Who actually carries a rifle when hiking in bear country

Eh, not so far. But I only consider it "bear country" if we're talking bigger than black bears. Whilst that might sounds stupid, Black bears are everywhere in the Rockies. That said, my only experience thus far hiking in those places was a trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs. The trails we were on were tight enough and had enough growth around them that a rifle would have to be in the hands to be a fast enough option (IMO). And as that's generally not cool with tourists, I just took a revolver. Plus the bears there are rather used to human activity. We didn't see any whilst hiking, but we heard a few (other hikers confirmed bears and cubs).

However, in more remote areas or less densely covered environments, and ones where the bears are less accustomed to human activity, I'd be far more inclined to take a long gun. Glacier NP, is a place we plan to go, and my .45-70 will be coming.

Just blackies in our forests, and I've always carried a 10mm pistol for extended stays. Was I ever to go into real Grizzly country, I've always said my SAR-48 would go with me. Since I have a Mossberg 930 SPX, maybe that with slugs would be better? Nah, I'll stick with old heavy. Moot point, as I'll never venture into an area with brownies.

WrongHandedMember

I was amazed to see the use of whilst in your post! The odd time I use that also. Been chastised for it as well!

My excuse, I was born in England. Whats yours?

Old Guy said:

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WrongHandedMember

I was amazed to see the use of whilst in your post! The odd time I use that also. Been chastised for it as well!

My excuse, I was born in England. Whats yours?

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Same excuse.

I've carried a Marlin 1895 SBL or a Remington 870 slung over a shoulder hiking behind the house. For the last year or more I've carried a Redhawk .45 Colt loaded with 360gr gas checked hard cast bullets with an MV of 1,150 fps. Once my Super Redhawk (.454 Casull) comes back from Bowen I'll be carrying that and shooting the same bullet but with a higher MV.

The only time I am in bear country is during hunting season and I always have a hunting rifle and pistol with me at that time.

Depends on the bear country...

In Alaska, I carried a shotgun when fishing ect... (when not hunting big bears)

DM

In Colorado I have carried a Ruger Security Six with me while hiking for two and four legged threats.

I carry a RUGER 77/357 loaded with either 140 gr. XPB copper rounds or 180 gr. XTP.

Light handy carbine.




GR

My 8mm Yugo Mauser is my "just a minute let me grab my rifle".... rifle. Loaded with 175 cast flat points at around 2200fps. So, yea, I do.

WrongHanded said:

Glacier NP, is a place we plan to go, and my .45-70 will be coming.

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Been to and hiked Glacier several times. Bears arent generally a problem if you're smart about it. Interestingly the guides and Rangers all carry bear spray whether they carry a gun or not. I for went the gun and carried spray.

ford8nr said:

Been to and hiked Glacier several times. Bears arent generally a problem if you're smart about it. Interestingly the guides and Rangers all carry bear spray whether they carry a gun or not. I for went the gun and carried spray.

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Bear spray went with us on the trails of GTNP and YNP. I see no reason not to carry both. But if I can only take one, it will be a gun.

My wife and I are planning a hiking trip for our one year anniversary. Last night it dawned on me that I have a great excuse to get another gun, not sure if we will be in bear country or not though. I didn't even think about getting a long gun, I figured it would have to be a revolver or something. Definitely following to get ideas.

I'm assuming from the commentary here it's legal to carry long guns and handguns in national parks?

Speedo66 said:

I'm assuming from the commentary here it's legal to carry long guns and handguns in national parks?

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Depending entirely on the laws of the State (and possibly County) in which the park is located.

I carry pursuant to HR218/LEOSA, so I'm just concerned about carrying in the parks themselves.

Nope.

Here is the way I see it. I'm far, far more likely to be confronted by 2 legged predators on the street than a bear in the woods. I don't normally carry a rifle on the streets, nor do I in the woods unless I'm hunting. A rifle gives you the advantage of longer range. A handgun with proper loads in it is much more effective against large predators than most give it credit for. And up close where only one hand may be free to shoot is likely a better choice anyway.

I hiked a trail this morning with my Ruger Redhawk .45 Colt sitting in a Simply Rugged holster supported by a Diamond D Leather harness. I didn't like the Chesty Puller system from Simply Rugged so ordered Diamond D's harness system which is cheaper, much more comfortable, more adjustable and faster to adjust. I did modify it slightly by adding stainless steel snaps at all three connection points and now I have the "ultimate" chest rig for both Rugers. Can't wait to get my Super Redhawk .454 Casull back from Bowen.

I didn't particularly enjoy carrying the Marlin or the Remington when I was carrying long guns. You can't really forget that you're carrying a long gun, and with little to zero chance of using it for defense it gets old rather quickly. Carrying a rifle on a hunt is entirely different since there's a very good chance that it will get used. Carrying the RH or SRH in a chest rig is about as easy as it can be and that's where I'm at these days. If I was hiking in GNP which is 30 minutes from my house I'd carry bear spray and one of the Rugers. I prefer revolvers for bear defense compared to a semi-auto for the simple reason that a revolver muzzle shoved into the hide of a bear won't result in an out of battery condition.

https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/

https://www.simplyrugged.com/

If I was in Griz country I wouldn't go outside without a 44 revolver. All we have here at home are Blacks. I hunt a lot, I mean 40 or 50 days a year, and have only seen two.

kayak-man said:

Does anyone actually carry a rifle when they are hiking bear country?

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Sup.




I don't carry it for bears, really.
Saw a big black bear the day these photos were taken. Wasn't an issue.

Keep it light enough to no hinder the performance of the hiker, but powerful enough to do what is necessary.

I also do not always carry one. Just when the mood strikes me and I can afford the extra weight.

In all of the time that I lived, worked, camped and hiked in black bear country I never worried about bear attacks. Stray dogs, maybe. Hippie pot growers, definitely.
Bears, no.

theotherwaldo said:

In all of the time that I lived, worked, camped and hiked in black bear country I never worried about bear attacks. Stray dogs, maybe. Hippie pot growers, definitely.
Bears, no.

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Same.
I have come across bear twice where they didn't notice me, so I sat down and watched them for a while.

Pretty cool experience.

Saw a cub crawling around on top of a downed log a few weeks ago. Cute little dude.

theotherwaldo said:

In all of the time that I lived, worked, camped and hiked in black bear country I never worried about bear attacks. Stray dogs, maybe. Hippie pot growers, definitely.
Bears, no.

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Looks like you live close to drug cartel country now.