Taking the boy on a black bear hunt

[lunchbox]

I am taking my son on a black bear hunt in Sept. He wants to use his 20ga and I'm trying to decide on what slug to use. I am hunting with him also so I will be sitting there with him. I think I am going to be using my S&W 460 if I can get the scope and everything set up in time.
So any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks

[Deleted]

Never hunted bear always wanted too. With that said I don't know if Hornady makes the SST for the 20 gauge but if they do that's what I'd use.

[wilmsmeyer]

Are you hunting over bait? I would feel fine using a 20 gauge with a good stout saboted slug assuming his gun has a rifled barrel.

As for your choice: This is personal opinion here but I would ditch the pistol. This being your son's hunt, you will probably only employ your weapon if you need to track a bear on the ground. If the bear is wounded and you encounter it suddenly, I would want an open sighted 12 gauge pump loaded with foster slugs or high cal buckshot. Would not want a scoped pistol for that potential encounter. Just my opinion.

[lunchbox]

Wilmsmeyer this will be a father son hunt. I will be sitting with him while he hunts over bait. Then I will be hunting.

[sourdough44]

Shots over bait are very close, more likely to be 20 yards than 40. The 20 ga slug should be fine. Shot placement is where it's at. One should be able to thread a needle at 20 yards. A low power, higher quality scope helps. The base of the neck does it every time, no tracking required. Some may depend on his calmness around game and the shot presented.

I would imagine WI, MI, or MN? Should be a great time, most of the work is done ahead of time with the baiting.

[lunchbox]

We will be going to Maine. And it will be baited. I have a 1-4 power scope I am putting on his shotgun and getting him shooting it. Trying to get the time to shoot with him in sports and the family schedule is sometimes a pain lol.

[sourdough44]

I would shoot as able. You could even fill in with some Aguila 22 ammo(it's quiet) in the back yard. Yes you should shoot the slug gun as able too. I'd also look at some bear anatomy diagrams and talk about shot placement. If the wind is right one usually has a little time to plan a shot at the bait pile. On the way to the hunt, scope out a range or gravel pit along the way. You can shoot some right before the hunt.

[biddler2]

I've never been Bear hunting but I have used a 20 gauge slug gun for deer. My gun really liked the newer Federal trophy coppers. They have been used out to 75 yards on deer and have worked like a Barnes. I've also used the Hornady SST and it worked but not as much of a blood trail.
I would also think that a foster style slug would work well if the shots are 30 yards and under.

[sourdough44]

I would use the best quality slug you can. Maybe they offer one of those new copper type slugs in 20 ga? Maine should be a great place to go. I'd practice at 25 yards, talk about shot placement, check online shot location schematics, talk to the outfitter.

When deer hunting if a guy muffs a shot at 0800, a second shot may be offered within the hour. Shot opportunities come more sparingly out bear hunting. A shot with blood and commotion will really taint a bait pile. Any bears that return may only come at night. A few years ago we had a guy shoot a bear with his bow, which lead to a late night tracking job through private cover. The bear was recovered later the next day. The bears never returned to that pile that Fall.

One of the best shots is the base of the neck. That is if you have time with a steady bear, wind being right. There will be no tracking job and size of gun hardly matters.

[lunchbox]

He is at his dads for half the summer so when he gets back I plan on going over the spots to shoot at the bear and try to teach him to be patient. He has shot a couple deer by himself but he tells us he is always in a hurry and doesn't remember where he aimed or where it runs. We have found all but one of his deer tho. I think he is a decent shot so if it is at close range I think he should be dead on. I bought a 1-4x 24 scope for him to use and I like it enough that I may buy me one also.