Alberta Spring Bear Bow Set-up

[SconnyHunter1487]

Hey guys. Just booked a trip in May to Alberta to hunt black bear. I've never hunted bear before, but am going to try with my bow. Looking for any insights on what set-ups anyone else used and if they were good or not. Just want to make sure I'll be going in with the correct set-up to make an ethical shot. Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[bowshot2]

Dial it in for 20 yards, do not overbow yourself. Practice from 12 - 15 ft up in a treestand. Keep it simple.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Check out diagrams of a bears anatomy. Remember, broadside leg forward or slightly quartering away are your best shoots.
Make sure you keep an eye on the bear, blood is hard to find right off the bat. Save the fist pumps until after the recovery.

 

[SconnyHunter1487]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Do I need to worry at all about arrow weight or anything, or will a "typical whitetail" set-up work?

 

[bowshot2]

Deer setup will work fine. Put the arrow in the right spot works everytime.

 

[Fishn4eyes]

One thing I'd ask your outfitter is if you'll be in a tree stand or in a ground blind.

The guy I hunt with has all ground blinds (which I like much better as it allows you to hunt in any weather) and you are seated so I do a lot of practicing sitting in a chair to replicate that.

Also, I personally prefer a fixed blade broadhead but the outfitter likes expandable (think Rages) for the bears as they leave a big hole in the thin-skinned bears. So I typically shoot Rages on the bear hunts and they have worked well for me and the guys I hunt with. I do shoot a heavy arrow with the Rages though, Deep Six 280's with 125 grain broadheads.

I am shooting Iron Wills this year due to the fact that I am hunting a bison two weeks after the bear hunt and don't want to mess with my equipment in that tight window.

 

[SconnyHunter1487]

One thing I'd ask your outfitter is if you'll be in a tree stand or in a ground blind.

The guy I hunt with has all ground blinds (which I like much better as it allows you to hunt in any weather) and you are seated so I do a lot of practicing sitting in a chair to replicate that.

Also, I personally prefer a fixed blade broadhead but the outfitter likes expandable (think Rages) for the bears as they leave a big hole in the thin-skinned bears. So I typically shoot Rages on the bear hunts and they have worked well for me and the guys I hunt with. I do shoot a heavy arrow with the Rages though, Deep Six 280's with 125 grain broadheads.

I am shooting Iron Wills this year due to the fact that I am hunting a bison two weeks after the bear hunt and don't want to mess with my equipment in that tight window.

Thanks for your feedback Fishn4eyes. We will be hunting out of tree stands, so will be elevated. Been practicing off of my back deck and the roof to simulate different angles. I'm sure the neighbors think I am insane! Lol.

I am shooting the Easton Axis 5mm 340s with 100 grain broadheads right now. Muzzy fixed blades, and Rage mechanical blades. My intent was to use the Rages, but ultimately I don't have a strong preference to either as long as it gets the job done.

Where are you doing the Bison hunt? That sounds awesome. Best of luck!

 

[Fishn4eyes]

Thanks for your feedback Fishn4eyes. We will be hunting out of tree stands, so will be elevated. Been practicing off of my back deck and the roof to simulate different angles. I'm sure the neighbors think I am insane! Lol.

I am shooting the Easton Axis 5mm 340s with 100 grain broadheads right now. Muzzy fixed blades, and Rage mechanical blades. My intent was to use the Rages, but ultimately I don't have a strong preference to either as long as it gets the job done.

Where are you doing the Bison hunt? That sounds awesome. Best of luck!

Sounds like you have a great set up and a very good practice regimen, good luck with your hunt!

I am doing a cow bison hunt on the Crow Reservation in Montana.

Been a dream to shoot a bison with a bow and looking forward to having a freezer full of meat to share and eat.

It is a free-ranging herd that live at high elevations in SE Montana so it should be a fun hunt and far from a cinch deal from what I understand after doing a LOT of research for a good quality hunt.