Bear protection handguns?

[jeffreyjwilliams]

Jeffrey how often have you seen bears so far?

I just got the lease. So none. We will deer hunt when the season starts (with my boys). I was told that there are bears but we likely won't see them. The question about the gun was for protection "just in case". Better safe than sorry.

 

[dogz]

Totally underforstand, I've never been to your part of the world so real world no idea what chance you have a seeing a bruin is.

 

[jeffreyjwilliams]

Totally underforstand, I've never been to your part of the world so real world no idea what chance you have a seeing a bruin is.

Where do you hunt?

 

[dogz]

Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Sonora. But, mainly Montana and we love hunting bruins and watching them. I've called in over 60 of them so far.

 

[Pdvdh]

Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Sonora. But, mainly Montana and we love hunting bruins and watching them. I've called in over 60 of them so far.

Dang! I think if I called in 60+ grizzly bears, I might not be alive!
I've called in a few brown bear. Always a thriller.

 

[okie man]

There's thousands of black bears in Arkansas, I've baited them there, hunted them there and spent many many hours in bear areas. Your chance of falling out of your tree stand and getting hurt are twice as good as getting attacked by a bear

 

[okie man]

Besides that, Arkansas holds some of the biggest black bears. 700 pounders are taken every year. I have a trail cam video of a big boar licking peanut butter off a tree. I put it 9' high and he had his back feet on the ground. Walking into that stand 2 hours before sunrise with nothing but a bow and flashlight was a terrorizing experience, but legal.

 

[wilkup]

Besides that, Arkansas holds some of the biggest black bears. 700 pounders are taken every year. I have a trail cam video of a big boar licking peanut butter off a tree. I put it 9' high and he had his back feet on the ground. Walking into that stand 2 hours before sunrise with nothing but a bow and flashlight was a terrorizing experience, but legal.

Had no idea y'all had some monsters down there!

 

[okie man]

I have a few videos on YouTube. Search bearhunterark

 

[PHunter]

These post have good info on firearms to carry for bear protection- I agree with them.
Also consider keeping bear spray handy.
Either way be sure to practice to be ready with whichever option you are most comfortable

 

[WYO300RUM]

WYO300RUM,

I was gonna ask why you didn't just notch the holster......then I got a little smarter and decided too research the Kenai holster.

I went with the Galco Kodiak Cross Chest rig, as I wanted leather for the "more quiet" rig when carrying through brush and when drawing the firearm.

When I went to a picatinny rail/with red dot sight.....I notched the holster to clear the sight system! It ain't as pretty as when Galco produced it.....but, it's functional! memtb

I tried the Springfield XDM 10mm in the Glock 20 Kenai holster. No go. Didn't think it would. Bummer. Might have to buy another. Was going to get one for the 460 XVR.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all !

 

[WYO300RUM]

Dang! I think if I called in 60+ grizzly bears, I might not be alive!
I've called in a few brown bear. Always a thriller.

What do you do after you call in a grizzly or brown bear ? Hope you have a climbable tree next to you. Maybe shoot a couple "bluff" shots ? Scary thought .

 

[Pdvdh]

We ran from one, after we saw it had bad fur when it stepped into the open. Kinda got outta site and left the area before he got too close.

I missed one with an arrow from about 15yds, which startled him. He never knew where I was. Was windy and the wind was in my favor.

A third brown bear on Kodiak Island came up to within about 7yds before seeing us. At 7yds saw us, and stood on rear legs to get a good look at us. Dropped to all fours and woofed at us. Then slowy turned and trotted away. We decided it was on the small side of shooting before it got that close. But he continued coming in. We had two rifles shouldered just in case...

I decided I didn't like calling in brown bears all that much after the one came in so close to us.

 

[WYO300RUM]

We ran from one, after we saw it had bad fur when it stepped into the open. Kinda got outta site and left the area before he got too close.

I missed one with an arrow from about 15yds, which startled him. He never knew where I was. Was windy and the wind was in my favor.

A third brown bear on Kodiak Island came up to within about 7yds before seeing us. At 7yds saw us, and stood on rear legs to get a good look at us. Dropped to all fours and woofed at us. Then slowy turned and trotted away. We decided it was on the small side of shooting before it got that close. But he continued coming in. We had two rifles shouldered just in case...

I decided I didn't like calling in brown bears all that much after the one came in so close to us.

My nads receded reading this.