Bear Protection ? What do you pack?

[killswithkimber]

Plain and simple , what is everyone packing for a weapon for bear protection? I know lots of people are packing defender style shotguns but everyone has a different opinion on them . So I am curious what do you pack and have you ever had to use it?

 

[sherlockbonez]

And for the 900000th time......

 

[Scott_N]

I sometimes hike / fish where I can't carry a firearm, so I carry bear spray more often than a rifle or shotgun. I have ran into a few bears on the trail over the years, but thankfully I have never had to defend myself from it.

 

[rattle]

12.5" Grizzly. I would much prefer to carry my G-21 but thankfully the gooberment want to keep the children safe. And I wouldn't want to risk loosing all the $$$ I have tied up in F/A's.

 

[fish_e_o]

I sometimes hike / fish where I can't carry a firearm, so I carry bear spray more often than a rifle or shotgun. I have ran into a few bears on the trail over the years, but thankfully I have never had to defend myself from it.

i carry an antique status pistol... it's not a "firearm" but 5 shots will stop a bear

 

[shoota]

does the #### in my pants count? as I am out east, just blackies around here, and all the times I have spent in the woods I have only ever seen a hand full of bears and soon as they smell me or I move somewhat close to them they take off. I carry a bear tag in the fall and would love to get a crack at one, but seems the only way you can get them is by baiting them and I haven't tried that yet. They seem to be more scared of me than I am of them. So I don't really worry about bears. If I was in grizz country I would be carrying a shotty with slugs for defense.

 

[agilent_one]

1895 guide 45/70. Yawn.

 

[Hawes]

Guide Gun. Just put a limbsaver recoil pad on, now I can defend myself in comfort!

 

[Gatehouse]

This has been done about a million tomes on CGn ,but of course, I will participate.

Best gun for bear defense is the one you have in your hands at the time, whether it's a .22LR or a .458...

Most important is the gun you are comfy with and have practiced with.

Very important is that you will actually HAVE the gun, rather than leave it leaning against a tree or in the truck because it's too heavy/cumbersome

There are places in BC where it is foolish not to take a powerful firearm for grizzly defense. In those places, I'd take my .375 Ruger, but I have also packed a .375 H&H and a 12 guage with slugs.

Most bear attacks are black bears

Unless I am going into a grizz area, I now take a .45 Colt Lever action with 300gr cast bullets or a 14" barrel shotgun with slugs. (preferably Brennekes) This is because they are light and non cumbersome, and will do the job if necessary and I keep my cool enough to shoot well.

MAny times, I'd prefer a handgun, but Canada frowns upon that for the most part.

Any gun you choose- a defender shotgun, a .303 SMLE. a 30-30. a .458 and anything in between or sideways- Is useless unless you practice with it and know how to shoot fast at close range.

Using your brain to avoid bad bear encounters trumps any gun.

 

[Lazerus2000]

110 lb German Shepherd dog ...
BTDT more than once.


So far, every time, the Grizz ran away from the dog.
haven't tried it with black bear yet???

 

[yidava25]

Lever, cuz its handy and adequate. only time i ever came close to needing it, i was putting out bait, gun was leaning against tree and suddenly a lil ol blackie was running away about 10 yards away. had a mild infarction and now i keep the gun very loaded and in someones hands if not my own.

 

[burnt_servo]

i use a box of tooth pics , a rotting dead chicken and a jar of mentholatum .......

it must work because i have never had a bear get closer than 15 or 20 feet before leaving .

 

[pharaoh2]

Well during grouse season my .22 rifle. I'm doomed.

 

[Dorian Gray]

I use a marlin lever action in 35 remington, a 16 gauge wingmaster with slugs or buckshot and sometimes i just have my 22 with me so i guess whatevers in my hand is my bear defense gun.

 

[PileBuck]

I carry a magic rock. You might ask me if this magic rock works. Do you see any bears around? Ill sell you this magic bear rock for say.... 100 dollars

 

[starpuss]

i use this. 50 cal center fire.

 

[icehunter121]

Ex Girlfriend...if she can scare the crap out of me there aint a bear out there that can survive her...not that she was bad lookin...but her attitude needs a major overhaul....

 

[OldRanger]

I always bring a slower runner....

 

[fmb]

In my neck of the bush...common sense.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

I always bring a slower runner....

and if he is crippled, it saves shooting him in the knee.