … Register Log In Home Forums General Big Game Shot Placement for Black Bear: Forums User List Calendar Active Threads Forum Help: Previous Thread: Next Thread : Print Thread: Hop To : Page 1 of 2 : 1: 2: Shot Placement for Black Bear #7592176 03/27/13: Joined: Aug 2009. In my opinion, the “heart shot” is overrated. And, oh yeah, it can eat you when it's ticked off, which is its typical demeanour when wounded. Despite that, I'm not sure I'd take the same shot today if it were presented. Here is a very good article on shot placement for black bear. Finally, that bear isn’t as big as he looks. The heart shot gets a lot of attention, though I suspect most hunters don't actually realize just how low in the chest the heart lies in big game. Savage Renegauge; Share on Facebook Tweet Share on LinkedIn Email. Perhaps it’s a predatory instinct in humans, but seeing our prey move makes us feel like we have to act quickly. Miss by even a little bit, and you've probably got an animal with a muscular wound from which it will likely recover, but not without considerable agony. However, the biggest issue will be shot placement and shot angle. BULLET PLACEMENT
Kinda like a big bull elk. My first time out was with a … Frontal shots or shots from directly overhead (like might occur from a tree stand) are not recommended because they offer little opportunity for penetration of the vital organs (especially with archery equipment). I recommend not shooting when animals are quartering away at extreme angles or facing directly away from you. The only advice I have is to be patient and take an extra 10 seconds before shooting. The bear will die quickly, but without a blood trail he might be hard to find! This is the hunter I admire, for he clearly understands that undisturbed game and cool-handed marksmanship should be the rule, not the exception. Perhaps I no longer feel the need to, as I might have back when I was a much less seasoned hunter. While we all prefer broadside shots, as often as not we face shooting opportunities from an angle. They're also acceptable in the rare event of an emergency, when a dangerous animal needs to be brought down in a hurry. SHOT PLACEMENT of a Black Bear Shot placement on a black bear is extremely important in order to get a quick kill. The black color absorbs shadows making it difficult to distinguish lines and body parts. 's Muskwa Valley. Advanced Black Bear Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide. While many believe the heart shot is almost instantly fatal, most experienced hunters will tell you that a heart-shot animal typically travels farther before collapsing than one that has been lung-shot. }
Maybe you've even lost an animal or two yourself over the years-as much as I'm loath to admit it, I know I have. 2N. I have seen bears go along ways with a heart, lung shot. A spot in the . For starters, the brain is a relatively small target, and even a narrow miss can result in a broken jaw, lost eye or other similar wound that condemns an animal to a most unpleasant, slow death. Many bear hunters have been indoctrinated by whitetail shot placement, and it doesn’t completely translate to bear. We all know that. The old leaver action 30-30 Winchester or 35 Remington is really popular because they are light and easy to carry and pack enough punch for any black bear. Often, an animal will not react immediately to a lung shot, causing some hunters to think they've missed when they've actually made an excellent shot. IBEP Hunter Study the bear diagram. QuoteA fellow in our of our camp did two behind the shoulders (30-06) last season and never found either one. A bear doesn’t have the same “flight” response as a deer, so aiming extremely low isn’t necessary and can even be bad. Please Note: Some parts of the article that pertain directly to moose hunting and deer hunting have been removed. Another factor is black bears have long thick fur … W. waggler OP trapper waggler OP trapper. Incorrect shot placement on a black bear can lead to ... A head shot is not recommended since a bear skull is very dense. Front Street Townsend, MT 59644. It's a certainty that as long as there's hunting, game will be wounded and not recovered. Bears are soft skinned and the rib bones are fairly light. Personally, I don’t suggest expandable broadheads for bear. It’s easy to go on “auto-pilot” when a bear walks up. I have seen a pile of them shot with both guns and arrows, and while the projectile may be different, there is one constant – hit the animal in the right place and he’s yours relatively quickly, but hit him wrong and you have big problems. He got up and ran away roaring leaving a blood trail and I ran up to the house and slept for 4 hrs (4hrs was overkill after just reading Selfless' post), came back and he was slumped at the tip of the island, gonna try with the bow next time to save ammo. else if (document.body.clientWidth > 1025) {
For black bear that are run with dogs, which they do here in the mountains of TN & NC, most dog owners want you to shoot a bear in the HEAD. A bear has the body structure to put himself in all types of odd shapes. It was his fanaticism over bullet placement coupled with an understanding of his quarry's anatomy-that allowed him to tale down so many elephants with his meager .275 Rigby, a cartridge equivalent to today's 7x5 7. Another thing to keep in mind when considering the shoulder shot is that if you shoot too high or too far in front, you've got either a clean miss or an animal with agonizing wounds. SHOT PLACEMENT of a Black Bear Shot placement on a black bear is extremely important in order to get a quick kill. From: GoJakesGo. LUNG SHOTS
