mitchmedic

Should a guy take a side arm while bowhunting black bear?

Belle Island

I didn't, but I wish I would have

PAhunter86

It's illegal here[>:]

Rickmur

For what reason? to shoot the bear, then you wouldn't be bowhunting, for protection? A pistol won't do anything an arrow won't do. Besides, in most juristrictions it's illegal to carry firearms while bowhunting. My answer to your question would be a resounding no.

Shootem up870

i would because after u stick it, it may attack u never no. (if it is legal) b/c u can put 7 shots in a bear faster than u can put knock ur second arrow

cherokee_outfitters

The 2nd admendment right gives you the right to carry a sidearm while bowhunting wether or not the regs say so. As long as there is no bullet hole in the animal they can only sight you for carrying it.

I've seen alot of bears hit with rifle and bow and they don't always go down right away. And as far a bear bleeding out while he's attacking you remember that a bear heart rate is really slow. Thus meaning you could be in a bad situation. I always pack a sidearm in the woods regardless hunting or not. Not going to be a snack because I didn't think it could happen to me. Read the book Ghost Grizzlies and then think about it.

Hiawatha

i carry a can of pepper spray and a knife on my hip when ever i walk in the bush without a firearm. I have used this spray before and it does work. A rifle is the best line of defense but my second choice would be the bear spray.

PAhunter86

yeah but in PA you can get fined if your caught with a pistol while hunting bears with a bow.

logs

I assume you're hunting for Black Bear and I would say no. You do not need one in your stand. If you're that concerned about the Bear, don't go after it with the bow.
Now once you shoot the Bear and go to recover it ,if it was a poor hit, a shotgun with slugs is the norm.
I've hunted Black Bear for years, help bait and see tham all the time while Deer hunting. They are not a threat in the woods to a hunter. It is a different issue in camp grounds and parks where idiots have been feeding them and they have lost their fear of man but I doubt that is the case where you will be hunting.

Either way have a good hunt and learn as much about the game you're hunting as you can from a reliable source before you go afield.

AKDoug

Just my opinion.

I used to rifle hunt. I no longer do.

I have a CCW license and carry a sidearm almost every day of my life.

I chose bowhunting for a reason. I want to be closer to my targets and I want to be closer to nature. I like the element of danger involved in hunting any large creature without a firearm. I hunted unsuccessfully from the ground for both grizzly and black bear this season and I never though twice about not bringing a sidearm. I had numerous grizzlys inside of 30 yds, but none I wanted to take. Using proper wind direction and good hunting skills they never reacted to my presence. If they had, it wouldn't have mattered...a handgun would have been useless at that distance since they can cover it in under 3 seconds.

I live in country that has numerous bears. I've had them in the back of my truck. My dog was half eaten in my front yard by a sow griz and two cubs. Yet, I still let my young children play in that same yard with no fear. You have to become relaxed and oblivious to it or you would go crazy living here worrying about bears. Might as well move to the big city and get murdered by some two legged predator.

So, I choose to leave firearms at home when bowhunting and I don't feel any less vulnerable because of it.