Posted on 07/08/2016 8:33:02 AM PDT by w1n1
Many hunters have talked about what to carry for bear defense while out in the woods. Here are some conversations on 1911forum and Reddit.
BPHORSEGUY: There have been increasing small bear sightings in my and my dogs hiking area. I am considering carry a .45ACP instead of my 9mm and solids instead of HP.
magazineman: I'd guess .44 mag or better. + running shoes. But for your purposes I'd see what handgun bear hunters use. I'd be surprised if 9mm or .45 were on the menu for that job. Big revolvers are probably the preferred item.
AtheistInfantry: As a life long Alaskan that has seen these animals up close on numerous occasions I would rather have bear spray or a Mossberg 500 with Brenneke Black Magic Magnums. Unless you get lucky and make a CNS hit it's going to run off or eat you(or both) before it bleeds out. Oh, and there's a whole bunch of hide, muscle and fat between your bullet and the spine. Read the rest of conversation here, what are you all carrying for bear defense?
I carried a .44 mag, stainless steel, Ruger Super Blackhawk when I lived up there. However, I read a book while there discussing this same topic. The author came to the conclusion that probably the best thing was to hit the bear in the chest with a round from a 40mm flare gun. LOL! Set him on fire, I guess.
.480 Ruger, .454 Casull, 500 S&W, 460 S&W, 500 Linebaugh or .475 Linebaugh.
I carry a bear skull with me. I just point to it and say, you’re next.
Come to think of it, Fish and Game would probably shoot me and the boom box.
Some one that can’t run as fast as you.
No. You’ll only make him angry.
The best defense is a slower fatter friend you will outrun that the bear finds tasty.
I’m thinking a 454 Casull or a .50 BMP.
Carry something which will give out ear piercing sound, outside of the human hearing range. A continuous loud whistle while walking through woods will give the bears to move out of the way. Humans are not a natural prey for bears. Bears attack because they are surprised. And especially if it is a mama bear with cubs.
When I was younger, I bear hunted in E TN and with Plott hounds...When I chased the dogs, I carried a Ruger Super Black Hawk in .44 mag...Killed three with it...No problems...
When I was one of the stand hunters and someone else chased, I used a Marlin .35 caliber lever action...Killed 2 with it...No problems...
In Ontario, when we went up there, I used the Marlin...Killed
3 there...Again, no problems...
I left the front porch light on over night and moved the bird bath away from the house.
I intend to hit him with a thrown rock and then slam the door closed. Haven’t seen him or tracks in 3 days.
Black bear. Connecticut suburbs.
Baloney. Bears are also curious and may want to see what the sound is. Bears can also just be flat out mean and bad tempered. Some are easy going. People who work around them think they have distinct personalities. And yes indeed, we are in their natural prey list. If they can find you, the will kill and eat you.
The whole foods mentality is not a truly reliable way to make you safe from large bears.
Mr GG2 carried a 454 Casul everywhere when he lived in Alaska.
VP Biden says a double barreled shotgun, shoot both into the air and scare the bear away. If it doesn’t work sprinkle salt and pepper over yourself.
Marlin .45-70 lever for the rifle. No question. Not much you can reasonably carry (meaning - fairly quick and short in the heavy brush) that has more energy or penetration. 30-06 and 308 come up short in terms of energy and penetration, and the lever is quick and reliable and handy.
For a handgun, I’d go with a .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum, both with solid tips. You want penetration, not expansion. The critical stuff in bears is DEEP - and if you’re using a handgun then high velocity, small section bullets are what you need to really get in there.
Bear Defense
Trapping, play-action tight end routes and downfield blocking will get you through them.
Around here, we recommend Worcestershire sauce. But then, California bears have a bit more refined palates..
Salt and pepper is easier to carry in the Ozarks.
We got a momma bear and cub hanging around our cabin, we got 4 neighbors within quarter mile surrounded by woods. Some of the neighbors have seen them but we haven’t. I told the Mrs. to look around before she moves around. Our little dog won’t do more than be an alarm.
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