Posted on 05/22/2026 6:25:55 AM PDT by marktwain
The recent fatal bear attack where 33-Year-Old Anthony Pollio was killed by a bear, about May 3, 2026, on the Mount Brown trail in Glacier National Park, is not the first bear attack on the trail. Some online sources are saying an empty can of bear spray was found at the attack site.
If so, the attack is another case where bear spray was used in defense against a bear, and people died.
There have been at least nine deaths associated with the use of bear spray in defense against a bear. There have not been any recorded deaths when a handgun has been fired in defense against a bear in North America. One person was killed in the Svalbard Islands, attempting to defend against a polar bear attack with a .22 pistol in 1995.
The last fatal bear attack in Glacier National Park occurred on May 18, 1998. 26-Year-Old Craig Dahl was killed by a human-habituated bear in a predatory attack. The park had experienced 8 non-fatal attacks on people in the park in the previous three years. Between the 1998 fatal attack and 2010, there were six more attacks. At least six bears were killed that had some connection to the attacks. Only one more attack was recorded in Glacier before 2014.
In 2014, Brian Murphy was attacked by a grizzly bear on the Mount Brown Trail in Glacier National Park. This correspondent wrote about it in October of 2014. The facts of the case are simple.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
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I have backpacked in bear country many times. Seen bears in the wild. They leave me alone and I leave them alone. Humans are not prey to them.
Sure, if you get between mama bear and her cubs there could be static. Don’t do that.
He wasn’t. I was. Context is everything.
The point is that we wouldn’t have the few areas that exist now in a somewhat natural state if “everyone made their own choices”, especially in the past.
Mining concerns would have stripped the land of everything of value - any suitable animal that moved would have been killed for hides and meat. Fish, birds, everything that could have provided a meal or a buck - it happened nearly everywhere else.
One of the worst things to happen to the conservation movement in this country was the coopting of the publicity and messaging by the left, and the radicalization of long-existing organizations. Their political sabotages have polluted the actual invaluable work done to preserve at least a small number of places were people can glimpse a bit of the glory of God’s creation.
Ol’ Dean Weingarten does a great disservice to a balanced view of wildlife and it’s conservation. Perhaps the ease of generating a consistent flow of bear-based fear porn for gun nuts is too lucrative to leave on the table.
“He wasn’t. I was. Context is everything.”
Then yours was not relevant.
My training program is to put my “hand weight” in a chest rig, put on my heavy day pack, run around the parking lot until winded, run up to the line, spin three times until dizzy, and drop 4 out of 6 steel plates at 25 yards consistently winded and dizzy.
How’s your gun control?
I fully realize that there are some that don’t listen to others very well.
It’s a common affliction here at FreeRepublic.
I’m discussing bears at National Parks with people that just seem to want to shoot something.
I now realize my error. I could have a better discussion with a turnip.
Peace be with all you fearful folk.
“Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.”
And femurs, tibias, vertebrae, livers (yummy) etc
“ but you didn’t understand it.”
Oh I understood it just fine.
L
“I now realize my error. I could have a better discussion with a turnip.”
At least you realize the level on which you converse best.
So is that what we call inner city Chicago? Wildlife?
In Alaska the Glock 20, which is a 10mm, is the go-to bear defense pistol. Loaded with Buffalo Bore 220gr you have 16 opportunities to defend yourself against a bear attack before you have to reload.
50 or 60 years ago that was the conventional wisdom of the day. That's no longer the case. Today the 10mm Glock 20 loaded with Buffalo Bore 220gr is the go-to bear defense pistol. If you carry a revolver for bear defense in Alaska you're probably at least 80 years old.
You don’t know me, bears or guns.
You may wish to acquire skills, knowledge and experience before lecturing others, Karen.
So now anyone carrying a firearm for protection in the wilds is a "gun nut?"
Even Girl’s have your number.
If I’m hiking in bear country, my Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag will be on my waist. Period.
Bear spray is a ridiculous “feel-good” marketed as an alternative for firearms-fearful ninnies.
“Perhaps the ease of generating a consistent flow of bear-based fear porn for gun nuts is too lucrative to leave on the table.”
My next-door neighbor ran a guide service in Alaska. Now just a remote business partner.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1127861821658011
Absolutely!
Dude was sufficiently embarrassed by his string of know-nothing comments and their takedowns that he eventually wised up and left with his tail between his legs.
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