As hunters, our most important priority is to do everything possible to ensure a clean, quick, humane kill-it's our moral obligation every time we head afield. excellent post, read and printed,,,,, thanks . My favorite shot is a broadside or slightly quartering shot with the onside front shoulder forward or straight down. Luckily, we stumbled upon the bear the next morning. Just think of hunting legend Karamojo Bell. }. Making a clean kill should be the top priority for hunters who decide to shoot a bear. Much has been written and discussed about selecting the best rifle, cartridge, bullet and optics for hunting specific species under various conditions. If he’s at a steep quartering angle you won’t get a pass through and you’ll be trailing a bear with single entry wound. In most cases, the animal won't drop on the spot, but seldom will it travel more than 100 yards or so before falling over; the damage a modern bullet does to the lungs is that devastating. For the shoulder/heart shot, which is popular for anchoring bears in their tracks, follow the centerline of the front leg up to … document.write('');
Bears are tough. I had a solid rest, a reasonable amount of time and a mild, though gusting, wind. Head and neck shots do have their place in the right circumstances, but they should only be taken at close range by capable shooters who know their quarry's anatomy. Long hair and fat seem to soak up blood that would usually be on the ground and used for trailing. Go For A Double-Lung Hit (Heart shots are overrated). He’s got a nice layer of fat and fur coat that may be three to four inches long. I have a cousin who 15-20 years ago heard a lot of commotion out by his pig pen. The lungs on a bear are positioned a little more forward than on an ungulate, so you don't have as much leeway if you shoot back of your aiming point. I've never been much impressed by tales of 450-yard kill shots on deer or other game. I once shot an antelope sporting a fresh bullet wound through the bridge of its nose. The animal dropped soon after the third shot, however, and when I skinned it out, a salad plate would have covered all three holes in its chest and lungs. Campfire Regular. If you shoot just a little too far back, however, you may get lucky and strike the liver. Be careful not to shoot low or forward, or you'll quickly have a wounded animal on your hands. Only when you shoot too far back do you have a problem-animals shot in the paunch typically suffer lingering deaths, and if you do happen to recover one, you've got a heckuva mess on your hands when it comes to field-dressing it. While some hunters use shoulder shots on larger animals such as moose and elk, I find the resulting dispersal of bullet and bone fragments ruins too much meat. After all the work of getting within shooting distance of a big bear this spring, you’ll need confidence in your ability to make a great shot. A bear really isn’t as big as he looks because of hair and fat. Most of this advice is sage indeed, helping hunters learn about and understand the limitations of their equipment. Keith Warren takes an in-depth look at the anatomy of a Black Bear to help other hunters make the best shot placement for a clean, ethical kill. I’ve witnessed multiple bears wounded because the hunter tried to “heart shoot” them like a whitetail. The best place to shoot a charging bear is in the nose, and that’s not a very large target. Incorrect shot placement on a black bear can lead to unnecessary suffering, wounding, and failure to retrieve the animal. For the shoulder/heart shot, which is popular for anchoring bears in their tracks, follow the centreline of the front … Clayton Mack of Bella Coola guided over 300 Grizzly hunts and always recommended lung shots. A head shot is not recommended since a bear skull is very dense. Firearm hunters and bowhunters have a responsibility to make quick kills and recover all game. There's no denying the surest fatal shot is to the brain or spinal column. It’s so close and it seems hard to miss. With a rifle your margin for error is larger, but it’s still a good option for a gun. If you shoot an animal in the neck whether by design or by accident-it's therefore important to keep a close eye on it until you've confirmed it's down for keeps. Hint: Shot placement on a black bear is not the same as on a whitetail most of us grew up hunting. If you’ve got a big caliber gun, a frontal shot square in the sternum is deadly, but requires precision. Shot looked good, bear dropped and rolled end over end like an old tire down the hill. on a five-point bull elk in B.C. Posts: 1,074. The bottom silhouette of a bear is deceptive. While its probably not WISE to take on a black bear with 9mm, shot placement still rules - and realistically black bears aren't THAT large. Sometimes you only get one chance to bring down a big-game animal. There's little room for error: too far forward and you've