Stalking and shooting a bear for sport versus defending yourself against one are two different things.

If charged by a bear you have two areas to shoot at. Head which is inadvisable, or the chest. Even if you destroy the heart, if may not be enough. We advocated shooting at the top of the chest/low neck area to hit the spine or shoulders.

IMO 12 ga slugs are best. Bigger is better in this case.

In our fishing parties there was always at least one 12 ga and everyone carried a 44 magnum revolver. Sometimes 45-70 and 444 lever guns too.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!