Bears and pistols

[Sigarms]

I am amazed that the 9mm was 4 for 4.

That's only because it was newer hi tech ammo. Everyone knows that older 9MM couldn't kill anyone let alone brown bears

Honestly, I think it would be kind of dumb using a 9MM knowing you may come across as brown bear for "back up".

 

[atsah]

Atsah - it's not so much the caliber or size. Few people understand how big a real bear looks and how incredibly fast they can move. Fewer still are prepared and have any experience/training. You must INSTANTLY overcome your fear and "frozen stiff" reaction. It's one thing to discuss it on a social web site - a completely different matter to experience it. It is DEFINITELY NOT a brawl - it is a FIGHT FOR YOUR VERY LIFE. You are facing a wild animal in his home terrain - you are simply the visitor.

Never ran into a brown bear but I have had a few not so comfortable run ins with sow black bears, each time I was in between her and her cubs. You have to have enough gun and you can't lose you're cool.. I never had to shoot one.. Browns and grizzly's are whole other ball game, no telling what they are going to do.. I wouldn't want a big bear within buckshot range that's for sure..

 

[wheelbuilder]

We get black bears in the yard a few times a year. We have mastiffs, but I wouldn't want any of them tangling with a bear, even our largest and she runs around 260. I think the bears know when the dogs are out and avoid them.
I wouldn't reach for a pistol if I needed to intervene. I think the SKS and full metal jackets would be first, especially since that can hold a fair number of rounds and I can keep it on target easily. 30-06 would be right in there too, maybe have the wife back me with it.

 

[jgedmond]

That's only because it was newer hi tech ammo. Everyone knows that older 9MM couldn't kill anyone let alone brown bears

Honestly, I think it would be kind of dumb using a 9MM knowing you may come across as brown bear for "back up".

I agree. I wouldn't be packing a 9mm in bear country, even if I had that new hi tech FMJ stuff loaded in it. :laughing:

 

[ruffdog]

Maybe a 9mm uzi as a backup?

 

[oosik]

Again - avoidance is SO much better than confrontation. KNOW when you are in potential bear country - let them know you are there. The majority will simply slip away if they know you are coming. And if camping - keep ALL food it tight sealed storage - then inside your vehicle. Don't dump anything cooked back into the campfire. Dig a shallow pit - a significant distance from the campsite and dump/cover there.

When coming back from your day hike - approach your camp site with care. Make a whole lot of noise as you approach your camp site. There could be uninvited guests also enjoying your site.

 

[atsah]

Again - avoidance is SO much better than confrontation. KNOW when you are in potential bear country - let them know you are there. The majority will simply slip away if they know you are coming. And if camping - keep ALL food it tight sealed storage - then inside your vehicle. Don't dump anything cooked back into the campfire. Dig a shallow pit - a significant distance from the campsite and dump/cover there.

When coming back from your day hike - approach your camp site with care. Make a whole lot of noise as you approach your camp site. There could be uninvited guests also enjoying your site.

Sound advise.. They have quite the nose on them..

 

[k0ua]

Again - avoidance is SO much better than confrontation.

I do believe that holds true in people to people confrontations too. Far better to avoid situations that might put you in the spot of having to shoot some SOB, when you could have avoided the whole thing by just not going "there" in the first place.

One thing we know for sure now is bears can move over rough terrain far faster than most people could and they can climb trees like you wouldn't believe. And if limbs get in the way they just knock them off.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I don't know much at all about bears; we have maybe a hand full of black bears in the Southern part of the state, and I have never seen one in the wild...well, maybe in Yellowstone 40 years ago...but I know enough to keep my distance. Met a guy who killed one with his .357...it was tearing up his RV... he reported it to the authorities, and they arrested him!

Anyone remember this guy?

Grizzly Man Trailer HD - YouTube

If I recall correctly, all they found was his head and part of his spine...and his girlfriend about the same.

I read a story a few years back, where a wiley old Cajun was being interviewed. The interviewer asked him which animal was the king of the swamp, and he told this story:

He witnessed a confrontation between a huge gator and a bear. Most of the battle took place under water; and pretty soon the bear surfaced and trotted off into the swamp. He retrieved the gator; and said its head was bitten through and through by the bear. He had no doubt who was the king of the swamp.

Alligator vs. Black Bear | Animal Face-Off - YouTube

 

[r porter]

a comparison of the bear spray study and the firearm study -by the ahthor who wrote them both.

Does Bear Spray Work? | Outside Online