Where to shoot a bayed bear??

knowjesus · Post by **knowjesus** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:33 pm

Ok you guys/gals know I'm a newbie to hound hunting. I've been on a couple hunts as a guest and always feel uncomfortable about this:

When the time comes and I'm the first guy on the bayed bear, WHERE DO I SHOOT HIM?

I've heard these opinions in the woods in no particular order:
1. always in the head!
2. through the front shoulders, so he can't swat dogs
3. in the front chest so the bullet goes back into the body and away from dogs.
4. Let him run and hope they tree him

It's kill season, I have a scoped 30-06 with 220 grain bullets, Let's assume that a 300lb bear is bayed in the laurel/rocks, 25 yards from me, I can see his head and shoulders from the side, BUT there are 3 dogs nipping and bitting at him constantly, He's mad as a hornet and fighting them like crazy.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bearhunter · Post by **Bearhunter** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:52 pm

Unless you can get "point blank" with one in the head wait for help.At 25 yards the scope will more of a hinderance than a help.

easttenngator · Post by **easttenngator** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:27 pm

throw your scope away and site in with your iron sites then use black tape on the rear site to keep it in place.As hard as you have to walk and climb it is nothing to knock your scope out of wack and miss your bear when the timme comes.
there is one less newbie mistake to make this season.

As far as the shot ...the head the head the head.....every and any time you can.

Gator

corbin · Post by **corbin** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:23 am

it always seems like are most instent kills are when the bear get shot right in the neck. it must paralize them befor they die or somthing. but then again all i have ever seen from a bear shot in the head was maybe a twitch or two. so ether spot would be a good choice. unless the bear is running i wouldent shoot in the shoulder.

KTMracer · Post by **KTMracer** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:21 am

Just my opinion but f at all possible I would go for a neck shot over a head shot anyday. It'll drop 'em quick and reduce the chance of your bullet striking the skull at an angle that might richote' off of him. Highly unlikely that would happen but why take the chance. Also I have to agree with what others said earlier, take off the scope!!!! This is just my opinion, and I'll admit I was wrong once before. :lol:

pete richardson · Post by **pete richardson** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:37 am

if you shot a bear and it killed my dog-- or you shot my dog--
i doubt we would still be friends- :wink:

if bear killed it because you didnt shoot there is no way i would ever hold that against you -- so calm down -- wait - you dont need to do anything in a hurry - --the closer you can get the surer you can be---broadside shoulder is bigger target and not moving as much
-- but not as instant either -- if u got to use scope to shoot bear on ground with dogs all over wait till owner of hounds is there - he watches dogs - you watch bear- let him tell you when to shoot-
no way u can look thru scope and know where dogs are -
you can probably get closer than 25 yards -

knowjesus · Post by **knowjesus** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:42 am

Great responses guys, I never thought about the scope being a negative, will be taking it off.

Pete: you are right about the possibility of killing a dog either with a bad shot or poor shot placement on the bear, that's why I want to learn the proper shot before I get in that situation.

How close have you all gotten to a bayed bear?? Seems the closer the better for the shot.

easttenngator · Post by **easttenngator** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:46 pm

want to see the teeth marks on my pistol.....yes we had one in a brush pile that held on to a dogs leg as we pulled the dog out and put the barrel of the pistol in his mouth when we pulled the trigger. Redhawk did a fine job

Bearkiller · Post by **Bearkiller** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:47 pm

25 yards would be a long shot, in my opinion. Point blank is best. I prefer neck shots. I killed my lion in 2002 bayed up with dogs all around it including underneath it in the water. I shot it at about 10 yards in the neck it dropped. Didn't even flinch. In my opinion thats the best way. I would have gotten closer but it was on a log over a creek and the bank on the other side was to high for it to jump. There were dogs on the log with it and I didn't want to get knocked off the log. Also you might want to read some posts on caliber's for bear hunting. I don't think anything more than a 30-30 is needed. I had my 30-06 pass through one.

Ankle Express · Post by **Ankle Express** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:31 pm

You know just a suggestion but bear don't just bay in kill season. Training season ain't just for the dogs you know? Get in there and see a bay-up or two or spend some time at one before you go to shooting. Alot of the ones I've been in on especially in the laurel and rocks, I'm a tarheel, you won't be able to see at 25 yds. At the coast it takes about 25 inches unless you don't leave the road. If you'll get close right with dogs, stand up and don't kneel you'll be shooting over dogs in front of you and down between if theres dogs in the back. The closer you are the greater the angle. Throw the scope away. Just ain't everybody that can get it done right in my opinion. First time I ever went bear hunting old man loaned me a .30-.30 w/out any sites. He said if we get to a tree you can use mine otherwise just "press and shoot". It took me several more years to learn the significance of his statement but he was right. Bust its head always. Seen bear be paralyzed shot in neck and the chompers keep going for a minute or two and its a good opportunity for a dog to step in their open mouth and get clamped down on. If your a newbie around me I want you shooting preferably at the side of their head. Only way a WOUNDED bear runs off from that is w/ a busted snout or jaw and they aren't going to do much damage or get very far. The other side gives you a neck shot or you missed. JMO

Bearhunter · Post by **Bearhunter** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:12 pm

GREAT POST,Ankle Express!!!

Bearkiller · Post by **Bearkiller** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:17 pm

Its that missed that I don't like. You have more area on a neck shot than a head shot. You miss a little to one side and you hit the front shoulders. You miss a little the other way and you hit it in the head. If you can't be sure that you can hit it in the neck you need to not be shooting a bear on the ground over my dogs. If you can get a point blank shot I'd go for the head otherwise I'd go for the neck. Its drops them like a bag of bricks.

knowjesus · Post by **knowjesus** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:46 pm

Now I'm getting educated, a few more posts to learn from and I'll feel educated enough to make the right move when the time comes. Didn't realize getting that close was possible.

Thanks for the stories and tips guys! Keep them coming.

Here's something else: If you are 20 feet from the bear and shoot, do the dogs normally jump right in on the bear at the sound of the shot or wait for it to fall to wool it?
Seems like the smart ones would wait to make sure old blackie is down?

Bearkiller · Post by **Bearkiller** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:49 pm

There have been plenty of dogs who have been hurt or killed by someone shooting at a bear and the dogs piling it before it was dead. Whether it be by the shooter missing or a misplaced shot or maybe just a tough bear.

Bearhunter · Post by **Bearhunter** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 4:23 pm

Best thing to do/remember is if you can and have the guts on a bayed bear is put the barrel right behind the ear.