Bear defense

[CountryGent]

That is an interesting compilation of data. Thank you for posting the link.

I've been in rural areas as far north as central British Columbia to as far south as México. Most of the outdoor time was in Oregon, California, and Washingon though. In that time, I've only run into black bear a few times, including at least two that I recall on my own acreage. In all the cases in which they were close enough to be in handgun range, Mr./Mrs. Bear took off in one direction and Mr. CG zipped off in the opposite, so we lived happily ever after. I've never dealt with brown bear though.

Candidly, I am not all that concerned about bear attacks as they can be wary of man, though I do carry a sidearm when out. Though being the father of two lil' ones I am more so these days. And, they are certainly big, powerful, and potentially dangerous wildlife, so I view them with proper caution. That said, I'm more concerned about two-legged varmints, but that is another topic.

P.S. Regarding the handgun vs 12-gauge, we have these very little 12-bores, one an AOW smoothbore handgun:



(No, they weren't papered, and built and obtained, respectively, for bear defense. Just posting for the giggles. )

 

[gunsmithkinks]

Always loved my Cameron blue ticks. Bred for 50 years to hunt Montana big game. Can't beat em. Nice to bump into another hounds man.

Thanks Zeke, same from me to you too buddy. Nice to talk dogs again.

 

[GRMPS]

Why they carry guns in Alaska?
This guy lives just outside of Soldotna, Alaska.


King season is over, and since I had a day off before silvers start, I thought I would go for a walk! This occurred at 11:16 am this morning (Sunday), just 2/10 of a mile from my house.
ON OUR ROAD while walking my dogs (ironically trying to get in shape for hunting season!) for the record, this is in a residential area-not back in the woods. . . No bow hunting. . .. No stealth occurring. . . I heard a twig snap..... And looked back. . . Full on charge-a huge brownie, ears back, head low and motorin' full speed! Came with zero warning; no Woof, no popping of the teeth, no standing up, nothing like what you think or see on TV! It charged from less than 20 yards and was on me in about one-second! Totally surreal. . .. I just started shooting in the general direction. . .. And praise God that my second shot (or was it my third?) rolled him at 5 feet and he skidded to a stop 10 feet BEYOND where I was shooting from. . . I actually sidestepped him and fell over backwards on the last shot. . . And his momentum carried him to a stop past where I fired my first shot!
It was a prehistoric old boar..... No teeth...... No fat. . . Weighed between 900-1000 Lbs and took five men to DRAG it onto a tilt-bed trailer! Big bear..... Its Paw measured out at about a 9-1/2 footer!
Never-ever-thought 'it' would happen to me! It's always some other smuck..... Right?
Well, no bull..... I am still high on adrenaline . . . With my gut in a Knot (felt like I did 10000 crunches without stopping)! Almost puked for an hour after..... Had the burps and couldn't even stand up as the troopers conducted their investigation! Totally wiped me out. .. . Can't even put that feeling into words. . .. By far the most emotion I have ever felt at once!
No doubt that God was with me, as I brought my Ruger .454 Casull (and some "hot" 350 grain solids) just for the heck of it. .. . And managed to draw and snap shoot (pointed, never even aimed!) from the hip! Total luck shot!
All I can say is Praise God for my safety and for choosing to leave the wife and kids at home on this walk!









Now, if either Hillary, or Barry Hussien or anyone else in this administration starts making noises about taking away your right to protect yourself with a gun, we need to let them know where we stand. Very Quickly!!!

 

[Sealesniper]

Does claw will rip you of in seconds really Big prehistoric bear

 

[CountryGent]

I saw this old ad in Firearms News (March 2018, Issue 5, page 58). I found it online and posting for the grins.

 

[Kruel J]

I saw this old ad in Firearms News (March 2018, Issue 5, page 58). I found it online and posting for the grins.

View attachment 438865

Shot placement?

I'd rather try bear spray than a .25ACP.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I saw this old ad in Firearms News (March 2018, Issue 5, page 58). I found it online and posting for the grins.

View attachment 438865

Maybe the bear laughed himself to death...?
Just kidding...cool old sales ad.

If the sales copy is true...just more proof that a bullet placed in right spot and one that does what it is designed to do , will do the trick....
'Course part of the trick is being able to consistently place your bullet where it needs to go under any and all hunting / defense conditions...
Andy

 

[The Heretic]

Location, location, location

It works for shooting as well as real estate

 

[CLT65]

Yes. Not really a problem for me.

You obviously don't like my suggestions (can't count how many people have posted that their Alaskan guides carried a 12ga) but it doesn't mean everyone fits your desire for a lightweight low recoil gun that will for sure stop a bear but doesn't get in your way in any way.

I was just tossing out an opinion but I'll abstain from any more suggestions.

Your suggestion is excellent, if we're talking about optimal bear defense. I've also heard that guides typically carry a good old 12 gauge with slugs, as a big chunk of lead is your best bet at stopping a charging grizzly in it's tracks.

