Activities in grizzly country

[Erocksmash]

Haven't made it to Grizzlie country yet. Spend plenty of time in black bear/hog country from my trips to the mountains(smokies) and my house being backed up to a state reserve.

On my hip will always be the 1026 loaded with Underwoods 200gr hard cast and over the shoulder an 1895sbl in .45-70gov with Underwoods 430grn +p gas check hard cast

 

[Neal]

Back in the day when I lived and sometimes slept out in grizzly country...



A 44 Mag sidearm with some serious loads. ( I like the 265 gr bullet over a case full of 2400)

.

Is that a converted model 58?

 

[Mehutch]

I've been in Grizzly country and seen heaps of them, and I carry my 5" S&W 629 44 Mag with Federal Hammerhead 310gr Hard Cast bullets. And I always bring a slow running friend with me.

 

[Imissedagain]

What reading, videos etc etc are helpful in learning about bear behavior?
Thx

Experimenting with carbon fiber, in the Winter of '77-'78, on City Island NYC building rudder posts for racing sailing vessels, when asked after the Fastnet '79 race at the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami boat shows, about making oars and fishing rods, I stated that the only thing I was interested in making were boots and flippers that would protect my feet underwater and a crush proof glove that might save my hand, if in a Grizzly's mouth, while I pulled the trigger.
A bite proof fishing kayak has merit as well.

 

[FlyTyinFool]

I'm more likely to see black bears than grizzlies.

As others have pointed out, I don't want to carry two long guns when I'm wandering the woods.
And a slung rifle cannot (realistically) be deployed fast enough.
I realize someone is going to argue that point, but I'm not super-human and bears move fast!

I'm right-handed.
I carry bear spray on my right hip and a .357 Taurus 627 Tracker (I'd carry a S&W if I had one) with heavy loads in a cross-draw holster on my left hip.
I practice with both.
That leaves hands free for fishing, hunting rabbit/squirrel with a .22 or .410 shotgun, and camp chores.
(Since I know some will critique cross-draw carry, let's just stop that thread-drift right now... I'm not worried about "sweeping" unintended targets when I draw, because I'm alone in the woods)

If there's an unplanned meeting, my goal is to avoid conflict and walk away with no harm to either of us.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but neither bear spray or a gun is going to stop a bear in it's tracks.
But, bear spray has more chance to slow a bear quicker than a bullet.
Bullets make bears mad, but don't necessarily stop them quickly.
I think it's a pipe-dream to think you're going to put multiple rounds on-target (2-4?), while in a panic situation, fast enough to stop a bear.

I've had 7 encounters with black bears, and every one of them ended without incident.
All were sows with cubs nearby.
They were just protecting the kids.

No... I didn't take any pictures! (everyone asks)

 

[vipermd]

Bare facts

As others have pointed out, I don't want to carry two long guns when I'm wandering the woods.
And a slung rifle cannot (realistically) be deployed fast enough.
I realize someone is going to argue that point, but I'm not super-human and bears move fast!

Bear spray can and does SOMETIMES deter a bear enough to go away, Ibut there are many cases where it did not. Firearms are great, my wife carried the 4" 500 SW last time fishing in AK. Slugs, buckshot, hand cannons, all can be effective, IF you can make the shot. Brown or Black, both can move very quickly and present a difficult shot. If you carry a firearm, practice till your fingers bleed, then practice some more. The same with bear spray. Too many people go on the street or in the woods with weapons they are not proficient with and seem satisfied? If you have to fight for your life, it will not be pretty or fun. So practice as your life depended on it, because it does. Be Safe,

 

[scooter123]

I would prefer an RPG and Launcher.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Before I owned any firearms, I'd camped in Griz country, including two months in AK, with only a handheld flare launcher for protection. Never needed it, thank God. This guy approached us on the trail in Denali, then went around us when he realized we were there. Avoiding us seemed it's preference.

A 44 with Swift A-frames would be a good choice I think.

