I plan to use 56# longbow, I was wanting to know if I should use my cord weighted carbons or would my unweighted carbons penetrate just fine? I am using 55/75 Gold Tips I will be using 145 grains of Wolverine or a Bear Razorhead (very old ones) on a adapter that have the same weight. The unweighted carbons shoot a tad bit flatter, of course this is because of the faster flight, but I am more worried about leathality of my arrow. I have never shot a black bear before, so I want to get all my questions out there before I do and have to worry about 100-400 lbs. of really mad wild animal, or not recover my game. I would use wood arrows, but I do not have the patients for the care for them, carbons do not need care and they are always straight and take a lot abuse!

If your unweighted carbons are over 500 grains that would be plenty. If you are hunting over bait, arrow speed is not that big of a deal.

My carbons are about 480 grains, I was planning to hunt spot and stalk, I was wanting to avoid using bait if possible. Not that I really have anything against this method, many bears are harvested this way, I just think it would feel more intense stalking the game you are pursuing, especially since it is a predator. Besides, baited hunts cost much more than spot and stalk, especially when you are most likely going to have to go all by yourselve.

Chris,
   480gr out of that bow is plenty.  Black bears aren't tough to shoot through.  Just be patient and only take double lung shots, broadside.  They go down quickly.  A one lunged bear will run into the next county.  A good 4 blade head or 3 blade is best.

My wife shoots a 46# @ 26" and shot a 27" Beman Max 4 that weighed 500 grains and tipped with a four blade Phantom head she shot it completely thru a black bear last season. I've killed four bears with a bow and the only one I did not get complete penetration on was one I shot with large Snuffer at four yards from a 70# Black Widow. It has been my experience that a good four blade, like he Bear, will do the best job and leave the most blood on the ground.

I have some original bear broadheads, I guess I will just get some bleeders for them.