Been a Busy Fall for Bowhunters and Griz

[Wyo]

Every year hunters (bowhunters this early in the Fall) and grizzlies have run-ins but it seems like there have been more this year than usual. I think we have four incidents now where bowhunters have used their sidearms to defend themselves, all successfully as far as I know. Less so for the bears. Bowhunters are allowed to carry handguns for defensive use and the universal caliber at this point seems to be the 10mm. The most recent incident involved a guy from Georgia who used a 10mm to kill a bear that was literally chewing on his thigh like a chicken leg. Pretty exciting story.
Hunter Who Survived Wyoming Grizzly Attack Says… | Cowboy State Daily. There will be more of these encounters as the rifle season gets going. I’m beginning to see people now that have just given up trying to hunt in the western mountains. They feel like it just isn’t worth the risk or the trouble that follows if you have to shoot one. Things are gonna have to change here pretty soon!

 

[steelslaver]

Grizzlies ain't stupid, the mature ones have figured out hunting seasons. Even archery without the bang. I am not that worried about bears most of the time,, but being in their area smelling like dinner is not good, working on a carcus is worse. Bow hunters use a variety of odors to mask theirs. Bears will eat mot anything and it would surprise me to find out those masking scents make the curious

 

[Wyo]

One of the things they always tell you to do in bear country is make a lot noise - let the bears know you’re around. Obviously, bow hunters ain’t doin’ that. And they do use scent masker as well. Hence, lots of meeting engagements between bears and hunters.

 

[444 Magnum]

His Glock 10mm jammed twice...

 

[BE Mike]

His Glock 10mm jammed twice...

It must be a mistake, Glocks are "Perfection"!

 

[mikerjf]

And it was his 3rd griz encounter! Evidently a betting man…

 

[Greyman50]

He’s lucky, 3 times and “ you’re out”..

 

[Bald1]

In NY we are not allowed to posses a firearm while bow hunting. Doesn’t matter what kind of permit you have. One day while bow hunting 5 bears came wondering in. 4 cubs and mom. Three cubs ended up right under my ladder stand, and one started to climb up ladder like he’d done it a 100 times before. I videoed the whole thing. He made it 2/3 up ladder before he realized what I was as I kicked stand and hooted. The problem is I was a couple feet from moms cub. And mom was about 300 lbs. I’d have sure felt better with a firearm on my hip than a 3” knife.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

His Glock 10mm jammed twice...

It must be a mistake, Glocks are "Perfection"!

Thinking the same thing.....

 

[Echo40]

Personally, when I go out in Bear Country they don't carry anything less than my Mossberg 590 Shockwave loaded with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs because I don't trust 10mm for Griz on account of my father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate once told a story around the campfire in which back in NAM '67 he shot a Griz 15 times with a 10mil, but his M-16 jammed and the bear ate him, he started carrying an AK-47 and never looked back.

I'd never trust a Glock either because those Aussie Porcelain Pistols are all Jap Junk Jam-o-matics! I know because my brother owns one and it never gave him a lick o' trouble, mighty fine pistols! They don't make 'em like that anymore, I tell you h'wut...

Anyway, that's why I only drink my own homemade moonshine and smoke organic, farm-raised reefer because the stuff they sell at Wally World is packed full of addictive chemicals by that Canadian Communist Marty Moose! Never drive without a seatbelt or the cops will pull you over for drunk driving!

 

[Narragansett]

In NY we are not allowed to posses a firearm while bow hunting. Doesn’t matter what kind of permit you have. One day while bow hunting 5 bears came wondering in. 4 cubs and mom. Three cubs ended up right under my ladder stand, and one started to climb up ladder like he’d done it a 100 times before. I videoed the whole thing. He made it 2/3 up ladder before he realized what I was as I kicked stand and hooted. The problem is I was a couple feet from moms cub. And mom was about 300 lbs. I’d have sure felt better with a firearm on my hip than a 3” knife.

I have a sister in law that is 300 pounds. A bit on the hairy side too.

 

[Bald1]

Personally, when I go out in Bear Country they don't carry anything less than my Mossberg 590 Shockwave loaded with Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs because I don't trust 10mm for Griz on account of my father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate once told a story around the campfire in which back in NAM '67 he shot a Griz 15 times with a 10mil, but his M-16 jammed and the bear ate him, he started carrying an AK-47 and never looked back.

I'd never trust a Glock either because those Aussie Porcelain Pistols are all Jap Junk Jam-o-matics! I know because my brother owns one and it never gave him a lick o' trouble, mighty fine pistols! They don't make 'em like that anymore, I tell you h'wut...

Anyway, that's why I only drink my own homemade moonshine and smoke organic, farm-raised reefer because the stuff they sell at Wally World is packed full of addictive chemicals by that Canadian Communist Marty Moose! Never drive without a seatbelt or the cops will pull you over for drunk driving!

Those Vietnamese Grizzlies are tough. I think they’re half Panda.

 

[oink]

I wonder if he was using ammo he normally didn't use. Perhaps he'd proven the gun with some ammo but bought special gourmet bear ammo for the trip that hadn't been proven in his gun. I'd like to know more.

 

[Doug M.]

I'd say it was more probable that he was at contract distance and the slide did not cycle right as a result. If one is chock full of adrenaline and jams a pistol into the assailant, malfunctions can result.

 

[ladder13]

I want nothing to do with grizzlies unless a Seal Team has my back.

 

[Bald1]

I'd say it was more probable that he was at contract distance and the slide did not cycle right as a result. If one is chock full of adrenaline and jams a pistol into the assailant, malfunctions can result.

Unless u use a good old fashioned 29/629

 

[oink]

I'd say it was more probable that he was at contract distance and the slide did not cycle right as a result. If one is chock full of adrenaline and jams a pistol into the assailant, malfunctions can result.

Very probable.

 

[Wyo]

I wonder if he was using ammo he normally didn't use. Perhaps he'd proven the gun with some ammo but bought special gourmet bear ammo for the trip that hadn't been proven in his gun. I'd like to know more.

It appears enough people asked this question that they actually ran a separate article on it. Bottomline was it could have been caused by a number of things and they really don’t know. My own guess, and that’s all it is, favors the “out of battery” problem that might have been caused by contact with the target. Whatever, I admire the guy’s presence of mind in clearing the malfunction and fighting on! Here’s the article:
Hunter’s Pistol Jam During Grizzly Attack Could… | Cowboy State Daily