Posted on 04/23/2021 5:35:51 AM PDT by marktwain
U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- On the afternoon of 15 April 2021, Carl Mock was attacked by a grizzly bear near Baker’s Hole Campground in Gallatin County, Montana. The campground is a few miles from the town of West Yellowstone, near an entrance to Yellowstone Park. Mock was able to dial 911. Several agencies responded to the call at about 3:42 p.m. The first responders were able to find Mock after about 50 minutes of searching.
Mock had “sustained significant scalp and facial injuries” according to the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Facebook page. Localnews8.com gave more details of the injuries:
Authorities say the bear attack left him with severe injuries to the left side of his face, head and neck. Judging from his injuries, they said Mock seems to have used the proper fetal position to keep the bear from killing him, but a the bear still managed to bite out a chunk of his skull.
“I want people to know that Carl wasn’t out there… he wasn’t out there making stupid choices and like chasing after animals. He’s very aware of rules and guidelines,” Cook said.
Image from Gallatin County SAR on facebook, bear attack scene 15 April, 2021, cropped and scaled by Dean Weingarten www.facebook.com/GallatinCountySAR/photos/pcb.1418767205135492/1418767041802175 More information was included on an update. Mock had bear spray, the safety tab had been removed, but it was not known if it any had been sprayed. From ktla.com:
Mock when attacked had bear spray — a Mace-like deterrent meant to protect against attacks — but officials said they did not know if he managed to use it. Bear spray canisters have safety tabs to prevent them from going off accidentally and the safety tab on
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
Q. Do you know how you can tell grizzly bear poop from black bear poop?
A. Grizzly bear poop is pepper-scented and has bells in it.
just bought some bear spray at Costco...I don’t trust it, but its better then nothing....
I don’t really go to bear country, but I’d rather have spray than nothing. Of course, a strong gun is best. I’d probably even settle for .357 Sig if I had to. :)
“And they always seem to have massive scalp injuries if not actual teeth holes in the skull, which makes me think that is an attacking technique by bears.”
If your skull is small enough the the bear can fit your head in its mouth it will crush your skull and pick you up by the head and shake you until your neck snaps. Crude but effective. Of course if you spray it with some pepper it will not do this... /s
Jack O’Conner had a favorite Indian guide when he hunted Alaska. His name was Field Johnson. He was brutally mauled by a Grizzly. He rode it out, played dead, until he thought it had gone away. He started moving and was mauled again. He lived, but went insane.
Bear Spray = Condiment.
Dad used to rub bacon grease bear repellent on me when we went fishing.
It worked.....most of the time.
How mean, I hope he didn't dress you up in brown fur and put antlers on your head and have you run thru the woods during deer season too.
Yep, but it was worse during pheasant season.
There are new bear sprays available that are a gel, very sticky, can’t shake it off or spit it out, blinding. The new sprays are much more powerful also.
The problem with all these hand cannons and magnums is that you have to be comfortable drawing and shooting.....very quickly. That means lots of range time, lots of rounds, regularly meaning at least monthly.
Expensive ammo and having your brains rattled with every round limits practice. The .45 ACP is still my favorite. Very weather-resistent, easy to aim and shoot, great knock-down power. Safe to carry and kid resistent.
The bear liked some spice with his food.
The problem with all these hand cannons and magnums is that you have to be comfortable drawing and shooting.....very quickly. That means lots of range time, lots of rounds, regularly meaning at least monthly.
Expensive ammo and having your brains rattled with every round limits practice. The .45 ACP is still my favorite. Very weather-resistent, easy to aim and shoot, great knock-down power. Safe to carry and kid resistent.
You have to hit well with the sprays, too.
If they are more of a gel, they have a more narrow spray.
Much more expensive to practice with than a firearm.
Cannot take them aboard an aircraft.
Not nearly as ergonomic as a handgun and good holster.
Handguns have been shown to be effective 97% of the time.
You do not have to be Wyatt Earp.
Most of the time bears charge up to you to check you out. If hollering doesn’t work, hit them with the bear spray. That should be the first option, shoot them if that doesn’t work.
If you get jumped, draw and shoot, no time for spray. I prefer a fanny pack worn in front, faster draw.
Announcing yourself is always wise, bear bells, or have kids around. Not kidding, I grew up in SE AK.
Hi.
When hunting in bear country, a Colt .44 cal Anaconda is a good bear spray.
5.56mm
Aim for their legs Joe?
From decades of carrying a handgun.
Fanny packs are some of the slowest things to draw from.
I tried many different ones.
If you wait to draw your side arm until after the spray fails. Sprays have a very short range.
You are to late.
Now if there are two people one can back the sprayer up with lethal force.
A lot of bear attacks happen in hunting season when one is hunting other game.
Making a bunch of noise defeats that purpose.
I don’t care what park policy is regarding guns in national parks.. absolutely no way I would ever back country hike or camp in Yellowstone without one.
I know this didn’t happen in the park, but still, to me it is utterly obscene that folks are supposed to run around without in such a place.
Yea no, if a bear charges me I am not waiting to see if it’s a scare tactic or a true full attack.
If they are far enough away when they start to charge, I might attempt a warning shot to see if the sound changes their behavior/scares them off, otherwise... aiming for them and pulling the trigger until the do change their mind or drop.
If they don’t drop before they reach me, then odds are I’m going to meet my maker.. draw knife and try best to prevent it.
in bear country
With a well maintained Tommy gun, readily available.
The bear copuntry I am familiar with is SE AK, BC, and Pac NW. It is often very wet. Holsters don’t keep your weapon dry enough. And shirts/jackets that cover the holster slow down the draw.
A dry bag, velcro fanny pack worn in front solves those problems. Announce yourself and don’t take women along.
I would only reach for bear spray after I have drawn my weapon.
Most hunting is by rifle, long range, 400 yards or more. Game is more tuned into scent and the sound of moving through brush. I wear bear bells only when hiking.
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