Montana Hiking Gun Poll

[gbran]

Can you put a longer barrel in the 29? Would it be any advantage? I had the G30 in 45 which is a little huskier than the 29. I am gonna get a 10mm for mountain carry, but we don't have big animal threats like parts north. The 10mm would work great with black bears (fairly common) or mountain lions (less common). Not much else to worry about. I Alaska, I carry a Super Redhawk 454 and a rifle.

 

[tomrkba]

You will likely not see a single bear. Lots of bison, some wolves and moose, but probably no bears.

I have seen bears every time I have gone to the park. Family members hiked several common trails last time and saw three grizzlies in two hours. I saw a black bear on that trip--watched it for 20 minutes. We'll see how it goes this time.

I did go to that center and watched them feed the bears. I enjoyed that zoo and will go this time too.

 

[Panzerschwein]

A .357 magnum with Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast soft points is an effective combination.

 

[jamesinalaska]

3" gp100

When I carry bear bait to my baiting station I wear my 3" GP100 and I am not afraid of meeting something viscous. I am cautious once I get to the bait station however as I am more concerned about stumbling upon a sleeping or dozing bear near the bait. But even then, if it isn't a brown bear, I have confidence in the GP100 within 20 yards.

My holster and rig is very similar to Deaf Smith's rig in the picture in his post on page 1. The military web belt keeps the gun higher, off my waist and makes for very comfortable carrying. I can wear my gun with the web belt on day long hikes and never feel burdened by the gun or the other utilities on the belt.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well folks... I did a bit of work on my 3 inch GP 'Canadian' .357.

Super slicked the action, added a DAO only Ruger hammer, a new S&W revolver front sight (set dead on for 158gr magnum loads), and combat grips, wood, from Thailand.

Yes I still have my web belt trail rig but now I have my 'light' set. Just plain leather belt need. Holster is by Lobo Gunleather.

Now I'd still want my 4 inch 629-1 if I KNEW there were big bears around but here in Texas there isn't any. GP works fine for any critter.

Deaf

 

[jamesinalaska]

Bears aren't risky - comparatively

I am always amazed at the willingness of some folks to be "Ultra Magnum Armed" when they are hiking because of the very low probability of a bear mauling. But the same folks will take much higher risks in other, more dangerous and higher probability behaviors. Here is a list of examples:

Riding a motorcycle w/o helmet.
Riding a motorcycle in shorts, flip flops, t-shirt.
Arguing w/ motorcycle club members.
Letting your buddies shoot the beer can off your head.
Using power tools w/o safety glasses or other protective equipment.
Hang gliding.


Edit: Before readers think I am to critical, I don't consider carrying the 44M or 45lc to be Ultra Armed. But I have seen experienced people buy monstrous guns (s&w500, ruger 460) out of fear of possible bear encounter and it just isn't needed.

 

[JSH1]

People aren't logical James. We overestimate danger from unfamiliar sources and underestimate those from common sources.

The most dangerous thing most people do is drive a car but you don't see them installing a 5 point harness and wearing a helmet. Some don't even wear a seatbelt.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Better to carry a bit to much gun than a bit to little.

I have no problem with those packing .44s, .45s, .454s, etc.

Heck, if I was gonna spend lots of time hiking Yellowstone, then my .44 would go.

And I've always hankered for a Ruger Toklat....

But here in Texas a .357 will take black bears, coyotes, hogs, etc.

Deaf

 

[RalphS]

Most people have a real fear of being attacked and eaten alive by something. Even if the odds are much lower than being in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or having Bubba miss the beer can on your head.

It's the same thing with swimming in the ocean. Lots of people are terrified of being eaten by sharks, even though shark attacks are very rare. They'll drive to the beach without a seatbelt on, texting on their phone the whole time, but when they get there, they're afraid to go into the water. It's human behavior.

 

[Malamute]

I hiked in Yellowstone a few years ago, before the "guns in parks law" was passed. I carried UDAP. UDAP works on bears and dirtbags too. The problem with spray is if it gets on you, you will be blinded and not able to breath, but if you can get it in the bears or dirtbags face, they will be blinded and not able to smell you or breathe either and that usually takes the fight out of them.

I think good quality bear spray is one of the best things to have and use. I didnt intend for my earlier comments to sound like a negative opinion of it, just to keep it in realistic perspective. When its able to be used, and it works, its a win-win for everybody, bears and people.

It is human nature to focus on the unknown or unfamilar as a threat. Most people, however, go to Yellowstone totally oblivious to the real or potential problems or dangers. Being aware of whats going on around you goes a LONG ways towards being safe, in Yellowstone as well as any other place. Being prepared to a bad situation already puts you head and shoulders above the vast majority of people. In Yellowstone Park is one of the last places I'd want to shoot a bear. The crudstorm of negative media coverage the first time it happens is likely to be epic. I dont want to be chewed on by a bear either, but avoiding the situation is best if at all possible. In some encounters, there really wasnt anything different the people affected could do, in many, it was not being smart or aware that led to problems. Far more people are hurt bu buffalo than bears. Its almost always doing something either dumb, like trying to get a really close pic, trying to pet them (true story) or even set their kids on them to take pics (retarded in the extreme). Sometimes just walking very close to them and making them feel crowded is enough. The most recent injury was a girl that walked within 6 feel of a buffalo and turned around so her friends could get a picture of her near it. Brilliant. It gored her in the butt/back. She got a ride in a helicopter to the hospital.

Brains are the best weapon.

 

[tomrkba]

If it's a choice between a media circus and getting mauled by a bear, I'll shoot the bear.

