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Q:
Well some of you know that I got a WI bear tag after applying for 9 years. I know the season is a few months away but I am excited. I am a part of a bear hunting group in WI. In WI you can use hounds and bait. I'm thinking of doing both methods. Now I'm trying to decide what weapon to use. LOL Bow, rifle or pistol. What would you use for your first bear tag?
Question by kyle. Uploaded on February 24, 2010
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Answers (22)
I would go with a bow over bait and with a pistol for back up. i find using a bow over a rifle is alot more meaningfull for me because it creates that up close and personal feeling insead of sitting on the opposite hill and lining up your cross hairs. in the end it is all personal prefrence but if it takes that long to get picked for a tag i would want the experince to be one that was meaningfull to me
Recurve Bow, for the first half of the season. If there is a second half buy the rifle of your dreams (it did take 9 years to draw so it's a good reason) just to up your odds. Mine would be a Sharps replica 45-70. Good Luck.
Your best chance for success is with a good rifle and quality ammo. Use that to get your feet wet and use the bow to get bear number 2.
well ive never killed a bear, but if i was a new hunter, i would use just a rifle for the first time, and then if you can draw another tag then i would use a bow. Because you want to have the best chance of killing your bear...you don't want to either miss your first bear, or not have it come into bow range. that's just my opinion about hunting something for the first time
kyle, I'm happy for you I really would like to bear hunt. Use a rifle for the first time with premium bullets, partition and such.
I'm definitely with Del I would use the rifle for my 1st but that is a hard choice over the bow. #2 definitely with the bow.
This last fall was my first year bear hunting, and I took the 30/06 out with me most of the time. I figured that I would get the elusive #1 out of the way with a gun, and use bow for the rest. But I think it would be pretty cool to do it with a bow. And I think that hunting over a bait is the way to go, i've never used hounds, but i think it would be more of a challenge with just you vs. bear.
Since it took you 9 years I might use the rfle to improve your odds, but the bow ist the best accomplishment
rifle
kyle what part of wisconsin are you going to be hunting?
any of the means listed are an accomplishment...you may not see a one, and if you do, you need to be ready as well ready for disappointment.
I'm hesitant to say what I would do, fact..I have yet to do it... I want to go to Ontario above Minn. for a bear..but what weapon? I too have heard the "vets" say gun for first...well, I guess it comes to being decisive and knowing what your inner soul can live with for another decade til you do it again.. Good Luck my friend, God Bless and practice.
i killed my first with a bow . than two with a rifle, than one with an f 250 its a short drag when the f 250 is used but the price of the grill and fender and head light make's even the most expensive premium ammo look cheap.
well i was and am still planning on a rifle for my first bear. then for my next one if i even i am planning to maybe use my bow if it can work. but id always carry both especially if it got down to the end of the seaon. but anyways what unit or county are you going to be hunting in?
I'd use a bow (for the challenge) and deffinately use a pistol as a side arm just on the safe side. I've never hunted bear though, but a buddy of mine does.
we are excited as well, my two older brothers both drew tags this year also. They plan on setting on a bait pile, and trying the ol' stick and string. Quite an experience, let us know how it all goes!!!!
I vote for the rifle. I never was that good with a bow, and I would not want to miss my first chance at a bear. Pistols are for experts, (which I am not!) and last ditch back up. Use the rifle.
Well let me first start off by saying congratulations getting a tag. I think I am in my 3rd year of applying and I am excited. I have sat in on a couple of hunts and it is very exciting. To answer your question I would use a rifle for my first bear hunt. I would use that for my first bear then maybe a bow the next time you get a tag.
If you've never done it before, I'd take the rifle and possibly keep the handgun handy for an insurance policy assuming it's of adequate caliber. Having your first close encounter with ol' Ursus usually brings on a good case of the willies and you don't need that with a bow or handgun in your hand. Too, if you've ever seen him with the hide peeled off, there are beef sized bones, several inches of fat, and a hide like canvas, which to me makes the bow the tool of an experienced hunter. I've seen my share of bears and I still would choose a rifle after 30 odd years of archery experience with whitetails. But that's just my opinion, and opinions are like armpits, everybody usually has one and they tend to stink from time to time. Given any thought to what you'll do with it after you have it? The meat's not bad if you get the grease out of it, and everybody needs at least one rug. Good hunting.
At Least 30/06.
I don't look at it as much skill as insurance, to agree with 007 above.
Bow = close, Rifle = way more yards. No brainer.
If your first arrow is off, and this massive, torqued critter turns around and growls at you with the cupid arrow sticking out of it's butt, you will possibly wish for quick second, third, and fourth shots plus a lot more yardage.
Brittle,
I am going to be hunting in zone A in Rusk County.
kyle,
I'm very Happy for you and I vote for rifle myself for the first time..