 

[Tom S.]

Before I owned any firearms, I'd camped in Griz country, including two months in AK, with only a handheld flare launcher for protection. Never needed it, thank God. This guy approached us on the trail in Denali, then went around us when he realized we were there. Avoiding us seemed it's preference.

A 44 with Swift A-frames would be a good choice I think.

LOL - was your plan to cook him and eat some bear steaks?

 

[keith44spl]

.

Is that a converted model 58?

Neal,
That one start out a 520.
Dave

 

[bigwheelzip]

LOL - was your plan to cook him and eat some bear steaks?

Flares were for signaling on backcountry hikes, though in Denali, we'd met the last ranger on his way out for the Winter. He offered us a ride out, then said the park would be unstaffed until Spring, so there, those flares had limited usefulness, except perhaps to make a Bear think twice.
Did eat some Bear, as well as Moose, and Caribou, that was offered in meals that locals invited us to. The Bear was my least favorite.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[mtgianni]

12 gauge mossburg with slug bbl is in camp. I have been carrying a 5 1/2" Redhawk on my hip but will replace it this summer with a 4" model 69 just because of weight.

 

[jdlii]

Firearm: S&W 629-5, 4" barrel.

Holster: GunfightersINC Kenai Chest holster.

Ammo: Carbon 305 grain penetrator.

There are several handguns that are appropriate and for me the real issue was the holster and carry position. A hip holster is okay for most hunting situations but, not for fishing when wearing chest waders.

A friend of mine was looking for a shoulder holster for his S&W Mod. 66, 6" to carry deer hunting and "discovered" the Kenai Chest rig. I was so impressed with it that I ordered one after seeing and trying his. The holster has positive retention in the kydex shell and the gun literally snaps into it for a positive and very secure fit. Drawing the gun from the holster presents no problems.

I read the reviews, including one from an Alaskan Wildlife Officer. He essentially said that it was the best chest rig that he had found for the AK environment.

I have worn this one with several of my N frames and have nothing but praise for the comfort and ease of use it provides. I received a couple of Visa gift cards as a present and used them to buy one for my 1911's. Couldn't be more pleased!

 

[M721]

Remington 673 Guide Rifle in .350 Remington Magnum loaded with 250 grain Nosler Partitions at roughly 2,500 FPS.

Bingo! We have a winner!

Actually I prefer a repeater like Remington pump in '06, but like your Guide gun for sure. Not for me to wander around in Griz or Brownie country with only a handgun. Been there, done that, Never again without a long gun.

 

[Imissedagain]

From what I've been told, you might only get to pull the trigger/s once
A short barreled double, in 12 gauge or 458 Win Mag with two triggers, is on my list.

Once again, any leads on reading/video material would be helpful.
Thx

The COP in Walla Walla, when I asked him decades ago, who stands guard while we fish, replied, don't you carry a gun boy?
Glad the X frames arrived.
A proper double in 460 S&W Magnum would be nice as well.

 

[ruggyh]

What reading, videos etc etc are helpful in learning about bear behavior?
Thx....)

Numerous books on all aspects of bears

here are a few I found that read well.

Bears -- Ormond
Of Bears and Man -- Cramond
On Bears and Bear Hunting -- Gilchrist
The Grizzly Book-- Samson
The Outdoor Life Bear Book

If want to know mauling then attacks then

Alaskan Bear Tales --Larry Kaniut
More Alaskan Bear Tales-- Larry Kaniut

If you are real interested in scientific papers check out URSUS magazine published by the IBA (International Bear Association)

be safe
Ruggy

 

[Triathloncoach]

Another bear thread. Cool.

 

[Imissedagain]

Thanks Ruggy,
Just sent that list to my kids in the Rockies and buddy/family on the North end of Cayuga Lake.

 

[Imissedagain]

Books on the way:
1. The Outdoor Life Bear Book
2. The Grizzly Book
3. Of Bears and Men
4. Bear.

