Bear attack
- Thread starter Slamfire
- Start date
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Not unheard of, this bowhunter had a sidearm of some sort that saved him -
"...was out bow-hunting moose...The man managed to shoot the bear and stop it from attacking him..."
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/19/alberta-hunter-expected-to-recover-after-grizzly-bear-attack-bruin-found-dead
"...was wearing a sidearm on his hip and had in fact unholstered his gun when he realized he was in a dangerous situation..."
http://www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca/archives/outdoor-pursuits-may-14.html
"...was out bow-hunting moose...The man managed to shoot the bear and stop it from attacking him..."
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/19/alberta-hunter-expected-to-recover-after-grizzly-bear-attack-bruin-found-dead
"...was wearing a sidearm on his hip and had in fact unholstered his gun when he realized he was in a dangerous situation..."
http://www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca/archives/outdoor-pursuits-may-14.html
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
I'm in the bush fairly often stump shooting, if you have broad heads or a rifle with no tag in some areas CO's will charge you for poaching. If all I had was a field point I'd use it. What's better than nothing. Anything
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
I got chased by a large blackbear in the 90's when moose hunting, I started yelling as I ran. My partner came out of the woods as he was sitting not far from me. When the bear saw there was 2 of us he turned tail. I carried a pistol grip shotgun on my back for the remainder of that hunt. You may feel the need someday
Hardly... and I have had a couple dozen hairier situations than that... I have a leather boot in the attic with teeth marks in it... have been physically bowled-over by a large bruin coming to the call, and again by a wounded 250 pounder while blood-trailing in the dark.... had a 350 pound boar press its nose against my leg above my knee high boot and inhale.... several occasions had bears climb up to my treestand to investigate... been bluff charged many times... 40 years of bowhunting and guiding for bears and you rack up a repertoire of "incidents." While I absolutely respect bears, I do not fear them... most interactions are well handled without a gun... should I ever run into a situation that absolutely demanded it (unlikely), c'est la vie...
JDForBrkFst
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Roughly North Central AB
You say that, yet....
My close encounters with the potential for that finality have been against humans, but I think my opinion to weigh in here is still valid. I don't believe any man or government has the right to tell a man in good standing that he doesn't need to carry a handgun to defend himself in the bush.
My close encounters with the potential for that finality have been against humans, but I think my opinion to weigh in here is still valid. I don't believe any man or government has the right to tell a man in good standing that he doesn't need to carry a handgun to defend himself in the bush.
I would never carry a long gun with me when bowhunting, as the risk isn't with the inconvenience (to me).
BUT... if wilderness carry was an easy and legal option, AND... I owned a leather boot with teeth marks in it, you can bet your bear-guiding ass that I'd carry a sidearm!
If that makes me less badass than you, I'll happily take my place in the flock.
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
I have guided for bear also and lived and worked in the bush in the NT for 20 years, I've never heard of a guide tracking woonded bear unarmed. If you would have been armed maybe the boots wouldn't have holes in em. Guys not wearing fall protection don't impress me or guides without arms.
Nothing "badass" about it, and certainly not suggesting it... simply saying that I am more comfortable than most around bears due to a plethora of experiences... the shoe would be on the other foot if we were discussing shark infested waters.
Last edited:
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Assumed these were encounters solely in Black Bear territory. In Grizzly territory? Has a different temperament? I recall seeing a bowhunter packing out his Moose kill up in the mountains in an area where I hunt and he was carrying a shotgun. Prudent I thought knowing that area well.
I was armed when tracking the wounded bear... but he still bowled me over when he lunged out of a blowdown spruce... and Wyatt Earp himself would not have gotten his gun into action fast enough to do any good... and the boots got the holes on another day.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Right, just Black Bears then. Hunting in Grizzly territory is always a rush. One incident I was calling Elk and 2 fair sized Grizzlies emerged from the tree line down slope from me about 300 meters away and approaching at a good pace intent on finding me. I moved quietly and hastily at right angles to their approach and then behind them traveling in the opposite direction to where they were headed. Darn it! Wasn't carrying my 416 that day. 
Cranky Pants
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
While I do not have the experience bow hunting black bears as some here I have had several close encounters with both rifle and bow in hand and not had to fire to defend myself but I will say that these days I prefer to let Mr. 12 ga slug do the talking for me now!
Right. Bear whisperer skills. I do not trust bears 100% of the time. Cute and cuddly right up until they second they aren't.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Hoyt's playing down his experiences, he actually assistant guided on a double B.C. Grizzly hunt. To be fair that's more Grizzly hunting than 99% here and likely most he argues politely with. Hoyt below, if he makes the bundles look small you have to remember he's a big fellow.
Hoyt's playing down his experiences, he actually assistant guided on a double B.C. Grizzly hunt. To be fair that's more Grizzly hunting than 99% here and likely most he argues politely with. Hoyt below, if he makes the bundles look small you have to remember he's a big fellow.
That is one big bear. Must have feasted like a king.
And to all those hunting bears with bows. I wish you good luck. I personally wouldn't.