But, as you said, planning and proper implementation are the best preventative medicines.

 

[Malamute]

^ ^ ^ Roger that.

 

[RalphS]

Be advised that grizzly bears are still on the threatened species list in the lower 48. That means that if you shoot one, regardless of the threat to your own life, you will be facing a long and expensive legal battle with the Feds, followed by, at minimum, a hefty fine. Figure on at least a $10K fine on top of your legal fees.

Now everyone is going to jump in and say that human life is more important, but that's not the way the Feds view it. Sorry.

Most of the people visiting Yellowstone have no business being around wildlife. They think it's a petting zoo. When I was there we spent most of our time on the backcountry trails and the Gallatin Forest to get away from the crowds. Most of the idiots won't hike more than a half mile from the parking lots. Once you get a few miles off the road, it's an amazing place.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

You guys notice anything unusual in that 40 mm boffer photo above?

Hint... who is aiming it?

Deaf

The guy on the Mark 51 director, not shown.

 

[tomrkba]

Now everyone is going to jump in and say that human life is more important, but that's not the way the Feds view it. Sorry.

Yeah, it's unfortunate the Feds think like that. I'd rather spend $10k on court fees than $50-100k on surgery (my cost).

 

[RalphS]

I'd rather spend $10k on court fees than $50-100k on surgery

Actually, the $10K I referred to was the fine. Court fees are extra as is your legal defense costs. Figure on another $10K, at least, for that.

There are some documented cases where this happened and the person attacked was taken to court by the feds and paid a fine.

 

[Malamute]

I would carry a gun but I'd also have UDAP on me. Even if you shoot the bear dead with the first shot, make sure you hose it down good with the UDAP. When the rangers get there, you want them to report that you tried to spray the bear first but that it didn't work and so shooting it was a last resort.

Tampering with evidence is a really bad idea.

It isnt a guarantee that someone would be charged if they shot a grizzly. It all depends on the circumstances.

 

[tomrkba]

I would carry a gun but I'd also have UDAP on me. Even if you shoot the bear dead with the first shot, make sure you hose it down good with the UDAP. When the rangers get there, you want them to report that you tried to spray the bear first but that it didn't work and so shooting it was a last resort.

I'm not going to do that. I'm sure some goofball will stand there filming rather than running or deploying UDAP.

 

[Lord Teapot]

voted for the glock 30 because i love my glock 30, and i love having a 28 round magazine of .45acp on standby

 

[Milt1]

We can ramble on and on about handgun and caliber but what it boils down to is if reality happens and you're face to face with a large Grizzly you HAVE to believe that what you have in your hand will do the job. I lived in Montana for three and 1/2 years and I remember my first Elk hunt. A huge elk came over the top of a ridge I was hunting on and came down the slope between me and other hunters so I couldn't take a shot. I was hunting with a 30.06 and immediately wondered, upon seeing that Bull, if I had enough gun? I'm sure many an Elk has fallen to the 30.06 but in that instance it seemed really puny to me. If I was still living in Montana I'd hunt with nothing less than a 338 Win.Magnum. I relate this because if you're face to face with a large Grizz, you'll have to believe, without any doubt whatsoever that what you have will do the job and that you can stand there and do it otherwise my advice is don't go hiking in Grizz country.

 

[Malamute]

The fact is, most people take nothing, and do just fine. It isnt at all common that anyone has problems. Being on top of your game attention wise, having a plan if a bear comes close, like getting your people slowly into a group, with the people with pepper and weapons up front, and being cool headed will deal with all but the very most remotely bizarre occurance.

I'd also suggest to be sure nobody is going to FREAK OUT and scream. If they do, have somebody understand that they should grab them and make them stop. It doesnt have to be polite, it should be very fast.

Women during their period are generally thought to be a bear attractant. Its best if they arent running around in back country at that time. The regular stuff with board walk trails and lots of people, I wouldnt worry much about it.

I've lived around grizzly country for more than 25 years. Yes, theres occasionally problems, but hardly on the scale that many seem to feel. It sounds trite, but its true. Its more dangerous to drive to Yellowstone than to get out and enjoy it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

LOVE me some GeePeez!



Here is mine. I'd feel well protected with it.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Carried a 4" Mod. 629 while hunting. 240 gr XTP

Now its a 4" Mod. 57 Mountain Gun. 210 gr. XTP

 

[MCMXI]

I live in NW MT and regularly hike up here. I carry a 12 gauge (870 with 00 buck, 3") when I hike with my dogs but you mentioned a long gun being out of the question. I happen to own many of the handguns you list, specifically ...

Ruger Alaskan (.454 Casull)
Ruger GP100 4" barrel (.357 Mag)
Ruger GP100 3" barrel (.357 Mag)
S&W 629 4" (.44 Mag)

If I were to choose one to take on such a trip it would be the S&W 629 with an appropriate load. It's a decent combination of power and weight. I wouldn't even consider the GP100s for bear. Have you looked at the S&W scandium framed .44 Mag? One of my coworkers has one and I shot 18 fairly hot rounds of 240gr recently. It was uncomfortable for sure but easier to carry, fairly easy to make good hits at 15 yards (single action) and the right load could be quite effective on bears ... if you run out of bear spray of course!

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I would bring what you own. I prefer the capacity of the Glock 21 over the Ruger revolver. I am familiar with Buffalo bore hard casts so I would go that way. If I were buying I would likely get the glock 40 which is the longer barrel version of the Glock 20. Again, I like the capacity of the semi auto vs the overall power but lower capacity of the revolver.

I would not fault anyone and would feel jus as confident with a revolver either in 44 to 357. It's just not my first choice.