archery bear?

[skimerhorn]

I have the opportunity to hunt black bear with the bow this year. I will be using my crossbow, and I'm not sure what would be a good broad head to use? Also this will be my first bear hunt, so any advice for a beginner bear hunter and novice archer would be great. Thanks.

 

[L. I. Yankee]

They are tough to judge....how will you be hunting them?......

 

[skimerhorn]

My beet answer to that question will be in a climbing stand, in a grown up farm with apple trees in the mountains. Obviously I plan on sitting on the apple trees. I was just curious on behavior, sign, and other things to look for. Other than just pick a tree and wait, I don't know anything about bear hunting.

 

[teamhoyt]

Ive not hunted bears in that neck of the woods before but as far as broadheads go whatever you normally use will be suffucient for bears, it is my opion that if you hit a bear in the boiler room they tend to give up the ghost rather quickly, i'm sure thats not always the case but I think they are pretty easy to bring down when hit right. Out west here most bears are more active in the late afternoon and evening hours. Set up some trail cams closer to your hunt time. bears tend to shift feeding patterns in this country at least toward berries in the fall so apples and rotting apples might certianly be a good bet. look for scat, you will know by this when your in the sweet spot.

 

[TheShootist.41]

Schwacker makes a great broadhead for crossbow use. Is baiting allowed where you hunt? If so, consider using a honey or bacon burn.

 

[skimerhorn]

Thanks guys, are they similar to deer in that you can pattern them? Do they normally stay in the same general area, or do the roam and it's hit and miss?

 

[mdunc8]

I've done a lot hunting in Virginia and I've never seen a bear outside of SNP. Unless you know of bears hanging around those apple trees, I'd be very hesitant to sit in a tree and expect to have much luck. You may get lucky though.

To answer your question, based what I've seen in the literature, they do tend to stick within a defined home range after a certain age. Regardless, I don't think you're going to be able to pattern most bears around here, especially in the mountains, like you would a deer.

 

[Festus]

I'd say they are somewhat consistent, but change with the seasons/food source. I know of a local orchard and also farmers with just a few apple trees that suffer terrible damage from bears every fall. Seems they hit the trees pretty consistent for a week or two every year.
My friend gets one in his barn after horse/dog feed just about every other night in May and June but now until winter - no problem. I think lots of berries/apples this time of year.