Wildlife protection Out West- Handgun/Long gun

Gbran, please tell me that's not real.

did you think about a 10mm? 10mm and a 12 ga would be a pretty good combo to carry for a weekend in the woods. 10mm is pretty much a .357 except you have more rounds.

It's a photoshop.

Go w/What U Known!

If you can find hard bullets in a very powerful .40 S&W cartridge I'd probably be OK with the gun I already know and own (known) if I were you. Like these maybe?

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=117

I bought a 45-70 handi-rifle for this purpose. Cheap and pretty light for the caliber. Its also very compact.

Hocka Louis said:

Like these maybe?
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=117

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Whoa. Standard 180gr FMJ at standard 180gr velocities and they only want $1.33 per round plus shipping costs.

First comment: I do not live in Grizzley bear country. However, I have lived in the Colorado mountains all my life except my military time. I have roamed some pretty rough country and wilderness areas. I have carried everything from a two bladed pocket knife to a .338 Win Mag. I have never had to defend myself from any wild animal. Now days one should be more concerned about two legged predators than the local wild life. Consequently I never venture out anymore without a .38 or .45 somewhere on my person. Keep shootin'

I go out, I'm loaded for bear. I also understand I'm under more danger from two legged predators. But, hey, why not pack what'll take down the biggest threat in my neck of the woods.
Around here, it's black bear. .357 and 10mm, with fast, hard cast, heavy for caliber bullets, should work.
Since, it appears that you like pistols over revolvers, get a 10mm. I personally like the 1911 flavor. Glock 20's are probobaly the better choice, though. (cheaper, easier to find, capacity, weight, etc...)I find the large frame Glocks (.45&10) don't fit my hands well.
But, for brown/grizzly, .44mag is the minimum I'd entertain.
Rifles are probobaly better than shotguns. If a shotgun's what you have, it's best.
Running a clean camp and being ''bear aware'' are best.
If you're where there are grizzly, you could have moose. I'd worry more about moose.
I'd worry more about people than moose or bear.
I'd worry more about weather, injury or getting lost. (not that I get lost) Than people, moose or bear.
And then there's snakes, and scorpions, and ticks, and lightning, and floods, and wolves, and badgers, and falling trees, and rock slides, and avalanche, and fire, and mosquitos, and horse flies, and running out of whiskey, and forgetting the toilet paper, and those biting little ants, and bees, and sunburn, and nettles, and blisters and, and, and...
Gotta go, I'm locking my doors now.

galena said:

First comment: I do not live in Grizzley bear country. However, I have lived in the Colorado mountains all my life except my military time. I have roamed some pretty rough country and wilderness areas. I have carried everything from a two bladed pocket knife to a .338 Win Mag. I have never had to defend myself from any wild animal. Now days one should be more concerned about two legged predators than the local wild life. Consequently I never venture out anymore without a .38 or .45 somewhere on my person. Keep shootin'

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I've lived in Colorado since 1965, hiked, camped, hunted and fished just about everywhere in the state. ONLY ONCE was I ever charged by a wild animal, a pretty pissed coyote that had claimed a pheasant I shot that went down about 75 yards after being hit. I finished hunting the fence line and after about 15 min got to where I figured the pheasant would be in some brush. Well I guess the coyote thought it was his and he charged at me twice, the second time I actually hit him on the head with the barrel of the shot gun. After about 15 seconds here he comes again, I finally had to shoot him. I felt sorry for the poor thing but after checking him out he was big and not outwardly starving. I thought he might have been rabid so I just left him lay where I shot him. To answer the original poster, yes I occasionaly carried a 4" S&W 357 mag but honestly I never expected to need it for protection from 4 legged inhabitants of the mountains, I did shoot a couple of snakes but they really didn't deserve to be shot.

For the past dozen years we've spent 3 wks each year in WY/MT/ID, general bumming around with many day (7-8a to 8-9p in summer) long hikes. Usually fly into SLC, jump into 4X4 rental then immediately head north...but have flown into Cody, Bozeman and Boise as well. Used to have to deal with National Parks "No Guns" rules, which were a PITA...that combined with air travel with guns(s) caused me to choose a single pistol reasonably suitable for around town...and on the trial. Already had my Glock 29 10mm which is very concealable, controllable for quick follow-up shots, I'm very familiar with (carry/teach) Glocks, it allowed quick disassemby/assembly going in and out of National Parks and worked just fine with DT 200 WFNGC Hardcast for hikes and 175 STHP for civilization...all in one pistol.

