Kodiak Island Rifle Selection

[hunt25]

Lot of people say if you have a rifle no need for the pistol as well buffaloe boar bullets you would have in your pistol would do much better on a charging bear were you will most likely be shooting in the head vs whatever rifle bullets you have, another thing imagine trying to find a charging bear in your scope vs pistol iron sights. I would do the 30-06 with lighter bullets it would be more than enough for deer

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Lot of people say if you have a rifle no need for the pistol as well buffaloe boar bullets you would have in your pistol would do much better on a charging bear were you will most likely be shooting in the head vs whatever rifle bullets you have, another thing imagine trying to find a charging bear in your scope vs pistol iron sights. I would do the 30-06 with lighter bullets it would be more than enough for deer

I usually have 130g bullets in my 308 when I go there. The 10mm stays in camp and helps me sleep a little better. Nothing more, it’s not like a bears going to come ripping out and I’m going to do some tactical swap from riddle to pistol and drop a bear.

 

[hibernation]

IMO, the only reason to bring a pistol is if you think you won't have your rifle on you at all times. I'd still bring the spray though, it's so light and it's good to have options if one's lurking around too close but you're not 100% ready to drop it. Especially if you're flying out to a small tent camp, vs staying in a cabin / house every night.

 

[Hunter26]

Obviously you will have a rifle with you and hopefully in hand most of the time. I think that most people would agree that is going to be your best and first line of defense in the event the very unlikely situation happens. To me it seems like many of those bear attack stories I hear start out with not having their rifle or backup readily available to them. I carry a 10mm in a kenai chest holster so that it was always on me if I was cleaning an animal or taking a shit or whatever. I assume you had to take a shit at some point in your trip. It is amazing how often you don't have your rifle in hand on a week long trip. I guess I never wanted to be the guy that wished he would have given himself the best chance to defend himself. All this said being smart about the situations you put yourself into is probably your best line of defense. So how was the trip and how was the bear situation?

 

[BRWNBR]

I’m assuming every person in here that advocates for a pistol on a bear hunt wears a pistol everywhere they go at home?

You’re more likely to get hurt by someone at Walmart or road rage than you are to be attacked by a bear on Kodiak. 28 years of guiding the island. Never once carried a pistol. Never once been charged or had to shoot a bear in camp. Had them walk by the tent lots of times. Never had one steal a deer from me or a goat either.

What I’m saying is make sure your paranoia matches your life everywhere you go.

 

[Bluumoon]

Met a guy, "Popeye", at a Christmas party this year, he's spent 9mo a year for 30 years on Kodiak by his telling. Said his rifle of choice has always been a .22 mag, bears don't bother him as long as his area is clean. He has an old cannery for sale if anyone is looking.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m assuming every person in here that advocates for a pistol on a bear hunt wears a pistol everywhere they go at home?

You’re more likely to get hurt by someone at Walmart or road rage than you are to be attacked by a bear on Kodiak. 28 years of guiding the island. Never once carried a pistol. Never once been charged or had to shoot a bear in camp. Had them walk by the tent lots of times. Never had one steal a deer from me or a goat either.

What I’m saying is make sure your paranoia matches your life everywhere you go.

I’d never go to wal-mart without a gun….

I’d also note that when I’ve gone to Kodiak, we take a Glock 20 which sits in camp, it’s caused absolutely no issues to have it around. I wouldn’t carry it all day though.