My understanding of the OP's point, though, wasn't what is the best bear defense, but rather that lessor guns and handguns in general are statistically more effective than we generally give them credit for. How often is the old line repeated that shooting a bear with a 9mm will just make it mad? Real life statistics prove that wrong.

In short, your suggestion was great, just a bit misplaced perhaps.

 

[IOM]

 

[Certaindeaf]

.I heard a twig snap..... And looked back. . . Full on charge-a huge brownie, ears back, head low and motorin' full speed! Came with zero warning; no Woof, no popping of the teeth, no standing up, nothing like what you think or see on TV! It charged from less than 20 yards and was on me in about one-second!.

Good thing he wasn't boppin down the road, jiving to some tunes on a headset.. he'd be poop no matter what he'd a been carrying.

 

[IOM]

When living in critter country, headsets of any kind are a death sentence...

Situational Awareness and expect the unexpected are the rules to live by...

 

[Alexx1401]

Heretic, I couldn't agree more - the purpose of this forum is the exchange of ideas, whether we agree or not
one should not take offence if their proposals are not accepted by all

as for night defense, no matter what the intruder - WATCH GEESE
3' tall African heavies
I've seen coyotes scatter under the charge of my big Gander
then I back him up with a 12 Ga

rjmt

View attachment 438428

LOL, I had to use my night stick on some of the Canada ones here one night. Was going to a buddies house at some apartments. The path was blocked by a bunch of the Canada ones who live here. It was dark and they were probably afraid to move but when I tried to get by a couple of them were actually striking at me. I had an asp in my back pocket so I gave one a wack just hard enough to let me by. This of course started them all honking and lights started going on.

 

[IOM]

Can't stand "Goose Poop", slimy green crapola...

 

[The Heretic]

Can't stand "Goose Poop", slimy green crapola...

I've worked and lived where various flocks of wild geese would tromp thru, they left a trail of goose crap behind them - 50 feet wide. It was annoying and unhealthy for those who had to move thru it to get where they were going.

 

[Gator Monroe]

Imagine the Bears ( & Other Preditors ) Kennewick Man faced ( With just a muzzle loader )

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I have a few of those...and they work just fine for hunting...
Andy

 

[IOM]

Kennewick Man learned to use his muzzle loader with "Full Semi-Auto" mode...

 

[Alexx1401]

Why they carry guns in Alaska?
This guy lives just outside of Soldotna, Alaska.
View attachment 438619

King season is over, and since I had a day off before silvers start, I thought I would go for a walk! This occurred at 11:16 am this morning (Sunday), just 2/10 of a mile from my house.
ON OUR ROAD while walking my dogs (ironically trying to get in shape for hunting season!) for the record, this is in a residential area-not back in the woods. . . No bow hunting. . .. No stealth occurring. . . I heard a twig snap..... And looked back. . . Full on charge-a huge brownie, ears back, head low and motorin' full speed! Came with zero warning; no Woof, no popping of the teeth, no standing up, nothing like what you think or see on TV! It charged from less than 20 yards and was on me in about one-second! Totally surreal. . .. I just started shooting in the general direction. . .. And praise God that my second shot (or was it my third?) rolled him at 5 feet and he skidded to a stop 10 feet BEYOND where I was shooting from. . . I actually sidestepped him and fell over backwards on the last shot. . . And his momentum carried him to a stop past where I fired my first shot!
It was a prehistoric old boar..... No teeth...... No fat. . . Weighed between 900-1000 Lbs and took five men to DRAG it onto a tilt-bed trailer! Big bear..... Its Paw measured out at about a 9-1/2 footer!
Never-ever-thought 'it' would happen to me! It's always some other smuck..... Right?
Well, no bull..... I am still high on adrenaline . . . With my gut in a Knot (felt like I did 10000 crunches without stopping)! Almost puked for an hour after..... Had the burps and couldn't even stand up as the troopers conducted their investigation! Totally wiped me out. .. . Can't even put that feeling into words. . .. By far the most emotion I have ever felt at once!
No doubt that God was with me, as I brought my Ruger .454 Casull (and some "hot" 350 grain solids) just for the heck of it. .. . And managed to draw and snap shoot (pointed, never even aimed!) from the hip! Total luck shot!
All I can say is Praise God for my safety and for choosing to leave the wife and kids at home on this walk!
View attachment 438620

View attachment 438621

View attachment 438622

View attachment 438623


Now, if either Hillary, or Barry Hussien or anyone else in this administration starts making noises about taking away your right to protect yourself with a gun, we need to let them know where we stand. Very Quickly!!!

DAMN!! One big bear there!

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Kennewick Man learned to use his muzzle loader with "Full Semi-Auto" mode...

While not "Full Semi-Auto Mode"...
When in a good shooting groove... I can get 3 shots per minute with this rifle.
And yes I would gladly use it on any game animal or defense from any game animal in North America.
Andy