Administrator

(.700 member)

02/02/17 03:41 AM

FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

AMAZING FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Posted by John McAdams
October 23, 2016

This hunter on Kodiak Island got a good lesson in shot placement when he experienced a Kodiak bear charge after wounding one with his bow.
Hunting Kodiak brown bear with archery equipment can get exciting in a hurry. Not only does this necessitate getting extremely close to a very large (and potentially dangerous) animal prior to taking the shot, but the initial shot very rarely instantly kills the bear.

Shot placement is always important when hunting, but it is even more vital in this case. Unfortunately, the hunter in this video did not place his shots well and things got very interesting as a result.

https://youtu.be/FsJLISMIPjg

As you saw, he missed the bear completely with his first shot, then wounded it with his second. Luckily, the guide bailed him out by making a good shot with his rifle at the last second and everyone walked away from the encounter unharmed.

This is a good reminder to always carry a good bear defense gun when in bear country.

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/room-error...utm_campaign=sh

(.450 member)

02/02/17 05:17 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Yep the buzz words again!

" the guide bailed him out by making a good shot with his rifle "

(.700 member)

02/02/17 06:14 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I saw the first shot hit the bear in the guts, entering his right side, then after the second shot, when the bear showed his left side, the arrow, covered with blood was poking out his guts. That was not the second shot, which entered his left side, quite high. That is how I saw this video.

Very bad shooting, imho, from a hunter who should stick to guns.

(.400 member)

02/02/17 08:15 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Fantastic Boar, excellent guide (still ranging for the client, covering bear but holding fire till he had to shot), typical client !

(.375 member)

02/02/17 08:45 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I agree Sarg, the guide certainly did his bit.

(.375 member)

03/02/17 01:04 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

That was some really bad work with the bow. The only excuse for that is from adrenaline jitters, if you can't put an arrow in a 1" target at that range you should stay home.

(.700 member)

03/02/17 01:24 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

In all fairness to the hunter - I've seen guys put 5 arrows into a target back in hunting camp at 50yards with less then 3" between the furthest arrows, then refuse a 40yard shot on a huge bull moose with a 28" kill zone ("too far") because they were not sure they could make the shot - shaking, jitters, buck fever & insecurity all can mount up quickly when the time to draw and shoot comes - it happens to a lot of people. It is much better to have a hunter who will refuse the shot, than to screw it up with a poor hit.

When a fellow has $10,000 bucks on the line for a hunt and may only get that one shot, shaking jitters certainly effect a lot of people, many more than will admit it, that's for sure and that is the main reason for poor shooting by clients, in general.

The guide did a splendid job.

Administrator

(.700 member)

03/02/17 03:00 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

When a fellow has $10,000 bucks on the line for a hunt and may only get that one shot, shaking jitters certainly effect a lot of people, many more than will admit it,

That's because so many clowns are just after the bragging trophy and not there to enjoy the hunt itself.

(.375 member)

03/02/17 04:02 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I have had guys out with bow and rifle that shake noticeably when it comes to lining up on a buffalo. Especially when the range is close. There is alot of pressure on. Not just financial but they also don't want to look bad in front of you and for some its the culmination of a life long dream and the excitement gets to them. No amount of range work can get them ready for it and it can happen to the best. Can mean some interesting extra work though usually ends well.

(.375 member)

03/02/17 04:17 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

In all fairness to the hunter - I've seen guys put 5 arrows into a target back in hunting camp at 50yards with less then 3" between the furthest arrows, then refuse a 40yard shot on a huge bull moose with a 28" kill zone ("too far") because they were not sure they could make the shot - shaking, jitters, buck fever & insecurity all can mount up quickly when the time to draw and shoot comes - it happens to a lot of people. It is much better to have a hunter who will refuse the shot, than to screw it up with a poor hit.

When a fellow has $10,000 bucks on the line for a hunt and may only get that one shot, shaking jitters certainly effect a lot of people, many more than will admit it, that's for sure and that is the mail reason for poor shooting by clients, in general.

