- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Epic! 
Bear defense gun?
- Thread starter saxsaxsax
- Start date
bigborefan
Regular
- Location
- Kawartha Lakes, ON
Back in the '80s, we lived in Toronto and I was an avid motorcyclist. After I'd been riding for a few months I was involved in an accident with a careless driver of an automobile well outside the city environs. I landed 30 or so feet the other side of his car, did a tuck and roll landing in a sitting-up position. I had a bruised ego, a bruised pinky and heel. The motorcycle needed a lot of work the following winter, and I continued to ride. But, I was thankful to God because first of all it was a miracle that I'm still here to tell about it. Then, I was thankful for my helmet that had the paint of the roof of his car on it!
Sometime after that, I was in suburban Houston, TX for a seminar in November and saw most motorcyclists riding the freeways at 60+ mph without helmets! I again, was thankful for our laws mandating their use.
I've been hunting black bears here in Central Ont for the past 33 years consecutively, and taken my fair share. But I will never go into any area that's bear habitat without personal protection, especially if alone. Where I've hunted bears for the past 6 years, on private property, a former wildlife biologist was chased by a female bear that nearly caused a heart attack, and he finally made it to the home of the owner, who tracked down the bear and shot it. 4 years ago, on that same property, a large bear attacked and killed one of the horses on the property. That bear has attended my baits every year. Sometime over the next couple of weeks I'll be scouting that area again to find spots for trail cams. If alone, I'll be carrying "defence". It's just too remote for anyone to hear cries for help!
Yes, you may go into such areas 1000 times without harm. But can you guarantee the 1001 time? In my view, that's about the same thinking as the Texas' motorcyclists!
I agree with those who have advocated a lever-action in .45-70 with at least 400gr FPs.
Bob
www.bigbores.ca
Sometime after that, I was in suburban Houston, TX for a seminar in November and saw most motorcyclists riding the freeways at 60+ mph without helmets! I again, was thankful for our laws mandating their use.
I've been hunting black bears here in Central Ont for the past 33 years consecutively, and taken my fair share. But I will never go into any area that's bear habitat without personal protection, especially if alone. Where I've hunted bears for the past 6 years, on private property, a former wildlife biologist was chased by a female bear that nearly caused a heart attack, and he finally made it to the home of the owner, who tracked down the bear and shot it. 4 years ago, on that same property, a large bear attacked and killed one of the horses on the property. That bear has attended my baits every year. Sometime over the next couple of weeks I'll be scouting that area again to find spots for trail cams. If alone, I'll be carrying "defence". It's just too remote for anyone to hear cries for help!
Yes, you may go into such areas 1000 times without harm. But can you guarantee the 1001 time? In my view, that's about the same thinking as the Texas' motorcyclists!
I agree with those who have advocated a lever-action in .45-70 with at least 400gr FPs.
Bob
www.bigbores.ca
Man I see a lot of people poking fun, but I had a "sh!t bricks" moment with a bear once.
Me and two hunting buddies were packed up from a day of hunting grouse, we had all bagged near our limit for that day. We had walked the southern leg of the trails/roads area, but we had to drive back up the north leg. We hop into the silverado and leave the trail through the north trail. After maybe 1 km from our packup sight, we get to a curb that goes to the right, and there is a bear off to the side of the road in the ditch. It was a BIG mofo for a black bear. I’ve lived up in Northern Ontario all my life (until that point, as I was 18 then), so I was used to seeing bears pretty often. They hung out near the dumps and sometimes would get near our houses at the edge of the woods etc.. But this guy was definitely the biggest I personally had seen.
Anyways, he seemed like he wanted to cross the road or something, so my buddie’s dad slows the truck to a stop. The bear didn’t seem intimidated by the truck at all. He climbed onto the edge of the road and sat up, and stood tall. I remember being a bit worried and realizing that our windows were open when the bear seemed to size us up in the truck. We had shotguns, but they were useless in the trunk. Of course we can just drive off, but still, that bear was definitely assuming a dominant posture. I cannot remember if he did growl or what, but I remember that the engine was revved up and the horn was sounded to see if we would get any reactions from it.
The bear didn’t give any ground until the truck was put into drive and began moving towards the bear. As we closed in the bear moved away. But not completely giving up, more like moving just enough to let the truck go through.
