Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Shot Placement for Black Bear

What is the best shot placement for shooting a black bear with a rifle? In the shoulder? Behind the shoulder? Thanks!

Bears live low in their chest. Aim for the opposite front shoulder and low.

Through the shoulders has worked well for me. No tracking required.

Over bait or otherwise?

We hunted over bait in Quebec and our guide was looking for a throat or head shot.

My two buds opted for the throat, I whacked the skull. Average shot was 45 yds. All bears were DRT.

Bob

Over bait, Treestand & ground blinds

Your "guide" is an idiot.

I've always shot them through the shoulders, break them down right there. The six I've shot all died easier than I would have expected.

I've been getting bleached skulls done with my bears so a head shot would be out of the question. Sort of surprised to see a guide make that suggestion - guided hunters are known to be the most stellar marksmen. You must of demonstrated some skill.

OK, that's exactly what I thought but didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Headshots are like skinning a bear with a big "X" cut.

IMO. YMMV.

I agree with Boise low and behind the shoulder I like to let the air out all big game I've taken, it also seem to bleed out better which IMO improves to table quality of the meat.

I've never shot a bear with a lung shot.Here in BC spring bears are hunted spot and stalk on the edge of greening up cut blocks and old roads.You don't wany to chase a bear into the thick stuff so you anchor him where he is by busting the shoulders down.Same shot for grizzlies. Monashee

No hurt feelings here.

The terrain was incredibly thick, and the guide made it clear that going through it on all fours was not pleasant, hence his suggestion. Hey, it worked.

Bob

Sure a boolit to the head works! Fugs up the trophy, hence the X-cut upon skinning comment.

Neck shots are particularly problematic if trying to avoid a tracking job.

A fellow in our of our camp did two behind the shoulders (30-06) last season and never found either one. I took one face on going high into its neck (6mm Rem with 85 grain slugs) and broke the spine at the neck/shoulder junction. DRT. I'd break them down if possible.

How far behind the shoulders?

Land it tight behind a shoulder and booboo ain't going more than 30 yards.....

I'd break shoulders with a small and fast mono bullet for a more DRT performance.

I was asking where the escapee was hit.

Creative shooting or cutting can allow 'expanded' sizing (consequently measurements) of trophy product, no?