Even with the DT stompers though, the 10mm is lighter than optimum for the likes of one griz we walked up upon (40-50m) before we were able to back-off and another that spooked the horses on a trail ride just outside the YNP east entrance above The Tepee...to say nothing of an annoyed female moose w/ calf that caused us to abandon a hike early in GTNP. Glad I had it 2 years ago between GTNP and YNP when a whitetail blew by us as a blur...followed immediately by a big tom on the same course at a dead run...damn they're fast . I'd have preferred my 4" 629 w/ DT .44Mag WFNPGC on the trails, but it's more than I want in a town gun, so I'll take my chances and split the difference. Besides, as has already been pointed out, predators w/ 2 legs are likely to be more of an issue than the cute furry creatures ...

I'ved lived in the west most of my adult life. I've hunted, camped, and ATV'd all over and always felt pretty safe with a .22 mag derringer in the front pocket. How many wildlife attacks do you see in the news? At least attacks that weren't insigated by the victim?

When there is a chance of an encounter I'll holster a full-size handgun, but that's quite rare. Mabey next time it'll be a Bond Arms 45LC/410 derringer.

Look at the many photos of our armed forces, the ones that show urban tactics.
Aren't they all carrying long guns at the ready position ?

Now back to the boonies ,here you come down a trail, and you know for a fact you could encounter something that's big enough to see you as a food source.

Will you sacrifice your peace of mind and saftey for a few ounces or pounds of weight savings ?

Our troops are humping 40 + pounds of equipment not counting the weapon,and they are hunting predators that carry a lot more than teeth and claws.

Why should you handicap yourself ?

Wildlife in the US do not go out and specifically hunt humans as food source. Though the odd mountain lion may pounce on a California jogger once in a while. Just about everything else is Hollywood driven. Generally wildlife is at least as scared of you as you are of them. Isn't that true in the midwest also?

Wildlife is not a threat where I live and recreate here in the second driest state in the union. If it were I'd equip myself approriately.

I would do bear spray.

I spent the last 1.5 years out of 3 living in a wall tent in the AK bush surrounded by a bear fence. I spend most of my time in the front/backcountry in NW Montana the rest of the year. Carried a 870 because I had too in AK. They are a pain in the azz. In that amount of time 1.5 years, I shot over 1 bear at 10 yards (he didn't care), shot over one at 30 yds, he ran, and had incidents with a few more that yelling made them run scared.

If the bear at 10 yards wanted me, I would be dead right now. I did not have time to get a gun into play, especially a shotgun. I had my bear spray out first and then went for the shotgun. A pistol might have been better, but maybe not. I was working, looked up and a bear was there. Spray was out, and I went for the shotgun slowly.

In the lower 48, I will SOMETIME come across bears hunting or while hiking. Spray is easier to get to, works on moose, pissed off bulls (cows), and two legged creatures. I carry two cans. One on my hip, and one spare with me.

If I am in certain areas, I carry Spray and a .44 Mag. Still prefer Spray, but a 300 Grain Bullet tends to make a statement. Shotgun is good, but its heavy and you won't carry it. If you do for some reason get a shotgun. Get the Black Magic Magnums. They do a number on bears. Worked with a guy in AK who had to shoot 3 of them that were in a Cabin in town. Photos told all the details. One was shot in the head, and penetration was no problem, the other two were shot in shoulder/chest, and results were also very good.

It has been my experience that being aware is more important than what you carry. I have hiked with large dogs, and small dogs...small dogs work best..especially good luck with dachshunds..very alert, and can be very quick with a heart that is 10X their body size.

They become enough of a distraction to the preditor that you can think before you act. What I normally carry in the woods is an old Colt .38 target or a high standard .22. Both work good to pop a grouse in the head, and that is what they are usually used for.

I sometimes carry an old 7.62X25 CZ52 instead...not for grouse, but becasue they are loud, extremely loud (make sure you are wearing hearing protection loud.) Some of those two way military ear plugs work well enough to hear everything, yet not loose your hearing when you fire. I have never had a bear not leave the territory when that CZ went off, even though I was not shooting at the bear.

I've encountered many bears, and yes WA does have the occational Grizz...especially the Pasayten Wilderness and the Salmo Priest Wilderness. I have only seen one, and he decided he wanted to be elsewhere then near our noisey dachshund.