I was glad I hadn’t met that thing while I was walking the trails. I would have been completely terrified. That .22 I was holding would have been useless, and the other two only had .410’s. Not sure how effective that would have been.
In general bears are not going to approach or chance anything, as they probably will leave you alone without you even knowing they were near… but this instance really made me re-evaluate my stance and respect of bears, and nature as a whole.
That same year I had a bull moose walk up really close to me, and again I realized how awesome and powerful nature is. Nothing came of it, but I definitely was intimidated by the ground shaking underneath my feet as the moose made his way past me.
Is there a chance of a bear attacking you? Not likely at all.. but of course there is always Murphy’s law.
Yes, make fun of me, I'm fine with admitting i'm a wuss when it comes to large wild animals.
Me and two hunting buddies were packed up from a day of hunting grouse, we had all bagged near our limit for that day. We had walked the southern leg of the trails/roads area, but we had to drive back up the north leg. We hop into the silverado and leave the trail through the north trail. After maybe 1 km from our packup sight, we get to a curb that goes to the right, and there is a bear off to the side of the road in the ditch. It was a BIG mofo for a black bear. I’ve lived up in Northern Ontario all my life (until that point, as I was 18 then), so I was used to seeing bears pretty often. They hung out near the dumps and sometimes would get near our houses at the edge of the woods etc.. But this guy was definitely the biggest I personally had seen.
Anyways, he seemed like he wanted to cross the road or something, so my buddie’s dad slows the truck to a stop. The bear didn’t seem intimidated by the truck at all. He climbed onto the edge of the road and sat up, and stood tall. I remember being a bit worried and realizing that our windows were open when the bear seemed to size us up in the truck. We had shotguns, but they were useless in the trunk. Of course we can just drive off, but still, that bear was definitely assuming a dominant posture. I cannot remember if he did growl or what, but I remember that the engine was revved up and the horn was sounded to see if we would get any reactions from it.
The bear didn’t give any ground until the truck was put into drive and began moving towards the bear. As we closed in the bear moved away. But not completely giving up, more like moving just enough to let the truck go through.
I was glad I hadn’t met that thing while I was walking the trails. I would have been completely terrified. That .22 I was holding would have been useless, and the other two only had .410’s. Not sure how effective that would have been.
In general bears are not going to approach or chance anything, as they probably will leave you alone without you even knowing they were near… but this instance really made me re-evaluate my stance and respect of bears, and nature as a whole.
That same year I had a bull moose walk up really close to me, and again I realized how awesome and powerful nature is. Nothing came of it, but I definitely was intimidated by the ground shaking underneath my feet as the moose made his way past me.
Is there a chance of a bear attacking you? Not likely at all.. but of course there is always Murphy’s law.
Yes, make fun of me, I'm fine with admitting i'm a wuss when it comes to large wild animals.
pisces-guy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- West Kelowna, B.C.
I carry an 870 12 gauge with a 14" Dlask barrel that they made for me with a brass bead front sight. I looked at the 12.5" length as well,
but decided against it because we all agreed it was too short to aim properly at a small target. With the 14" barrel and bead I can harvest
the grouse I come across on my hikes or quad rides, and it's still compact enough...and it would aim well at a bear still some distance away.
but decided against it because we all agreed it was too short to aim properly at a small target. With the 14" barrel and bead I can harvest
the grouse I come across on my hikes or quad rides, and it's still compact enough...and it would aim well at a bear still some distance away.
Throttle_monkey1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I had a black bear walk up to me this weekend. Curious bugger. The he snuck around me to the other side, he liked the smell of the food in my cooler. Wasn't bothered in the least that I was there. I was bear hunting too, the only reason he is still breathing is because he was a pinner.
The 45-70 with 420 grain craters would have ruined his day. You never know when you'll run into a stubborn bear. It's best to always have a gun with you if it's possible.
The 45-70 with 420 grain craters would have ruined his day. You never know when you'll run into a stubborn bear. It's best to always have a gun with you if it's possible.