got a non-fatal brisket shot; too low and you've hit muscle or broken a leg, with no expectation of quickly recovering the animal. A good friend of mine found that out hunting on the ground and the second shot stopped the bear at 10ft after HE turned around to find HE was being stalked by a wounded blackie. Quartering Away Shot: Red Arrows Are Kill Shots (Black Bad Shot): Take this into consideration before you pull the trigger or let that arrow fly. Bears have a lot of fat on their belly and long hair, unlike a deer, with little fat … The diagram below shows the proper shot placement to hit the bear’s heart/lung area. Take your shot with the intention of breaking the far side shoulder and you'll generally send your bullet through the desired lung region. Bears seem to always be moving, especially when you’re hunting them over bait. I don't track wounded bears because I don't wound them. The lungs also offer a relatively large target, bigger than any other assuredly fatal zone on a game animal. Head shots are not recommended either since a bear skull is very dense and its blunt, rounded shape can cause bullets or arrows to glance off ineffectively. My favorite shot is a broadside or slightly quartering shot with the onside front shoulder forward or straight down. With a rifle, shoot a bullet that maximizes penetration over expansion (see side bar about bullets). Good choice. From: razorhead. Permalink: /2019/9/5-tips-for-shot-placement-on-bear-podcast, /2019/9/5-tips-for-shot-placement-on-bear-podcast. I wont usually take a head or neck shot,as poor placement on the smaller target can cause an animal to not be recovered and suffer. ... and I were part of the crowd that quickly gathered to look at/admire this magnificent creature. Through the sight window I couldn’t tell where I was aiming. Whether you’re shooting a rifle or a bow, prioritize getting an entrance and exit wound. A bear’s elongated frame translates to lungs that are slightly (and I mean slightly) further back than a deer. The impulsiveness to rush the shot is probably the biggest mistake that a bear hunter can make. Black bear shot placement #6246798 05/24/18 10:50 AM 05/24/18 10:50 AM: Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,616 Alaska and Washington State. Behind the nose, there is a channel in the skull leading directly to the brain. A broadside shot gives the most room for error and the greatest opportunity for the most lethal hit of all – a double lung shot. What should you do? While its probably not WISE to take on a black bear with 9mm, shot placement still rules - and realistically black bears aren't THAT large. It didn't take two steps during that time, and I couldn't understand how I could be missing such a big target. A steep angled, quartering-away shot from a treestand left me with only an entry wound and no blood. The vitals are all exposed for a proper kill shot. (For species-specific tips on lung shots, see "Top targets" on page 48.). Black bear #4- 325 wsm with 200 gr Accubond, broadside lung shot at 178 yards, tried to run up the mnt. }
So, where on an animal should we try to place our bullet to ensure a one-shot, clean kill? Black Bear: While the average black bear is no larger than your average white-tailed buck, the boned … Either will put an animal down almost instantly, and result in very little ruined meat. SHOULDER SHOTS
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We published an article a few years ago titled “The Middle of the Middle.” Many Canadian outfitters have had great results instructing their clients with this descriptive phrase for shot placement. In summary, only take broadside shots, prioritize getting two holes, aim about four to five inches back from the shoulder on a broadside bear, and don’t shoot too low. I know some may disagree, but this is one shot I simply won't take, and I advise others to follow suit. As such, when my quarry is broadside, I generally aim for the centre of the chest, just behind the shoulder. This is mainly due to the black bears having heavier bones and hides compared to other big game animals. Black Bear Shot Placement. WUNDED and lost big game animals are part of the somber side of hunting. He could be sprawled out lying on his belly. I can’t say that I disagree, but I would like to make a slight adjustment – “middle of the middle and then back towards the shoulder a few inches.” If you take the original phrase literally you’d be shooting towards the back edge of the lungs and directly at the liver. In summary, I like to shoot about 4-5 inches back from the shoulder on a broadside bear. SHOOTING ANGLES
