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Offline 3030guy

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bear defense
« on: October 04, 2011, 05:53:31 PM »
I've seen a few posts here on what to carry in bear country. Take a look at this video, while the debate is fun from the comfort of our computers, the reality is pretty scary. Maybe my 357 with all it's muzzle blast isn't such a bad choice. Not that I'm ever in brown bear country..
http://youtu.be/opSTg97Dko4
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2011, 07:49:12 PM »
I would NOT have shot the water, at least not on purpose.  ;D
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Offline Dand

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2011, 11:52:46 PM »
I'm with GB on this.  They were very lucky and probably because there were 3 of them.  I do live in brown bear country but have never been charged. Don't count on muzzle blast doing anything.  I have tried to scare away several brown bears with a 300 win mag and once with a 41 magnum.  They never blinked.  I even shot into the water right in front of a brownie with my 41 but he stood there until I nearly hit him in the head with a rock.  I think the rock carried my smell to him and he decided to leave.  I bet their hollering, holding ground helped the most.  Wheweeeeee! That is a scary video I'm glad they came thru ok.
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Offline bulletstuffer

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2011, 02:55:50 AM »
WOW!  People just can't imagine the speed of a bear attack.  Couldn't tell for sure but it looks like he must have already had the gun out of the holster.  Lucky for them either way that the bear didn't keep coming.  That charge is the reason I have always been a little afraid while in bear country.  Imagine that charge coming from a blind spot or when you were walking through a thicket.  The bears play by their own rules.  Happy to see them come out in one piece.
 
No such thing as to much gun ;)
 
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Offline 3030guy

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2011, 10:50:40 AM »
I'm not sure the warning shot at the water was intentional. I don't know how he unholstered the gun as fast as he did. Even if he hit the bear I doubt it would have been enough to stop her at that range, unless it it CNS.
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Offline gr8ful

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2011, 06:44:00 PM »
Quote from: Graybeard on October 04, 2011, 07:49:12 PM
I would NOT have shot the water, at least not on purpose.  ;D

Regardless of what he said I would bet he didn't either!!
 
I probably could have scared her off with the noxious fumes emitting from my drawers no need of the pistol! ;D
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Offline rockbilly

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2011, 06:25:17 AM »
I think I would want something larger than a .357 if I were traveling through bear country.  Luckily in my few trips to areas with bear I always had something larger but never had an occasion to use it.  As stated, they do move very fast and can cover 15-20 feet before most of us could un-holster a gun.  My friend tells a story of shooting a brown 5 times with a 30-06 at less than fifty feet, he said the bear continued to charge but was finally killed by another member of the party with something in a big mag. caliber.  My friend said they found a 30-06 bullet in the hair on the chest that never penetrated the skin.  If I go back I think I will pack a .500.

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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2011, 06:35:45 AM »
That would have been a wonderful time to have been holding an 870 loaded with 1 1/4 oz slugs . And warning shots are a waste of ammo. IMHO. Now was it a missed shot ?
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Offline 45-70.gov

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2011, 08:14:03 AM »
i ask the same question on every one of these bear threads


how does a bear[or any  animal] react to muzzle blast


many have said no snubies  due to  loss of power


but  a snubby 357 mag.....is a hand held flashbang  weapon....even if you miss


it looks like muzzle blast alone saved the day here
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Offline Spirithawk

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2011, 05:07:05 PM »
I live in Black Bear country, but were it Grizzly country, I think nothing less than a 12 gauge loaded with 3 1/2" mag deer slugs would make me feel comfy. I'd fire several warning shots. All into the bear to make an example of him to the other bears! Warning! Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone!
 
This does drive home the point that your defense weapon should be up to any job it might come up against.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2011, 02:12:13 AM »
No handgun round/gun has a 100% stop record on humans. So what makes them best bear stoppers ? Think 870 been makine belivers out of bears and bad guys for years .
A big flash might stop some bears but if it were on top of you it might not be able to stop.
The guy in the raft was lucky. The bear may have made a false charge intending to stop. The shot may have really made little difference. The size of the raft and men may have looked to big to the bear. The shot only adding to the bears concern.
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Offline 3030guy

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2011, 12:55:06 PM »
Quote from: Spirithawk on October 06, 2011, 05:07:05 PM
I live in Black Bear country, but were it Grizzly country, I think nothing less than a 12 gauge loaded with 3 1/2" mag deer slugs would make me feel comfy. I'd fire several warning shots. All into the bear to make an example of him to the other bears! Warning! Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone!
 
This does drive home the point that your defense weapon should be up to any job it might come up against.
I'm with you 100% on the shotgun, although I'm not sure I would be able to grab it and take the shot in the split seconds of a surprise charge. How's the saying go? When it's not your time there's nothing that can kill you, but when your time is up there's nothing that can save you.
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Offline rockbilly

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2011, 07:57:22 AM »
While visiting Yellowstone I was advised to carry “bear spray,” usually just a high powered pepper spray, hiking through part of the park.  On the trail I ran across several people carrying wasp spray, they said it was more effective than the commercial bear spray and much less expensive. I don’t think I would feel safe carrying either one..  We were told to wear a bell and make noise as we walked. I was lucky, I had a trailer to sleep in at night, lots of folks were sleeping in tents, I was told that most bear attacks there occur at night when the bears wander into camp sites searching for food.

Later, I was informed that the Rangers could always tell a bear that had attack a human, their poop smelled like pepper spray and had little bells in it. 8)
 

Bottom line, no matter what you carry you are not insured you will be totally safe, A firearm or spray may provide the peace of mind to enjoy an outing but keep in mind bears have killed even well armed visitors while armed companions watched and feared for their own life.  Big game hunting and venturing through their country is not a sport for sissies!
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Offline myronman3

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2011, 11:56:57 AM »
i dont know about brownies...but i have had lots of run ins with blackies.
    first things first...i had a situation just like the one they had.   came around a corner, seen cubs.  that means momma is somewhere very close and i am sure he did just like we did....guns out and ready the SECOND you see a cub.   if they were nature lovers and snapping pictures and thinking about how cute they were instead of what a bad situation they were in, this could have ended very differently.   
    the second thing....a reason i wont own a 460 or a 500 is the concusion....it is brutal.  far worse than anything non-military i have experienced.   a friend was shooting one and i was standing a good 25 feet from him; slightly behind and off to the side.  the shock wave from when he fired hurt my head.   i cant imagine what it would feel like standing in front of the gun and i dont want to.   would i count on that stopping a bear?  nope.   but i bet it didnt hurt their cause.   
   my guess is the guy panicked and missed....as that is far too close to be giving warning shots.   or maybe, he hit her and claimed to shoot into the water to avoid potential b.s..   either way works for me.   
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Offline Pat/Rick

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #14 on: October 19, 2011, 08:35:05 AM »
I searched "prospecting in alaska" one time on a whim. The AK state site (one of the hits)reccomended that folks leave their pistols at home and bring a 12 Ga. with slugs. Been to AK before but never wandered the bush. Me thinks that a 12 ga slug gun is pretty sound and realistic advice. YMMV
 
BTW, I often carry my remmie 870, rifle sights, IC whenever I just goof off in the woods mushrooming, scouting, etc. As well, I usually have my G23 with me.
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: bear defense
« Reply #15 on: October 19, 2011, 09:21:13 AM »
I have hunted duck in bear country . Never been to close to one but at a distance one realizes a bear is a big threat. I would not have liked to face one with a handgun .
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