The bear hunter returned to camp as white as a ghost and insisted on hunting a new stand the next evening. Normally a good spot, another hunter quickly opted for that area, but wanted to put his stand in a different tree. As darkness fell, the hunter heard sticks cracking ominously. Suddenly a huge black bear charged the old stand, growling and ripping bark from the empty tree. The hunter was so agast at this behavior, he couldn’t draw his bow but certainly understood why his buddy didn’t want to return.
Not Like Deer Hunting
Hunting gear for bears and whitetail deer is very similar. Many bears are killed from tree stands using standard compounds or crossbows and the same braodheads as for deer. However, deer don’t climb trees and won’t kill you. Sitting in a stand deep in the woods or swamps waiting for a huge predator to visit as daylight fades will challenge your nerves. Once it’s too dark to shoot, you must climb down and walk out in the dark so as not to give away your presence. It’s spooky.
Where to Aim?
Assistant Editor, Zachary Willems, helped me set up the GleDel Bear and took a few practice shots from my deck. He has never hunted black bears (but wants to) and shot the bear much like a whitetail deer. The GlenDel Bear shows how far back the lungs of a bear extend and shooting one squarely on the shoulder is often ineffective due to a gristle plate developed from fighting other bears over eons of time.
Short Legs, Big Bear
Judging the size of a black bear is very difficult. Because the range is usually 15-20 yards, every bear looks big, especially to the inexperienced bear hunter. The legs are a good judging point. If the bear has long, thin legs like a large German shepard dog, it’s definately an immature bear. However, if the bear seems to have short legs, like the GlenDel Bear, start picking a spot. This 3-D target simulates a 250-pound black bear, a shooter in most circles.
Easy Set-up
The GlenDel Bear comes in a large cardboard box and sets up in minutes. Drive the two pipes into the ground, slide the legs onto the main body and slide the feet over the pipes in the ground. Notice that the target core is replacable and can be oriented for the most likely shooting angle. By removing the two pegs, the target block can be replaced or rotated after repeated use.
Easy Arrow Removal
Arrow removal is a critical element of any archery target. I’ve shot some that require special tools. Zachary pulled his arrows from the GlenDel Bear target effortlessly. As you can see in the picture above, the vitals of the bear are clearly displayed. If you are planning a black bear hunt, this traget is a must-have. It will allow you to practice proper shot angles and help you distinguish between a mature bear and smaller ones. Plus, this ultra-realistic 3-D target will help keep your nerves in check as you become the ultimate predator. For full details, click GlenDel Bear.
