Been reading several stories about archers that have shot bears and the distances is from 6-20 yards.

I have never hunted bears but sure wanna do so.

How do you secure yourself?
Do you carry a sidearm?
How aggressive is the black bear?
Is the a big difference in the black bears contra the brownies/grizzly?

   


Thanks Margly

you can not even compare the black bear to it's bigger brothers. While the black bear is equiped to do alot of damage they rarly do. it is a hoot to be close to one on the ground none the less.

http://www.buffsblackwidow.com/oldvideos/bearhuntday33.wmv

Black bears and grizzlies being compared is like comparing a bobcat to a tiger....both can kill you, but one is more likely to do the most damage and do it quicker....

I killed my bear this spring from the ground at 14 yards. I'll post the video in the next few weeks. There really isn't much to worry about since you do have a weapon in your hand. I take pepper spray and no other weapons other than my bow. When I have a friend or someone uneasy about bears they are welcome to bring a firearm. You need to feel comfortable and not worried about the hunt or you won't be having fun. One thing I don't like using is manufactured blinds as I find they obstruct your view. I need to see!!

I'd say overall....bring whatever "backup" allows you to hunt securly...and have fun cause it's a blast...Ryan

http://www.buffsblackwidow.com/oldvideos/bearhuntday33.wmv  

Thanks for sharing the video!
How far away was the shot?


Thanks    

Margly

The shot was just a little over 20 yards. He was within 6 or 8 yards when he first came in but I was afraid to move so I didn't get the camera turned on until he had moved away a little.

Keep in mind... more folks have been killed or mauled by black bears than by grizzly's.  A very large black bear is bigger than an average grizzly.  It is not exactly bobcats and tigers.

Black bears will, however, likely run away whereas I believe a grizzly will defend itself.
ChuckC

Go to my attached link and click on "photos"....then scroll down to "Bears...what Bears" and watch the video. I know not all bears are the same but most are just like the bears in the video.

My wife hates when I do that BTW!!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by ChuckC:
Keep in mind... more folks have been killed or mauled by black bears than by grizzly's.  A very large black bear is bigger than an average grizzly.  It is not exactly bobcats and tigers.

Black bears will, however, likely run away whereas I believe a grizzly will defend itself.
ChuckC

Yep!

Well I'll be in Idaho in about 3 weeks after them on the ground. Here's some statistics I found.

  http://www.blackbearheaven.com/bear-attack-statistics.htm  

Dating back to the early 1900's, out of 55 deaths, 23 were from black bears, 27 from brown bears, and 5 unknown according to my count.

Awesome stuff Jim.   Spread it out to include attacks and not just killings.  When a grizz attacks you, you are in trouble.  

Course we just lost one person and got several injured just this past week or so from a smaller sow grizzly out west.

I didn't notice an account for the death of Bart Schleyer in that list. Wasn't it thought that a grizz was involved ?

ChuckC

Yeah I noticed it wasn't broken down into non fatal attacks.

Yes I believe that is what is believed with Bart Schleyers death. Quite a man he was.

I live in bear country and have been close to lots of black bears.  They get hunted hard here and run as soon as humans are noticed most of the time.  I think where you hunt the bears will determine what you need to protect yourself. Some areas have more agressive bears than others.

When I am specifically targeting bears, I predator call a lot and carry a big can of bear spray.  At 6 to 20 yards your not going to get your pistol out and the bear killed before it tears you up.  Bear spray on the other hand has made a few over agressive boars that came in looking for food run instantly.   On another note if your predator calling and a sow and cubs shows up.  Stop calling!  Not a fun experience that one.

cool video !! those two could be Yogi and Boo Boo. They don't seem to mind sharing space with you, especially with the thought of some snacks being prepped right in front of them.

On bears in general.  My dad always told me not to worry about bear spray or out running the bear, just take a fried with you that you can out run.

Thanks Motorhead.....that bait is amazing. Almost any time you go there the bears are just hanging out. There was only one spring that the bears seemed moody....had to be careful that year.

Great blood trail, Buff.

I asked our local DOW officer about carrying a gun while blood trail an arrowed bear.  She said that  " this is American and carrying a gun is constitutionally protected,  but you can not use the gun during bow season to anchor that bear.  If  you shoot it with a gun you better bed bleeding"
Joe

Some of the statistics cited above--although I don't doubt them at all--are misleading. There are far more black bears than grizzlies in North America, and they inhabit areas that contain a lot more people. Therefore, there are many more encounters between black bears and humans that create the possibility of an attack. The really important point is that bears are individuals,and what holds true for the first hundred may not hold true at all for the next one. Unpredictability is a hallmark of bear behavior. I have spent a lot of time up close with members of both species, and they still continue to do things that surprise me. that's what makes them so fascinating. Don

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