The Gilchrist book at $800+ was more than a buddy wanted for his freshly skinned/zero timed engine/'47 Aeronca back in '69.
He said... damm the FAA, Ain't gonna pay some mechanic to do something I've been doing since I was a kid!!!
My money, Buck Sergeants pay, was in a '54 K/KH Harley with a '61 XLCH engine that I was building.

Thx
RT

 

[Rudi]

Ruger M77 in 300 Win Mag.

 

[memtb]

Numerous books on all aspects of bears

here are a few I found that read well.

Bears -- Ormond
Of Bears and Man -- Cramond
On Bears and Bear Hunting -- Gilchrist
The Grizzly Book-- Samson
The Outdoor Life Bear Book

If want to know mauling then attacks then

Alaskan Bear Tales --Larry Kaniut
More Alaskan Bear Tales-- Larry Kaniut

If you are real interested in scientific papers check out URSUS magazine published by the IBA (International Bear Association)

be safe
Ruggy

A pretty good list, you have there. I've got many of those! I had my wife read some of them, before her first bear hunting season.... she didn't find it humorous! memtb

 

[Neal]

.


Neal,
That one start out a 520.
Dave

OK, thanks much.

 

[Imissedagain]

First book arrived.
Dogs, people and Bears is something that I need to study.

Living down the block from Yosemite, Castle AFB for three years ('67-'70), I was always armed once I turned 21 and bought a pistol.
I have no interest in hunting Bears, just don't want it the other way around.

 

[noyo55]

When I was young enough for dirt camping ,in Alaska and BC, a Model 11 Trench gun with slugs and a can of bear spray.

 

[Larry from Bend]

For those of you who partake in activities in grizzly country, what gun do you carry, what ammo is in it and how do you carry it?

It used to be that we were not in Griz country except when we'd horse-pack into the Bob Marshall or fish the headwaters of the Teton. Now the Griz also live where I live, on the plains. We see Bears and/or sign every Spring and Summer. They walk thru our yard.

My Griz gun is a 5" 629-4 with 285 grain hard casts @ 1250 fps. I carry it in a Safariland strong side holster. I replaced the fancy, combat style grips with rubber.

At times when I'm on the 4 wheeler or tractor, I wear a Ruger single action in .44 Special with 255 grain hard casts @ 1075 fps.

Although we've had Griz in horse camp, we have never really had a problem (except for scaring the devil out of the horses) but Black Bears have given us fits.

 

[ajgunner]

Ruger Redhawk 2 3/4" with Buffalo Bore 340gr hard cast flat nose. Riding in a Diamond D chest rig. Harsh and expensive to practice with, but imparts a warm feeling knowing you have a fighting chance if/when the times comes.

This--- 3 hunters survive grizzly bear attacks in Southwest Montana happened 4 days after and about 10 miles from where I had been fishing last fall. You can read more by doing a simple google search. I poured over the data but was never able to find anything on how many shots fired, how many hits, or anything about caliber.

 

[LCC]

This new chest holster by Alien Gear look very comfortable, plan on ordering one for my .357 for use while flyfishing. No grizz here, so these Underwood 158 gr XTP should work:
Muzzle Velocity: 1500 fps
Muzzle Energy: 789 ft lbs
Alien Gear Cloak Chest Holster - Over 500 Guns Available

 

[ruggyh]

…... I poured over the data but was never able to find anything on how many shots fired, how many hits, or anything about caliber.

No shots were fired -they used bear spray

be safe
Ruggy

 

[ajgunner]

No shots were fired -they used bear spray

be safe
Ruggy

The second pair of bow hunters---1 mile from first incident and the same day, did get at least 1 pistol shot off. No details.

FWP investigating fourth Grizzly attack near Ennis | KECI

 

[flagman1776]

I have never encountered a grizzly but back when I was healthy enough for camping, I always figured on feeding him my Marlin 1895 45/70. Years ago there were some Marlin rifle only loads that are pretty memorable.