.357 vs black bear

Status
Not open for further replies.
Black bear sows don't, though.

Nobody is working for PETA or Disney here. But they're not ravening man eaters except in very rare cases. Thankfully. So your response must be attuned to the behavior of the bear you're confronted with.
 
The sow was a bear we had seen before and she was never aggressive. I haven't seen her since, but their behavior can change for no reason. I know another guy that was bowhunting and was ripped out of his tree stand by a bear and thrown to the ground...it was a female and she had cubs. The females can be very aggressive and it is not just limited to the female my wife and I encountered. I would advise not painting them all with the same broad brush.
 
Statistically black bears kill more people every year in this country than Polar, Brown, Grizzly, Kodiak, etc. The reason that is, is because people like yourself don't give them the respect they deserve and you try to treat them like some Disney Character.
Click to expand...

Actually, if you think about it black bears outnumber brown/grizzly/polar bears by about 100 to 1, yet only kill about the same number of people. So, that makes them about 1/100th as dangerous...

Any large animal can kill you and have to be respected, so having a gun in the woods makes sense. Carrying a gun also has responsibilities, the foremost of which is knowing when to use it.
 
Most of the time black bears are docile and unassuming, but I have been around black bears enough to know that, as all predators, they can be a little scary. I've seen them run from people, I have seen them ignore people, and I have been inspected at very close range by a particularly large and curious old bore. Last fall, a fine gentleman was mauled within an inch of his life by a small ( under 250lb), very hungry black bear right in my neighborhood. I bet he would have loved to have had a .357 when he got scalped and de-rumped. I know his wife would have.
Bottom line take your .357, load it with some heavy hard cast boolits, maybe take some bear spray. Follow the "bear safe" rules, know that you are prepared for a two or four legged threat, and have a great time camping and hiking.
 
First post. I ran into a black bear the stupid way: going back to a place away from camp where I'd cleaned fish. Why? I left the brews in the creek under the bridge that served as trout cutting board.

There I was trying to find two brown bottles that the labels has washed off of. Where the heck are they? Headlight bobbing around...ah ha! Gotcha! Rise up triumphantly clutching the brews and my headlight falls on the head of a black bear licking the residue of the fish off the bridge abutment, only half looking at me.

Obligatory paralysis followed by the bear rising, turning and ambling off the other way. My gaze and light followed him as he went. Total shock. I half stumbled/ran back to the camp. We were in Sequoia National Forest, King's Canyon, way lower than we should have been and the last people in the area.

When I say RIGHT THERE LOOKING AT ME, I mean the bridge was head height and I was no more than 3' away. Sucker could have reached through and swiped the stupid look off my face. Adding insult to stupid, the bear spray we brought leaked on our silverware and we were burning good before realizing what happened. Trip from hell.

The bear I met was nice enough. Great forum BTW. Lurked a little in the past. Look forward to sharing more stories and figuring out some of my firearm issues.
 
.357 is probably too small to kill a bear unless your aim is dead on. i saw this nifty revolver in 30-30, that might work :)
 
.357

I know two people that have killed Black Bear with a .357 pistol. One, a retired game Warden used a snubby .357 to keep one from taking his groceries by force, out of his hands. On the other hand I was involved with a Black Bear charging my petite 100 lb. wife in Yosemite.

At that moment NOTHING would have been too big a caliber. I was so shook up that, had I been armed, I would have killed that bear and gone directly to jail. He veered aside at about 2-3 feet in a full speed charge. I believe only because I too was running toward my wife as he was charging her. He covered a 100 yards before I could cover 20. He was a problem collared bear and we encountered Rangers tracking him about 1/4 mile down bike trail. Of course they had loaded Rem. 870 shotguns and pistols. Tourist (at that time) were allowed to carry nothing in Nat. Parks. I believe that may have now changed.
 
twofifty
Member


Join Date: April 21, 2007
Posts: 641
what ex park ranger said
These bear threads come up all the time. You'd think there were as many bears in the "woods" as there are terrorists on the AT. ;-)

I've roamed the trails and hollows of Appalachia, the Adirondaks, the Whites, the Greens over many years. Not to mention the Rockies, the Sierras. No bear problems at my campsites, ever. Keeping a clean camp, keeping the 'kitchen' away from the sleeping area (I love bivvy sacks outside of fly season), keeping the food strung up or locked in the provided food lockers (think AT or NPs) are great ways not to have to deal with bears.

I've seen several dozen bears -blacks and grizzly- and only once felt the need to chase one away. Used a bear banger for that. Don't get me wrong, you have to keep your senses about you.

But hiking the woods is not like clearing your house at 3am, slicing the pie at every tree or shadow looking for a crack-crazed assasin.

OP, believe me the woods and the animals that live there are not like the Big Bad Wolf of storybook fame. There is nothing quite like laying down in a bivvy sack in the middle of bear and wolf country, and falling asleep to a crisp star-filled sky, a crystal clear trout-laden river gurgling past your campsite. The wolf or coyote howls certainly add to the drama. So do the inevitable rustlings of small mammals (watch out for racoons) or ungulates ambling past your campsite.