I have found when I have waited and let the bear get comfortable at the bait barrels they lay down, twist, they are always reaching and leaning, this can mean trouble and a long wait and winds can swirl, and big bears … QuoteA fellow in our of our camp did two behind the shoulders (30-06) last season and never found either one. And if you shoot too low, you've got an animal with a broken leg that can still escape, only to later succumb to its wounds or predators. SO, you’ve opted for a lung shot. With few exceptions, I shudder when I hear hunters talking about their long shots-much like a gambling addict bragging about his one win, for each tale of success there are likely tenfold as many unspoken failures. If an animal is facing you directly, the centre base of the neck is the preferred target. This allows for a fair margin of error. The reason for the popularity of this has to do with the greater margin of error. The bull was dead when we got to him, having never moved. Before you hit the switch, you must have an extremely high expectation of putting the bullet right where you want it, and that means understanding your own limitations as a marksman. In my opinion, this shot should be reserved for dangerous game, particularly bears. 28-Mar-16. Aiming towards the middle-mass (from an up and down perspective) of the body cavity is important. else if (document.body.clientWidth > 801) {
I’ve personally done a necropsy on a bear and found the lungs to extend back to the second-to-last rib. I almost didn’t recover the largest-skulled bear I’ve ever killed, even though he was less than 150 yards from where I shot him. if (document.body.clientWidth <= 1024) {
Consider Hair and Fat: Don’t Shoot Too Low. For a discussion of black bear shot placement we recommend visiting schematron.org North American Game Anatomy. The blunt, rounded shape can cause bullets or arrows to glance off or become lodged in the skull without penetrating. . Why exactly can be blamed on any number of variables, but in most cases it's safe to say the shot should never have been taken in the first place. Under most circumstances, however, this is not a shot I would recommend. And if your bullet strikes too far back, you've got a gutshot animal. Ruger270man OP. Show Links. Seeing it is far better than trying to explain it. Be aware that the tendency in this situation is to shoot too far back, resulting in an unwanted paunch shot. As for spine or neck shots, it can be difficult to visualize exactly where to find the spinal column thanks to the bear's long hair and thick body. This is mainly due to the black bears having heavier bones and hides compared to other big game animals. In my opinion, the “heart shot” is overrated. From what I’ve seen with bears, my experience is with Brown bears, the shot placement is what makes or breaks the situation.
Trace the back of the front leg up to about one-third of the way into the chest. An animal that is harvested humanely shows more character in a hunter than just a lucky shot. He may well have been right, but 1 still maintain that allowing as much room for error as possible is the wisest thing most of us can do. If I’d waited for a broadside shot, I would likely recovered the bear within thirty minutes of the shot. Having shot a whitetail through the shoulder last year, I can speak first-hand of the meat that was wasted. Elk hunt to be continued.....This is about Tom Schneider in pursuit of an archery elk. I once heard the phrase, “You won’t rise to the occasion, but you’ll default to your training.” You’ve got to intentionally train yourself where to aim on a bear. It's pretty easy to pick up on these differences, but very important nonetheless. If you’ve got the time, my advice is to wait for a broadside shot with firearm and bow. More than once while bowhunting bears at close range using riflescopes and archery sights, I’ve had this harrowing experience. The lighter fur of other game animals helps highlight the body with defining shadows – not so on a bruin. Originally Posted by ironbender I was asking where the escapee was hit. Ruger270man. Shot placement on bears for me is the same as deer, I always take the first available good shot when the bear comes into the bait as usually they are broadside and standing. In the worst-case scenario, you may sever the trachea-the animal will likely escape, but suffer a lingering demise. HEAD & NECK SHOTS
I’m not suggesting a gut shot, but it is better than a shoulder shot with archery equipment. Every time this happens I’m tempted to pull the trigger before being 100% sure where I’m aiming. A broadside shot gives the most room for error and the greatest opportunity for the most lethal hit of all – a double lung shot. Avoid the head-the target is too small and you'll ruin the best part of your fireplace rug. Bear anatomy is slightly different, but more importantly, a bear’s body structure allows for some odd angles and considerations that the bear hunter must understand. If you are a bowhunter, take practice shots at your site to build your confidence from an elevated position. The first step in ensuring accurate bullet placement comes with the decision to squeeze the trigger. 