I have 32 acres in south central Kentucky, 27 of which is wooded with two streams. People have seen black bears around here quite a bit. I’ve read up on them quite a bit and I’m not all that concerned.
For starters, unlike Grizzlies, momma bears are not all that much perturbed by someone coming between them and their cubs. The challenge tends to be the males. However, their average size is actually smaller than me. Of course, the same can be said about a badger, but still. However, I’ve also learned they are rarely aggressive unless they are really in a feeding or rutting frenzy.
The article has got me thinking about carrying my .380 with the lethal load I have in it when it’s in my car.
I remember reading about a black bear attack in the Great Smokey Mountains in TN about 12 or 15 years ago. A woman was killed by a 150 lb black bear, if I remember correctly.
Question for everybody. If you are carrying small caliber pistol for defense against bears, do you still load defense ammunition or go with jacketed ball ammo for more penetration? I'd think .380 hollow point would splat on a grizzly skull. No?