JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
In no way shape or form does a 12 gauge slug compare to the potency of a hotly loaded .45-70 Gov’t out of a MARLIN ‘95.
Bearing it all
- Thread starter Enfielder
- Start date
citizenconn
Member
I've had a lot of experience with black bears over the years in the Davis Mountains here in Texas and backcountry camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park and other high country areas in Colorado. Never had a problem with them being anything more than curious thankfully. I have never been particularly interested in hunting them though I don't begrudge others who might. Mostly I just find them to be beautiful animals. I haven't been backcountry camping in Colorado in a while but if I did I'd take my 10mm 1911 in a chest harness just to be safe.
I have had some run ins with gators on my trotlines in Florida and eating my live fish off the line as I reeled them in here in Texas. Same with dolphins and sharks as far as stealing my fish off the line. After they take what they want they usually go away, though gators tend to stick around an area if they are getting easy handouts. I see nuisance ones a lot in the area where the Brazos river empties into the Gulf.
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You guys are totally messing up the fearmongering!
I only buy guns because I'm afraid of things - deer, dark alleys, drugged up terrorists at the pharmacy, and the occasional paper target! How can I buy a bear gun if they just leave people alone most of the time?You're probably talking about those country bears who still have family values. Inner city bears are the real threat... I need an inner city bear defense plan
citizenconn
Member
I've worked around inner city Houston for the past 15+ years. The bears in the 3rd and 5th wards are some of the most cunning, vile and dangerous I've even encountered. For that matter I never go anywhere inside the 610 Beltway without a carry piece and a backup, preferably a .45 acp, 10mm or magnum revolver of your choice. I've seen bears jacked up on honey and blueberry juice just shrug off a string of 9mm rounds and keep coming. Oh my!You guys are totally messing up the fearmongering!
You're probably talking about those country bears who still have family values. Inner city bears are the real threat... I need an inner city bear defense plan
First of all I tuned this guy out the moment he suggested “Semi ANYTHING” as a viable option for large bear defense!
For long guns…bolt action….Period
Shotguns …pump action with extended mag …Period
Handgun backup …Revolver…Period
Personally, as to ‘ Minimum caliber’ I wouldn’t bank my bacon on anything smaller than 44 mag in a handgun and
375 H&H in a long gun….Period!
Anyone who is pondering hunting any dangerous game yet is overly concerned about recoil needs to reconsider…
Call me old-fashioned but a a bruised shoulder is a small price to pay considering the alternatives…
Rant over….
For long guns…bolt action….Period
Shotguns …pump action with extended mag …Period
Handgun backup …Revolver…Period
Personally, as to ‘ Minimum caliber’ I wouldn’t bank my bacon on anything smaller than 44 mag in a handgun and
375 H&H in a long gun….Period!
Anyone who is pondering hunting any dangerous game yet is overly concerned about recoil needs to reconsider…
Call me old-fashioned but a a bruised shoulder is a small price to pay considering the alternatives…
Rant over….
Bush Pilot
Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 2,397
I can honestly say I've never had issues with alligators at my place in NW Montana, grizzlies are another story. At my old cabin in Alaska they were thicker than fleas on a dog. BTW, grizzlies are a pain in the arse to get rid of, Havahart traps just don't cut it.
Neither are most Americans. Too much garbage food and screen time.
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doubleh
Member
That show, Alaskan Bush People, Duck Dynasty, the two or three gold mining ones, homestead rescues and off grid living, etc. I guess folks can’t get enough of staged reality shows. Adds spice to their city lives I guess.
I bought some .22 ammo with ‘Choot ‘em! on the box. I guess those guys parlayed their ten minutes of fame into something that has some $$ attached. Probably a good deal for them.
Stay safe.
The Secret Of Skinwalker Ranch was the absolute worst I though but my wife was watching a new one to me this afternoon that is right up there with it called Homestead Rescue. Left up to me I wouldn't waste one kilowatt watching either. I never bought any of the Choot Um! ammo but probably would have if that was all I could have found a few years ago.
doubleh
Member
I may live where it is flat and semi-arid and the scenery is mesquite bushes but the worst thing we have to contend with are coyotes. Since I made myself a promise as a teenager to never own a chicken they don't present a problem for me.
They can still be an excuse to develop a safety and response plan with tactical gear and a couple new firearms. Do you have a serious coyote-denial plan? Are you prepared??
