handguns 'n bears

Camp Cook said:
Sorry Geologist I can't help myself... Please forgive me for writing this...

Do you put the lanyard around your neck so that if/when the bear grabs the gun instead of you it will choke you quickly...

Oh man I'm hating myself for posting this... :wave:
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You were laughing the whole time you typed that :evil: :D Just like I was when I read it :)

Hey Geoligist, I have a can of bear seasoning you can have as well :p :D
 
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The same applies if you are surprised by a bear lying up in the willows, or if you are getting pulling out your tent while stuck in your sleeping bag. That is my recurring nightmare.
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If you're really worried about that - one of the new portable electric fences would likely be more valuable than the pistol. They're only about 150 bucks now and they seem to work like a hot damn. Of course, they too have their limits so it won't hurt to take both :D
 
Boomer said:
Each to their own, but if you run into trouble with a sow with cubs, the cubs, especially second year cubs, will be as dangerous as the sow. Fast repeat shots might be all that saves you. The same applies if you are surprised by a bear lying up in the willows, or if you are getting pulling out your tent while stuck in your sleeping bag. That is my recurring nightmare. A skinny old bear getting at me while I'm sleeping, and why I hate tents in bear country. It is possible under those conditions to miss the first shot no matter how good you are. A fast follow up shot might be all that will save you. Bears do not react in a positive manner to live fire. Don't expect Yogi to wander off just because you fire a shot at him without hitting him. Don't assume that because you wound him he'll break off an attack. If you have to shoot, keep shooting until the problem is resolved.
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Could be right but from the couple I've had occasion to 'deal' with, I think I'd get one shot and if really lucky, possibily a second. In that case with that limited number of shots/shot, I want the 'biggest and baddest' I have.
 
Remember this video of a charging boar? This is why handguns are great defense weapons, they can be maneuvered in close quarters quickly and more effectively. Most times these things happen like this fast and unexpected in tight with your long gun on your shoulder. Does it replace a long gun in bear country in my book, No, but I would like to have both at my disposal! If I am legal to have a handgun why am I not legal to carry it in country that I am allowed to shoot a center fire rifle? Stupidity!:shotgun:

Ignore the fact that it is a miracle he didn't shoot his buddy in the video that is beside the point.:rolleyes: :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlVhHeFzwFk



reason for editing: I can't spell to save my life and try to avoid looking stupid despite the fact that it is a lost cause!
 
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Does it replace a long gun in bear country in my book, No, but I would like to have both at my disposal!
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We should be allowed to choose our tools based on our situation, and pick whichever ones we feel are suitable. Limiting us to just long guns is not reasonable, unless they're going to come out and protect us 24/7
 
Foxer said:
We should be allowed to choose our tools based on our situation, and pick whichever ones we feel are suitable. Limiting us to just long guns is not reasonable, unless they're going to come out and protect us 24/7
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Agreed, I love it when people come in and state what I said the way I meant to say clearly and concisely. Cheers Foxer.:cheers:
 
wetcoaster said:
Remember this video of a charging boar? This is why handguns are great defense weapons, they can be maneuvered in close quarters quickly and more effectively. Most times these things happen like this fast and unexpected in tight with your long gun on your shoulder. Does it replace a long gun in bear country in my book, No, but I would like to have both at my disposal! If I am legal to have a handgun why am I not legal to carry it in country that I am allowed to shoot a center fire rifle? Stupidity!:shotgun:

Ignore the fact that it is a miracle he didn't shoot his buddy in the video that is beside the point.:rolleyes: :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlVhHeFzwFk



reason for editing: I can't spell to save my life and try to avoid looking stupid despite the fact that it is a lost cause!
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I agree, with both of your statements. In your second statement, you're right, it was a miracle, nothing less. I would imagine he would've taken the shot/shots reguardless of the firearm he was holding.:( By and large it exemplifies what not to do!:mad:
 
Camp Cook said:
Sorry Geologist I can't help myself... Please forgive me for writing this...

Do you put the lanyard around your neck so that if/when the bear grabs the gun instead of you it will choke you quickly...

Oh man I'm hating myself for posting this... :wave:
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Laugh if you will CC :D

I think I read this case history in one of Sheltons books. I'll paraphrase it from memory.

There was a husband and wife couple (hunters) in Alaska who got jumped while sleeping in their tent. They had a loaded 30-06 rifle and a loaded .44 mag revolver with them in the tent. The husband had even placed the revolver on a white paper towel to help him find the revolver in the dark.

The bear jumped on the tent, landing on the wife. :eek: The husband couldn't find the revolver or rifle in the ensuing melee. :bangHead: The bear then grabbed him, pulled him out of the tent and proceeded to maul and drag him into the bush. :(

The wife finally found the revolver and the bear let go of the husband.

