Two archery targets destroyed by bear

[josh shrum]

Does anyone have any idea why a bear would destroy both of my archery targets?

I live in a very rural place, bears are a way of life, I am used to dealing with them/not tempting them.

That said, I have never had to worry about my archery targets before, but last night both a "Block" style target, as well as a bag style target were torn to literal shreds and drug in two different directions around the farm. Bear scat found around the remains of the targets leads me to suspect ursine involvement.

I need top pick up a new target not, but am more concerned/curious as to why archery targets became bear bait...

 

[XTR]

Thought they were grocery bags.

Just before I got old enough (early 70s) the guys from my scout troop went to Philmont. While they were on a hike a bear hit the camp. They had the food up in a bear bag, but that didn't keem the packs from getting rummaged. One of the guys had film cartridges in foil pouches (remember those for Kodac instamatic cameras) The bear bit into two of them before decided they weren't Snickers.

 

[Albany Mountain]

They would resemble ice coolers or containers with food that is no problem for a bear.

 

[dkhunt14]

Sometimes I think they just like to chew and tear apart things. There was a guy here in the mountains that had a bear problem at camp. He got tired of it and decided to load some rock salt in a shot shell. He peppered the bear. The next night a bear came and chewed up his seats on his utility vehicle. He climbed up on his truck roof and hood and jumped up and down, dented the heck out of them. In all he did a couple thousand dollars of damage. Matt

 

[284winner]

I'm with the thought of a source of food inside. Looks like a cooler or container that a bear could open and access a meal. This time of year they scavenge to fatten up for the long winter. Bird feeders, apple trees, bait piles etc are all easy meals and bears are putting on the food bag for winter. Corn fields are another area bears will occupy during this time of year for food. It's definitely a new one tho. Interesting.

 

[swd]

I've seen a few pictures of bush planes in Alaska chewed up by bears. I think they just like to be michevious some times. Sort of like teenagers...

 

[josh shrum]

You guys are probably right, either the bear thought the targets were a cooler or just wanted to enjoy some mischief. I am leaning towards mischief, as I have around 60 acres of corn, most of which I shoot the bow next to.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Sometimes I think they just like to chew and tear apart things. There was a guy here in the mountains that had a bear problem at camp. He got tired of it and decided to load some rock salt in a shot shell. He peppered the bear. The next night a bear came and chewed up his seats on his utility vehicle. He climbed up on his truck roof and hood and jumped up and down, dented the heck out of them. In all he did a couple thousand dollars of damage. Matt

If I got nailed with rock salt, I think I would do the same thing. Sounds a lot like a presidential debate!

 

[rardoin]

I've seen photos of friends blinds that have had the padded seats torn up here in Louisiana and in Alberta had guides tell me that the bears will mutilate the seats on their quads. Feeding? Or, just because they can?

 

[timeout]

I've seen photos of friends blinds that have had the padded seats torn up here in Louisiana and in Alberta had guides tell me that the bears will mutilate the seats on their quads. Feeding? Or, just because they can?

Just because they can.

 

[284winner]

Human scent in their territory doesn't help. Could be any reason. It's a bear, It doesn't need a reason.

 

[Shaggy357]

Had you been shooting any arrows that had blood on them? A buddy of mine uses deer blood mixed with his donuts, bacon grease, corn mixture to lure bears to his stand. If a bear can sniff out grubs in a log he can surely sniff out flakes of blood left inside a target. Good reason to use those long cleaning gloves if hunting deer and elk in a bear rich environment. Keep the blood off of you so the bears don't think you smell like lunch.

Steve