https://www.wyofile.com/game-and-fish-bear-spray-repelled-killer-grizzly/ Sometimes, it doesn't matter what you have. Pack whatever makes you feel good, but as this shows, things can go wrong fast. mtmuley
Grizzly bear defense
- Thread starter Aeolus
- Start date
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Thanks for posting that, Muley.
That is incredible account of that fatal attack on the guide and hunter last fall.
I know hindsight is 20/20, but in this case maybe it can keep someone else from making the same mistakes.
To me, it means never ever taking off your sidearm or your bear spray out of convenience.
My condolences to Mr Uptains family and friends.
That is incredible account of that fatal attack on the guide and hunter last fall.
I know hindsight is 20/20, but in this case maybe it can keep someone else from making the same mistakes.
To me, it means never ever taking off your sidearm or your bear spray out of convenience.
My condolences to Mr Uptains family and friends.
Aeolus
Well-Known Member
That's a sad deal. I actually read this the other day. A lot of people will say you shouldn't ever second guess what happen especially when someone dies. My life experience and training has taught me that this is false. And that we should try and learn everything he did, and what he could have done to get out of that situation alive. So a lot of our leasions have been written blood, I don't want to waste the knowledge. I read he didn't carry a loaded chamber and that his mag was on the ground suggested he was trying to load it and unloaded it maybe? Also not just with this case but as I am researching I see very few times does bear spray work on a bear that is actually coming to get you. The times it works are when it's not a mad aggressive attack the best. So I am an advocate of carrying bear spray and a pistol but I can assure you after everything I read pistol will be drawn on every bear then spray. Not the other way around. There are no dead set rules that I can find other than my own of, if you see the bear immediately draw your pistol. I appreciate all the info y'all are giving me. I am researching a lot to come up with the best plan.
D
Deleted member 107796
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You have to respect the bear spray recommendations coming from those that have spent a lot of time being around grizzlies, like my friend from Gardner MT. My 44mag revolver with 8.4" ported barrel is the most accurate handgun I own. That or a short barrel shotgun would be my choice. I remember the camera images found from a hiker that went up hillside to get a better view of a sow and her cubs. The first, they were feeding heads down, the second, mama with her head up looking at the guy, the third, of her charging. He was found dead and his automag of some sort, was still holstered.
antelopedundee
Well-Known Member
A 12 gauge shotgun with slugs is probably as good as anything, but if you happen to use it while bowhunting and actually killed a bear you'd probably get the third degree and be accused of intentionally killing the bear, just sayin. You'd likely have a hard time proving otherwise.
As I said elsewhere, staying out of grizzly country is always an option. Even experienced people like the Wyoming outfitter can get into trouble. IMO a 10mm semi-auto is better than nothing, but not much. I'd want a sixgun in .454 Casull minimum.
As far as the spray, I'd have it within reach and with the pin pulled.
Salmonchaser
Well-Known Member
DLP, Defense of life and property shootings are pretty common. In my opinion AST are pretty generous when it comes to the property prong. You can do everything wrong around your property, create a no win situation for a bear, kill the bear and nobody seems to care.
So, in Alaska, outside the national parks and refuges as long as your account was reasonable you're golden.
I wouldn't want to have to shoot one inside the National Park. Given the park rangers will cite a guide for throwing rocks at a pushy bear, I wouldn't want to have to articulate why I shot one.
One of the reasons I have kept a log book regarding our close encounters.
20 years of data tells me I can be certain of only two things; I'll be within 50 yards of no less then 100 bears over the summer; I will never assume I know what the **** bears will do.
One more; bears are smart but they don't respond to warning shots as anything more then a loud scary noise. Save your ammo, Cary a good old fashion Acme Thunderer whistle. They really seem to dislike a long blast.
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
......Sounds like the government needs to fund a good double blind study comparing air horns to spray.....
antelopedundee
Well-Known Member
AFAIK, you're not allowed to use a firearm for defense against bears in the National Parks.
The key word here is coming home!
I live in Alaska and love hunting and fishing, I've had my share of close encounters, been treed even had to kill a brownie in self defense. Two of my sons have had many encounters. One is a brown bear guide on Chichagof island where there are more bears per square mile than anywhere on the planet! the other is an assistant guide on his team occasionally. Both of them have had to kill bears in self-defense. All of us carry a Smith and Wesson 500!
If things start to go bad, you may only get one crack at it and bigger is always better! For those of you who think that a lot of fast little pills are a good thing, I'd think again. I watched A friend of mine put five rounds into a bull moose's head with his 10mm glock using 220grn corbon's, the bull just looked at him. Granted, nun of the shots hit the brain but they were all strait on head shots, he finally went down after hitting him in the side of the head with the 500. Think about enraged and brown!
There's a pretty good story on this site about my grandson taking a brown bear in self-defense, can't remember where exactly, I think it's in the bear section and it talks about an 11-year-old boy saving a fishing party.
Tom
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That's a good point. Is there anything a guy can do to prepare for cats? I've not heard of any cat attacks, maybe it's not something to worry about?
Salmonchaser
Well-Known Member
That is such a great story, what a steady young man. If he ever wants to guide out in Bristol bay have him get a hold of me.
I've probably walked by more cats than I've seen. The only time I felt threatened was the time I surprised two of them on a fresh deer kill. It was a little unnerving. I usually hunt solo all the time, so pack a sidearm. My Father told me it is good insurance if a cat surprises you and you lose the rifle. I'd definitely carry if I archery hunted. Like I said, I don't worry too much about them. The last four I saw were all together at about 40 yards. A few rocks their way and they slunk off. Later I discovered they had a kill in the area. mtmuley
