[Rangermedic]

I am about to be tranferred on Temp. duty for my agency, to "bear country"
as for weapons I will have my usual USP in .40 cal. and my SP 101 in .357 mag I also have for belt wear a model 29 w/a three inch ported barrel in .44Mag. with a non fluted cylinder. I also can carry a rifle (m1a, minn-14, AR,etc) so long as I have qulified with it, but the 3 day walking patrol all of this starts to get heavy any sugegtions on other weapons and loads to use would be much appritiated. also must consider that "man" is a major "preditor" in my job title. thanks.

[hso]

I've been told that 12 guage slugs are what the fish and wildlife folks use.

[Carlos Cabeza]

If the bear is in pistol range it might not make any difference. There are literally hundreds of posts about "What is a good bear load/gun". Do a thread search for the complete "all you need to know about bears" threads.

[spacemanspiff]

dont disregard throwing the gun at the bear. happened last year on the russian river. guy tossed his shotgun at the bear and the bear was distracted long enough for the guys buddies to plug it full of 9mm and 7.62x39 projectiles.

oh yeah, and dont forget duct tape.

[Keith]

What kind of bears?

Keith

[Sunray]

The only time a bear will bother you is if you bump into each other accidentally. Tie a small bell to your person. This will let Yogi know you're there and he'll avoid you. Bears don't like people. We stink to them and cause them too much trouble. A bell, get it in any fabric shop, will cost you next to nothing and let you get on with whatever it is you're doing, workwise, without being frightened of being eaten by a bear or losing your picnic basket. And no keeping the grub in your tent, if you've been condemned to one in October. No leaving the camp sight in a big mess, foodwise.

[TallPine]

Around here, you can always tell when there are grizzlies in the area

because of the liitle bells you find in the bear poop.

:neener:

[hd1.]

It has also been suggested (in similar threads), that it is important to grind the front sight off of any pistol that is being considered for shooting bears with. :eek: :uhoh:

[Futo Inu]

Seems to me we once had a thread, long long ago, on bear guns.

No, nevermind, I must be thinking of another board.

:evil: JK - always a good topic.

[Biff]

I know for a fact that bells will not make a bear leave if he doesn't want to.

A few years back I was hiking with a friend. The trail wound its way past a large raspberry patch. Doug was about 15 feet ahead of me and managed to get past most of the berry patch when I hear a bunch of commotion coming down the hill to my right. A large black bear false charged me and stopped 15-20 yards away. His head was down and his ears were laid back, and his little beady eyes were drilling holes into me. I had a Mossberg 500 with slugs in the magazine, empty chamber. I realized that if Mr. Bear had wanted me to begin with, he would have been on top of me by the time I could have turned to see what the noise was. Figuring that he was just being protective of his berry patch, I faced him, talked in a low voice and side stepped my way down the trail. After I had moved about 10 feet or so away from him, he decided he had won the argument. He raised his head, and his ears came up. Then I told Doug that there was a bear nearby- "Bear?" Doug turns around as we are still walking down the trail..."Oh! There's a bear!" He had been totally unaware of the events occurring behind him. We continued on for about 1/4 mile and stopped at a creek to cool our feet. About ten minutes later a hippie looking couple come down the trail, bear bells a-jingling. The guy was a little rattled. Same bear had just charged him!

The only thing that you can say for certain about bears is that they are unpredictable.

[Keith]

Bells are a good idea unless you're hunting and need to be quiet.

Bears may not always leave when they hear you coming, but at least they know you are coming. You don't want to surprise a bear if you can help it.

The story you tell is more typical of grizzlies than blacks, but it's the same deal. The bear didn't charge the couple, it false-charged them to let it be known that the berry patch was his, and he was willing to fight to keep it.

Keith

[WT]

There is a serious black bear problem in New Jersey. People have been attacked. Homes have been invaded. One 400 lb. brute was nailed in the kitchen.

I talked to a LEO with the NJ Fish, Game and Wildlife Dept. He told me that the single most common factor in these attacks and invasions was ......... the availability of potato chips. Seems bears can smell the chips thru the foil wrapper.

I suggest you don't carry any potato chips on your person, keep any in your tent or your office.

[Rangermedic]

bells are out as it is as one of the objectives of the patrol is anti poaching , and they are grizzlies; thanks