[Spktyr]

Might have been a different story if they had had a gun.

I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

[canalabamian]

I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

I've heard 00 buck closely followed by slugs are the best bear repellent. Of course, I wouldn't really care to test the theory myself. ;)

[Wycowboy]

Might have been a different story if they had had a gun. I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

National Parks in the lower 48 do not allow firearms in the back country except for a very few exceptions. A better choice would be a couple of cans of pepper spray.

[The Grammarian]

In bear country, you're probably better off carrying a Magnum, even if it isn't in a caliber starting with a number of .4 or greater.

A Desert Eagle .50 cal AE would probably be a good bet.

[manwiththehands]

Amen to that. Going into bear country unarmed is dangerous and foolish.

[CatoRenasci]

Years ago, back in the '70s, when I did a lot of solo and duo hiking on the Muir Trail and in the Ventana Wilderness in California, I always had a S&W .44 magnum within easy reach. I never had to use it, but I had a close call with a pack of wild pigs with young. I came upon them straddling the trail and immediately retreated. Fortunately I found a rock I could get on top of out of their reach. They had started towards my location when the wind shifted and after a while they simply moved on. There were about 20 of them -- I would not have wanted to be trying to reload (extra ammo was in my pack)while they came at me.

[U S Army EOD]

A .22 cal short will work just fine.

[TC Rider]

Might have been a different story if they had had a gun.

I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

There are good loads in 10mm too, though a .44 magnum would probably be optimum. Doesn't sound like he had too much time to resist, but it sure wouldn't have hurt to have it.

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

Of course, it's agin the law to have a loaded gun in a National Park. What was that thing people talk about that somebody wrote down a couple of hundred years ago? Oh yeah! I remember now!! It's the Second Amendment....

[taxcontrol]

no kidding... and usually expressed with "mag" at the end.

[1066AD]

Isn't it against the law to carry in a National Park ?
Think I read that somewhere.

[right way right]

I carry a .44 Mag Super Red Hawk 9 1/2 in. Barrel when I hike or hunt or fish.
Loaded with 240 grain bullets. Damn the Park rules! I keep it under my light vest out of sight yet within easy access. and yes it does cause a little discomfort but beats having my skull chomped on. (No I don't hunt in National Parks!)

[MarkL]

I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

No kidding! A Ruger Redhawk loaded up with 6 rounds of .44Mag filled to the brim with WW296, topped with a Sierra 300gr JFP, is a good recipe.

Mark

[Dustbunny]

I won't go around in bear country without something whose caliber doesn't start with a number of ".4" or greater.

My husband never walks around our property, we are in black bear country, unless he has his.44 with him.