Going up to Black Bear country, What caliber just in case?

[Rule3]

Going to N Ga, TN area. Where we usually go there are lots of Black Bears and berry bushes. We are not camping overnight but take day trips, hiking etc. Due to the amount of berry bushes and exposure to people the bears are not really afraid of humans. Never had a problem with one and they usually will run away if encountered. I would never like to shoot any animal but some of them are pretty fearless. To many trash cans and such.
But you never know. I do not want to lug around a 44spl or mag revolver. I usually carry a compact 9mm for two legged problems but that did not seem adequate.
A J frame 357 seems pointless with a 2" barrel so I was thinking my HK USPc 40 SW with a lot more rounds.

I only want to bring one gun so I figured the 40SW would work?

 

[kennyb]

for me it would be at the minimum a 41mag.

 

[cmort666]

From what I hear, black bears aren't that tough or aggressive.

It's unlikely that you'd need to shoot one anyway, as long as you make enough noise to let them know you're coming.

Bear spray, backed up by a .357 Magnum should be fine.

 

[klondike]

If you have a 40 S&W, I would call it good.

 

[jimmyj]

At least .30 caliber and belt fed. Also a companion who runs slower than you.

 

[Rule3]

At least .30 caliber and belt fed. Also a companion who runs slower than you.

My Wife.

 

[JOliver]

I used to have a place in the mountains that we went to every year ,I carry a 60 .357 mag with some 170 grainers ,never felt underpowered
maybe a speed strip in your pocket ,just in case

Jason

 

[rock doc]

At least .30 caliber and belt fed. Also a companion who runs slower than you.

I just sprayed my malted beverage on the monitor.

 

[keith44spl]

Bear Business

I have a very health respect for all bear large and small, black, brown or grizzled.

You call his bluff or he'll calls yours.

If'n he shows ya what he's got...It'll be exciting

I'd bet the bear ain't all that impressed with my hand...

So you see, it could end up winner take all...Or just a draw.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[gizamo]

Dave,

You got it right Amigo. Knowin' you, you pretty much know your way around them critters. Time of year, feed in front of them, cubs...all come into play. Me, I've been charged more times than most. Never once needed a gun wih a Blackie...but I've been lucky. Most ticklish thing I ever did was live trap a female with 3 cubs outside of the culvert trap. Not good.

 

[Rule3]

I think I will go with the 40SW. At least there is 12 shots rather than 5. Plus after I trip my wife, I should be far enough away.

 

[SWID]

I've been living peaceably with the black bears in Yosemite Valley (and the back country, and the Sierra Nevada in general) for about 50 years. As long as it's not a momma with babies and she fears for her cubs I've never seen a problem.

Having said that, if I was worried about it a .41 mag would be the smallest. And remember that there brain is kind of low in the head.

(Also there is a rumor that won't go away that menstruating women are especially at risk. That probably started in Glacier Nat. Park in I think '59. There is no evidence that it's true and plenty that it isn't.)

 

[Rule3]

I've been living peaceably with the black bears in Yosemite Valley (and the back country, and the Sierra Nevada in general) for about 50 years. As long as it's not a momma with babies and she fears for her cubs I've never seen a problem.

Sounds like a beautiful place to be living. I hope to get out there some day.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I live in North GA, the biggest threat in the woods is two legged, not four.
Avoid trash dumps and dumpters, and Momma's with cubs and the risk of a bear bothering you is less likely than snakebite....

 

[jimmyj]

Hi, OCD1:
My Wife read your reply from over my shoulder and told me, "Honey you have a twin brother after all".
Jimmy

 

[Rule3]

Hi, OCD1:
My Wife read your reply from over my shoulder and told me, "Honey you have a twin brother after all".
Jimmy

I haven't ditched her after 30+ plus years so I guess I am still on my "starter wife"

 

[feralmerril]

 

[ColbyBruce]

We have a home in Rabun county, GA near the GA/NC line. Berries are just starting to come out, none are ripe yet. The laurel and rhododendren barely bloomed this year, for some reason, so we didn't have much to look at.

My wife picks berries, I tote all sorts of S&W .41 & .44 mag revolvers and sometimes a 10mm. I have been advised to carry a small air horn, like boaters use, to frighten bears. The local park ranger swears this works (he carries a Glock 10mm), so I don't believe him.

 

[c.marsh]

carry special

RUGER blackhawk in 45lc loaded with buffalo bore HEAVY load 300gr.jfn..

 

[enfield]

12 gauge pump with slugs.