What you really need to watch out for are:
- red ants
- ticks
- black flies
- mosquitoes
- horse & deer flies
- leeches
- scorpions
- snakes
- dehydration
- sunstroke
- breaking a leg
- giardia
- mice & packrats on the AT
- hypothermia / heatstroke

Those are the real dangers!
Last edited by twofifty; April 20, 2011 at 12:40 AM.
Click to expand...

That snake and them pack rats better watch out , a .357 will kill them!

I would be leary to rely strictly on the .357 and dont kid yourself if you think you can outrun a bear , (even if you can, what about the kids, the old lady) , wanna stopper , bring a .44 magnum and keep the 06 with you!
 
There is no question that IF a bear attack occurs or about to occur, you would want bear spray and a firearm. In that case, there is no handgun that is big enough. Bear attacks are almost random events from an individual perspective. People can be a bit careless when it comes to food prep, camping, and waste disposal. Like carrying a firearm for self defense, you will be carrying a lot without ever needing the gun. It is your choice and now carrying in national parks is allowed with a carry permit (applicable state regulations). I think an attack from a disgruntled human is far more likely. People have been attacked by deer and elk too. You need to respect wildlife and give them some space just like most of us do not like somebody in our face.

Since I do go out in the woods wandering around (especially in national forests and national parks), I think I will get a small bottle of the bear spray. The price is not prohibitive based on my google search, but I wonder if I will even carry it in reality in black bear country. The same goes with a handgun unless I just like to have a firearm with me out in the woods (which I do).

I still say that the 357 mag is your best choice when considering handgun size, weight, and power in preparation for a random event.

Addition: I would suggest that you have what is called a "tailgate meeting" in health & safety circles at the beginning of a hike especially if you are hiking or camping with folks that are not familiar with the operational aspects of bear spray or firearms, or are not very familiar with woods dangers. Bears would be just one of the topics. There should be some discussions as to what to bring with you before you hit the woods as well and that would include a small first aid kit, matches, knife, compass, water, clothing, etc depending on how long you are going to be hiking or camping.
 
Last edited:
Haven't I seen many post here over the years where a 44 or even a 50 was recommended to hickers as a backpack gun. Why is it such a contoversial discussion this time. 4 adults sleeping in the woods. It should be a natural conclusion they would have at least a 357 if not larger. Some have mentioned 10mm in the auto catagory if my memory serves me right. I would hate shooting a bear, as mentioned they do look like rotties when they are young. But I have no hesitation if anything is going to do me harm, in dismissing it from lifes plan for it, if it is about to kill me. I also agree as I mentioned before there are many other things to worry about in the woods. Have a safe trip, being over prepared never hurt anyone.
 
Last edited:
It's funny to me how people prepare for wildlife interaction based on "observed norms" of any particular breed of animal, yet the same people prepare for human interaction based on behavioral aberrations. Many of the people who tell you "just be careful and don't bother them and they will leave you alone" when it comes to wildlife would be the first to tell you that you should get a CCW. I say be prepared for both.
Click to expand...
I agree with this 100%! I've seen many a black bear in my travels in the Hiawatha National Forest over the last 40 or so years, and never had to even yell at one. However, I'm not about to tell somebody to not even bother being armed as I find that quite reckless and foolish. Personally, I prefer 10mm from Double Tap in a Glock 29 for that, and while in the "concrete jungle" revert back to .45 ACP.
 
Stevie-Ray said:
However, I'm not about to tell somebody to not even bother being armed as I find that quite reckless and foolish.
Click to expand...

I'll bet there's not a single post in this thead where anyone recommends going unarmed, being unprepared or taking foolish chances with bears.
 
Close.

"Why are you worried about black bears? Act appropriately, dont leave your garbage or food around, and you'll be fine. They dont attack people.

If you have to use a firearm on a black bear....the fault is almost certainly yours. Just back or walk away."
 
Canaan Valley

Red Cent, you spoke earlier of being familiar with the West Virginia Highlands, among others Canaan Valley. I agree there are a lot of black bears in the valley bottom and up above in the Monongahela NF.

Do you have any factual accounts of bears injuring or killing residents or any of the many tourists that flock to Canaan? For our purpose, let's include the following areas:

- CV valley bottom including the resorts.
- Cabin Mtn. and the Mon NF up to Davis-Thomas & the Potomac headwaters.
- the Blackwater canyon & its forested slopes.
- the Bears Den summit area & adjoining trails.
- The general area referred to as the Dolly Sods Wilderness
- Mt. Porte Crayon to Hwy. 33 crossing of the Eastern Divide.
- Red Canyon to the confluence with the Dry Fork
- Dry Fork to Hambleton then N. to Olsen tower and back to Thomas.

For the others who don't know CV, the area was first explored then settled in the later decades of the 19th Century.

edit: Almost Heaven. True in every sense of the word.
 
I think the only way to really be sure is with a Barret M82 in .50 BMG.:D

But really, when I tromp around the woods not hunting, I only carry my trusty Colt 1991A1 and a dog. Well, I don't carry the dog, she's spoiled enough as it is.:) The .45 is more for two legged predators, which are far more common. The dog prevents anyone or thing puttin' the sneak on me.
 
