shotgun shells to scare bears off?

chrismc said:
Slugs drop bears real quick and real good. Dunno about the buckshot.
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I've tried to finish off wounded bears with buckshot at pretty close range, it's next to useless. I wouldn't want to use it on an aggressive bear. About the only use for buckshot is on charging leopards where even the most skilled marksman has a hard time placing a single projectile into the body of a flat orange flash of lightning. Europeans sometimes use buckshot on wild boar, though I'd be hesitant in that scenario as well.
 
owlowl said:
And how far does that salt shot go?
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Not sure exactly, never patterned it on paper, just on bearbutt.... these were all shots less than 20yds, most were 10-15yds. The weight of the load doesnt build the pressure that the 1 1/8 oz shot would, so its a very short range thing.
 
Slug, Buckshot, or Birdshot in the bears face. Repeat as necessary until bear no longer moves. Best solution I've found in personal experience, you're welcome:D
 
We are heading up north of Massey ont in 2 weeks for a grouse/fishing trip where the bear population is high. I was thinking of carrying a few slugs along just in case.The wife and mother in-law are freaking about bears because probably as some gunnutz would remember hearing about the 3 boys that were killed in algonquin in 78,the one boy was the wife's cousin.Never been up there before when not moose hunting carrying the 30-06 so the thought of bears have really crossed my mind this time. As trapoholic said whatevers in the old Ithaca semi in the event of something bad happening she would be barking pretty quickly.
 
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Cracker shells worked well for me in Churchill, MB back in 1991... to keep the big whities at bay... of course there were several slugs in line just in case.
 
Nitroxrunsthrume said:
Looking for info on where i can find shells to help a friend scare a black Bear and cubs off
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12 ga slugs work well I believe, if you want to use shells. Either aim off target to scare or on target for the freezer meat! You're call! Available almost everywhere, even CTA and Wally World. Saw them there today at both places when perchasing 3 inch #2 shot airborne over the house goose jerky shells! Coming soon! Yummy yum yum!
 
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kamlooky said:
A while back near here, a chap decided to scare a bear off with those bear bangers and lit
a fire that got to be a major concern for the folks that fight them.
I forget the story, but they were going to hang him with the cost of putting the fire out.
Go mean or go home.
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We deal with a lot of bears, I unfortunately just had to shoot / destroy a boar this shift, the first it's ever come to that at this camp. He was old, with rotten teeth and was tall and skinny for fall. Hanging out by the temporary kitchen shack, trying to get in it, under it, watching doors etc.

Anyways where this takes me is flares, bangers, etc. As you mention people need to be far more careful with them than they are for fire reasons. Bangers are great but shoot up, not level. I actually had a flare loaded first, if he was on gravel would have tried it first, even the CO I reported the kill to replied never to do the flare thing for fire reasons. Best thing going is rubber slugs, they actually get the bear's attention, bird shot is just plain wrong, and salt is silly. The boar last week was hit by thrown rocks, air horned, you name it and when nothing would stop him I was sent to put him down. Feel sorry for the old guy still, we're on their turf, we have to remember that.

Hunting bears is all well and good, but running into bears when not out intentionally hunting them do everything you can to make sure they live. Likely 99% of the time bears have people problems rather than people having bear problems.
 
Ardent you are right on the money,we also deal with a lot of bears up here,we are guests in their yard. As for live fire to scare them off ,thats a wounded bear just waiting to happen. We have also found that at least polar bears tend to run at or pounce on where the bullet hits the ground.It is better for both parties involved if we just go somewhere else ( if possible ) my 2 cents

stay safe
pounder
 
I've made lots of "rubber" slugs using hot glue guns.

Cut crimp off of target shotshell, dump out the pellets. Fill wad with hot glue. Allow to cure for a day and you are ready to go.

Shoot the bear with them and the bears don't like it. :)

Be sure to give bear an escape route, and have live ammo handy. Preferably already loaded into another gun.
 
Gonna have to try the glue gun idea.

Just about out of Fioocci rubber slugs, and sure not caring enough about the bear's well being, to invest in a box.

When I deal with bears that I would rather not have to dispose of, the rubber slug goes in the chamber, and usually alternating slugs and 000, sometimes with birdshot in last (so as to be first up when cycled).

Not too tough to short-cycle the pump action, and feed another rubber slug in through the ejection port without having to deal with a cartridge on the lifter, at least on the one I am using. Birdshot whistling through the branches or in to the ground near the bear typically gives them some strong enough motivation.

Have found the 000 to be effective enough. Perhaps the detractors are unwittingly commenting upon their abilities.

Price out a box of bangers. Not money I would happily spend.

Cheers
Trev
 
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