[stevek]

Will a slug round from a 20 gauge shotgun be enough to at least scare off a black bear? Our son has his grandfather's old shotgun, and he has an occasional bear wander into the neighborhood...he also has three young children at home. So would that be sufficient or do we need to look more at a 12 gauge? Thanks. :o

[wdlsguy]

A .61 caliber projectile, weighing 3/4 of an ounce, traveling 1600 feet per second is definitely capable of killing a black bear.

[Dave McCracken]

It'll work, though not ideal.

[Rupestris]

scare off a black bear

A car/air horn will scare off a black bear in some instances. Please don't use a firearm unless you plan on putting the bear down in a humane fasion. If taking the bear down is the intention then I agree with the two replys. It'll work but only if the individual behind the trigger is up to the task.