Go For A Double-Lung Hit (Heart shots are overrated). He could be standing up on two legs. A bear has the body structure to put himself in all types of odd shapes. You’ll maximize the opportunity for two holes by shooting at a broadside bear with a sharp fixed-blade broadhead. Here are five keys to making a great shot this spring. Bears are big, tough animals that are unforgiving when hit bad. Most hunters always target the heart, which is advisable because if you don’t hit the heart, you will not miss one or two crucial organs of the bear. When archery hunting, use a broadhead that maximizes penetration. The biggest threat to penetration is the front shoulder – stay away from it. Black bears have heavy coats and a fat layer making them look bigger than they actually are, which can make it tricky for first-time bear hunters. Remember this! We published an article a few years ago titled “The Middle of the Middle.” Many Canadian outfitters have had great results instructing their clients with this descriptive phrase for shot placement. Targeting to hit the heart is a bit tough, although it is achievable. I don’t trust mechanicals for bears.

Bears are notoriously light bleeders because of fat and fur, so getting an exit hole must be a serious priority.

The fat accumulation and long hair make the big, and this not the case. What should you do? Copyright © 2020 • Hunting Topics • All Rights Reserved.

A broadside shot gives the most room for error and the greatest opportunity for the most lethal hit of all – a double lung shot. Perhaps it’s a predatory instinct in humans, but seeing our prey move makes us feel like we have to act quickly. Trying to replicate a whitetail heart shot, bowhunters often shoot too low, hitting a non-vital area. He was only 11 yards away when I drew the bow and looked through the peep. Bears seem to always be moving, especially when you’re hunting them over bait. Aiming other parts such as head, neck, and shoulder will not kill the bear fast as it will only cause significant wounds. Bears are notoriously hard to blood trail. One bear I inspected had been shot in the neck by a bow hunter.

The middle of the middle is where the upper and hind legs bisect with the bear’s belly and back. Founded by the iconic father of modern archery, Fred Bear in 1933, Bear Archery® continues to produce legendary bows with the same focus on reliability and technology. The impulsiveness to rush the shot is probably the biggest mistake that a bear hunter can make. To boil down my shot placement philosophy, aim 8 inches up from belly line and 6 inches behind the shoulder on a broadside bruin.