The guide did a splendid job.

I can't argue with that, there is a strong mental dimension to something like this that often gets overlooked. This guy should have probably have passed on the shot but he got his trophy because the guide was there to back him up instead of being mauled.

(.700 member)

04/02/17 04:48 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Like one (there were many) of our hunters who flubbed a 28yard shot on a moose with his bow, only to have my bro drop the critter with his Winch. .356, this bear bow hunter (even mentioned in camp, quite distastefully at that) that he evermore know who actually killed the bear.

He may get over it in time, but for now, he and everyone who saw the video knows the score. Of course the ego might not even care.

It is very much better to not shoot when 'buck fever' overtakes one's action.

(.577 member)

04/02/17 05:23 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Agree with most of what is stated...many are out there for the ego unfortunately..see it quite a bit when traveling...when you watch them hunt, shoot, etc..you can tell a lot...

And YES, as Daryl suggested..it all comes into play..including the price of the hunt..really saw that play out recently...

As stated if a guy can't hit a target that big he shouldn't be there --IMHO..

Ripp

(.416 member)

06/02/17 08:48 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

G'Day Fella's,

Wow, some great footage........ of some poor Bow shooting.
Nice pressure shot by the Guide, to finish the Bear.
What a massive animal these Brown Bear's are!

Been looking at a combined Rocky Mtn Goat, Brown Bear (etc) hunt on Kodiak Island.
After watching this video (and some of the following ones), I think a .375 H&H would be about right for the Bear?
Any advice (on Guides, Guns, Bullet Type/Weight and gear), would be very much appreciated.

Regards
Homer

(.700 member)

06/02/17 10:32 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

My thoughts as well, Homer. A .375 would be my choice, or perhaps anything really from and including .338Mag. in a 2 1/2" mag. case or .35 Whelen in non-mag. cases upwards, all with good 250gr. + expensive bullets.

This would be an ugly thing to see coming.

some other pictures.

Some pictures I took while fishing. These are just little grizzlies.

Golfing in B.C.

A 9.3x62 would be Classic - 286gr. Partitions 2,400fps to 2,500fps. My .375/06IMP would work well with 270 gr. or 300gr. Premium bullets at 2,450fps to 2,600fps - Barnes TSX, Partitions, Swift A-Frame - use the Bergers on wolves or gophers. LOL
A .338 Mag. has done well for a buddy of mine who guided for many years. The 200gr. and 225gr. dropped the interior grizzlies faster than the 250's, but the 250's did more total damage & smashed bones whereas the lighter bullets were usually non-bone breaking hits. I would have a difficult time trusting the light bullets, myself, but just reporting what I was told.

Warm, waterporoof gear - GoreLeak (Goretex) is not recommended, seems to me - maybe it's better now than when I guided. Win458 would have better info for you for Alaska.

Administrator

(.700 member)

07/02/17 08:57 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

Been looking at a combined Rocky Mtn Goat, Brown Bear (etc) hunt on Kodiak Island.
After watching this video (and some of the following ones), I think a .375 H&H would be about right for the Bear?
Any advice (on Guides, Guns, Bullet Type/Weight and gear), would be very much appreciated.

Completely from the armchair for Bear, but you know the answer, .375 H&H Mag is the one world rifle. A 300 gr or a 270 gr Woodleigh will work on anything a FMJ is not needed for.

The ranging ability of the .375 is my only thought. But a .375 has a similar trajectory to a .30-06 so not too bad, using the right bullets.

Good to read the replies from the guys that actually know though.

(.416 member)

08/02/17 02:09 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Is it normal to get within this kind of range when bow hunting brown bear on foot?
Seems like any hit will be slow to drop the bear and that's not a lot of ground for a big bear to cover.

(.416 member)

08/02/17 09:31 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

G'Day Fella's,

Thank You for that advice and images Daryl and John, very much appreciated.