For instance, raccoons are the biggest threat in my neighborhood. Despite being smaller than bears and alligators they are cunning and fuzzy. I’m thinking they should be just like a scaled down bear with a bad attitude. Scaling a 375 down to raccoon size lands between 5.56 and 22LR so I’ve got a rifle in 45ACP backed up with a pistol that has 30 rounds of 22 WMR. If things get scary- they often travel in groups up to four around here- I can fall back and get the 7.62 rolling.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
20 gauge 870 with 3",#2 duck loads for coons here at my place.
They usually show up at night so there's a light mounted on the gun.
No bears in Kansass but we do have mountain lions.
They usually show up at night so there's a light mounted on the gun.
No bears in Kansass but we do have mountain lions.
doubleh
Member
They can still be an excuse to develop a safety and response plan with tactical gear and a couple new firearms. Do you have a serious coyote-denial plan? Are you prepared??
For instance, raccoons are the biggest threat in my neighborhood. Despite being smaller than bears and alligators they are cunning and fuzzy. I’m thinking they should be just like a scaled down bear with a bad attitude. Scaling a 375 down to raccoon size lands between 5.56 and 22LR so I’ve got a rifle in 45ACP backed up with a pistol that has 30 rounds of 22 WMR. If things get scary- they often travel in groups up to four around here- I can fall back and get the 7.62 rolling.
No 'coons to fall back on and my wife is smart enough to know that the coyotes just run away so nothing else to fall back on either. Fortunately she has no problem with me dragging home orphan guns so I am good.
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Well, a 45-70 is firing a lighter projectile at velocities that give it somewhat to quite a lot less muzzle energy than a 12 gauge, so I think they might compare somewhat......
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
Gator 458-win mag,dont wanna be under gunned.
RWBlue01
Member
I get the feeling the youtuber has never been hunting.
1. You should have a sling on your hunting rifle. There are many times when you need both hands to move or do... You can always use QD sling and remove the sling. Not to mention slings can be used to be more accurate at longer shot.
2. Bear defense, is different than hunting. Bear defense is about being danger close. It is about a stopper. I would suggest the largest cartridge you can shoot well. For many this is probably a 12ga and it is something they are familiar with. For me, it is a 458WM when I am practiced up.
3. When hunting, it is a different problem. Same with Africa dangerous game. You may be hunting Sheep or caribou, or in Africa Zebra and expect to be taking 300 yard shots. The 458WM is great up close, but I don't shoot it well enough to want to take a 300 yard shot with it. That is when the guide needs to be carrying the stopper and you need to be carrying your longer range gun.
And I don't know what to think about a guide who didn't verify that her gun could feed that ammo. I have only had one hunting occasion when my bolt rifle didn't feed. I turned the rifle over dumping the cartridge and the next one fed fine. The rifle has never had an issue before or since feeding that ammo or any other.
And of course, where possible a handgun is probably a good idea.
And for alligators is it all about a CNS shot, it doesn't take much gun, but you have to hit the brain. I have always thought a 22lr would be the thing, but if you have a 9mm...
1. You should have a sling on your hunting rifle. There are many times when you need both hands to move or do... You can always use QD sling and remove the sling. Not to mention slings can be used to be more accurate at longer shot.
2. Bear defense, is different than hunting. Bear defense is about being danger close. It is about a stopper. I would suggest the largest cartridge you can shoot well. For many this is probably a 12ga and it is something they are familiar with. For me, it is a 458WM when I am practiced up.
3. When hunting, it is a different problem. Same with Africa dangerous game. You may be hunting Sheep or caribou, or in Africa Zebra and expect to be taking 300 yard shots. The 458WM is great up close, but I don't shoot it well enough to want to take a 300 yard shot with it. That is when the guide needs to be carrying the stopper and you need to be carrying your longer range gun.
And I don't know what to think about a guide who didn't verify that her gun could feed that ammo. I have only had one hunting occasion when my bolt rifle didn't feed. I turned the rifle over dumping the cartridge and the next one fed fine. The rifle has never had an issue before or since feeding that ammo or any other.
And of course, where possible a handgun is probably a good idea.
And for alligators is it all about a CNS shot, it doesn't take much gun, but you have to hit the brain. I have always thought a 22lr would be the thing, but if you have a 9mm...
