IF a new Grizzly hunt, what gun
- Thread starter Spruster
- Start date
Surprises are what kill both the grizz and us.
Every documented encounter I’ve read has stated this above. Beit Costal, High or Backcountry encounters. Usually it’s a Sow and Cubs issue to boot.
Full caveat, I have no experience with Grizzly or their cousins the Brown/Kodiak, but in my above online readings I’ve seen there’s enough proof that most who spend their time in those areas say they’re more comfortable with an encounter from them as opposed to a Black Bear.
As for the orig question; something in the .375 H&H range would be my choice of Cals.
In my 25 years up here I’ve encountered a few bears, grizzly and black but never got bluff charged or charged, some of them say closer than 100yard, some of them say closer than 50 yards…. And one black bear in Dyea Alaska where a sow is as looking for her two cubs that were in a tree beside our tent, she was less than 10m from me and never showed any agressive intentions! Staying as calm as possible and keeping a conversation with them usually help keeping tensions down….
That said I have 3 friends that have been killed by grizzly bears! So when I’m in the bush I tend to be quite aware of my environment!
That said I have 3 friends that have been killed by grizzly bears! So when I’m in the bush I tend to be quite aware of my environment!
Rifles I would like to use on grizzly incl/ 416 Taylor, 376 Steyr, 9.3x62, 358 Win, 338-06, and 338 Federal. Will I get to, who knows!
(Did use my BLR in 358 to back up a friend on his grizzly draw hunt where he took his 6'11" bear with his 94 Big Bore in 356 Win at 140 yards. The first shot was good, but did require follow up shots to finish the job. A little bit of excitement during the following moments after that first shot for the hunter! A whirling, roaring grizzly is a sight to behold!)
As for the fat, was taught to use the fat under the hide for medicine (lotions) and soap, and the fat inside the body for cooking.
As for charging bears, have only been charged by a black bear which I shot at about 5 yards.
But can tell you that a large grizzly protecting his elk kill at a mile on an open mountain side that is pissed off that you are there and is swatting the ground and making short charges from the kill in your direction for about 30 feet to stop and beat up on an ol' stump is still a sight to see and was incentive enough for us to keep moving! While we did not feel like our lives were in danger at that moment, the message was clear, and we did not want to provoke that large bear any further!
Having seen a lot of video footage over the years on grizzly bear charges, determined and bluff, there is a distinct difference in their body language and their eye contact on you...Hope to never have to experience that direct gaze of a determined charge! And hope to have a rifle of sufficient caliber (or my Rem 870 12 gauge tactical with as many 3" 1oz or heavier slugs as the magazine can hold) in my hands should it occur. I have had plenty of training for certification over the years that I am confident that I will be able to stand my ground and place my shot(s) accurately should the need arise. The questions to others is: Are you?
As mentioned previously, just about anything short of a dangerous game rifle/cartridge combination would feel woefully inadequate at that moment!
(Did use my BLR in 358 to back up a friend on his grizzly draw hunt where he took his 6'11" bear with his 94 Big Bore in 356 Win at 140 yards. The first shot was good, but did require follow up shots to finish the job. A little bit of excitement during the following moments after that first shot for the hunter! A whirling, roaring grizzly is a sight to behold!)
As for the fat, was taught to use the fat under the hide for medicine (lotions) and soap, and the fat inside the body for cooking.
As for charging bears, have only been charged by a black bear which I shot at about 5 yards.
But can tell you that a large grizzly protecting his elk kill at a mile on an open mountain side that is pissed off that you are there and is swatting the ground and making short charges from the kill in your direction for about 30 feet to stop and beat up on an ol' stump is still a sight to see and was incentive enough for us to keep moving! While we did not feel like our lives were in danger at that moment, the message was clear, and we did not want to provoke that large bear any further!
Having seen a lot of video footage over the years on grizzly bear charges, determined and bluff, there is a distinct difference in their body language and their eye contact on you...Hope to never have to experience that direct gaze of a determined charge! And hope to have a rifle of sufficient caliber (or my Rem 870 12 gauge tactical with as many 3" 1oz or heavier slugs as the magazine can hold) in my hands should it occur. I have had plenty of training for certification over the years that I am confident that I will be able to stand my ground and place my shot(s) accurately should the need arise. The questions to others is: Are you?
As mentioned previously, just about anything short of a dangerous game rifle/cartridge combination would feel woefully inadequate at that moment!
rtracebadger
New member
- Location
- Calgary, AB
375 h&h
A bear at 100 yards can’t touch you. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get ready, but anyone with bear experience should understand 100 yards is too far to start shooting “in defense”
Anyone with bear experience would also understand that every situation is different, every time? Suffice to say, that a feller should be able to determine what course of action is best for him at the time and the circumstance? The distance is really not relevant, when the previous statement is in place?
R.
