Bear Attacks Stopped with Handguns

[floogy]

https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/defense-against-bears-with-pistols-97-success-rate-37-incidents-by-caliber/amp/

[Jimi Jah]

If I had to dispatch a bear in the California backcountry I would hide the body. It's worse than shooting a human.

[JackEllis]

Maybe. While deer hunting on Kodiak Island a few years ago, we saw more bears than deer. Two of the four folks I was with live up there and hunt bears. They were carrying 300 win magnums for the bears, not the small deer.

A handgun is probably better than nothing but there's an old joke that the purpose of the handgun is to spare you the agony of being mauled.

[Citadelgrad87]

Maybe. While deer hunting on Kodiak Island a few years ago, we saw more bears than deer. Two of the four folks I was with live up there and hunt bears. They were carrying 300 win magnums for the bears, not the small deer.

A handgun is probably better than nothing but there's an old joke that the purpose of the handgun is to spare you the agony of being mauled.

[codypaint77]

Idaho

I've ran into a few Black bears here in North Idaho. So far they just run away, but a sow with cubs is a different story. Luckily I haven't run into a sow.

We do have Grizzlies but thank god I haven't seen one.

I carry my Marlin SBL 45-70 with 540gr super hard cast hammer heads. But my first line is the bear spray.

Sometimes I carry my Ruger .454.

[Springfield45]

What I take from this is; pistols are a very good defense against bear attacks; regardless of what caliber you carry FMJ is better because it penetrates; 44 mag rules the day.

[Skip_Dog]

While hunting bear its a 30-06 rifle with 165g and a .45 on the hip.

[codypaint77]

Not really

What I take from this is; pistols are a very good defense against bear attacks; regardless of what caliber you carry FMJ is better because it penetrates; 44 mag rules the day.

Remember a bear can run 35 mph, in 100 yards that's a few seconds. He'll be on you in a jiffy. Unless you get a head shot he's going to get you. A head shot will be ulmost impossible while he's running at you and your shaking all over the place. A body shot will still provide him with adrenaline.

For your protection, a slow heavy shot of a rifle without a scope is your best defense. Personally I would not use a 300wm against a large brown bear. That's why I like my 45-70, 540gr.

[squeeze]

Because there are no more grizzlies in CA; except on our state flag. Even the one in the SF Zoo passed on to that great salmon run in the sky. He had claws longer than my fingers

From what I understand; Grizzlies will ambush you. Read about them in the adventures of Lewis and Clark. A constant threat.
Black bears tend to be more wary and avoid contact.
If you meet any one of two types up close and personal: ignore this thread and shoot.

The Greeks had a saying that went sorta like this; "Give your enemy a bear for a pet."

[T6pilot]

Couple years ago in anchorage a homeowner was awakened in the middle of the night by noises from downstairs, heading down the stairs with his Glock 19 and a flashlight he was met by a bear coming the other way
If I remember correctly he emptied a full mag into the bear to stop him

[Aeneas]

A couple years ago, there was a show called Kodiak, which was about a family of bear hunting guides on Kodiak Island. The guides said that they would not let anyone hunt them with anything less than a .338 for safety purposes. One of the guides did have a large frame revolver strapped to his chest for backup. It's my understanding that Kodiak bears are among the biggest in the world, so it seems to be a completely different situation than most of the stories presented in the article though.

[Robotron2k84]

Alaska handgun modifications for bear inlcudes filing the front sight completely flush.

That way when the besr jams it up your a—, it doesnt hurt as much.

Along the same lines: my last trip to Alaska I ventured into the LGS and while looking over a Ruger 10mm 1911, asked the PBTC how many Ruger Alaskans they sell. His response was: not many, the Alaskan is your backup gun for when you're halfway down the gullet, not much room to maneuver a rifle in there.

Because there are no more grizzlies in CA; except on our state flag. Even the one in the SF Zoo passed on to that great salmon run in the sky.

Unless this is very recent, there are two Grizzly bears at the SF Zoo, and the polar bear recently passed.

[Citadelgrad87]

A couple years ago, there was a show called Kodiak, which was about a family of bear hunting guides on Kodiak Island. The guides said that they would not let anyone hunt them with anything less than a .338 for safety purposes. One of the guides did have a large frame revolver strapped to his chest for backup. It's my understanding that Kodiak bears are among the biggest in the world, so it seems to be a completely different situation than most of the stories presented in the article though.

I spent a bit of time in Denali and the coastal areas a few years ago. The inlang grizzly top out at 600lbs, theres basically nothing to eat.

The coastal ones get the salmon buffet every late summer, and they average 1200 lbs.

I read that as being twice as big. I was close enough to a pn inkand bear to smell himnand touch him if i wanted, and 6000lbs is pretty damned big.

[elk hunter]

Bear attacks being rare is a fairy tail dreamed up by some bunnyhugging meadow muffin. Here where I live they happen "EVERY" year and by both black bears and grizzly's. Using a pistol is better than shouting harsh language or a limp hose in your hand, don't trust bear spray to save your @ss from a hungry or pissed of bear it doesn't matter one bit what kind of bear it is. For me the only option is to fight so having something powerful enough to fight with is not a option it's a requirement. If I bump into a bear no matter what the reason if they charge and I have time they will be shot there is NO such thing as a bluff charge to me it's real and it's on. If you bump into a bear at close range you have serious problems if it decides to attack, be right with God because you just might get to meet him real soon. If you do shoot a attacking bear don't quit shooting until it quits moving or your out of ammo. The one predictable thing about all bears is that they are 100% unpredictable 100% of the time. You do what you want but for me I will continue to live under my rules so far no bear has chewed me up and I have no plans on letting that happen......ever. Set your own rules and live by them, it's your skin.

[Endless]

It’s pretty simple. While stationed in Alaska we went hiking on long trails all the time and brown bear were everywhere. At a minimum I had my .454 Casul and 12 gauge shotgun with slugs. Big brown bears don’t like either caliber and that includes a momma with her young. I took both every time we went hiking and it was probably hundreds of times over years and we never had a problem with brown bears.

In Maine we have big black bear and I honestly don’t fear them as much as the brown bears. I had one instance where one was trying to get in the house through the back sliding glass door which was open. He ripped the screen and I shot 2 slugs and hit him center mass. He was standing up as I shot. He made a growl turned and trotted off like a scared coyote. There was blood all over the deck and off into the woods. I had to replace the screen door but he never made it in. My neighbor was a state trooper and he heard the gunshots and came over and I told him what happened and he said that’s exactly what he would have done. You don’t yell or scare them. You shoot to kill.

Discharging a firearm within city limits is legal there. Especially to protect life and limb from wild animals.