Brown bear Hunting Arrows and weight
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: MjMorrow
22-Feb-19
Not my biggest but one. First buck I watched grow from a fawn I targeted him for 4 years I finally got him at 8 yrs old he was on the decline but still a Rutting machine.
Not my biggest but one. First buck I watched grow from a fawn I targeted him for 4 years I finally got him at 8 yrs old he was on the decline but still a Rutting machine.
Im heading to my #1 bucket list Hunt in June 2020 Alaskan Brown bear Archery Hunt. I could use a bit of knowledge on my new setup. Im going with a New Mathews Vertex 28.5 " draw and with a few mods Ive got it to 83# I will be shooting a 29.5" arrow once I decide what I'm going with. ( I know I don't need 83# but I can shoot it with ease so why not. Im a firm believer in KE ) What arrows and broad head combination would you suggest or what have you had success with. Im just a Iowa whitetail hunter finally living out my dream of a lifetime and will be the first to admit I am ignorant to the ways of the bear so I thank you for your advise in advance.
From: Owl
22-Feb-19
Bears are soft, imo. Avoid the off-side front shoulder and relax. FWIW, I killed my brown bear with a 29.5" FMJ 340 tipped with a 125 Muzzy. #70. Pass thru and buried the arrow in the creek bed at 18 yards.
From: Steve H.
22-Feb-19
I've killed two 1). 13 yards, 54 pound longbow, wood arrow, recovery distance 1 yard; and 2). 17 yards, 50 pound longbow, wood arrow, pass thru, 80 yard recovery. KE means nothing as my setups I'm sure are closer to zero KE than to what you have.
From: Kurt
22-Feb-19
60# compound, 29" draw, 475 grain Easton Carbon Injexion 330 with a 3-blade Rocky Mt Titanium. Buried broadhead into far leg bone after passing through the lower heart. 25 yd shot at 12:40 AM.
From: x-man
22-Feb-19
If you insist on shooting 83# at 29.5", you'll need to use .300 spine shafts with 150 grains or less tip weight. Or .250 spine if you want more weight up front. Lots of BH choices...any solid cut on contact head like VPA for example would be top of my list.
Personally, if I "could" draw 83# in my yard at home, I'd set my bow at about 75# for actual hunting situations. But that's just me.
From: huntinelk
22-Feb-19
Who are you hunting with?
From: M.Pauls
22-Feb-19
Steve H, care to share your guess on arrow weight as well as BH used? Congrats on 2 brown bears with a stick, yikes
From: Steve H.
22-Feb-19
160 Grizzly and 185 Grizzly, maybe 600-650 grains???
From: MjMorrow
22-Feb-19
Wow this is awesome I didn't expect so much response fast thanks for the info everyone. Im new to this site and am impressed.
From: Nick Muche
22-Feb-19
I’ve taken two brown bears. One with a 68lb bow, 415 grain total arrow weight with a rage Broadhead. The second with a 63lb bow, 435 total arrow weight with a rage. And a grizzly with a 55lb recurve and 500 total arrow weight with a 145 grain cutthroat head.
I wouldn’t worry about high poundage. I’d want something I can draw back effortlessly. My wife killed a large grizzly with a 50lb compound and 400 grain arrow.
Best of luck.
From: Buffalo1
22-Feb-19
As I recall, Dr. Dave Samuel used a 50# Mathews Compound when he killed his brown bear.
From: Owl
22-Feb-19
Just to clarify my post above, I do mean "off-side shoulder." Avoid that and you'll get a pass through and, imo, a pass through is darn near required to recover bears. Avoiding the near shoulder should be considered a given.
From: Genesis
22-Feb-19
Killed two on 70# with 500 gr arrows and that was way way more than enough .Id take a 60# bow with any arrow that flies well.
From: leo17
22-Feb-19
Who are you hunting with? I am booked for next year as well. going with Jonah in june 2020 for Brown bear.
From: Nick Muche
22-Feb-19
Leo you’re gonna have a blast!
From: leo17
22-Feb-19
Thanks Nick. Can't wait man. Thats my dream hunt for sure. Been wanting to do it for a while. I booked it 2 years ago and Jonah was really excellent to deal with. Cant wait to get up there.
From: Sean D.
22-Feb-19
Im going this fall to the peninsula and my guide suggested 600-650 grain with a 2 blade broadhead. He said grizzly stick with their massai head but after reading all the negatives about them I think im gonna go with FMJ DG and iron will 2 blade buffalo heads.
From: Gator
25-Feb-19
68# w/100 gr. standard slick trick. Total weight 460gr. 35 yard shot, on the peninsular. Afternoon of the fifteenth day of a fifteen day hunt. Never say never! Have a great hunt.
From: Footshooter
14-Feb-21
So OP how did your hunt go, and what did you settle on? Just booked one of these trips myself, and will be looking at my setup also.
Leaning towards using my current setup, but may update a little. Black Eagle Deep Impact 300, with Easton HIT insert and 100 gr Exodus. Currently 430gr as built. May look to add just a touch heavier insert to get over 450gr.
From: Dale06
14-Feb-21
I killed a brownie three years ago. 65 pounds 480 grain total weight arrow 125 Iron Will Pass through quartering away Bear ran about 80 yards and was dead A friend was with me on same hunt. He killed one as well. Same poundage as me. I don’t know his arrow weight and BH. They’re not a tough critter to kill in my experience.
From: rhoggman
14-Feb-21
Have fun. Sounds awesome.
From: Raiders
15-Feb-21
I got my Kodiak bear with a 29 inches arrow with 125 thunderhead. My bow is a hoyt 70lbs . Complete pass trough Bears are not too tough
From: MathewsMan
15-Feb-21
I would recommend shooting your usual weight and setup and not do anything extra.
I’ve shot Moose, Bison and both were much tougher than a brownie.
I shoot a 27” Gold Tip Pro 5575 with a 90 grain 4-blade muzzy and have not had a problem with shooting anything.
