Black bears have heavy coats and a fat layer making them look bigger than they actually are, which can make it tricky for first-time bear hunters. Trying to replicate a whitetail heart shot, bowhunters often shoot too low, hitting a non-vital area. Don’t do it. Bears are notoriously light bleeders because of fat and fur, so getting an exit hole must be a serious priority. You’ll maximize the opportunity for two holes by shooting at a broadside bear with a sharp fixed-blade broadhead. I don’t trust mechanicals for bears.

To boil down my shot placement philosophy, aim 8 inches up from belly line and 6 inches behind the shoulder on a broadside bruin. Don’t aim low. A bear won’t jump the string like a whitetail. Remember this! Double-lung shots with two holes are king.

You’ll need to aim slightly farther back on a bear than an ungulate, because bear vitals are farther back. My experience with bears shot 6 inches behind the shoulder is they expire relatively quickly, usually within 200 yards when they aren’t pushed.