No shots fired, plenty of serious injuries to the husband. :(

The moral of the story, a loaded gun is no help to you if you cannot find it or get to it in a timely fashion. :shotgun:

When I did solo work in bear country in BC, I slept with my dog in the tent beside me and my .357 magnum on a lanyard around my neck.

I believe in learning from the experiences (good and bad) of others.
 
I'd agree with Boomer regarding using somethign that is easy to shoot quickly and well. Especially after reading Phil Shoemakers article about handguns and grizzlies in Handloader magazine.

I'd wager that Shoemaker has more grizzly experience than most of us put together, so I'll take his word for it.:p

Article shows 2 things of note:

#1 Make sur eyou know how to get your defence system up and running in a hurry (Holster)

#2 Bullet choice and shot placement appear to be mor eimportant than caliber, velocity, energy etc.
 
I definitly think that some cartridges and some bullets are better than others. I also think that bullet placement is more important than the bullet choice.
I carry a rifle with a big, heavy, well constructed bullet whenever I'm in grizzly country and if I was allowed to carry a handgun, I'd have one on my belt. If you're pulling out a handgun to deal with a grizzly, things have already gone from bad to worse and you are probably close enough to shoot for the open mouth.
A while back I read a magazine article, about a man, who killed a grizzly with a knife, while hunting moose near Fort St James in BC. The day after reading the story, I ran into the emergency room doctor who treated the guy after he had been helicoptered to the hospital in Fort St James.
The doctor told me that the bear smacked the guy and he and his rifle went in different directions. He pulled his knife, (now you want to talk about bad to worse) stabbed the bear in the throat and sawed till he got a gush of blood, he then pulled out the knife and stabbed the bear in one of its eyes. All the while the bear had been trying to bite a grip onto the fella's stomach, which had been made difficult by his rippling stomach muscles. The bleed from the bears throat is what later killed it, but it was the poke in the eye that broke the attack. Again, it's not what you poke it with, but rather where you poke it.
 
Go for the SRH in 454 Casull and load top loaded 45 Colts in it if your concerned about recoil...

Having a gun that shoots both low recoiling 45 Colts and when you learn to handle more recoil 454 Casull's is a major bonus too me...

Geologist I didn't say I wouldn't do it because I think it is an excellent idea, I was just having fun at your expense... Once again... "Sorry I just couldn't help it"... :p
 
Foxer said:
If you're really worried about that - one of the new portable electric fences would likely be more valuable than the pistol. They're only about 150 bucks now and they seem to work like a hot damn. Of course, they too have their limits so it won't hurt to take both :D
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Lugging around that 50 pound battery doesn't appeal to me, especially if I'm on foot. Electric fences do work though. They tested them here with polar bears and used seal meat for bait - the bear wouldn't cross the fence to get the seal. Pounder has the stuff wrapped around his house, and has seen it work. The poor ole bear was right indignant when he got zapped.

I just avoid staying in tents when the bears are around. I much prefer to sleep in the open when I can see what's around me. Sucks when it's raining, but that's life.
 
Foxer said:
We should be allowed to choose our tools based on our situation, and pick whichever ones we feel are suitable. Limiting us to just long guns is not reasonable, unless they're going to come out and protect us 24/7
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Their solution to that would be to close the back country. Just like in a federal park when they close all the trails cause somebody saw somebody who saw a grizzly, two days ago, five miles away. That kind of protection we don't need.

I'm glad I have my ATC, but it kind of bugs me that they've tied qualifing for one to a commercial activity.
 
Lugging around that 50 pound battery doesn't appeal to me, especially if I'm on foot.
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you're thinking 'old school' bud - they use a couple of d-cells these days. :)

There's lots of models - here's a blurb on one manufacturer:
Bear Shock only weighs 3.1 lbs. without batteries and 3.7 lbs. with batteries, and fits in a small 5" x 20" storage bag. Bear Shock will enclose a 30 ft. x 30 ft. area, and runs on 2 D-cell batteries that can supply power to the energizer continuously for approximately five weeks.
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Something to think about anyway. The tech has made leaps and bounds and has really come down in price.
 
Their solution to that would be to close the back country. Just like in a federal park when they close all the trails cause somebody saw somebody who saw a grizzly, two days ago, five miles away. That kind of protection we don't need.
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Yeah. Good point.
 
A person I knew asked me how good a 9mm would be for bear protection. I told him "Fine, as long as you count the rounds and make sure you leave the last one for yourself!"
 
That wild boar is a bit deceptive. The sound is lagging a little, because of distance, the last shot that actualy toppled the boar was from the rifle I belive. Guy I used to work with said he killed one with an ax wile it was mauling his dog lol(wich required a few stitches... otherwise fine).
 
OK so a Antique Pistol that can be LEGALY packed in the Bush
(Well in B.C cause we dont have #### CFOs)
Would not help at all i guess?
Be honest do ya think my 45 70 Springfields trapdoor Perscribed Antique Pistol would not put the fuker down!
Think again!
Ive shot this gun and A Big bear would go DOWN!


 
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