Broadside
Wait for the near front leg to step forward, then hold on its back edge, a third of the way up the body. A bear's vitals sit forward in the chest, close to the leg, and the long fur on the back and belly makes the middle of the body a poor guide.
Quartering and other angles
Quartering away is the best shot over bait. Aim for the opposite front leg so the shot crosses both lungs. Quartering to, the heavy shoulder and leg bone cover the vitals; with a bow, pass on it.
Do not
Do not shoot a bear facing straight at you from a stand; the target is small and a frontal hit rarely leaves a blood trail. Check the rules in your area on sows with cubs before you shoot.
Where they live and the typical miss
Found across much of North America, from the eastern forests to the Rockies, Canada and Alaska. The typical miss is back and high, because the fur hides where the chest ends; the result is a liver or gut hit and a poor trail.
Over bait
From a stand over bait, wait for the bear to stand broadside or quartering away with the near leg forward. The fur makes the body look bigger; the vitals sit low and forward.
Short blood trails
Fat and fur plug wounds, so bear blood trails are often poor. A low pass-through in the chest gives the best trail.