Back in 2004, we went on an Alaskan grizzly hunt with old time guide George Faerber out of Trapper Creek, AK. My primary weapon was a Winchester M70 300 win mag and I brought a 4 5/8” 45 LC Ruger SS Bisley Vaquero loaded with 300 grain buffalo bore rounds and an Uncle Mike’s nylon belt holster for backup.
We hunted the middle and east fork of the Chulitna river, just outside the Denali Park area. I wore hip waders and carried a backpack, binoculars, and my Ruger 45 worn on my belt, strong side. After a few days, the Ruger got to be too cumbersome and I shoved it into my back pack where it was inaccessible, I figured I had my rifle anyways.
There were a few times I was glad I carried the Ruger 45 though, like walking through a 4 ft wide, winding canopy like tunnel of willows on our way to 4th of July Creek and seeing tufts of grizzly hair rubbed off on both sides with ol’ George casually mentioning, “fisherman got mauled here last year, got tore up pretty bad.” My response to George, “should I chamber a round in my rifle?” George simply replied, “no.”
Of course it’s always proper to have an empty chamber in one’s rifle while walking and wading, so I was glad I had the Ruger since I could deploy it quicker in that confined area.
We also had our designated hole about 50 yards from camp that we used to do our business and I would routinely carry the Ruger 45 then or when I would go out about 25 yards to pee late at night, but that stopped after the 2nd day when we got up in the morning and saw huge grizzly tracks just outside our tent flap! A large grizzly apparently nosed around our camp while we were sleeping inside out tents. George said he was a “well behaved bear” since he didn’t tear anything up! After that, if I had to pee at night it was just outside the tent!
Since then I relocated to western Montana and routinely hunt, fish and hike in grizzly country. My preferred carry gun is a Glock 29 10mm loaded with Double tap 200 grain FMJ +P for penetration, worn in a high ride Galco belt holster and I don’t even notice it. I also have bear spray.
I do have a 5” Ruger 454 Super Redhawk Toklat which I sometimes carry while hiking in a Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake holster worn cross draw. I’ve found that when carrying a large heavy revolver, cross draw is the most comfortable way to carry on one’s belt, much preferable to me than strong side but I think any revolver with a barrel longer than 6 “ necessitates a shoulder holster.
I fear that carrying that 8” S&W 44 mag in addition to a rifle, you’re going to quickly relegate it to being placed inside your pack or left back at camp. If it was your primary hunting weapon carried in a shoulder holster, that would be different. Imagine crawling through a tangle of alders, slipping and sliding on moss covered rocks while wading rivers, crawling though brush? I’m not saying it can’t be done but I believe you’ll find it impractical. A more compact sidearm may be in order as mentioned by another plus you’ll have your rifle.
Oh, I did get lucky and got an 8ft grizzly. I wish you the best!
Brendon