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Oh Slimbo... you know what they say about assumptions, eh? Out here? On your couch? Kind of the same thing? Again... here... but not from here. And there is this thing called... travel! it's amazing! It allows you to go from one place, to another. Like from Calgary, to the wilds of Pincher Creek... deepest darkest Southern Grizzly country! Where encounters are expected every time you leave the house! It's only a couple/three hours away! Or four hours to Cranbrook, or Six to Revelstoke, and so on....And there are even a few different roads to take! Again, it's amazing! You should try it sometime.
Is that go go gadget silly enough for you, yet? C'mon man. Grow up.
R.
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There are few things in your control when faced with an angry bear. Time can be one but only if you are less concerned with a legal charge against you, and more concerned with seeing your family again. When a bear is inside 30 yards it is 90% out of control imo with the only hope being a lucky/skilled shot. Or a change of mind by the animal.
How many people practice charging bear defence shooting inside 30 yards? Bears make a living killing up close. I don’t.
How many people practice charging bear defence shooting inside 30 yards? Bears make a living killing up close. I don’t.
There is no situation where a bear can bite or maul you from 100 yards away. The only real difference is the person. I guess some people are fearful of a bear 100 yards away from them. Everyone has different levels of experience, skill and confidence so they should do what they feel is best- but I maintain shooting a bear at 100 yards is the wrong course of action. But you do you .
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You gotta observe where we are discussing this in the webscape, a gun forum… On a fishing, forestry, kayaking or bush pilot forum you’ll find a lot less alarmist views on grizzly encounters. They are sincerely our lowest risk factor in BC, the weather and terrain or mode of transport will kill you long before a bear does. Sure, it can happen, but bad #### happens at cross walks too.
You’ll also find, the less grizz an area has, the more concerned people are with their behaviour and that’s natural. You’ll see Americans geared right up with a .454 and a .45-70 for their once in a lifetime Montana grizz encounter, where population densities would be considered at risk of extinction here. Makes sense, I’m afraid of things most would chuckle at, like heavily armed Americans.
Always worried about what they were going to do behind me when we were close to a grizz and been muzzle swept too many times. Most were good… one in a handful made you squirm the way the gun swung around. That was my biggest worry hunting Grizz.
On a fishing, forestry, kayaking or bush pilot forum you’ll find a lot less alarmist views on grizzly encounters. They are sincerely our lowest risk factor in BC, the weather and terrain or mode of transport will kill you long before a bear does. Sure, it can happen, but bad #### happens at cross walks too. You’ll also find, the less grizz an area has, the more concerned people are with their behaviour and that’s natural. You’ll see Americans geared right up with a .454 and a .45-70 for their once in a lifetime Montana grizz encounter, where population densities would be considered at risk of extinction here. Makes sense, I’m afraid of things most would chuckle at, like heavily armed Americans.
Always worried about what they were going to do behind me when we were close to a grizz and been muzzle swept too many times. Most were good… one in a handful made you squirm the way the gun swung around. That was my biggest worry hunting Grizz.
Not sure where it was said anywhere... that a bear could maul anyone from 100 yards away? It's silly. You have seen how fast a pissed off bear can close a 100 yard distance. Not a lot of "get ready", or decision time there, especially if you're busy doing something else.
People are just as, if not more, unpredictable than bears. This thread is a fine example of that.
You are throwing the word "fear" around like it's supposed to be insulting. Also silly. No one said they were scared. Every situation is different, right? The experience, skill, confidence, and what they should do best was already mentioned. It is impossible to predict from here. It's actually ridiculous to try and do so. Sometimes a distance can seem quite far, and other times that same same distance isn't anywhere near far enough. It always depends on what is going on?
R.
You gotta observe where we are discussing this in the webscape, a gun forum…
You’ll also find, the less grizz an area has, the more concerned people are with their behaviour and that’s natural. You’ll see Americans geared right up with a .454 and a .45-70 for their once in a lifetime Montana grizz encounter, where population densities would be considered at risk of extinction here. Makes sense, I’m afraid of things most would chuckle at, like heavily armed Americans.
Always worried about what they were going to do behind me when we were close to a grizz and been muzzle swept too many times. Most were good… one in a handful made you squirm the way the gun swung around. That was my biggest worry hunting Grizz.
Something about a bear thread... not sure what it is. To your point above, and again... people are just as, if not more, unpredictable than bears, especially "armed up Americans : )". The situations themselves just vary too much. Terrain, activity, time of year, everything. Run ins from picking berries, to fishing, to hunting. They are all different situations. Different motivations for the bears as well. A single dude on the trail is going to act differently than the dude with his buddy is, and then different again when it's his family and kids standing behind him. How far is 100 yards then? Just asking in general... and hopeful give some pause. Some aren't thinking this way, maybe?
Oh, and because it's distraction time... has that Lee Speed shown up yet? ; )
Maybe worth the adder, that because it is a hunting and gun forum, that many feel that IF an encounter were to happen, it would be at the most inopportune time? While over a kill, or while busy dealing with an animal, or while in camp with bloody or scented clothes? Again, not exactly sure, but could be something to that as well, that maybe gets folks feeling that they are in a higher risk group?
Unless it's all just spring cabin fever bear thread BS...
R.
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