Head On Shots for Bears? Thoughts?

[GooseSlammer]

So right off the bat before anyone says "don't do it!" - I have a question about taking head on shots on bears in situations where you simply don't have any other options...

In 2 of the past 3 bear hunting trips that I've been on (spot and stalk only) we have had situations where large black bears were walking towards us head on and got into very close range without ever offering a quartering towards or broadside shot opportunity.

In the case of our hunt a couple of weeks ago, a good sized black bear was coming through the thick trees on a path towards my buddy. We had just taken the other bear that was with him, and there's a good chance he wasn't exactly in a great mood towards us.

He had come back after the shots, and was now coming at a steady pace towards my buddy (after circling back through the trees). He was coming head on towards my buddy and got to about 15 yards before he decided he better take the shot.

We thought he hit him solidly but after looking for an hour that night and another 4 hours the next morning, we unfortunately never found the bear.

We had a similar situation a couple of years ago with a necessary head on shot (before the 6'7" bear almost stepped on my buddy!) and fortunately we got that bear after a bit of a retrieve.

Obviously nobody wants to take this shot if they don't have to - but given those circumstances twice now, where would you best recommend placing the shot on a head on encounter with a bear?

My natural instincts are straight through the center of the chest, but that hasn't worked out too great! Is just under the chin a better option? (I saw that on a Shockey video once on a huge bear).

Looking for constructive input here. Believe me - we aren't hoping to do this unless forced to! Thanks.

[Dean2]

Shoot him between the eyes if you want to put him down immediately. With a large bore like the 45-70 and 444 right below the chin will kill them fine as long as his head is up, but not as quick as between the eyes. You need to practice shooting your rifle at ten to 20 yards, they don't hit where you think they do. They will be up to 2" lower than you are figuring on and when you are trying to do head shots that is a big difference.

Have a look at the anatomy, unless the bear is walking head up even under the chin is too low.

[marky_mark]

Square right in the middle of the chest

One issue with front on shots is that your not really getting both lungs… usually
Square right in the middle of the chest should bust a lot of ribs

High quality controlled expansion bullets are a must if your considering this shot
So bullets like aframes or Barnes
Not a berger or eldx

Bigger diameter bullets with a good dose of fps will make those bullets expand and penetrate real deep

Not a shot for a creedmoor

[Pathfinder76]

I’ve shot bear head on, my hunting partners have shot bear head on and I’ve also seen a bear unrecovered with a steep quartering towards shot. But I believe that in that case the bullet hit the outside of the scapula and deflected enough to miss vitals. With bears, the skull is also part of the trophy so I hate seeing a skull damaged. Their head also covers an enormous amount of the real estate you need to be hitting.

I think it’s low percentage. You definitely need to crowd the chin and there is a good chance if you hit below the head you are risking missing anything vital.

[Pathfinder76]

Here are two of my trail camera photos from this spring. If you need to stop a bear face on you likely have to hit his head.

[Smoky buck]

All I am going to say is I have shot bears head on with a 100% recovery rate and most are very short tracking jobs. I have also witnessed many others do the same

Just like any other species look at the anatomy, pay attention to entrance and exit, and know your angles

People will have a mix of opinions on if it’s a good choice or not

[catnthehat]

I have shot several bears head on, with shotguns and muzzle loaders, but each time it was a very close shot .
Two got both barrels from less than ten feet.

Head shots have their place, but it is not a shot I would normally take in a " general " situation where he is at say, 50 yards.
Cat

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I have shot several bears head on, with shotguns and muzzle loaders, but each time it was a very close shot .
Two got both barrels from less than ten feet.

Head shots have their place, but it is not a shot I would normally take in a " general " situation where he is at say, 50 yards.
Cat

If it's a matter of stopping an attack at close range, do as the cops do, center of visible mass.

Grizz