Bowhunting Bears
Bear Hunting Magazine|September/October 2016

Most of the bears I have shot have been at less than 20 yards.

Bernie Barringer
Bowhunting Bears

With today’s effective equipment, that’s a chip shot in anyone’s book. Short shots in the backyard, either sitting or standing, are easy to fine tune. But the first time I went on a spot & stalk bear hunt in British Columbia a few years ago, I knew that easy practice at short ranges wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t want to pass up a longer shot because I couldn’t make it, or worse yet, wound a bear because of poor shooting.

Today’s archery equipment is capable of shooting remarkably well compared to even 10 years ago. The Mathews Halon I am shooting right now is capable of shooting way better than the guy holding it. Some of the most accomplished archers are shooting groups of eight inches or less at 100 yards under ideal target conditions. Few archers would take shots like that at animals in the field, but the fact is that a modern, well-tuned bow is capable of shooting far better than you can shoot. All that is left is improving your skills so you can catch up. I have shot several deer at 40-45 yards, but I am a little more careful on the shots I take at bears.

Here are five tips to help you add 15-20 yards to your effective hunting range. You can do this within two to three weeks if you are willing to shoot about 50 arrows a day.

1) Know your current capabilities

This story is from the September/October 2016 edition of Bear Hunting Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September/October 2016 edition of Bear Hunting Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BEAR HUNTING MAGAZINEView All
THE END OF 2020, CHALLENGES COMING IN 2021
Bear Hunting Magazine

THE END OF 2020, CHALLENGES COMING IN 2021

SOMETHINGS EVERY SPORTSMAN OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT. STAY ENGAGED!

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2021
SPRING HUNTING IN MAINE
Bear Hunting Magazine

SPRING HUNTING IN MAINE

In 1982 Maine closed its spring season, but you can still spring hunt with an outfitter on some tribal lands.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2021
Bear Hunting Magazine

Bears & Gobblers

SPRING BEAR & TURKEY IN MONTANA

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2021
Western Bear Hunting
Bear Hunting Magazine

Western Bear Hunting

Picking the right outfitter - Picking the right outfitter can make or break your experience.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2021
Three Phases of the Spring
Bear Hunting Magazine

Three Phases of the Spring

Understanding the Pros & Cons in the Timing of Spring Bear Hunting

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2021
Extreme Utility
Bear Hunting Magazine

Extreme Utility

Jeff Senger kills for a living.

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2021
Canning - Bear Meat
Bear Hunting Magazine

Canning - Bear Meat

The last six months my non-hunting friends asking increasingly specific questions about how to turn animals into meat.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2021
Bear Dogs - East vs West
Bear Hunting Magazine

Bear Dogs - East vs West

The term “bear dog” means something different to every houndsman.

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2021
Alaska - One Last Grizzly (DIY)
Bear Hunting Magazine

Alaska - One Last Grizzly (DIY)

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, BUT THE AUTHOR HAS HAD A HECK OF A RUN ON ARCTIC GRIZZLY

time-read
10+ mins  |
January - February 2021
Understanding Skull Size in Evaluating Trophy Black Bear
Bear Hunting Magazine

Understanding Skull Size in Evaluating Trophy Black Bear

Black bears can be one of the most difficult big game animals to judge before the shot.

time-read
7 mins  |
November - December 2020