Bears in my back yard..or I need a bigger gun!

[OldSchooler]

Here's a novel idea, that only a few seem to have touched on. Look outside before you go out and dont get far from the house. Better yet, stay in it!
If you feel you must be armed outside and that a bear is actually going to attack you, youll just piss it off with that hopped up .38cal . They used to tout the .357 mag as able to bust engine blocks, remember? Guess what? They won't. I tried once. Wont do much to stop a bear either, especially a determined female and using those lightweight rounds you have in there now. Might as well get a starter pistol or some firecrackers.

Someone mentioned a 12 guage with slugs. Good idea. Get a basic Mossberg and put a Pachmayer pistol grip set on it. Then sling it for working in the yard, painting the fence etc - now there's an image. Marlin in 45-70 or .444 might be a good trade for that 357., too.

Still want a handgun? Go REAL BIG. .454 Casull big. .500 S&W big. You get the idea.

Better is to plan ahead and not give the bear,
A. Reason to be around. Control your garbage. Insist the neighbors (if you have them) do too. Alert the game management folks, if that would help.
B. A chance at your backside. Be alert and learn why the bear is there, then work on that instead of trying to blast the thing to bear heaven.

If all I had was a .357 I'd use it - after all, you shoots what you brung.

But, I'd hold out little more hope than that of scaring the bruin off. Then, I'd run like h*ll for the basement. You might want to consider practicing your 100yard wind sprints, too, while youre at it.

"Sounds more and more like a good reason to purchase another gun!" - Steve

My sentiments, exactly.

 

[Jrsmith]

Apparently all you really need is an aggressive cat...

Tabby Terror For Black Bear

 

[swampdog]

I can't believe that anyone that lives far enough out in the country to see bears doesn't own a shotgun. You need to immediately rectify this omission. Until you do, get some heavier loads for your .357 and sleep soundly. You've gotten some good advice here, but I wonder about some of the posts like

Wont do much to stop a bear either, especially a determined female and using those lightweight rounds you have in there now. Might as well get a starter pistol or some firecrackers.

Let me assure you, a .357 with 125gr hollow points is much better than a starter pistol. Black bears aren't that hard to kill. We're not talking grizzlies, here. I took one a few years ago with a .44 ruger SBH and I've helped drag and clean 2 that were taken with bows. With one of those, the arrow went completely through it's chest and shattered it's offside shoulder. They're not bullet proof, by any means. They deserve respect, but some of the bear related posts I read are ridiculous. While a .357 might not crack an engine block, it will sure crack a bears head wide open.

I had a face to face with a sow and 2 cubs several years ago while squirrel hunting. All I was carrying was a ruger 10/22. I yelled, they scattered. This was at around 20'. This was the last time I went in the woods around here without a big bore, but it certainly doesn't keep me out of the woods.

I bet some floodlights on a motion detector, and maybe some outdoor speakers with some GNR or metallica would run your bears into the next county.

 

[OldSchooler]

I bet some floodlights on a motion detector, and maybe some outdoor speakers with some GNR or metallica would run your bears into the next county.
Now that idea I like!

 

[TonyB]

Ok,OK I get the idea!I'm borrowing a 12 ga till I can get my own....I can't believe I'm in the country w/out a 12 ga myself.But in my defence,I grew up in the city(where the 9 is king!)
what about something like a 30/30 lever gun?
Turns out to be more to the story too.....apparently the Momma charged the police cruiser when they went to have a look see.I t made the news around here,and the cops warned everybody to clean up their property and keep alert.Of course I'd love to use this as an excuse to hide inside and NOT mow the lawn all summer

 

[swampdog]

what about something like a 30/30 lever gun?

Bounces right off of them.

Seriously, 30/30 are very popular around here with black bear hunters, .35 rem more so.

 

[TonyB]

stopped by the local gun shop yesterday.....saw a used Remington auto 12 ga for $179.....I'll be getting it next week..in the mean time I'm borrowing my Father's pump.Although I can see a 30/30 in my future

 

[oops!]

I carried a Ruger .357 Blackhawk for years while elk hunting in known bear country. My load was 180 grn solids.

I used this load to take several large hogs, with excellent penetration.

I have found a few bears on my property in Ky. over the last 10 years. Of course the game warden says there are no bears around. Twice I have ended up sharing a blackberry patch with full grown bears. Both times I ran the bear off by getting, "big and loud". I did have the Blackhawk in hand, just in case!

As others have said, keep your place clean, watch out for kids and pets, keep both bear spray and an air horn ready and the 12 ga. with slugs or the .30-30 will both work well.

 

[robertbank]

Folks Black Bears are dangerous and to assume otherwise is just not smart. 99% of the time they are quite timid and will depart quickly HOWEVER, when a Black Bear does attack and they do occur much more frequently than the previously posted data suggests, they have one thing in mind. LUNCH, and you are it.

Attacks will come at short range, give you little warning and what ever your method of defense you better be on it in a hurry. I personally favour my 1911 loaded with .45-08 cartridges but in a pinch 200 gr LSWC will do. As previously posted they are not super bears and the .357 mag or .45acp will do the job. Just make sure you can shoot quickly and accurately under stress that is all.

If there are two of you aim for your partners legs.

Take Care

 

[usmccpl]

a few years ago i brought down a black bear with a 38 special using 148gr fmc rounds it dont matter what you have if it is all you have and you can use it right dont sit there and let it attack you just because you might make it mad if it has already got a temper remember the 22 you have with you is better than the 44 you left at home




one shot one kill

 

[KINGMAX]

Black Bear = .44 magnum RUGER SUPER REDHAWK !!

I choice of pistol for a black bear would be a .44 magnum Ruger Super REDHAWK w/ 300 gr hard cast lead. If you could get some of those 330 or 340 gr hammerheads that would be even better.

Someone said something about a .45 acp. I have a friend that is a Park Ranger at Mount Mitchell State Park here in North Carolina. He loads his GLOCK 21 w/ .45 + P. Good shot placement, being COOL under pressure might make the difference here.

 

[KSU1998]

HK-91 son, 308's are what I run. name that rap song. I think the shotgun with a nice slug would get it done. Go semi, should be a non issue.

 

[ZDavidoff]

Cor-Bon .357 200 gr. Hardcasts

When I go hiking up in the Sierras, I carry a 357 snub just in case. I have it loaded with 38+P's for the less hairy type of predators, but I have a speed loader with the 200 gr. .357 cor-bon hardcasts in case I run into a bear. Not very fun to shoot a 24 oz. gun with those, but the weapon functions fine. Sure is nice to be able to carry a weapon somewhere in this liberal fortress other than my home.

ZDavidoff