Smaller Calibers in Grizzly Country

That track above was behind Jim & my tent Greg. :d I had to fire shot in camp in the middle of the night on that hunt, think I or Jim told you that story, when I went out to check out the noises. Jim didn’t sleep well the rest of the night, seems a midnight gunshot outside the tent is worth about four cups of coffee. The culprit that time turned out not to be fearsome, the Grizzly was much quieter.

And I’m switching gears to enjoying the bearanoia here for satire, it’s easier to handle that way. :d
 
If you fear bears so much buy one of the perimeter electric fences at least it will warn you to give you enough time to unzip the fly of the tent or the zipper of your sleeping bag... Thk
 
hoytcanon said:
Tents also come with zippers... it's not like you are sewn into a body bag. I have had bears in camp dozens of times... my moose hunting partner even got stepped on one time while inside the tent... granted, it is not an entirely comfortable experience, but the process goes something like this;

1. Click goes the flashlight
2. Zip goes the zipper
3. Poke goes the muzzle
4. Poke goes the head
5. "GO BEAR!" in your deepest voice

95% of the time that does the trick... on a couple occasions the (6.) Gun went "BOOM!"
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Except that grizzlies don't stay gone, they come back, sometimes within minutes, I know this because I've been there.

I had a Waschbear clawing at my tent once, that was enough.
 
Ardent said:
And I’m switching gears to enjoying the bearanoia here for satire, it’s easier to handle that way. :d
Click to expand...

I love a good bear defence thread, the guys with experience drop some knowledge and the popcorn gets lots of butter lol.

The only thing better is a “what’s the best oil to run in my SOHC4” over on the vintage Honda forum. :)
 
I love it how guys seem to think that Black Bears and Coastal Grizzlies/Brown Bears are the same as Mountain Grizzlies. Practically any worthless dog will put a Black Bear up a tree and it will stay there, a Grizzly will maybe take a few steps back from big fierce dogs but will soon turn to face them. It's been known for ages that Mountain Grizzlies are much fiercer than Coastal Bears, the historic literature is full of this, including the name "Horrible Bear", it's certainly obvious in the cultures of the various Indians, those in the mountains and plains having ceremonies to placate the Grizzlies and even going so far as to not speak it's name least they be attacked, these were not docile people yet they had great fear and respect for the Mountain/Plains Grizzly. To my knowledge nobody did such things with the coastal bears or black bears. The Black Bear being cowardly and the coastal bears being fat and happy. I know the experts are going to claim there is no such difference but compare wolves, the North American Wolf is bigger and stronger than the European Wolf, but the number of people killed by wolves in NA can probably be counted on your fingers while the European Wolf is documented in killing thousands of people.

But, to the original premise, smaller calibers in Grizzly Country is this, Elk rifles define all around guns, if it's suitable for elk it is suitable for anything, I'd hunt Elk with a 270 WCF or 257 Weatherby or 6.5x55. It wouldn't be my choice but I've known people who took Grizzlies with the 243, 22-250, and 22 WMR, better than a stick I guess and the one with the 243 was big enough that the taxidermist "lost" it.

And no, you won't find me in a tent with Grizzlies around, it's a terrible feeling being encased and blind with a Grizzly nosing around.

And if bears don't concern people they should leave their Glock at home.
 
I over react to bears.

That happens when you win the deadfall olympics, being chased by a black bear as a undersized 12 yr old. Yukon Alaska Moose carried away in the Peace was the inspiration for some of my collection. Since the title is small calibers in Grizzly country, i will pass. Apparently my 416 rigby took a Dall Sheep with its previous owner. Would not be my choice for a sheep hunt. Course a Sheep hunt would not be my choice, too many crashes has made me prematurely old. Now i live where the largest game animal is 65lbs on the meat hooks, so a 243 is overkill.
 
hoytcanon said:
Tents also come with zippers... it's not like you are sewn into a body bag. I have had bears in camp dozens of times... my moose hunting partner even got stepped on one time while inside the tent... granted, it is not an entirely comfortable experience, but the process goes something like this;

1. Click goes the flashlight
2. Zip goes the zipper
3. Poke goes the muzzle
4. Poke goes the head
5. "GO BEAR!" in your deepest voice

95% of the time that does the trick... on a couple occasions the (6.) Gun went "BOOM!"
Click to expand...

Speaking of zippers, many years ago I spent a night in an old, dilapidated trappers cabin moose hunting. The moon was shining through a glassless "window", but when I woke up once during the night, no moon. A black bear was in the opening, and my zipper on the sleeping bag was stuck. Talk about a strange feeling!! Luckily screaming and yelling was enough to dissuade him from joining me!