"Bears injured less than 2 percent of people who carried or defended themselves with pepper spray during aggressive conflicts, according to two studies published in the Journal of Wildlife Management. However, research shows nearly 30 percent of those who carried or defended themselves with a gun were hurt during encounters."

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?ctg=4

I carry a handgun of some sort, usually a .357 Speed Six. But in bear country, I always take spray.

Brenneke makes those Black Magic Magnums. They are best for smoothbore shotgun.

None of us will ever be attacked by a bear. It's just, so much fun to talk about.
Run a clean camp, be aware of your surroundings. Kind of like life in general. Huh?

hariph creek said:

Brenneke makes those Black Magic Magnums. They are best for smoothbore shotgun.

None of us will ever be attacked by a bear. It's just, so much fun to talk about.
Run a clean camp, be aware of your surroundings. Kind of like life in general. Huh?

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You know, I'd bet just about every person attacked by any kind of critter believed "It will never happen to me"

As to the OP. Long guns are best. But it's unlikely you will have a long gun on your person 24/7. So, if you are truely concerned, the 870 with slugs will handle the long gun issue. But, I'd also suggest a large caliber revolver, 41 mag, 44 mag or my favorite .45 colt.

I pretty much always have a hand gun when out and about (city or country). I often take along a long gun on my outings, not because I think I might need it, but just because "I want to".

A clean camp is one good peice of advice.

I use the Cherokee, Nantahala , Big South Fork and surrounding National Forests for outdoor recreation.

Black bear incounters are increasing and they will eat you, they have been conditioned to see humans as a source for food, not as prey, BUT they will drag you out of your sleeping bag in the middle of the night and eat you if you SMELL like food.

If you encounter one on a trail that does not run away or that keeps advancing he is looking to eat something, and if you don't defend yourself by any means you will wind up in deep bear fecal matter!

Dangerous wildlife is a bit overrated out here.

FUN FACT: Did you know that the various species of deer are responsible for more fatalities each year than bears, cougars, and wolves COMBINED? That's right, you're more likely to be killed by Bambi than any of the other big scary creatures you may encounter.

Frankly, unless you're heading into territory known for a high population of Grizzly or Polar Bears, i wouldn't stress it too much. A good handgun and some spray are more than enough firepower for going walkabout almost anywhere in the lower 48.

Reading this post, I get the feeling that every poster east of the Mississippi, plus SoCal (which isn't really the real west) is pretty sure that if one wanders around "out West" one will surely get attacked by fierce critters.

I've lived in the West (Wyo, Colo, Idaho, Ore & now in Wash) my whole life, having started hiking, riding, hunting and fishing in Wyoming's Wind River wilderness areas at age 8. In the subsequent 61 years, never, ever have I been attacked by anything with sharp teeth. Yes, I did back slowly away from a pi$$ed-off moose mama, and was talked into carrying 12-gauge pump while fishing a river full of fish and bears in AK (both bears and people stayed away from each other). I've seen cougars skulking and maybe rabid coyotes (I shot the coyotes, shouted at the cougars).

I eye mushroom pickers warily, fear meth camps and maryjane farms, and stay away from boisterous elk camps full of drunks. But my most nervous moments have been in certain neighborhoods in Chicago, NYC, LA and Detroit. I was nervous in Frisco, but for a different reason....not that there's anything wrong with that.....

My most common sidearm over the years has been a .22 revolver, now replaced by that way-cool Browning 1911-22. I'll admit to carrying a .357 or .44 Spl revolver occasionally, mostly just because I own them.

You'll be fine, son......

For the record, when i wander off into the woods, i usually carry my 1911 on me.

Why? Because most of the time, when i wander out my front door, i usually carry my 1911 on me. Seen far more of the 2-legged variety of predators, even out in the toolies, than the 4-legged variety.

I recently went snowshoeing for the first time in Eastern OR and carried a recently acquired Single Six with the .22Mag cylinder loaded in a chest holster. I wasn't expecting anything human or animal in the snow, but I felt like I had enough gun.

Josh

Having carried shotguns for many miles in pursuit of pheasants and hiked for many, many more in the mountains of Colorado I would never voluntarily combine the two.

Hiking up mountains carrying a shotgun sounds like a terrible idea to me.

Having spent a lot of years in the Colorado backcountry, I'm going to throw in another vote for keeping a clean camp, staying aware, being loud and having some bear spray. I've never had any problem with vicious wildlife and consider myself lucky to spot anything besides a ground squirrel.

Now, for predators of the 2 legged variety, pack whatever you want!