I'm not scared of bears in the least. I even bait at night (on the quad) and have scared bears off the bait. I never bring a gun baiting as every trail cam pic I have of a bear is them RUNNING away as fast as possible first sound that I'm coming (sometimes 4-7 minutes before the camera takes my picture)
Although one time I did have a bear charge me. I was leaving the stand going to camp for lunch and just lowered my gun down and when I got to the ground I put the magazine back in but didn't chamber a round (whoops)
Long story short, come around the corner and onto the wooden bridge that is noisy. Next thing I hear is jaw snapping, Loud huffing and puffing and shaking saplings. Two seconds later I see the bear with head down full charge less than 30 yards away. I just raised my rifle, and fired when the crosshair met his head. CLICK, dry fire and I just about crapped myself.
But that bear stopped the second the gun went click, He stood up and looked at me from about 20-25 yards while I was racking the bolt as fast as I could. I shouldered again just as he was turning around and took off. GONE.....Never got another shot.
I truly believe that bear thought I was another bear until he heard the unfamiliar click or got a whiff of my scent. He knew he made a mistake. Never did see that bear again and he would only visit the bait after dark. I would say he was a 5-6ft bear in the 200-300lb range. My heart has never pumped so hard as that moment. Shot another bear that night about 5 hours later
Although one time I did have a bear charge me. I was leaving the stand going to camp for lunch and just lowered my gun down and when I got to the ground I put the magazine back in but didn't chamber a round (whoops)
Long story short, come around the corner and onto the wooden bridge that is noisy. Next thing I hear is jaw snapping, Loud huffing and puffing and shaking saplings. Two seconds later I see the bear with head down full charge less than 30 yards away. I just raised my rifle, and fired when the crosshair met his head. CLICK, dry fire and I just about crapped myself.
But that bear stopped the second the gun went click, He stood up and looked at me from about 20-25 yards while I was racking the bolt as fast as I could. I shouldered again just as he was turning around and took off. GONE.....Never got another shot.
I truly believe that bear thought I was another bear until he heard the unfamiliar click or got a whiff of my scent. He knew he made a mistake. Never did see that bear again and he would only visit the bait after dark. I would say he was a 5-6ft bear in the 200-300lb range. My heart has never pumped so hard as that moment. Shot another bear that night about 5 hours later
I carry this:
Or this:
Any .458 bullet makes me feel warm and fuzzy while wondering through grizzly country.
Nice piece of wood on that CZ there Blue...................
pisces-guy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- West Kelowna, B.C.
Black bears are almost always nothing to worry about...it's grizzlies that you have to be alert to when you're in grizz country.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
"Ole Blacky" is the most known of the species to hunt humans. Grizz can be nasty around feeding grounds & of course, around a kill site or when with their young.
Trust no bear & have enough thump to cover yer arse when out in the bush.
Trust no bear & have enough thump to cover yer arse when out in the bush.
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If I'm in an area where black bears may be an issue, I bring my wife along with me. She's bigger than most blackies I seen, and twice as mean.
My ex G/f asked me if I was worried about bears where we were going camping.... I said "Nope!, Not a chance, You on the other hand should be, Bears can smell a female's menstrual cycle. You should of seen the look on her face. Complete and utter fear until I cracked a smile. Then she realized I was kidding......But I really wasn't....She just didn't need to know that. LOL
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I'm packing this little guy this year...
14" barreled T/C Contender G2 carbine in 45-70 loaded with hard cast 425gr Beartooth WLNGC's.
A 14" braked 45-70? That's got "deaf" written all over it.
Your right but due to having a total hearing lose in my left ear from measles when I was a kid (wow that happened 51 years ago) I now always wear molded electronic Magnum Ear hearing protection when carrying a firearm this aid amplifies sounds but cuts off any sounds that are louder than 85 decibels just like electronic ear muffs.
Basically due to my hearing loss the hearing aid that I wear in my right ear amplifies sounds that I would not normally hear so I always have them in while working or in the bush.
When carrying this little cannon or one of my handguns when I had my ATC I also wore/wear a molded plug in my left ear the pressure wave borders on painful when letting loose a 454 Casull out of a 4.25" barrel or this 45-70.
Basically due to my hearing loss the hearing aid that I wear in my right ear amplifies sounds that I would not normally hear so I always have them in while working or in the bush.
When carrying this little cannon or one of my handguns when I had my ATC I also wore/wear a molded plug in my left ear the pressure wave borders on painful when letting loose a 454 Casull out of a 4.25" barrel or this 45-70.
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