^^^^^^^^^^

But what if you miss with that first shot? A Dillon minigun is the only way to be sure!

..and the bit about two-legged predators is spot on. They are a far greater danger in NPs and other wilderness areas than the wildlife.
 
twofifty, I have not researched or have any knowledge of black bear attacks in WV.

You didn't mention the Cranberry Glades. This has been designated as a bear sanctuary (forever) and is in a remote and beautiful area similar to Dolly Sods and Canaan Valley. As you may know, the flora and fauna found in these areas are found in the extreme northern tundra and nowhere else. And Canaan Valley used to have the best woodcock hunting ever. Been a while.

One of the most interesting areas is the trail from Summit Lake to the parking lot across the mountain from Richwood. Home of the Cherry River Navy. I have fished for trout down this trail (mostly downhill for about eleven miles) and stayed over night in the 3 sided slant roof shelters. You will see more bear sign on that trail than most. Must keep the rangers busy replacing torn up wooden signs and posts. That 3 sided shelter felt pretty good. Had to come in the front door (over the bells).

In a bunch of years tooling around WV, I have seen a number of black bears. Never had an incident. Been close to some big bears. Close enough to examine the power that these animals exude and to respect their right of way.

I carry (almost all the time) a lw Commander 45 acp. When hunting with either bow or rifle, I had a Ruger Security Six SS snub with 158gr SP. Another one of my happiness and security blankets.

I have never hunted or killed a black bear. Around those parts,the black bear is hunted with dogs. IMHO, I would ban shooting bears from trees. The excitement of the chase is real, but I agree with the fox hunters. A nice small fire high on a ridge, a bottle of George Dickel and listen to them run.

.
 
Karl Hungus said:
But what if you miss with that first shot? A Dillon minigun is the only way to be sure!
Click to expand...

The M82 is a 10 shot semi-auto!:D The muzzle blast alone would probably tumble a bear.:p
 
Choosing a good pair of boots is probably more important than what firearm you choose when in black bear country. To be honest, I'm comfortable with a 22 revolver. I would be thinking more about what camera and lenses to carry with me.
 
The M82 is a 10 shot semi-auto!
Click to expand...

Yeah but the recoil makes quick follow-ups nearly impossible. I stand by the Dillon minigun as the minimum for black bear protection. Or maybe tactical nukes deployed from orbit...
 
I personally prefer to carry nothing less than a .44 mag with hard cast bullet for black bear protection here in Oregon/Washington. However, our black bears can get up to 500lbs or so.. Most black bears in the rest of the country are quite smaller and can easily be taken out with a .357. Obviously, shot placement and not pissing in your pants are a requirement. I have had quite a few run-ins with black bears and not panicking is important, as you will get nervous. However, black bears are not fierce like grizzlies and if you hit them center mass they will usually will be wounded.

My advice is to also get a can of pepper spray which is quite effective against all bears in general. Carrying a 30-06 for a black bear does seem overkill, especially if you have multiple people with you. One person with pepper spray and another with a handgun would usually be all you need. I like to hike alone, so it's usually one or the other for me, but I would always carry both.

In grizzly country, I plan to carry my .460 S&W loaded with hot Buffalo Bore 360gr. However, I am still in the testing stage of this gun and round. Perhaps, I should make sure to file off the front sight though :p.
 
I worked for a small Township Police Dept in Michigan's Upper peninsula. One night a call was received of a bear causing problems at a State Park in our jurisdiction and we investigated. After trying to chase the Black bear away with negative results. The Sergeant decided to destroy the animal before someone was attacked. Eighteen (18) 357 rounds later the bear was badly injured, but still pretty frisky (granted these were super-vel self defense rounds ideal for protection against humans). This all happened in less than ten minutes, then the shotgun was broke out and the bear "finished off" with two close range shots with 00Buck. The carcase was checked for rabies with none found.
Just from my own experience! (We both felt bad about what we put the bear through, and decided if we got into another situation where a bear needed to be put down we would use a shotgun, a box of 12 ga slugs were always carried in our brief case' after that incident).
 
Were already back only spent one night then rain and the wife had enough. Anyway between the 4 of us we had 2 357's a 45acp a nifty little .22 ( Ithaca model 49) and my .30-06 carbine saw one bear who bolted before we really recognized what it was. Until now I forgot to mention Izzy my 60 lbs pit. all in all I had fun. Next time I think we will leave the girls or check the weather better which ever is easier at the moment.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
Defense against black bear
2 3
Replies
57
Views
2K
Robert
Robert
84B20
  • Locked
Bear protection
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
57Coastie
5
J
  • Locked
Bears at my campsite
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
themic
T
M
  • Locked
What's the best Bear Ammo to use in a .357 Mag
Replies
21
Views
5K
Antihero
A
CodeSection
  • Locked
Thankful For My Ruger Alaskan .44 Mag / Black Bear Protection
Replies
22
Views
1K
CodeSection
CodeSection
Back
Top