Posted on 01/04/2022 4:17:02 AM PST by marktwain
On April 15, 2021, Carl Mock was attacked by a grizzly bear, just outside of Yellowstone Park. Mock was an accomplished woodsman and guide. He did not have a firearm with him. He had bear spray. He used the bear spray but was fatally injured.irected to Montana Fish and Wildlife Morgan Jacobsen, was able to determine bear spray had been used in the incident. Initially, the use of bear spray was reported as unknown by 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 Mock’s bear spray was off, Jacobsen said.
Ktvh.com reports the investigation confirms bear spray was used. Although the attack was fatal, the lead investigator, Hillary Cooley, is reported as characterizing the use of bear spray as helpful. From ktvh.com:
Cooley says the incident again shows the need for safety precautions, even close to town. While bear spray helped curtail this attack, carcasses can present a real hazard in grizzly country.
Another report indicates the full can of bear spray was discharged in the incident. From gohunt.com:
Investigators say he had brought fishing gear and a camera to the closed campground and likely the surprised the grizzly bear around 3:30 p.m. He was able to discharge a full can of bear spray during the attack and call 911 to report where he was.
The full investigative report makes clear the bear spray was deployed against the grizzly bear during the attack.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
22 will just make bear angry and not ever slow him down. Minimum 357. minimum.
Bear Spray: The COVID “vaccine” for bear attacks.
His call but I gotta ask WHY?
Hard to know, but he probably bought into the idea that bear spray is more effective at stopping attacks than firearms.
There has been a strong disinformation campaign to push bear spray as more effective. It was all a sham.
The studies relied on to push this were poorly done; then the poorly done studies were compared in inappropriate ways.
On the other hand, it appears pistols are 97% effective in stopping bear attacks, when they are used.
Caliber is far less important than most think.
My bear spray is a ruger super blackhawk
45-70 hardcast will do very nicely.
It’s OK. Most of us have already heard it. In 1998.
A .44 magnum with short barrel is easy to pack. Medium to large caliber rifles are good. A 12 gauge with sabot slugs are devastating at close range. A light short barreled pump is easy to sling and carry
Watched some kind travel show a year or so ago, Canada I think. Woman was doing the dog sled trip out to observe seals thing. Guide carried a 12 gauge (by law I think) first loaded round or two were some kind of deterrent blanks after that slugs. This would of course be on flat snowy ground and worry would be polar bear not grizzly and presumably surprise would not be factor particularly with the dogs. My shooting skills are not what they used to be so as much as I might like the 45-70 in a leaver gun I would carry a 12 gauge loaded with slugs with one or two buckshot as last resort, if I was out in grizzly land.
Notice this deflection by Cooley?
The bear is not the hazard; the carcass is the hazard!!
No, a dead moose is not a hazard. Ursus Horriblis, which has been taught for 50 years, or 15 bear generations, not to respect humans, is the hazard.
I've read that the F&G guys in Alaska use 12 gauge shotguns with slugs for grizzlies.
IOW, the bear liked his Carl spicy.
I know if I were a bear trying to eat someone, and he sprayed me with some bear spray, I’d be outta there.
That seems to be the level of thinking rule-writing pencil-pushers seem to engage. They have little useful experience in the wild, and it’s costing us lives.
2.Types of firearms
2.1. Rifles
The acquisition, use, trade and import of rifles for use as protection against polar bears is permitted in Svalbard, pursuant to the Firearms Act and Firearms Regulations.
2.1 Rifles used for protection against polar bears shall have a minimum calibre of .308W or 30-06 (7.62 mm). Rifle bullets shall be expanding, with a minimum bullet weight of 11.5 g. The required impact energy shall be 2,700 J, measured at a distance of 100 m.
For reasons of precision, range, functionality in cold conditions and stopping power, the Governor of Svalbard recommends the use of rifles as the primary means of protection against polar bears, rather than other types of firearms.
Hiring out rifles is permitted. For more detailed conditions regarding this, please refer to Section 4.2.2. Shotguns
The acquisition, use, trade and import of shotguns for use as protection against polar bears is permitted in Svalbard, pursuant to the Firearms Act and Firearms Regulations.
2.2 Shotguns used for protection against polar bears shall have a minimum calibre of 12, and should have a magazine permitting a minimum of four shots (automatic or pump-action shotgun). The use of slugs (shotgun ammunition comprised of one projectile) is recommended for protection against polar bears.
However, the Governor of Svalbard warns that most magazine-fed shotguns tend to have problems with icing and condensation, and require more preventive maintenance work if they are to function in difficult conditions. Because of this, combined with the fact that shotguns have less precise sights and a limited range, the Governor of Svalbard recommends the use of rifles as the primary means of protection against polar bears.
The Governor of Svalbard advises against the use of double-barrelled shotguns for protection against polar bears, because of the number of available shots.
It is prohibited to hire out shotguns for protection against polar bears.
2.3. Handguns/revolversHandguns for competition and practice can legally be used in the field for protection against polar bears, provided that the Governor of Svalbard has granted a special permit for this.
This combination of usage purposes shall be stated explicitly on the firearm permit and may only be granted upon application to the Governor of Svalbard. This permit may only be granted if the applicant meets the requirements for documented activity in an approved shooting association.
Handguns for which an applicant is seeking a permit for use as protection against polar bears shall have a minimum calibre of 44. Ammunition to be used for protection against polar bears shall have a minimum weight of 15.5 g and a minimum muzzle energy of 1,200 J.
In English measurement, that is 885 ft-lbs, with a minimum bullet weight of 239 grains. Full power .44 magnum loads, .480 Ruger, .454 Casull, .500 Smith & Wesson and .460 Smith & Wesson would qualify. Some .41 magnum loads would qualify.
Those who would carry a pistol for protection in Svalbard need to show they have participated in organized pistol training four times in the last year, before they can be approved.
Was the bear wearing Yogi pants?
Ah, a hot Carl.
Pepper spray is just seasoning to a determined and hungry bear.
Probably just pissed the bear off more.
And always have a good pair of running shoes.😏
But the spray was helpful. It’s what passes for logic I guess.
Svalbard
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