Yes it was "only" a black bear, but I doubt a grizzly would've behaved differently. Some people seem to think every grizzly encounter results in a mauling. Black bears are actually more predatory toward humans than grizzly. Grizzly are more aggressive, but that aggression usually stems from a defensive action, not predatory.
 
Don’t tell my bears how to identity, this is 2019! We run into them at sea level and on rock and ice above the tree line at altitude. Which am I facing as I’d like to know when to carry the big gun and sleep in the lean to. ;) Academically, should note the only charges at the outfit have been at sea level in the salmon though there’s been sport at altitude. I think that’s luck and density not representative.

Three days ago, working up in the stone sheep hills in the high 7s region at 6,000-7,500. Tracks all over the ridges, I’ll try and interview the next Grizz I meet on their attitude and how they identify.

Lpdnoli.jpg
 
Boomer said:
A .429" diameter bullet is fine if it weighs north of 300 grs and impacts in excess of 1150 fps. I load hard cast 325 WFNs over 20 grs of H-110.


I dislike tents when bears are around because they prevent me from seeing what's around me. Wrapping my sleeping bag in a tarp although less comfortable has been enough to keep me dry and in addition to 360 degree visibility, its also more or less windproof. A tent during the winter is fine though. If I want comfortable, I have a cabin. If I want comfortable and warm I have a house.
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Ye be dead on with that one. :cool:
 
Ardent said:
Don’t tell my bears how to identity, this is 2019! We run into them at sea level and on rock and ice above the tree line at altitude. Which am I facing as I’d like to know when to carry the big gun and sleep in the lean to. ;) Academically, should note the only charges at the outfit have been at sea level in the salmon though there’s been sport at altitude. I think that’s luck and density not representative.

Three days ago, working up in the stone sheep hills in the high 7s region at 6,000-7,500. Tracks all over the ridges, I’ll try and interview the next Grizz I meet on their attitude and how they identify.

Lpdnoli.jpg
Click to expand...

Before digital photography I walked up there with my hands in my pockets. It was -29 that morning and the wind was strong, no big deal when you know how to get out the wind above timberline. Coming back below timberline there were wolf tracks over mine, but they were gentlemen and I never saw them.
20190426_144015.jpg
 

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I saw a video of an aboriginal person taking a grizzly or an Alaskan brown bear with a 223. The bear went down fast with a well placed shot. Still not a great idea. You'd be surprised how many far Northerners are still getting kill by big bears
 
I think you’d be surprised by how many aren’t. I spend more days of the month than not in Grizzly country between my two professions, and used to hunt them for a living. Never once felt in imminent danger due to a Grizz, though they’ve had my attention.

Not saying they pose zero threat, just that the modes of transport, falls / rivers / exposure / slides etc are the parts worth worrying about. Phil Shoemaker, likely the greatest bear hunter currently alive with something like fifty years of hunting Brown bear & Grizz under his belt in Alaska, said he never once until a couple years ago had to shoot a bear in self defence than wasn’t previously wounded trying to hunt it. The guy spent as much time around Brown / Grizz as most people here have sleeping, and his first run in where he had to shoot came after half a century. Incidentally worth mentioning all he had was a 9mm pocket pistol at the time, he got the job done.
 
The rifle I'd pack into these remote areas and did for years would be my shortened to 21" barreled Rem 700 LSS chambered in 375RUM = 260gr Accubonds @ 3020fps for out to 500 - 600 yard hunting for defense I'd have a few of my 350gr TSX or 350gr Woodleighs @ 2450fps loaded in the rifle if I was hiking out with game the VX3 4.5-14X40mm B&C scope would be in my pack and I would have my rear XS Sights tall Weaver backup ghost ring sight mounted.

Will this combo kill a grizzly any faster than a smaller cartridge maybe - maybe not but I am more confidant having a combo that will bust thru any bone from any angle than one that might get the job done...

Here is the article that changed my mind on what I carry when hunting in big bear country.

One of the last Alaskan sourdough's

https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?tocid=1532&magid=104
 
Camp Cook said:
The rifle I'd pack into these remote areas and did for years would be my shortened to 21" barreled Rem 700 LSS chambered in 375RUM = 260gr Accubonds @ 3020fps for out to 500 - 600 yard hunting for defense I'd have a few of my 350gr TSX or 350gr Woodleighs @ 2450fps loaded in the rifle if I was hiking out with game the VX3 4.5-14X40mm B&C scope would be in my pack and I would have my rear XS Sights tall Weaver backup ghost ring sight mounted.

Will this combo kill a grizzly any faster than a smaller cartridge maybe - maybe not but I am more confidant having a combo that will bust thru any bone from any angle than one that might get the job done...

Here is the article that changed my mind on what I carry when hunting in big bear country.

One of the last Alaskan sourdough's

https://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?tocid=1532&magid=104
Click to expand...

Great article..
 
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