First time hunter, hunting black bear with a bow and no backup gun. Safe?

[JasMMA]

Thanks for the help everybody, I really appreciate it. I think I'm a good shot but if I end up wounding a bear I am ill prepared for trying to recover it. I guess i'll just focus on deer for now until I get my PAL.

[jlirot]

Why don't you take your PAL? It's only a day course.

I think you had to take your CORE to bow hunt so you only need the PAL to be able to carry a gun if you need to track something you shot.

[Night Hawk 3]

As a reasonably experienced bow hunter, I’d not even think twice about going hunting for bears without a firearm for backup. However I have a pretty good understanding of bear behaviour and of shot placement - shots with bows on animals often have unusual outcomes due to the multitude of variables at play, even when successful. It’s very, very different than shooting at stationary targets.

Bears in different regions also behave quite differently. The typical Vancouver Island black bear is timid, not particularly aggressive, and reasonably predictable, but in other areas with different predator/prey dynamics bears can be completely different and potentially a real handful.

It would really be a much better idea to still hunt black tails or other animals for a while to learn the ropes, then go after bears. However, if an absolutely ideal opportunity showed up, then go for it.

Keep your ranges short (30-40), but practice long (60, 60+) to ensure a good shot outcome.

good luck out there.

[BearSupreme]

As a reasonably experienced bow hunter, I’d not even think twice about going hunting for bears without a firearm for backup. However I have a pretty good understanding of bear behaviour and of shot placement - shots with bows on animals often have unusual outcomes due to the multitude of variables at play, even when successful. It’s very, very different than shooting at stationary targets.

Bears in different regions also behave quite differently. The typical Vancouver Island black bear is timid, not particularly aggressive, and reasonably predictable, but in other areas with different predator/prey dynamics bears can be completely different and potentially a real handful.

It would really be a much better idea to still hunt black tails or other animals for a while to learn the ropes, then go after bears. However, if an absolutely ideal opportunity showed up, then go for it.

Keep your ranges short (30-40), but practice long (60, 60+) to ensure a good shot outcome.

good luck out there.

Great info here! Animals can sometimes hear the bow go off and move just enough to turn a great shot into a questionable one. Archery can be heartbreaking in this sense, even shots you think are perfect can have disappointing outcomes. This isnt to discourage you, only to let you know it happens to everyone at some point.

I archery hunt with bear spray but I am comfortable in the areas I go for the most part. You'll learn from your time in the forest what you can/cant do so gain confidence from that and good luck in your new hobby!

How did your archery season go?

[hunterdon]

[QUOTE=BearSupreme;2457779] Animals can sometimes hear the bow go off and move just enough to turn a great shot into a questionable one. Archery can be heartbreaking in this sense, even shots you think are perfect can have disappointing outcomes. This isnt to discourage you, only to let you know it happens to everyone at some point.

Very true.

My concern for you also would be what happens AFTER the shot. Since you do not have any experience taking big game I would not recommend solo hunting for you at this time. There is just too many scenarios particularly with bow that could go wrong and having no experience to draw from, you could get yourself in real danger. Looking for a possible wounded bear in the thick bush is no fun and very dangerous. I highly recommend you go with an experienced bear hunter at least until you get your feet wet.

But I do like your enthusiasm, just don't skip primary school and jump to high school. Hope that makes sense.


T

[jebe]

People have been bow hunting bears for a thousand years without a gun. It’s fun.