Bear Spray or Glock 10mm?

[Matt Cashell]

I am with Ryan.

Moose are mean, but delicious.

Statistically, spray is much more effective in bear attack defense than a firearm, according to the Herraro study.

Peace of mind is worth something though, too.

I hunt in grizzly country and carry spray.

 

[jherald]

I like a the "heavy duty handgun" ideal (carry the most powerful handgun you can shoot quickly and accurately) along with spray unless I've got a rifle, then I'll have a rifle and spray.

Spray works. I've used it on several aggressive brown and black bears and it will deter them BUT, only long enough for you to get a good window to get the hell away from them and put a lot of distance between you and the bear and escape. I've heard of people using spray on a bear only to run a bear off and continue on about their casual business of whatever it was they were doing in the same spot they were doing it, don't be that guy because a bear can and will come right back after being sprayed. It only works for a few minutes, just long enough for you to have plenty of window of escape.

 

[focker34]

B6 is basically my backyard. Coincidently I carry my glock 20 at all times when in the woods or on the river if I'm not carrying my rifle. Despite previous comments, I have run into 2 different grow operations literally in the middle of nowhere. Luckily I scrambled out of there before anyone was the wiser. I've come into contact with a handful of bears and only 2 mountain lions while in the woods, but like someone said before, just buy a bear tag and you are good to go. Never had any trouble from the 4 legged predators yet, but you never know. Good to hear that not all the hunters in the area are road and yard hunters. Feel free to PM me with any questions or anything.

 

[Muledeernv]

I carry my glock 23 40 cal everyday but for backpacking I carry my ruger LCR 357mag. Light weight but still enough power for whatever I come in contact with. Haven't been hunting in bear country but I hunt in a lot of lion country just makes me feel safer.

 

[dryflyguy]

I hunt in windy country, so I carry both lead spray and pepper spray. I also don't want to pepper bomb myself in a tent if I am about to get rolled. I have no issue putting a few bullet holes through my tent in a situation like that though.

Luckily, I've never used either.

 

[fire arrow]

I usually smell so bad by the third day and am way to loud to every just come upon a bear. They can hear or smell me from miles away. With being said, I bought a Glock 20 last year, and still carry spray when I am in an area that holds a lot of bears.

I have been in the Marbles a time or two, and the Trinities even more. There are a good amount of bears in both places. Please remember to hang your food, and tooth past with brush, in a tree away from your tent. Other things like leaving your stinky clothes on the outside of your tent can help too. Every little bit helps.

Wait for got the best bear deturant ever. A bear tag. Buy ya one of those and you will never come accross a bear while you are up on the hill.

 

[mtmiller]

I will be going on my first backpacking trip this year into the Marble Mountains. If you are not familiar with the area, the MM Wilderness Area is in zone B6-Northern California. I have been told there are many bears up there by just about everyone who has been there. While hunting, I normally carry my 10mm as a side arm. Weight and space being at a premium on this type of hunt, I am wondering if I would be better off taking a can of some good bear spray. What are your philosophies on the matter? If there is anyone who hunts the area, I would be curious to have your input as well....
My initial thoughts are that it would be great to save the weight since I will already have my .270 with me.

Hunting with a rifle and hanging out with black bears in CA...I wouldn't lose sleep. I would worry more about twisting my ankle.

 

[unm1136]

Over the last few years I have pieced together a glock 20 from spare parts bought on Ebay and Gunbroker. If you already have a 21, then a new slide/barrel assembly is all that is needed, I think i paid $325 for mine. I am also more worried about 2 legged critters than bears, and since I mostly rifle hunt, the rifle will get the nod for bears. When I start bow hunting, bear spray may be more relevant.

pat

 

[rodney482]

10mm is an excellent round.. Very close ballistically to the .41 mag

I too have a 21 and would like to convert it.

The 10mm is a great round for black bear.

 

[Higbean]

The bears are thick up there for sure, but they aren't much to worry about.

No monument

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

Spray for me.

 

[kickemall]

If it were me, with a .270, I'd save the weight and leave the other two options at home. In the Marbles in the fall the bears have natural feed (acorns and berries) and aren't really much of a problem. Even in the spring and summer, when bears are at they're worst for being pests, there are lots of hikers in there and have very few problems. Keep your camp clean and you should be fine. Have fun.

 

[Jdog]

what ammo are you guys running through your Glock 20s for bear defense...I picked one up recently but have not shot it yet...

 

[Yellowknife]

what ammo are you guys running through your Glock 20s for bear defense...I picked one up recently but have not shot it yet...

I'm currently running a mix of Buffalo Bore 200 gr FN solids and Double Tap 200 gr hard cast WFNGC through my stock gun Glock 20. Both run great in that gun, but my Glock 29 doesnt care for the shape of the WFNGC rounds and will occasionally give a FTF.

In my primitive penetration testing, the BB rounds would dig as deep as a 320 gr hard cast from a .44 mag and significantly deeper than .45 acp or .40 S&W.

I'd say that in today's market, you pretty much are going to buy whatever you can get!

Yk

 

[Vitals]

what ammo are you guys running through your Glock 20s for bear defense...I picked one up recently but have not shot it yet...

You G20/29 guys should look into Underwood Ammo. He makes some great stuff without the huge premiums for the Buffalo Bore and Double Tap label. I find it very hard to buy anything else now.

 

[Yellowknife]

You G20/29 guys should look into Underwood Ammo. He makes some great stuff without the huge premiums for the Buffalo Bore and Double Tap label. I find it very hard to buy anything else now.

Would love to try that Underwood stuff... if only I could buy it in Alaska. Unfortunately, no one will ship ammo here, so it it's not on the shelf, I don't get to play with it.