I need a lighter .375 H&H (I have a Ruger RSM 77 MkII, very nice but heavy), and any excuse for a new one eh.
Maybe a Kimber Caprivi or Talkeetna and then Cerakote it.

Huvius, I had the same thoughts.
The guide may have known that his client was a prick of a shot, so got him that close hoping that he wouldn't mess it up. D'oh!

Yes Daryl, Gore-Leak might be good for a leisurely walk to the shops, or to watch the Footy on a rainy day but, no bloody good for serious rain and or exertion on the hill!
Oil skin (Waxed Cotton) or green plastic rain coats, are better (and in the later example, a lot cheaper).

Regards
Homer

(.700 member)

08/02/17 10:15 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

A proper double lung hit with a GOOD (non-mechanical ie:fall apart heads) broadhead should drop a grizzly fairly quickly considering the huge cut they make, however the 10 seconds or so that it lives, it can do a world or hurt on you. I've been told, although I do not know if this is true, that a grizzly's heart beats about 8 times a minute. Just how quickly do you think he'll bleed out?

I would NEVER attempt to hunt grizzlies or browns with a bow - on purpose - more of a trick I'd think, than hunting. Kinda like going after the big cats with a .243?

I would guess that most bow and arrow grizzlies, whether inland of coastal (browns) are killed by the guide and outfitter.

Black bears fine - if I had a rifleman or fellow with a shotgun (slugs) backup, however, I'd rather shoot a black bear with a .22-250 and Prem. bullet, than with a bow.

(.450 member)

08/02/17 02:43 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

That heart rate of 8 is about as low as it gets in winter hibernation. It usually runs from 55-80 apparently but not as quick as a humans when the bear is stuck with an arrow and mighty pissed off!

(.416 member)

08/02/17 07:16 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

It usually runs from 55-80 apparently but not as quick as a humans when the bear is stuck with an arrow and mighty pissed off!

I'm still laughin Gryphon!

I'm like you Daryl, there are just some things in life, I Do Not Need To Do!

LOL!
Homer

Administrator

(.700 member)

09/02/17 12:18 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I think of these sorts of hunts are stunts. If you NEED a guide armed with a proper rifle to ensure your bow shot doesn't get you killed, it is a stunt.

Same as in Africa for those PHs who think they need to shoot with the client on buffalo etc. The good PHs however only shoot if they really have to, and give the client all opportunity to do the job. But again if the client uses an inadequate rifle, gun, bow, and needs real backing up as a result, just a stunt.

(.333 member)

09/02/17 03:06 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I remember my first bow kill, more than 30 years ago. I used a takedown recurve to shoot a medium sized black bear. As it ran off I still remember seeing the arrow hanging from it's side and thinking that I had gotten no penetration. Then I realized that the arrow was caught by the fetching and hanging off the opposite side. So there I was, on a backpack hunt by myself, no gun. The bear piled up a short distance away but resting off the ground on some brush. Was it dead or not? Pretty exciting stuff at the time.
A brown bear with a bow? No thanks!

(.375 member)

09/02/17 10:42 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

My general rule of thumb for bow hunting and for any particular weapon is if you wouldn't hunt that animal with that weapon on your own with no back up then you shouldn't be using that weapon for that animal.

(.375 member)

09/02/17 01:39 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I'm not sure there is a safe way to take a bear like that with a bow without a backup shooter. 40-60 yards isn't much ground for an animal like that to cover even with a well placed shot. I'm guessing it depends on whether or not you can keep the adrenaline from releasing into the system.

(.333 member)

16/02/17 10:34 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I happen to know the guide very well and he is a consummate professional.
Getting that close to bears tends to shake up a lot of clients and would be bear killers. I guided a bow hunter years ago and we closed to similiar distances on three occasions and he discovered he was unable to release an arrow due to fear - and self preservation. I have had other bow hunters since with the same issue and who chose to borrow a rifle to complete the hunt.

(.700 member)

16/02/17 11:18 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

It's amazing how many 'bow' hunts are completed with a rifle - either one the hunter brought, just in case, or one borrowed from the guide.

