i have never really had an interest in hunting bear. i really do not know why, but they normally just do not interest me. maybe it is because we seldom see them here in lower Michigan. in any case, i had a not so funny run in with one yesterday. i was looking for crows, calling, listening, then trying to get close enough for a shot. when i stumbled across a bear. it did not charge, but then again, i did not stick around long enough for it to get mad either. i simply quietly slowly walked away. i know running can trigger a charge. so that was out. it may very well have done the same thing as i did. but the outcome could have been a lot different. i am really thankful that i did not have to try to defend myself, having only a 22 magnum in my hands. i could have gotten seriously injured, or worse. since this is my first bear encounter in over 42 years of hunting, i am thinking that the odds eventually have to catch up to you. so if this ever happens again, i would like to have something more realistic to defend myself with. i have a 44 magnum pistol, that i could very easily take with me just in case this ever happens again. now that i KNOW there is a bear in the area, i will not go unprepared again for a long while. since i have never had an interest in hunting them, let alone with a pistol, i have not a clue where to aim, to do the most good with a limited weapon. if i was going to hunt them, i would use my 45/70 with 400 grain bullets at around 1800 fps. so, the question i have is if i am FORCED to defend myself, where do i shoot a bear with the magnum. it is a 6" S&W 629, and i would be shooting Hornady xtp's@ aprox. 1400 fps. i know, i know, bear spray. but i do not have any, and no one locally carries it. and i plan on going out hunting again tomorrow.