Cooey 22 - the Grizzley Bear Killer! (and record holder!)

[bcnorth]

Thanks wayupnorth

Great read.
I've guided with many a native who hunt solely with a 22. And I've also shot lots of farm animals exactly the same way.

 

[mkrainc]

I remember hearing this story from my boss in 1975 after I bought my very first Cooey. The way my boss told me the story was that the bear was attacking a child and the lady stuck the muzzle in the bear's ear and dispatched it with a .22 short. (many variations have probably been told on this story, but the main points are the same)

Thank you for posting this story. A great read.

 

[ljones]

This is a picture of the skull on display.

 

[wayupnorth]

i believe that picture was the one from Boone and Crockett Society in New York when they measured it for the record book back in 1953.

 

[trebor2880]

Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.

 

[9.3mauser]

Local story sez the bear died from cyanide bait and the rest was an elaborate prank that went viral. I lived in Slave Lake for 25 years. Just saying, cause many of the locals still giggle over this.

That would be easy to test for... the museum still has the hide.

This is a picture of the skull on display.

View attachment 92881

pretty good grouping on that noggin'

 

[ice2152]

Saw your post the other day, never heard the story before. Kudoes to you for your research.
I to have seen the livestock culling of cattle with the .22 .When I was a kid in the 80's the local slaughter place use to do it that way. Was a Cooey they used.
Who knows if the story is true or not, but a large animal can be culled if close enough. Stuff of legends! I would not of wanted to be there to test out the theory!

 

[Galt]

Thanks for doing the legwork and sharing with us.

 

[wayupnorth]

Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.

persistence is only a virtue if your right.

 

[headhunter2]

I too have heard the stories and also read an article in an outdoor magazine (Outdoor Life??) way back. I have hunted that area and can attest to the size of the griz foot prints in that area.

 

[ljones]

That would be easy to test for... the museum still has the hide.



pretty good grouping on that noggin'

Because according to the story she dropped it with one shot behind the ear when it was very close. Then once it was down she used the rest of the shots she had to make sure it stayed down basically shooting it point blank range.

 

[y2k]

I saw that hide about 35 yrs ago in person at the Reynolds museum in Wetaskiwin when it was on display. That was best museum Ive been to in my life i wonder if they shut it down since they made new one?

 

[kjohn]

Thanks for sharing that with us!

 

[i_hanson]

A fantastic story. Thanks for posting!

 

[lyman54]

*pencil's in a day on the calendar to attend Bunny's memorial*

I'm thinking a tiny coffin full of bear scat.

 

[WarPipe]

Very interesting story, thanks for sharing your research.

 

[mark222]

Thanks for digging that up, very cool story!

 

[338 Imperial]

Thank you for your time & effort on the research. Good story.
Unfortunately I have had to dispatch a couple horses ..a 22lr = instant death.

 

[hoytcanon]

*pencil's in a day on the calendar to attend Bunny's memorial*

Lol...