(.375 member)

16/02/17 02:40 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Completely understand. I've hunted with a bow and I would never consider doing a hunt like this. It's the wrong tool for the job.

(.400 member)

16/02/17 07:01 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I have personally Bow hunted Brown Bear on more than one occasion with out back up & no firearm, very scary & you know you are alive that is for sure !

Also guided many bow hunters, mostly on DG & consider most if not all do it for the kudos & not the hunting thrill/adventure of it !

(.333 member)

07/03/17 01:33 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I have a friend here in Alaska who specializes in guiding bow hunters and who has taken many bears on his own. He eventually quit carrying a backup handgun as he said all the bears he had taken focused their attention on the arrow, rather than him. I don't doubt him but this video shows that they don't always ! Sort of like my bumping into an irritable boar with only my 9mm ! It may be rare, but it can happen

(.416 member)

14/03/17 09:29 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

G'Day Fella's,

458Win/Phil, you say you know the guide in the video, do you know if he also guides for Rocky Mtn Goat (on Kodiak), as well? If so, could you please let me know his contact details.

Regards
Homer

(.700 member)

14/03/17 11:46 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

I have a friend here in Alaska who specializes in guiding bow hunters and who has taken many bears on his own. He eventually quit carrying a backup handgun as he said all the bears he had taken focused their attention on the arrow, rather than him. I don't doubt him but this video shows that they don't always ! Sort of like my bumping into an irritable boar with only my 9mm ! It may be rare, but it can happen

If you are the one who is unarmed, it only needs to happen once - just once is too many.

(.400 member)

14/03/17 08:26 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

My general rule of thumb for bow hunting and for any particular weapon is if you wouldn't hunt that animal with that weapon on your own with no back up then you shouldn't be using that weapon for that animal.

my thoughts exactly
best
Mike

(.700 member)

15/03/17 04:53 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

When bow hunting moose or deer, I used to pack a long blade belt knife as packing handguns is forbidden here.
If legal, I'd have packed my M29 and thought nothing of it.
As far as hunting grizzly or the coastal brown bears - I have no desire with a rifle or bow.

I've guided a couple guys on a moose, wolf and grizzly hunt. They were both wimps and thought killing a grizzly would prove they were men. That was quite distasteful to me.

They both shot moose and wolves and wanted a free hunt the next year because they didn't get to shoot a grizzly, too.

G--- and I one almost under our up-steam tree stand and all the hunter did was sweat heavily and shake, beads of water running down his face and banging his knees together, shaking so badly the trees branches were shaking - LOL - it was hilarious.

He was OK until the bear let out a roar - it had chasing a 2-point bull moose with the moose coming close to one of our anchor trees, then jumped across the stream, crashing off through the bush. The bear stopped, a VERY close bow shot away, let out a roar, splashed across the little steam and charged after the moose. Poor G---, white as a ghost. That was just before dark and we had a good kilometer and 1/2 to walk bush trails back to the camp but had to wait until the moon came out for visibility. I had to coax him out of the tree and as he said - "cover me while I climb down" LOL.

We got back to camp and he'd lost his cap along the way. He told F--- he'd didn't know where it was. Plans were changed and Igor and F--- hunted that stand the next day and there was G---'- hat, right in the middle of the trail, a branch had knocked it off his head and he was too scared to stop and pick it up.

Igor and I had a good chuckle over that event.

(.375 member)

15/03/17 08:44 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I have never been in that situation. Ive never hunted the big bears and I haven't used a bow to hunt anything but rabbits and that was decades ago. Therefore, I cannot be critical. But I do have a question.

The first arrow missed. Then the hunter took a long time to make a second shot. It looked like he was waiting for the bear to get closer and present a better target. That seems reasonable. But after the second, misplaced, shot the bear was around for what seemed to me to be a long time. Why didn't the hunter put another arrow in him, especially when the bear stopped and turned toward them? Wouldn't that have been the prudent thing to do? I'm not trying to second guess the hunter. I'm just wondering why he didn't shoot again.

