Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Bow Hunting Brown Bear?...

Gents,

Got a few questions for you guys.

I don't know anything about bow hunting, except what I see on T.V these days (and there's plenty of it on the Outdoor channel.)

Don't get worried! I'm not the one planning on doing this 'death defying feat'. It's a friend of mine. But, he has asked me to back him up with a rifle.

I watched him shoot his bow at ranges from 30-40 yards, at a foam sheep target, and thought he did a real good job at hitting the vitals time after time.

What is the recommended equipment for hunting game this large (and dangerous?) Is there a certain draw weight, or arrow speed that's sort of the standard? How about broadhead types?

As the date gets closer, my friend and I will discuss the actual game plan we'll use on the field. But, if there's anyone here who has done this sort of thing before (bow hunt with rifle back up) I'd love to hear any stories or tips which may help.

Personally, I'm going to have to get some more camo gear. I'm not much into camo, because of the distances involved in most rifle hunting situations. Not that I'm into long range hunting! I prefer to be as close as possible, as that's hunting to me. My friend doesn't use any scent-lock products, which is a huge relief to me, as I'd hate to spend the money on that stuff.

I did shoot recurves in high school, and enjoyed it. I'm considering purchasing a bow myself one of these days. Perhaps this experience will edge me closer to doing just that.

Thanks!

Brian,

I have never done it either, but I would love to hunt brown bear with my bow. I know that I would definitely increase my arrow weight a bit and shoot the toughest, sharpest broadheads I could find...

That's my oppinion, but I will not be taking my carbon arrows when I get to go!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Trey

first thing you need to do when deciding on equipment to use for a special hunt is to check the game regulations and see what is legal to use. some states have minimum draw weights for certain animals and arrow/broadhead restrictions as well.
for a brown bear i wouldnt shoot less than 70lbs draw weight. i would opt for a good strong broadhead. definately wouldnt use any mechanical heads. Steel Force broadheads would be a good choice or InnerLoc. both are very strong and durable heads. as far as arrow shafts go you could use either carbon or aluminum.

BW,

I'm sorry that I'm no help, but if this hunt happens, can I run the video camera? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

i would have your friend give you the cash for the hunt and the airplane and give him the gun to do a much less messy job on himself than the bear will <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
brown bear with a bow.........not me. there is too much gun powder around me to even consider it...........
if you do go i want to carry the batteries for the video camera. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
woofer

When Chuck Adams took his brown and polar bears he was using a bow with 68 pounds of kenetic energy. It think that the energy issue is an important concern here as well as a cut-on-imact broadhead. NO expandabales!

I planned a hunt last spring but my pilot/backup cracked a vertrabrate and had to cancel since he was loosing feeling in one hand. This year I plan on using a tree stand along a funnel that is along a base of a mountain. I shoot a 75-80# compound and like Thunderheads. I am traveling back east soon and will look for some cut-on-impact heards. I will carry my .35 Whelen or shotgun as well as my .445.

Go for it. At least you might get your story in Outdoor Life!

These posts make this seem like a dangerous, outlandish adventure when it really isn't. It's fairly common to tell the truth. As neither bait nor dogs are allowed in AK, I guess that you'll be either stalking or calling. I must say that stalking a bear to within bow range in a state where the bear population is only minimal will only bring a minimal chance for success. HOWEVER, I've done it and it's been done thousands of times before.
Most any modern compound bow will do the job fine as long as it has a 60 pound draw weight (it's VERY common to send an arrow flying right through a bear at this weight). Mechanical broadheads are generally reliable, but probably not a good idea for this hunt. Carbon or aluminum shaft doesn't really matter. I prefer carbon because it shoots with a more flattened trajectory. You should be shooting an arrow (with broadhead on) that weighs atleast 425 grains. Make certain that your buddy knows the anatomy of bear. It's quite a bit different than a deer.
Other than that... I don't know what to say. Write me an email if there's anything else I can add.
-Jim tenorsarewusses@yahoo.com

I would be more concerned about the backup weapon,bullet, your marksmenship and most importent, the speed of the man you're hunting with. You know the old saying dont you?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

As it turned out, we had a real busy work schedule last Spring, and the guy never went bear hunting.

The rifle was my 416 Taylor with 370gr North Fork bullets. So far it's 'two-fer-two' knocking the wind out of bears. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the help, maybe we'll hit it after Sept 15th?...

I've hunted Kodiak brown bear for the last 2 years...had 3 shots I could have taken, but didn't because the bears were too small.

I would suggest he uses the heaviest draw weight he can manage. 65-70# isn't too much. MAKE SURE he uses arrows that are made for that draw weight, and get an arrow with the correct draw length (duh) as well as a strong enough arrow with a good spine.

It will ultimately come down to proper shot placement. If he can put the shot into the kill zone, then he will be successful.