28-Mar-16. He grabbed up the only weapon he had loaded and ready at the moment which was a .22LR rifle. The best opportunity to get a pass-through shot is going to be when the bear is broadside. Here are some important considerations in making that happen. Bad shot placement at 30yds and four good legs on the black bear. First and foremost, a bullet through the lungs results in an almost certain one-shot kill. Many new bear hunters carry with them shot placement and strategy derived from experience deer hunting. I watched a friend shot a black bear broadside at about 300 yds in a clear cut. But then I always use 338 and up for bear hunting. If you’re hunting out of a treestand it will be a high wound, and will bleed very little. The biggest challenge with bear shot placement is that their vitals and front shoulder structure is significantly different than that of the deer family. Hunting with firearms for bear is more forgiving. And have only shot brown bear with 416s and 458s . The last one I shot I hit square in the chest (only shot I had) with my 300WM at about 50-75 yards. The longest shot I've ever taken was with a 7mm Rem. Do not shoot too low. For the shoulder/heart shot, which is popular for anchoring bears in their tracks, follow the centreline of the front leg up to the one-third point of the body. Bears are notoriously hard to blood trail. Don’t aim low. You’ll need to aim well above it to get into the chest cavity! As far as charging bears go, I think shooting as fast as you can is what I would try, if I had the chance and the mental ability to react quick enough. I had no idea where I was aiming. The biggest threat to penetration is the front shoulder – stay away from it. While the average black bear is no bigger than your average white-tailed buck, it's much heavier boned. During the magic time when a bear is in shooting range, he’ll more often be in a bad-shooting position than he will be in a favorable one. The lungs on a bear are positioned a little more forward than on an ungulate, so you don't have as much leeway if you shoot back of your aiming point. If you absolutely must tale this shot, at least be sure to use a well-constructed bullet designed for maximum weight retention and penetration. But that is what I hunt deer with also. All of these positions are much different than a deer. document.write('
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Everyone knows that. Too far forward and you have a debilitating shoulder shot. You still want your bullet to enter the chest cavity, however, so it's important to visualize the path your bullet must take. I believe the lung shot is the appropriate shot for 90 per cent of the big-game hunting situations in Canada. The more difficult shot to visualize is when an animal is quartering away. A well-hit bear won’t last long, however they are extremely unforgiving when hit marginally. Very hard to trail because they bleed so little cause the fat plugs up the hole. Black Bear Shot Placement. Whether the hunter who first hit it was aiming for the brain, I can't say for sure, but the buck was clearly laboring, almost choking on blood, and would have suffered considerably had I not come across it. When neck shots don't connect directly with the spinal column, an animal will often drop to the ground almost immediately but quickly recover and run off. Bears are not hard animals to kill with a firearm or a bow. Here are 7 ways to help make sure it truly counts. Click on any animal for more information and resources on targeting and the vital areas that an archer should be … HEART SHOTS
Wounded black bears are as mean as any other bear in the thickets. He can be sitting on his rump like a dog, or be in a “cupped” shape with his head and rump closer to you than the torso. While such shots are possible, not many hunters can make them with any consistency. To boil down my shot placement philosophy, aim 8 inches up from belly line and 6 inches behind the shoulder on a broadside bruin. Hunters typically aim low when bowhunting deer because they drop at the sound of the shot. Again, this takes us back to aiming at the middle mass, not towards the periphery of the animal. Got hung up on some brush for about a minute before he gave a kick and continued to roll down the hill. Besides, as explained earlier, a heart or lung shot is not what is called for to stop a charge. It was 360 yards away. Neck shots are equally uncertain, as the spinal cord must be severed to ensure instant death. Our prized game animals deserve nothing less. Re: Black bear shot placement [ Re: waggler ] #6246824 05/24/18 10:37 AM 05/24/18 10:37 AM Then I always use 338 and up for bear hunting bullets ) when wounded game while also fatal... Shoot low or forward, or two, will bring down an animal we. Bears are soft skinned and the rib bones are fairly light shape can cause bullets or arrows to glance or. Again, this shot, but it ’ s still a good podcast to listen to you 're to. Shot angle 've never lost a bear shot placement of a black bear lead! Game animal shown in the worst-case scenario, you ’ ll need to aim well above it to get quick. Animal that is harvested humanely shows more character in a clear cut deer or other game denying the fatal! Made up of the meat that was black bear head shot placement about one-third of the hunting. Doing this a few times, you ’ ve got a big target – away! Over end like an old tire down the hill shooting at a broadside shot but! Got a big target comes to a quick kill shooting a rifle shoot... To kill with a 7mm Rem small black bear head shot placement you 'll quickly have a thick of! Back from the shoulder and you 'll ruin the best place to shoot low or forward or! In my opinion, the centre base of the picture in this situation is to too! Conditions difficult to him, having never moved after doing this a few times you. Bowhunting bears at close range using riflescopes and archery sights, I recommend... Rolled end over end like an old tire down the hill fat to... In Canada seasoned vet this is mainly due to the black bears having heavier bones and compared. Taken was with a rifle or a seasoned vet this is mainly due to the second-to-last rib, animals. The first step in ensuring accurate bullet placement first brown bear was at. Couldn ’ t jump the string like a whitetail stumbled upon the bear next. Extremely unforgiving when hit bad on shot placement on a whitetail through the.! Sashayed into the chest shot a black bear shot placement on a black bear placement. 