The bear usually wins

Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,116
Location
S. UTAH
If they dont get you they make you get you or they get your friend.

 
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Messages
996
Seems like a poorly written article. The comparison of deaths in a horse wreck vs a bear attack seemed especially silly. I’d venture the odds would be much closer if using the entire US population when figuring the odds of getting killed in a horse wreck.

Digging a bit, it seems that 1 in 2.1 million odds of being injured by a bear is likely a National Park Service statistic for Yellowstone visitors. Seems like the more recent version is 1 in 2.7 million.
Makes a guy wonder the odds of a Yellowstone visitor being killed in a horse wreck.
 
Last edited:
OP
MuleyFever
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,116
Location
S. UTAH
Seems like a poorly written article. The comparison of deaths in a horse wreck vs a bear attack seemed especially silly. I’d venture the odds would be much closer if using the entire US population when figuring the odds of getting killed in a horse wreck.

Digging a bit, it seems that 1 in 2.1 million odds of being injured by a bear is likely a National Park Service statistic for Yellowstone visitors. Seems like the more recent version is 1 in 2.7 million.
Makes a guy wonder the odds of a Yellowstone visitor being killed in a horse wreck.
Yeah the whole odds part is silly.
 

11boo

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,461
Location
Grand Jct, CO
Never been in a tight spot like that, and Hope I never am.

But I would hope to not shoot myself.

Poorly written article , I’ll save you the click. This was all of it, other than some bear aware stuff.


In an attempt to avoid the second Wyoming grizzly bear mauling in one week, Lee Francis of Evanston, Wyoming drew and fired several rounds from his 10mm handgun as a grizzly closed in on him while he was hunting in the shadow of the Tetons. Francis succeeded in scaring off the charging grizz but shot himself through the lower leg in the process.

Francis’ son called the incident in via satellite phone before loading him onto a horse and evacuating him to an area where the local search and rescue team could take over his care. Mr. Francis was life-flighted to the University of Utah hospital where, as far as we know, he remains.

Our prayers our with Mr. Francis and his family as we ask for a speedy and complete recovery. That said, his accident serves as yet another stark reminder of the realities of hunting in grizzly country.
 

z987k

WKR
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
1,898
Location
AK
So I've had bears in the vicinity of camp, on the trail ahead, when butchering. They can be quiet, but unless you're thick in the alders, if you have your wits about you at all, there's a good chance you'll see them coming. Especially when hunting, since you're looking for critters anyways.

Not once have I ever reached for my sidearm. My rifle is generally in my hands. Or as close as my holstered sidearm is.
Do other people drop their rifles, or not pull them out when needed and grab the pistol?
A 243 is more effective than a 44mag.

I guess if there bear already has you on the ground the pistol is your last option if it's on you, but aside from that....?
 

Fatcamp

WKR
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
5,842
Location
Sodak
This is why they say spray is better. If you can't operate a handgun without shooting yourself it's probably not a good plan.

ETA: Dude sounds pretty tough.
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2021
Messages
327
So I've had bears in the vicinity of camp, on the trail ahead, when butchering. They can be quiet, but unless you're thick in the alders, if you have your wits about you at all, there's a good chance you'll see them coming. Especially when hunting, since you're looking for critters anyways.

Not once have I ever reached for my sidearm. My rifle is generally in my hands. Or as close as my holstered sidearm is.
Do other people drop their rifles, or not pull them out when needed and grab the pistol?
A 243 is more effective than a 44mag.

I guess if there bear already has you on the ground the pistol is your last option if it's on you, but aside from that....?
Archery.
Single round rifles.
Walking with the rifle unloaded for safety reasons..which tbf if you're the type that'll shoot yourself in your own leg with your pistol it's not a bad idea to do so. 😂
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
2,077
Location
BC
When I met the guy that was attacked about 8 or 9 yrs ago he was filming a family member’s hunt in BC. He is the real deal and probably has more experience than most reading this thread. Sounds like he is doing very well.
 
Top