Handguns 95% effective against bears

[Charon]

Thanks for the Thread, some really good info here.

 

[Kevin Dill]

I'm a BELIEVER in having both (sidearm and pepper spray) with me on a hunt in serious grizzly country. If I had to drop one, it would be the spray. I'd rather have too much force vs not enough. I would never go in on a many-day backcountry hunt without a sidearm. And as I've always maintained, bear spray only works on YOU if you're attacked inside a tent or enclosed shelter. I really don't have the cajones to leave my warm bag and walk outside in the dark to spray an annoying bear.

 

[MTSabo]

Good read

 

[Sled]

I think it's a personal choice; however I would much rather have a lethal option for a predatory attack (albeit an extremely rare type of attack).

I always think about secondary exposure from spray. If you've ever been around an OC spray discharge, you know everybody gets to enjoy it.

good point. also if you're hunting into the wind, like we all do, and surprise a bear that didn't smell you coming....guess which way that spray is going to go.

 

[Sled]

I’ll apologize in advance because it’s a little off topic, but it always makes me chuckle a bit when I hear or read about the Craig Medred mauling (one of the cases sited in the article). Craig Medred is a outdoor writer for our local paper up here, and prior to him getting mauled by a brown bear (I think it was back in ‘92 or ‘93), whenever he wrote about a bear attack, he always found a reason why the person got mauled. According to Medred, the victims were always doing something wrong. Then low a behold, Medred gets mauled and all of a sudden his opinion changed. Now, he says that a person can be doing everything right, taking every possible precaution, and still get mauled by a bear. Go figure.

Oh, and on a side note, and I know that this has already been discussed, but to reiterate, I believe that there are A LOT of potential bear maulings that are avoided with the use of a handgun, and never reported.


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That brings up a good quote and a good rule of thumb to live by:

Situational Awareness -- does you perception match the reality around you?

"Experience usually comes just after you needed it"

both of those seem to apply to your buddy craig medred.

 

[Salmonchaser]

The only thing I get concerned about is I’m not going to carry spray because the wind might be blowing. Since spray became available we’ve all of our guides combined, used it about 20 times. There have been some mild exposure and a few people needed to be reminded they weren’t pussyies. But just like any tactical weapons course, is the concept of shooting and moving. You can see the spray if it’s going to come back move, you have a little time as what ever breeze is blowing has to overcome the launch speed of the spray, be a good idea not to be were the bear last saw you anyway.
Back to fundamentals, full on charge I think guns are the way to go. A bear close enough to spray is very dangerous particularly if he is exhibiting signs of agitation, may charge in the next instant. Like anything it can be effective 3/3 for me personally 2/2 on bears killed as well. 20/20 bears deterred in our lodge. Nope it won’t work every time, neither do guns. Just one tool for the box.

 

[ElkElkGoose]

As some have brought up using spray as a deterant, I have used my Glock 20 in the same way.

I had a black bear charge across a meadow toward me once and i fired a warning shot when he got to about 20 yards. That made him throw on the brakes...one more shot at his feet and he high tailed it out of there.

In this situation I was able to avoid a bear even getting into bear spray range. Not sure what the bear would have done when he got closer but I also didnt have to find out.

Another instance I was getting water out of a high basin spring and looked up and noticed a bear sitting down staring at me from about 50 yards a way. He almost seemed curious what i was doing. However, any bear that has lost its fear of humans in the backcountry is a problem to me. I slung a couple rounds at his feet until he ran away. I wanted him to associate me with something scary and I probably saved the next guy some potential trouble.

In summary, Ive been able to use firearms to mitigate situations before they even can develop. You have to wait until you are already in the shit for bear spray.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

I'm 80000 times more scared of a black bear.. this was way too close!

Then grizzlies

 

[AK Troutbum]

I'm 80000 times more scared of a black bear.. this was way too close!View attachment 95352

Then grizzlies
View attachment 95353

Yeah, but those Brooks bears are happy bears. I could be wrong, but I don’t think anyone has ever been mauled at the falls.


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[Ndbowhunter]

Nah, but I will say that was the year old Timmy got eaten and there was plenty of other ones in nearby creeks/tribs that weren't so happy

 

[Salmonchaser]

Trout bum is currently correct. Most of us who have been working in and around the park think it’s a matter of time. Over the last ten years there has been a dramatic shift in bear management at brooks. In the old days the bears were pushed away from key areas now the bears are allowed to push people around.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Treadwell was an idiot with some serious psych issues. I’m surprised that he lived as long as he did.


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[Salmonchaser]

Tredwell was over at McNeil. He was an absolute idiot, really unfortunate he got his girl friend killed. Scariest thing I’ve ever listend to was her on the radio when the bears came for her.

 

[Salmonchaser]

My absolute favorite way to scare bears is with my sled. We often get pushed off the gravel bars back into the boat. I’ll hold the boat just off shore, folks get their pictures, sit down hang on. Raise the out board jet and nail the throttle. Don’t know how many gallons a minute 150 hp jet moves, but it sure makes them run.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

My absolute favorite way to scare bears is with my sled. We often get pushed off the gravel bars back into the boat. I’ll hold the boat just off shore, folks get their pictures, sit down hang on. Raise the out board jet and nail the throttle. Don’t know how many gallons a minute 150 hp jet moves, but it sure makes them run.

You holding the meat in ur profile pic?

As they say the odds are good that's goods are odd.

Remember once us having a long discussion if it was okay to check out an ass on blacktail doe... the answer is you've been in the bush too long. Haha

Giggling when you see your first female coming down the escalator at Tedd Stevens.

 

[Redside]

Bear attack on Sunday in MT. I'll keep carrying both.
http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/fishAndWildlife/nr_1201.html

 

[Beendare]

....Don’t know how many gallons a minute 150 hp jet moves, but it sure makes them run.

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Hmmmmmm, now there's^ an idea........I wonder what holster that jet fits into?

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[Salmonchaser]

I think reminding bears to give us a little respect, done safely, is a good idea. I’m not an advocate of driving them off with bird shot, use to be very common, but I’ve whacked them with 12ga. Bean bag rounds. They tend to stay away after that.
Care must be exercised when you are in Alaska’s national Parks. The parkies will cite you, criminal offense, for firing warning shots, or throwing rocks to try and scare a bear off. Seen both happen.
Not illegal to have a gun, not illegal to DLP a bear.
I’ve even had parkies complain about noise makers, whistles or small air horns as harassing wild life. So far that hasn’t gained any traction.

 

[Beendare]

I get the whole harassing wildlife thing....but then the parks do the Mcneil river up close and personal thing?

I do think the parks guys...and some of the naturalists prioritize bears over a human life.....and I think that explains their recommendation of spray over firearms. For years we got the mantra, that was essentially "Spray works better" from these naturalist types....thus the reason for my posting this study.

Curious bears- seems like spray is a reasonable option.

A bear charging at you intending to do harm..........now aren't we talking a coin flip with spray?

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[Redside]

A bear charging at you intending to do harm..........now aren't we talking a coin flip with spray?

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Where's the study that says bear spray is 50% effective? Or was that tongue in cheek? Whether your a gun or spray fan there is no reason to downplay the effectiveness of the one you don't use. Both have been shown to be effective.

My position has always been the same, use what you want, but be comfortable and practised with the method you choose.