How much have you practiced with your rifle.
Mountain Rifle with Grizzly capability..your thoughts?
- Thread starter BCBAIRDO
- Start date
How much have you practiced with your rifle.
Not really.....Sounds more like something for the Rambo types. I'll rely on my real world experience with bears and bear sprays to form my opinion.
Likely more than most and a lot less than some. Enough to know that a typically scoped mountain rifle would not be my first choice in an unexpected close range encounter with a bear.
Last 2 bear courses I took had the video of the hippies encountering a bear. " go away bear!" Sadly, no spray or shooting in those courses. All the hunters in the class were laughing. 
Boomer- Squatting is often faster to acquire, more stable to shoot from as you can put your elbows on your knees, and it's quicker to rise to your feet. Although due to terrain, kneeling or done funny form of kneeling is often required.
Boomer- Squatting is often faster to acquire, more stable to shoot from as you can put your elbows on your knees, and it's quicker to rise to your feet. Although due to terrain, kneeling or done funny form of kneeling is often required.
So if you have your scoped mountain rifle in your hand or slung on your shoulder, and you encounter a bear at close range- is your plan to drop the rifle and reach for the spray?
Why would I drop the rifle? I'm sure you know that every bear encounter is different but bear spray would be my first line of defence yes. I'd rather diffuse the situation than escalate it with a non fatal shot from the rifle. I'm sure if you've read details of many bear attacks that they often happen fast and unexpectedly and the bear often takes care of getting rid of the rifle for you. At that point the holster of bear spray securely attached to your body would likely seem like a good idea.
So 2 times
A few more times than that but I suspect you are right that two times would be two times more than most. It's just not a situation the average hunter practices for yet we somehow believe we can pull it off in a time of extreme pressure. That is even if you have your rifle in your hand after the initial attack.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Most experts actually state that bear spray should be your last line of defense, not first.
When our man was killed the guys rushed in with anything they could pick up, and in some cases with nothing at all. Is someone had a gun, he would be still be drinking beer, telling his story again and taking turns Ph*****g Rambo.
My reference was in regards to when your choice came down to rifle or spray. You are correct that there are lots of options before utilizing either in many bear encounters. I don't think you'll find an expert that suggests shooting them with a rifle first and then bear spraying them though. So no, shooting would be your last line of defence.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I wish CGN had a "yawn" emoticon
I'm not really sure what this tragic tale has to do with selecting a mountain rifle in grizz country. No doubt a rifle may have saved his life. Every bear encounter is different and in some cases the bear is going to win regardless of what you or your buddies are packing. All as you can do is play the odds and hope you are on the side of the majority. Research shows your odds are better with bear spray....not 100%....just better. In the case you describe a rifle undoubtedly would have been the best option. That's why I'm a fan of carrying both...when permitted. It further increases your odds. There are many documented bear attacks where a rifle did not prevent death. There are very few when bear spray was deployed. Add to the fact that this discussion started with grizz and the odds further increase with spray.
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When you were a guide for grizzly did you or did you not carry a firearm?
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Umm, no. Considering the bear should ideally be no more than 25 ft away when using pepper spray, I think I'd elect to use the rifle first. There's a good chance the spray wouldn't be necessary either.
The only hunting scenario I can see where spray would be useful is during an archery only hunt when one is prohibited from carrying a rifle.
Most bear courses are in fact a complete joke. I've had the pleasure of sitting through a few of those where the video instructs you to identify yourself as a human to the bear.....WTF does that even mean?
As far as firing off a can of pepper spray...myself and quite a few people I work with have fired off both inert and expired cans of spray. Most people that I rub shoulders with who spend a great deal of time in bear country (occupationally and recreationally) are familiar with how to use the modes of defense that are available to them.
I agree with this completely. Some people have practiced this shooting discipline whether it be a fancy target on a track or the bucket being pulled by your buddy. For those that are proficient at it, I tip my hat to you.
I'm not pushing for one or the other... just stating my opinion on the matter. When I'm working I have the option to pack a short barreled 870 around with me. I opt for the bear spray on my hip as packing a shotgun around all day while trying to complete other tasks is a pain in the a$$.
I didnt know if you would drop rifle, hence the question. Maybe it would be better to just ask what you would do in this situation :
Your rifle is in your hands or slung on shoulder. Bear spray is holstered on your waist or wherever you carry it. You encounter a bear at 40 yards. It starts advancing On you very rapidly....
What do you do?
How about 25 yards? 15?
I carried both. When hunting bears the intent is to shoot them and once you do the situation is already escalated so ya, then a rifle is your best option. When your intent is not to shoot a bear but just diffuse and encounter, then spray is the best choice. Spray was never designed nor suggested for use on a wounded bear.