Good Luck and shoot straight my friend!!!
First time - I'd go with the high probability option.
my 45-70 Gov't TC Contender Carbine>
Post an Answer
Your best chance for success is with a good rifle and quality ammo. Use that to get your feet wet and use the bow to get bear number 2.
I would go with a bow over bait and with a pistol for back up. i find using a bow over a rifle is alot more meaningfull for me because it creates that up close and personal feeling insead of sitting on the opposite hill and lining up your cross hairs. in the end it is all personal prefrence but if it takes that long to get picked for a tag i would want the experince to be one that was meaningfull to me
Recurve Bow, for the first half of the season. If there is a second half buy the rifle of your dreams (it did take 9 years to draw so it's a good reason) just to up your odds. Mine would be a Sharps replica 45-70. Good Luck.
well ive never killed a bear, but if i was a new hunter, i would use just a rifle for the first time, and then if you can draw another tag then i would use a bow. Because you want to have the best chance of killing your bear...you don't want to either miss your first bear, or not have it come into bow range. that's just my opinion about hunting something for the first time
kyle, I'm happy for you I really would like to bear hunt. Use a rifle for the first time with premium bullets, partition and such.
This last fall was my first year bear hunting, and I took the 30/06 out with me most of the time. I figured that I would get the elusive #1 out of the way with a gun, and use bow for the rest. But I think it would be pretty cool to do it with a bow. And I think that hunting over a bait is the way to go, i've never used hounds, but i think it would be more of a challenge with just you vs. bear.
rifle
kyle what part of wisconsin are you going to be hunting?
I don't look at it as much skill as insurance, to agree with 007 above.
Bow = close, Rifle = way more yards. No brainer.
If your first arrow is off, and this massive, torqued critter turns around and growls at you with the cupid arrow sticking out of it's butt, you will possibly wish for quick second, third, and fourth shots plus a lot more yardage.
I'm definitely with Del I would use the rifle for my 1st but that is a hard choice over the bow. #2 definitely with the bow.
Since it took you 9 years I might use the rfle to improve your odds, but the bow ist the best accomplishment
i killed my first with a bow . than two with a rifle, than one with an f 250 its a short drag when the f 250 is used but the price of the grill and fender and head light make's even the most expensive premium ammo look cheap.
well i was and am still planning on a rifle for my first bear. then for my next one if i even i am planning to maybe use my bow if it can work. but id always carry both especially if it got down to the end of the seaon. but anyways what unit or county are you going to be hunting in?
I'd use a bow (for the challenge) and deffinately use a pistol as a side arm just on the safe side. I've never hunted bear though, but a buddy of mine does.
we are excited as well, my two older brothers both drew tags this year also. They plan on setting on a bait pile, and trying the ol' stick and string. Quite an experience, let us know how it all goes!!!!
I vote for the rifle. I never was that good with a bow, and I would not want to miss my first chance at a bear. Pistols are for experts, (which I am not!) and last ditch back up. Use the rifle.
Well let me first start off by saying congratulations getting a tag. I think I am in my 3rd year of applying and I am excited. I have sat in on a couple of hunts and it is very exciting. To answer your question I would use a rifle for my first bear hunt. I would use that for my first bear then maybe a bow the next time you get a tag.
At Least 30/06.
any of the means listed are an accomplishment...you may not see a one, and if you do, you need to be ready as well ready for disappointment.
I'm hesitant to say what I would do, fact..I have yet to do it... I want to go to Ontario above Minn. for a bear..but what weapon? I too have heard the "vets" say gun for first...well, I guess it comes to being decisive and knowing what your inner soul can live with for another decade til you do it again.. Good Luck my friend, God Bless and practice.
If you've never done it before, I'd take the rifle and possibly keep the handgun handy for an insurance policy assuming it's of adequate caliber. Having your first close encounter with ol' Ursus usually brings on a good case of the willies and you don't need that with a bow or handgun in your hand. Too, if you've ever seen him with the hide peeled off, there are beef sized bones, several inches of fat, and a hide like canvas, which to me makes the bow the tool of an experienced hunter. I've seen my share of bears and I still would choose a rifle after 30 odd years of archery experience with whitetails. But that's just my opinion, and opinions are like armpits, everybody usually has one and they tend to stink from time to time. Given any thought to what you'll do with it after you have it? The meat's not bad if you get the grease out of it, and everybody needs at least one rug. Good hunting.
Brittle,
I am going to be hunting in zone A in Rusk County.
kyle,
I'm very Happy for you and I vote for rifle myself for the first time..
Good Luck and shoot straight my friend!!!
First time - I'd go with the high probability option.
my 45-70 Gov't TC Contender Carbine>
Post an Answer