(.700 member)

15/03/17 12:45 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

The first arrow hit low and back in the guts.

This arrow (broadhead and some shaft) is seen protruding from the bear's left side after the second shot and the bear comes up higher on the slope. The broadhead, dripping blood, is protruding out the bear's guts. After the bear is dropped, there is a closeup of the bear on it's right side and a bunch of bloody fat sticking out the gut exit hole.
The second shot was a good one and was very well placed.

The first, all important shot with a bow (or any firearm on a bear), was simply a very poor hit.

(.375 member)

15/03/17 03:57 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Then I am confused. The original article where the video is posted and the quote NitroX posted with the OP state:

Quote:

As you saw, he missed the bear completely with his first shot, then wounded it with his second.

(.375 member)

15/03/17 05:28 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I watched it back and no way does he miss with that first shot. Like Daryl said it appears to hit the gut. The second shot looked fairly well placed. I have not bow hunted bear but from guiding bow hunters on buffalo I would say the reason he did not take another shot was that if you do put in a good shot and the animal is unaware of your location it can be risky to take another shot and give away your presence. Not just for the danger of being charged but often an animal when hit with an arrow may not realise what is happening. If you go for another shot and are noticed the adrenaline kicks in and they may travel way further and faster than one shot well and unaware of you. If you are sure of your shot sometimes it is better to sit tight. At this point the guide would have been in control of what was happening. If you expect instant one shot kills probably best not to use a bow.

(.700 member)

16/03/17 02:50 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Whomever wrote the article saying the first was a miss, hopes you do not see the arrow penetrating into the guts. He may have been asked to write it that way - or it was written by the hunter who would have known full well where that first arrow hit.

Every time I watch it, I see the arrow enter the guts fromt eh right side, the side towards the hunters, and the lit arrow knock disappears into the bear's guts. It may help to make the video larger.

After the second shot,then the bear turns slightly to his right on the little knob, you can see the blood drenched arrow shaft and broadhead sticking out his left side, way down low in the guts. The second arrow stuck in higher up with almost 1/2 the shaft with lighted knock, still sticking out his side, hitting just behind the leg/shoulder bone, penetrating from the left side to the right side.

Grenadier, perhaps your computer or screen does not have the resolution to show this - trust me, it is there.

(.450 member)

16/03/17 05:40 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I have done the forensic look again and its still as plain as plain that the first arrow is a hit in the guts,ah journalistic licence eh.
I did see the RF shaking slightly also..dont blame it ha ha.

(.700 member)

16/03/17 05:58 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

On second thought - the second arrow might have been just a bit high, but on the angle presented, probably about as good as it could be - but would have pierced both lungs, just over the heart, with only about 8" sticking out the left side.

Afterall, hind sight, is the most accurate.

Administrator

(.700 member)

16/03/17 08:34 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

Quote:

Then I am confused. The original article where the video is posted and the quote NitroX posted with the OP state:

Quote:

As you saw, he missed the bear completely with his first shot, then wounded it with his second.

Yeah I always saw the first arrow as a hit but didn't really think to much about the comment in the narration. Guess I took it as meaning "missed a vital spot".

(.400 member)

28/03/17 02:00 PM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

I've hunted Kodiak browns twice by myself. No way will I hunt one with a bow. I turned down some small bears and came home empty handed but still happy both times. I was lucky again this year and drew another tag for kodiak. Going next month. Again I'm taking my .338 BAR. I would love to take my 1913 .404 Jeffery by G.E. Lewis but might have a need for a scope as most of the bears that I have seen have been a ways off. I am not going to mount one on the .404.

(.577 member)

18/02/20 03:39 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

That's great footage...

Forgot about this one...

(.400 member)

18/02/20 07:38 AM

Re: FOOTAGE OF A CHARGING KODIAK BEAR

If I ever got to hunt one ,would take my 378 ,if it was charging ,well um id like to have my 500 Double !

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