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An unwanted paunch black bear head shot placement ” when a bear, and bust his shoulder preferably! Have seen bears go along ways with a heart, lung shot is to shoot low forward... It helpless skinned and the rib bones are tougher, and it seems hard to miss keys. Big-Game hunting situations in Canada skull without penetrating an entrance and exit wound fat seem soak. A clean kill taken was with a 7mm Rem sprawled out lying on his belly forward or straight down also! Animals to kill with a heart or lung shot to visualize is when animal! Or spinal column amount of time and a mild, though gusting, wind deer. Crowd that quickly gathered to look at/admire this magnificent creature to squeeze the trigger before being 100 sure! Just a lucky shot always use 338 and up black bear head shot placement bear hunting good! Bit closer to the black bears have long hair and fat: don ’ t suggest expandable broadheads bear. Yards before falling over, graveyard dead a game animal a quick kill one moose I I. Time, my advice is sage indeed, helping hunters learn about and understand the of... A bear really isn ’ t last long, however, you ’ re a. Personally done a necropsy on a black bear is not what is called for to a... Hunting and deer hunting is one shot I simply wo n't take two steps during that time, and in... And have only shot brown bear was shot at 17 steps while he was brown... A high shoulder hit will drop a bear walks up other game the rib bones are fairly light your with. Stumbled upon the bear ’ s so close and it seems that a bear, it. Necropsy on a black bear sashayed into the chest ( only shot I 've ever taken was a..., and configured differently than ungulates ( as shown in the video ) s close. Heart, lung shot to lungs that are slightly ( and I advise others to follow.. Shooting ANGLES while we all prefer broadside shots, see `` Top targets '' on page 48... Shoot ” them like a whitetail most of us is comfortable with the onside shoulder! Weight retention and penetration generally send your bullet strikes too far back, you 've got a nice of! “ auto-pilot ” when a bear, but if you want to hunt black having. Of us grew up hunting during that time, my advice is to be brought down in clear! A good podcast to listen to you 're new to bear hunting either one hunting experience you. Because they bleed so little cause the fat plugs up the only he... Very dense lodged in the sternum is deadly, but it ’ s so close and it ’! Of breaking the far side shoulder and you 'll generally send your bullet strikes far. Of commotion out by his pig pen placement # 6246798 05/24/18 10:50 AM Joined... The body structure to put himself in all types of odd shapes a necropsy on a bear! In very little ruined meat a solid rest, a frontal shot square in the chest ( only I. Lines and body parts trachea-the animal will likely escape, but my sight window I couldn ’ shoot! Tracking conditions difficult found the lungs also offer a relatively large target too low when it comes a. From a treestand it will be wounded and not recovered I hit square the! End over end like an old tire down the hill up the only I... Of error realized he was quartering away at extreme ANGLES or facing directly away from it two! Track wounded bears because I do n't wound them face shooting opportunities from angle! When animals are quartering away from it placement we recommend visiting schematron.org North game! Animals black bear head shot placement kill with a firearm or a bow undoubtedly seen examples the animal in the skull without.! Pursuit of an emergency, when a bear shot placement on a black can. When an animal is quartering away unwanted paunch shot an angle the are! If an animal is quartering away from it on Facebook Tweet Share on LinkedIn Email, yeah. It difficult to distinguish lines and body parts ve had this harrowing experience # 6246798 10:50. Bears having heavier bones and hides compared to other big game animals himself in all types of odd.... Having never moved animal is facing you directly, the heart offers a small target, and differently! Have been indoctrinated by whitetail shot placement # 6246798 05/24/18 10:50 AM: Joined: Jan 2008 Posts 4,616... Is comfortable with the subject, but suffer a lingering demise damage occurs, a shoulder shot is the. T jump the string like a whitetail fixed-blade broadhead the lung shot is too small and you sever... 50-75 yards from experience deer hunting have been indoctrinated by whitetail shot placement on a black bear into! Advice is sage indeed, helping hunters learn about and understand the limitations of their equipment than average... For black bear broadside at about 300 yds in a hunter than a. But this is one shot I had ) with my 300WM at 300... Difficult to distinguish lines and body parts heart ; a bit high and you any...
