Terry G
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Stay in a warm climate.
Close Range Bear Defense
- Thread starter EastonTexas
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The Glockodile
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I have often wondered if 6 shot from a 3 inch 12 gauge right in the face ought to make just about anything think about backing off snd reconsidering the situation. But is there any tests, or evidence this is so.
When I was 12 years old or so I encountered a black bear in the woods of north Louisiana of which there were not supposed to be any (unless it was a really large black lab
). I had fallen asleep under a Birch tree on a high stand aside a cane break. There were black berries and other natural growth all about. I awoke from my half slumber by the lack of sound, forest sounds. It was too quiet. I did have a .410 single shot shotgun with number 6 shot. In fact, this one right here:
I looked across a small stream and there was a black object, about 40 yards away, pacing back and forth on the bank and then splashed in directly in my direction. I started yelling and screaming and took off running, Plan A. Plan B was to shoot him in the face. I never saw him again. But knowing what I know now I think he was a stalking bear, more than just curious, and with predation possibly on it's noggin.
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JFrank
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I shot a Turkey with a 4.10, two body shots from 30 ish feet and he walked away
aaaaa
Member
Is a 410 supposed to handle turkey or did you need a 20 gauge?
JFrank
Member
My grandson uses a 410 with a head shot so I figured from close range I could make it happen but I’m not that good and actually ended up using a 12 gage the next time I got a chance.
I guess the point is they are darn sure not a bear defense round
The TSS .410 turkey load will knock a turkey dead. A slug from a .410 is over 700 FPE which is on par with a 10mm. I only mentioned a .410 because as a child that was what I was allowed to carry for the rabbits and squirrels I hunted, it was not intended for bear, though it was the gun I had in my only real(?) predatory bear encounter. My question regarding number 6 shot was a follow on to another posters comment and a 12 gauge shotgun.
The rest of the story, my dog Smokey, a (mostly) border collie, came out of nowhere and as I was running away she charged in. I heard nothing as I was running away and Smokey then showed up shortly after in fine shape to accompany me homeward.
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aaaaa
Member
Great Photograph!
As you can all see, I know nothing about hunting. Tried it in the late 70s but did not stick with it.
Ironicaintit
Member
this guy stops by every couple of days. Man does he stink! like rank, musky, wet garbage with poo gravy that's been sitting in the sun.
I've pelted him with rocks and he took off. Lately I've been hitting him with .36 cal steel balls from a wrist rocket. And I've moved the bird feeder...
I've pelted him with rocks and he took off. Lately I've been hitting him with .36 cal steel balls from a wrist rocket. And I've moved the bird feeder...
Charlie Martinez
Member
I had one do it right behind me just before dawn while I was sitting in a brush ground blind (deer hunting). It's quite a wake up call and makes you wonder about all the possible outcomes like what would have happened if he had decided to attack.
Cvans
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Try a paintball gun. Them you'll be able to see if it's the same Bear later on.
Ironicaintit
Member
Nah, it's the same fellow. Now, as soon as he sees me, he hightails it outta there! I know that stung like heck
tactikel
Member
The 12 gauge with quality slugs is highly thought of in Alaska for bear. Any short, light, 12 Ga (shockwave, et al) would work. 95% of strategy is avoiding bears; bear bells, bear spray, food/waste (bear boxes) control when camping is helpful.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
1) I would first have a can of bear spray.
2) A firearm for personal defense against two legged threats is a great idea. If you have a larger caliber cartridge handgun that you can get on target quickly, go that route.
3) I like a shotgun for the wild areas of Alaska and such. A 18-20" with a full stock would be my preference. I don't see why a shockwave wouldn't work.
Or you can do like they do in Green Bay WI and put up an end zone. It works on those Illinois Bears from Chicago.
2) A firearm for personal defense against two legged threats is a great idea. If you have a larger caliber cartridge handgun that you can get on target quickly, go that route.
3) I like a shotgun for the wild areas of Alaska and such. A 18-20" with a full stock would be my preference. I don't see why a shockwave wouldn't work.
Or you can do like they do in Green Bay WI and put up an end zone. It works on those Illinois Bears from Chicago.
D.B. Cooper
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Actually, and for some reason that I can't explain, 10mm has become very popular up here in the past 2-3 years. I don't know why, other than it's not a revolver. 44 magnum has long been considered the minimum bear gun, and after seeing photos of a bear skull that deflected a 30-06 from 3-4 ft, my 44 seems awfully small.
As for black bears: 357 magnum. I carried a 357 rifle for a long time before I got my 44.
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D.B. Cooper
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First line of defense is your brain. Just because you have a gun, doesn't mean you can be careless in the woods. (It's not unlike a CCW mentality, really.)
Make noise on trails. Travel in groups. Don't cook near your tent. Store you food well away from your tent. Use a bear proof food bag or bear keg. Don't encroach on bears and especially cubs. Be especially vigilant near streams with salmon runs as the bears are working those streams for food. They're not paying attention for humans, but if you walk or ride your bike up on one of them, it can go badly. There is so much we can do to reduce the odds of a bad bear interaction.
So many bear attacks up here follow the same pattern. It's usually someone moving quietly and quickly along a trail, and they surprise the bear, or they get between a sow and her cubs. Problem bears around established, front-country campgrounds get habituated to people and people food, and those bears get put down.
For further reading:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=livingwithbears.bearharmony
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/library/pdfs/wildlife/research_pdfs/living_harmony_bears.pdf
jmorris
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