Article on bear spray

[Kevin Dill]

This proves what a manly man I am. I can sixgun as needed...or I can perfume a bear with capsicum. For those special times, I keep my hands soft and ready with Neutrogena's finest.      

No way am I saying what I do is best. Heck...I haven't ever actually had to fully deploy any type of in-hand defense against a bear and I bust my arse to improve on that record every year. My goal is to never find out what works...or doesn't...for me. But if you spend enough time wandering amongst grizzlies, you know the clock is always ticking.

Beendare mentioned the S&W 329PD, and that's my favorite banger. It's light but the recoil is manageable for me. 4" barrel clears the holster nicely and I like the grip better than the semi grips I've used. Mine is set up with Crimson Trace Lasergrips and the laser is dead on at 25'. Lasers are of little use in daylight settings, and probably in sudden attack situations. You'd better be able to use the sights and a bit of cowboy style eye-hand ability is good.

Big thanks to TG mods for letting this thread run. Bear defense is something every traditional bowhunter (who goes into known grizzly country) has to consider and decide on.

[ChuckC]

This thread included guns and such but it was a very " archery"  topic.  Thanks guys for discussing this and for allowing it.

I learned something valuable.  If I ever go outback in Alaska for Brownies, I want Steve H with his .458 Socor or someone with a .50 Beowulf walking around with me or at least in camp.

[Phillip Fields]

Chinook, I've got one of those limited build Super Blackhawks in .454 Casull. If I ever go back to Alaska that's what I'll carry.

[Sam McMichael]

Many of us are pretty fair shots on the pistol range, but I strongly suspect that most of us could not, under the pressure of a bear attack, clear leather and score a single hit. I don't have much confidence in being able to deploy the bear spray, either. Guess I don't need to hunt in big bear country.

[Steve H.]

There really isn't a bear, looking to kill and eat you, behind every tree in Alaska.

I have had numerous, probably dozens of close range bear encounters but the one kind of encounter I haven't had and hope to not have is a charge at close quarters from a bear I bumped into unsuspected.

This scenario is far down on the list of what we are guarding against by carrying a firearm or spray, although some inexperienced bear people might not realize that is the case.

BTW, of my three stickiest bear encounters, two were with black bears, one with a brown.

[Steve H.]

Ok, I think I figured out Photobucket after a several year hiatus. Here is my .458 SOCOM.  Yes it is an "SBR" which means that I have paid an extra tax to BATF to have it shorter than 16" barrel.  This one has a 10.5" barrel.  I built this in a configuration with a carry handle so that I can hang it on a loose, flat hook on my belt on the right side for pistol-level access.  

My intention is NOT to hunt this way and carry it around everywhere, it wouldn't work but to hang it at my side for a the final few yards of stalking a brown bear when I am solo.  And yes, I have stalked numerous brown bears while hunting solo, still alive, lol!

 

[Steve H.]

Here is a short and squat 458 SOCOM round with a 525 grain hardcast bullet (means high antimony and tin vs all lead, so that it doesn't mushroom like lead), compared to a .223/5.56mm round.  

I'll try and find a photo on this gun hanging at my side.

 

[Steve H.]

Keeping it Trad Bowhunting related:  Bubba Graves' Kenai brown bear, tracked thru pucker brush with darkness closing in, with me as Operator on the 458S!  Luckily the bear made it into the open timber and we spotted it from a buffer.

 

[Steve H.]

Bubba last year, two roles, backing me up on a brown bear hunt, and camera man!

Bubba rigged the same 458S with a tactical rig (single point sling) that hangs at the ready close to his body.  Learned during OJT in Iragistan.  RIP doors....

I will have to give this method a try to see if I can carry this way and not have it get in the way of my bowstring.  BTW, no way I would carry this rig for generic hunting in bear country, just for when we intend to "incite" bears.

   

[ChuckC]

Do I see more tax money than simply a SBR there ? Nice rig

[Steve H.]

Yes, Chuck, you are astute and observant!  Two x fascist NFA tax.

[Tall Paul]

Good Lord, that 458 shell vs the 223 is huge!  I'd be scared to pull the trigger!

[Tall Paul]

Love this thread by the way!

[Kevin Dill]

Originally posted by Tall Paul:
Good Lord, that 458 shell vs the 223 is huge!  I'd be scared to pull the trigger!

Then don't buy a .45-70. That's one in the middle with a .458 on the right.

 

[Tall Paul]

Holy Crap!  LOL!!!