BADUNAME37
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EXACTLY!
BTW, thank you for your service to our country!
BTW, thank you for your service to our country!
Black bear vs. 9mm
- Thread starter JustSomeDude
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BADUNAME37
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In light of the black bears that have been "humanized" to the point where they are just browsing around dumpsters, hauling out all manner of rubbish and garbage, back to the OP's question, would a 9mm kill a black bear, I must say yes, it would. If the bear is not afraid of humans to the point where it is essentially sitting on his back haunches begging for one more hot dog and that bear somehow becomes agitated, yes, a 9mm to the face head or neck will most likely kill the bear or at least stop it long enough for the shooter to pump a few more rounds into him/her/it!
4895
Member
The problem with Bear Spray is the wind. What if it is windy and you spray into the wind and inadvertently spray yourself instead? Ouch.
If you carry a 9mm, load up with some heavy bullets, 147 if possible, and carry an extra magazine.
If you have to shoot a bear and think you may be in legal trouble, drag him into the kids tent and put a candy bar in his mouth.
If you carry a 9mm, load up with some heavy bullets, 147 if possible, and carry an extra magazine.
If you have to shoot a bear and think you may be in legal trouble, drag him into the kids tent and put a candy bar in his mouth.
BADUNAME37
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Get Hornet and Wasp Spray!
The stuff shoots like 25 feet or more with a very accurate stream, if that got into the bear's eyes, or even in its nose, I believe there is not much he could do, except back off and retreat. I don't like to see animals suffer, however a 9mm bullet stuck somewhere in the bear for the next few years I would think would be painful for the bear, pretty much no matter where the bullet stops! I cannot imagine shards of copper and lead riding around with every movement, that would HAVE to be painful!
Besides, you just may end up camping near a hornet's nest, wait until after dark when they are all in the nest then spray the thing to death!
The stuff shoots like 25 feet or more with a very accurate stream, if that got into the bear's eyes, or even in its nose, I believe there is not much he could do, except back off and retreat. I don't like to see animals suffer, however a 9mm bullet stuck somewhere in the bear for the next few years I would think would be painful for the bear, pretty much no matter where the bullet stops! I cannot imagine shards of copper and lead riding around with every movement, that would HAVE to be painful!
Besides, you just may end up camping near a hornet's nest, wait until after dark when they are all in the nest then spray the thing to death!
Texan Scott
Member
I have family that live just a few miles away from where this happened. They never mentioned it, possibly because they were not very concerned. My general belief (based on my limited experience) is that black bears are highly unlikely to attack people willingly. They don't generally go after anything close to their own size (for food). My own experience (including mountain lions) is if they're healthy, and you're non-threatening, they'd prefer to leave. I've had this happen at home, at about 20 yards. We saw each other about the same time, we both might have peed just a little, we went carefully and quickly in opposite directions. COULD it have killed me? probably. but feeling no need/ desire to get hurt (maybe seriously) in the process, it saw an opportunity to leave and took it. the same would be true of you with a 9mm. you might be able to put it down, you might well get hurt. best if we leave each other alone. an armed society is a polite society, even among bears.
edited to say: that poor little bear looks absolutely terrified.
edited to say: that poor little bear looks absolutely terrified.
wlewisiii
Member
Just carry pepper spray.
If necessary, my Glock 19 loaded with Winchester RA127TA would kill a black bear just as easily as it would a fat tall human. But the bear spray is the far better alternative.
If necessary, my Glock 19 loaded with Winchester RA127TA would kill a black bear just as easily as it would a fat tall human. But the bear spray is the far better alternative.
hardluk1
member
bear sprays will shot 30 feet and it would take more than a breese to blow it back before your gone. Atleast I would be. Its funny to a point so many have advise that have never been around bears. We live around them . They come to our hunting stand to sleep. Eat the peanut butter sometimes and corn dropped by the deer feeders. They area not hard to deal with even when they try to get in the stand your sitting in. Just a short shot of spray send them running. or a whack on the nose with a braod head when they climb the ladder to your stand. The bears I would worry over more are the garabge can raiders or nieghbor hood bears someone and old sick bears. They tend to hold there ground at times. The sprays work very well, use them.
OP asked about the "chance" of taking down a black bear with a 9 mm. Since folks that disagree with me edit my posts, I will simply answer the OP question, not a good chance at all even though occasionally it "can" kill a black bear. If folks want to use a 9 mm go for it, but not my choice at all.
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I seem to recall an e-mail circulating the 'net a few years ago that said that hornet spray could be used to stop a human attacker, too.
