Posted on 02/01/2025 7:38:53 AM PST by marktwain
In the summer of 1991, Alan Yates was working in the forested mountains near Bozeman, Montana. Two black bears charged him at the same time. He successfully defended himself against the bears with two shots fired from his .357 magnum Smith & Wesson 65 revolver. He was 21 years old.
Here are Alan’s words, lightly edited for space and clarity:
In the summer of 1991 I worked on a logging operation in the mountains of Montana.
There was a large bear that lived in the hills and mountains around our community. He was very aggressive. His favorite mode of attack was to charge riders on their horses. Invariably, the rider would get thrown from the spooked horse, the horse would run off, and the bear would stand around for a minute or two thumping up and down on his front paws as if gloating. Then he’d run off.
There was no love for this bear. There was, quietly, a bounty on him. Because of his sheer size, and seeming youthful bad attitude, it was widely hypothesized that he was a Black Bear/Grizzly mix.
Seeing bears was a regular occurance and didn’t bother me.
One morning in the early fall, I was trimming branches off the tops of cut down trees with a large knife that I had made. It was quiet work, and I was further up the mountain side than the other workers. Suddenly I heard an all-to-familiar sound … “woof, woof, woof … ” quickly getting louder and closer. I knew what it meant. I dropped the knife, grabbed my 357 magnum, while spinning towards the sound.
Up the mountain ridge came a rolling ball of massive muscle and fur. He was medium brown in color, with a dark chocolate face and neck. I immediately recognized him from the descriptions I’d heard.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Is there something “weird” to you about man vs, nature, man in the great outdoors facing the elements and a worthy adversary? The heroism of man vs. beast? This is a tale as old as time, the epitome of the masculine archetype and an expression of courage and virtue.
But you sit on your presumably flabby buttocks typing that it is “weird”. Is “Moby Dick” also weird? Here I was thinking it was a great work of literature. This is the inferior castigating what it dare not achieve. Does it substitute for your missing masculinity?
Sensitivity is the mark of a real man.
Both bears suffered complete hearing loss.
The model 65 is a great well balanced little gun. I have a 3” model and carry it when I am doing chores around my property. We have bears around here, but I have never seen one. I have dispatched a handful of coyotes with it though. Makes a great CCW weapon as well.
Totally agree that a shooter has to assume that the charge is not a bluff and act accordingly. The shooter waiting until the bears were really close didn’t seem to be an attempt to determine the bears’ intent but instead a deliberate strategy to make sure the shot was effective. I admire the shooter’s courage but I would be firing earlier, too.
What most people do not realize is that gun design goes a long way towards perceived recoil. For instance, my first 44 mag was a Ruger Super Blackhawk. That pistol just hurt. After 50 rounds, I doubt I could hit a door at 5 feet. The palm of my hand received a very nice bruise. I sold it before the end of the week. Later on a friend's recommendation, I bought a Ruger Super Redhawk. The grip was all rubber. It was extremely easy to shoot. I shot 100 rounds the first time I shot it. I sold it later because I really needed the money. Lastly, I bought a Ruger Redhawk. Its grips are soft rubber on the side, but the backstrap is exposed. The perceived recoil is between the Super Blackhawk and the Super Redhawk. After about 20 rounds, my hands start to hurt. After a few range sessions, shooting 50 rounds is not a problem.
first time i shot a muzzle loader- it kicked straight up and smashed me in the nose- I wasn’t prepared for the recoil lol-
“Sensitivity is the mark of a real man.”
Sensitivity is the mark of a gay man. Fixed it for you.
Sensitivity is the mark of a real man.
If you can fake that, you’ve got it made!
Interesting comments, given the sensitive reactions some folks get. :D
Why do people post things if they aren’t looking for opinions and reactions?
Interesting comments, given the sensitive reactions some folks get. :D
Why do people post things if they aren’t looking for opinions and reactions?
Pachmayr makes a rubber grip for the Ruger Redhawk that covers the backstrap. It's like night and day.
Yep, but you just can't shoot'em in the pinky toe.
Thanks. I just ordered one.
You’re welcome. Enjoy.
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