I coat the bullets in my .44 magnum with bear spray. That way the spray gets to the bear faster and from farther away.
I don’t even think a pistol would stop a charging grizzly. Maybe a shotgun.
“Threats within arm’s reach are closer than you think...”
Bear spray... I laugh every time I hear this.
My “Bear Spray” is a 0.357 Magnum.
In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.
We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle the bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.
It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear poop.
Black bear poop is smaller and contains a lot of berry seeds and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop has little bells in it and smells like pepper spray.
A 12 gauge slug would have been a good choice.
A lot of people are talking about pistol calibers and shotguns, but let’s not forget one important thing, probably even the MOST important thing.
Hunting grizzlies, or and bear, is dangerous and in the Spring or Fall, especially dangerous. Bears are hungry after hibernation and moody. In the Fall the instinct to fatten up makes them voracious.
Take thick brush, rocky ridges and other factors into account, and it is possible a large bear is only feet away when you first encounter each other. A surprised, hungry bear might charge that very second (because surprised prey can get away if given a few seconds hesitation), and you have exactly one second to reach your piece and fire before a half ton of sprung, hard energy is on you. You could easily only have you pistol out half way but when the bear hits you drop it from the impact. If it wants to eat or kill you then, there’s NOTHING you can do to stop it.
Even if you have a shotgun at port arms at the time, the bear could be on you before your finger can pull the trigger.
Grizzly hunting is dangerous. Some die trying.
Unfortunately, the dude was wearing Axe for some post-hunt date he had planned and the grizzly was female...
A fatal bear spray failure? That seems like one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard.
The most effective bear spray is AK-47!!!!
Bear spray does work, and it’s a good alternative if you’re being followed or stalked and recognize that. Once the bear has committed to an attack profile, though, it’s just a bad smell to it. And if the bear is close enough for a handgun to be an effective, you need a handgun in your hand, not in your pack. I did a lot of solo backpacking when I was younger, but no longer, not in Grizzly country.
That is a grouchy bear. Three people attacked, one fatally. Probably a good thing that she was shot.