Defensive use of 9mm on a Black Bear

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Random 8

Random 8

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First hand account. Had to use my carry handgun on a black bear Friday evening. 9mm Fns, Hornady 124 xtp. 174lb live weight male, extremely agitated due to a shoulder flesh wound likely from another bear. Predatory attack on the neighbors dog. One head shot immobilized the bear, likely would have been fatal. 2 additional shots to the head and neck insured death and ceased all movement. All shots at approximately 25 yards. Was in a semi residential area with shooting prohibition. Shooting ruled justified by police and DNR. Sadly the dog didn't survive, but fortunately everyone with children can rest easier now. Moral of the story is always carry your handgun and know how to use it well. Never know when you'll have to use it in a challenging situation under pressure.
 
Thank you for you first hand account. I am glad your sidearm worked as intended.

Please provide detail on how the shooting was justified by the DNR and police- Active destruction of property by wildlife? Dangerous animal? Threat to human life?

I personally have watched many bears and cats over the sights of my sidearm, but have never needed to shoot.
 
This particular bear had become a problem in the neighborhood a few nights earlier, with an attempted attack on another dog, property damage and threatening behavior. DNR was actively trapping. In MN it is legal to defend pets from an attack by wildlife. Sheriff ruled it a justified emergency use of firearms where otherwise prohibited. There were adults and children in the immediate area attempting to chase off the bear and his aggression was escalating
 
Honestly, I love this story. Obviously, every true account stands on its own merits. This event...it’s not a huge bear, and not a situation where the bear is hauling ass at the shooter bent on destruction. The shooter had time to make a decision, and take a well aimed shot. He had a quality round (XTP) designated to penetrate. One round stopped the attack...a couple more ensured the suffering ended swiftly.

Great account. Thanks OP!
 
I'm glad you were able to take care of business when it really counted.
It takes a special determination to make the decision to intervene despite the potential for getting charged by the bear... or charged by the police.
Well done. I'm glad you used your weapon with authority.
Well done indeed!
 
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edwardware said:
Did you hand out I'm Stupid signs afterward?
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The bear was killing the family dog right in front of them. They were yelling and throwing firewood sticks at it, which is usually a pretty effective way to chase off a bear. Without a sidearm I would have done the same thing.

And the 25 yards part is why I practice frequently at longer distances. I live and play in black bear and coyote country. An aimed shot at distance is a likely possibility, and came into play Friday night. I've also rolled coyotes to 50 yards and potted snowshoe hares at 20+ with the same handgun. It's not that difficult with practice.
 
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Wounded or sick predators are very dangerous. We can all be greatful it decided to attack the neighbor's dog and not one of the children. We had a disheveled mountain lion on the property one day when wife and kids got home from school. It was acting totally out of it. Later, the DOW caught it determined its whole distended belly was tumor.

I can not fathom defensive "experts" who pontificate that long range defensive shooting is an unnecessary skill and a "guaranteed ticket to prison". You gotta do what you gotta do, whether its a deranged spree shooter with a rifle, or a dangerous bear attacking the neighbor's dog. Having long distance shooting skills in your tool bag is part of it.
 
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We have Bears. Personally,I'd rather not face one with a 9X19mm. The Black Bears in this area mature weights are more than the indicated weight of the bear terminated. Working on the property we carry a S&W Mountain Gun-44Mag,should we come face to face with an aggressive bear. Usually the bears we've encountered have not been aggressive thus tend to move off .
 
.455_Hunter said:
Funny how the forum has gone silent.

Somebody actually shoots a bear in a real scenario and it's crickets...

I guess theoretical discussion are more fun.
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It's because we know he's saying 9mm to sound cool, the reality is that he used a desert eagle .429!
Seriously @Random 8, well done on all points! Neighbors like you are worth having!
 
If a 9mm is effective on a 174 lb adult male there is no reason it won't do the same thing to a 174 lb black bear.

And it’s a really good thing that Phil wasn’t being charged or things may not have turned out so well. But again, something is better than nothing.
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The load Shoemaker was using had proven to go over 60" in ballistics gel. He had spent quite a bit of time testing the load before carrying it and had confidence that it would work. He has also been guiding brown bear hunters for about 40 years and knows what it takes to kill one.

I've always suspected that even common handguns were more effective on bear than internet and gunshop conventional wisdom, but this study puts some facts behind my suspicions.

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/ha...r-attack-73-cases-96-effective/#axzz6RRjqmKaA
 
jmr40 said:
If a 9mm is effective on a 174 lb adult male there is no reason it won't do the same thing to a 174 lb black bear.



The load Shoemaker was using had proven to go over 60" in ballistics gel. He had spent quite a bit of time testing the load before carrying it and had confidence that it would work. He has also been guiding brown bear hunters for about 40 years and knows what it takes to kill one.

I've always suspected that even common handguns were more effective on bear than internet and gunshop conventional wisdom, but this study puts some facts behind my suspicions.

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/08/ha...r-attack-73-cases-96-effective/#axzz6RRjqmKaA
Click to expand...

Tim Sundles, the guy who made the ammo used is shocked on a regular basis that so many folks now believe that the 9mm is good bear medicine. The bear Phil shot went across his front giving him multiple shot opportunities. He might not have been so lucky had he been on the receiving end of the charge.
 
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