Bear vs Texan

[hybridvigor]

So I set out a bait this spring for a bear. This was my first time baiting and I really enjoyed watching the game camera videos. I had about 15 different bears visit the bait. I finally picked out the one that I wanted to take but he was not very cooperative when it came to giving me a good broadside shot. Took about 20 minutes of him coming in and leaving before he finally made a mistake. I had plenty of time to get a video with my cell phone. Here it is.
Spoiler alert, there is more to the story.

 

[hybridvigor]

I was shooting high arc hunter 365 grain hp.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Where was this shot? Which platform did you use? Distance to bait station?

 

[hybridvigor]

Right in the middle of the chest. Never give up your hunting spot.
North Central Idaho. Air gun hunting is legal here.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Right in the middle of the chest. Never give up your hunting spot.
North Central Idaho. Air gun hunting is legal here.

My apologies. I didn't mean give the impression that I was interested in your hunting location. Was wondering which state and general region. You answered that so thank you. Did the slug pass through? How far did it run? Did you weigh it?

 

[hybridvigor]

No problem. Just joking a little.
So I spent about 2 hours looking for him before it got pitch black. No blood. Came back in the morning and spent about 4 hours looking. Still no blood. Grrrrrrr. Finally gave up and went to the house. Came back in the morning and there were new pictures of him at the bait again.
I have hours of game camera footage of this bear and he has a distinct white chest, so I am sure that it is the same bear.
I finally said enough is enough so out came the 3006. 225 pounds
The bad news is that upon skinning him out, there was NO hole in the hide. I know what you are thinking but trust me, it is the same bear.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@hybridvigor That's insane! So you think that the airgun slug merely knocked it down? What was the distance to the bait station? You finished it with the right tool. Which airgun platform were you shooting? Was it modified or stock? I'm glad you posted this because I've been curious about hunting bear with airgun.

 

[A.G.R]

Sadly , either that bear deserves an Oscar for its performance or your twin bear was shot with a 06

 

[hybridvigor]

I was using my stock Texan at 60 yards. I had practiced at that distance and am very accurate. Actually I shot my bait barrel from my blind and put 2 shots in the same hole. All the way through both sides of the barrel.
My theory is that the hollow point was going slow enough to mushroom before it penetrated the skin? I have shot it into mud and got good penetration. Also blows through 3 gallon oil jugs filled with water. This was the first big game animal that I tried but am going for an elk this fall. No more hollow points for hunting.

 

[beerthief]

great video , thankyou . did you have a backup pistol 357 ?44mag?
I would have a backup shooter with 3006 or equivalent if hunting bear .

 

[Ezana4CE]

@hybridvigor For some time I’ve thought that a round nose would work well for a bear. My thoughts are that there may be too much fur and fat for hollow points to penetrate adequately using an airgun. I’d also wondered how a semi-wadcutter would perform. I’ve only hunted them with traditional rifles in the past. Which is why your video piqued my interest. I’d been curious about this for a while.

 

[hybridvigor]

I carry a 10mm Glock with me when I go for bear. Not sure that it would do much but it makes my wife more comfortable. At least I could make 15 big bangs/holes.

I have killed bear with my 50 cal muzzleloader but it shoots jacketed bullets and not hollow points.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

365 gr slug , that wouldn't bounce off a bears hide I dont think? especially a second or third year cub (at that weight that would be about its age) , I dont even think that would bounce off a bears hide at 200 yards.

I was using my stock Texan at 60 yards. I had practiced at that distance and am very accurate. Actually I shot my bait barrel from my blind and put 2 shots in the same hole. All the way through both sides of the barrel.
My theory is that the hollow point was going slow enough to mushroom before it penetrated the skin? I have shot it into mud and got good penetration. Also blows through 3 gallon oil jugs filled with water. This was the first big game animal that I tried but am going for an elk this fall. No more hollow points for hunting.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@hybridvigor Showed this to my father who got me into bear hunting as a kid. He laughed and said, “I rolled one with a Winchester. Yea they’ll take an airgun round.” I’m not too confident in trying it myself just yet after seeing that little bear take that shot like that.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

@hybridvigor Showed this to my father who got me into bear hunting as a kid. He laughed and said, “I rolled one with a Winchester. Yea they’ll take an airgun round.”

You really think a shot to flesh would bounce off? I could see a skull deflection but youd see remanence of where it ricocheted I would think

 

[Ricochet]

365 grains, @ 60 yards... oughtta be a hole...

 

[Ricochet]

Also, why not show a pic of the white spot on the bears chest... Dead bear pics dont show it. It was a very distinct marking in the video.. You mighta got 2 bears.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I can’t comment on what a big bore airgun round would do to a bear. I have only hunted them with dogs and hot lead. If the man says he didn’t find a hole all I can do is wonder what happened and if it’s the same bear.

 

[JimNM]

FWIW - you should always blur your license plates when posting on the 'net. Don't give up your information so easily.

 

[fuznut]

Bear hair will soak up blood like a sponge. But it won't stop bullets even hollow points. Who knows what happened ? Missed ,hit some twig, or shot two? Doubt he did that not to hard to tell one from the others. But dear gawd 15 different bears hitting one bait? That's a good spot for sure. Congrats glad you got him.