Bear defense tactics: Pros & cons of guns vs. bear spray.

[The Annoyed Man]

Last summer, I was within 6 feet of a black bear. Of course, I was sitting at my desk and it was outside the window looking at me. As far as firing a handgun at one: When I am out on the trails, if I encounter one (I have encountered 3 moose together on the trail, about 20 yards from me), I intend to fire shots in the air, as a way of making noise. I wouldn't dream of hitting one. It might make it made at me. Like saying on Saturday that Tiger Woods can be beaten, then having to compete with him the next day.

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005

Cooper Rule#4. You mean't "into the ground, right?". I just might be in those woods too.....

Five “warning shots” from a revolver? Let me know how that works out for you if the bear pays no heed to the warning and gets irritated instead.

[Ruark]

Putting rounds into a bear's chest isn't going to do anything, at least not quickly enough to keep him off of you. Needs to be a head shot. When he stands up and opens his mouth wide and roars, put a brain shot right through the roof of his mouth.

[C-dub]

I do think that bear spray or red pepper spray is probably more effective than a firearm and non-lethal, so there's less to answer for afterward. However, I also agree with SRothstein that on a firearms related forum that is going to be an uphill battle.

For reliability, a 45-70 would also be a great option, but is far more difficult to carry around hiking or backpacking than a can or three of bear spray.
https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/all-wea ... er-action/

Loves me some Henry's.

[rdcrags]

Last summer, I was within 6 feet of a black bear. Of course, I was sitting at my desk and it was outside the window looking at me. As far as firing a handgun at one: When I am out on the trails, if I encounter one (I have encountered 3 moose together on the trail, about 20 yards from me), I intend to fire shots in the air, as a way of making noise. I wouldn't dream of hitting one. It might make it made at me. Like saying on Saturday that Tiger Woods can be beaten, then having to compete with him the next day.

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005

Cooper Rule#4. You mean't "into the ground, right?". I just might be in those woods too.....

Actually, no. Like the local sheriff said in a newspaper interview: A shot in the air is far less likely to hit a person than a shot down into rocky terrain, especially if you have others in the immediate vicinity. Part of SA?

[RPBrown]

A few years ago I bought a S&W 500. No reason, just because I thought it was a cool gun.
Now, as I posted in a previous thread, I am going to Alaska hunting next year thanks to a very good friend of mine.
I bought a 300wm for my hunting rifle. My primary carry is a .45 but on this hunt one of my smaller .45’s will be my BUG and the 500 my primary carry. Reading this thread, I foresee bear spray in my self defense package as well. I had never really thought about bear spray until now

[Keith B]

[rotor]

I guess the problem with bear spray is that if it doesn't work it is too late to use a firearm.

[sugar land dave.]

[WTR]

My friends who hunt bear country( Black, Brown, Grizzly) always have either a S&W .460 or .500 on them. They also carry a 12 ga when not hunting or have a belted magnum with them when hunting. No one carries bear spray. Fortunately, they have never had a bear attack.