I'd bet that just about anything sprayed into someone's eyes would suffice, but it'd be hard to tell with any certainty what would temporarily, and what would permanently, blind somoeone in such a case.
IMTHDUKE
Member
Bear, 1...... 9mm, 0
It wouldn't be my 1st choice, but you might be surprised. One of the bigger bears (400 lbs+) ever taken here in Georgia was taken by a poacher with 1 shot from a 40 S&W pistol. Bear dropped in its tracks.
It is more about shot placement and luck.
Also very few problem bears are the big ones. Most that cause trouble are older cubs weighing less than 200 lbs that have been recently run off by their mothers and are struggling to make it on their own and resort to raiding trash cans. The 400-500 lb bears don't get that big by hanging around humans. A 200 lb bear ain't any harder to kill than a 200 lb human.
It is more about shot placement and luck.
Also very few problem bears are the big ones. Most that cause trouble are older cubs weighing less than 200 lbs that have been recently run off by their mothers and are struggling to make it on their own and resort to raiding trash cans. The 400-500 lb bears don't get that big by hanging around humans. A 200 lb bear ain't any harder to kill than a 200 lb human.
My mom chases black bears off the porch at her place with a pot and a wooden spoon. Just sayin.
Not sure why folks equate bears to people. Last time I checked, I don't have thick fur, heavy bones, fangs and claws, nor can I run 35 mph. I wouldn't be reassured at all by the stopping power of a 9 mm against people let alone bears considering what I know about bears.
Equating bears to people reminds me of a conversation I had with my older brother when I was 4 years old when we lived in Anchorage AK. I confidently told him that I could take a 4 year old bear in a wrestling match. Kind of funny thinking about it now but it reminds me a bit of how people are viewing this whole scenario. It seems some folks are not giving these critters the respect that they deserve. I no longer believe I could out wrestle a 4 year old bear. I know better today. I would hope folks give them a bit more consideration. Plenty of stories of bears shot with heavy duty rifles that kept on going let alone a hand gun such as a 9 mm.
Can a 9 mm kill a person? Yes, but it is not at all on the top of the list for stopping power for thin skinned, small boned creatures called humans. Equating that to bears that can run 35 mph and continue an attack even after being hit directly in the heart and lungs makes me consider just what it would take to incapacitate one of these critters. Outside of a direct CNS hit, there is no sure one stop shots with these critters.
Once again, if folks want to use a 9 mm as their bear gun, that is their choice but I would hope others who have no experience with bears in the wild reading this thread would consider other options with better track records than a 9 mm.
Certaindeaf
member
Have you ever seen a skinned bear?
wlewisiii
Member
I suppose if I lived in Alaska where every bear is 8 feet tall and over 1500 lbs, and needs a howitzer to take out, i might agree with you. But down here in Wisconsin, for example, it's a bit different: "Adult male bears, called boars, average 4.5 to 6 feet in length and weigh 250-500 pounds, with the average being 300-400 pounds. The smaller females, or sows, weigh 225-450 pounds and measure 4 to 4.5 feet long" (wi dnr)
I'll keep carrying my Glock & put some bear spray alongside it, thank you.
I'll keep carrying my Glock & put some bear spray alongside it, thank you.
Well it was a bit tongue in cheek. She did it once and then it dawned on her what stupid move that was.
Should have been more clear, my fault.
Should have been more clear, my fault.
I've killed and skinned black bear, been present when others were killed and skinned. They ain't that hard to kill. I've got several friends who are ex- NFL linemen that I would be more concerned about a 9mm stopping than a 200 lb bear.
A bears bones are no larger nor tougher than yours, and while you don't have thick fur, bears don't wear winter coats like humans. Humans don't have fangs and claws, but they do often carry guns. A human predator is a much more dangerous threat.
When dealing with a 200 lb bear I'd feel just as comfortable as dealing with a 200 lb human using the same gun. I prefer something larger simply because of the possibility of a much larger bear.
Well, killing a 120 bear should be rather simple. Not sure why it would take 10 shots from a shotgun, .223 and .45 acp to put down a little 120 pounder.
I truly believe people are underestimating these critters, but if you feel comfortable with a 9 mm at your side, so be it. Not my choice. Best wishes to all.
Alaska444
I truly believe people are underestimating these critters, but if you feel comfortable with a 9 mm at your side, so be it. Not my choice. Best wishes to all.
Alaska444
Oh enough. I am tired it is late and I hate bear threads more than just about anything else. That I let this go to 3 pages of whining and bickering only goes to show that I am getting soft.
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