Hiking in black bear country.....

[329]

Agree with Pigsa, leave the gun in the car and enjoy the hike.

 

[lihpster]

The discussion has always been that it is illegal to carry a handgun on national forest property,

(hunting season is the exception)

Maybe, some day,, I will actually look into the REAL rules,,

I would definitely check those rules. I can walk around all day with several handguns in the National Forests here. I often do. In fact, I wouldn't if I couldn't, if you understand that.

 

[welldoya]

I went fishing for a week in Alaska back in August. It was my first trip so I did a lot of reading.
I settled on a Glock 20 10mm carried in a Diamond D chest holster, mostly because the 44s that I own are too big and heavy plus Glock 20s are popular up there.
I never did see a bear but did see fresh tracks. A wolf came out of the woods about 75 yards from me.
You would be fine with a 10mm or a .357. I don't think I would go any lighter. Be sure and carry hard cast ammo. You don't want hollow points with a bear.
If you decide to carry Buffalo Bore or Underwood be sure your gun can handle it.
I carried Federal Premium Solid Core because the bullets are coated and better for use in Glock barrels.

 

[1911haulic]

Individuals must be in possession of the permit or license at all times while in possession of a handgun in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

 

[Autonomous]

In national parks, other than buildings, etc., you follow state laws.

 

[ColbyBruce]

This little fellow (673#) was harvested in October 2017 in the valley below our home in Rabun county, Georgia. Forage is adequate in the area, obviously, but nourishment has to be better in areas frequented by hikers and car cruising tourists.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Hiked and camped the mountains from PA down to SC many times over 50 years. Black bears are NOT going to attack you!!! They may come looking for your food in the dark, so plan on hanging it out of reach if you're not with your vehicle at nights. If you are camping with your vehicle, just lock your food inside.

Also, better check regulations before camping with a handgun in a National Park. Never carried one while hiking the Appalachian Trail but might not be legal in the National Park?

If it's legal for you to carry in the state where the park is located, then it's legal for you to carry in the park. The exception is within any buildings. This includes stand alone restrooms as well as visitor's centers.

 

[Autonomous]

This little fellow (673#) was harvested in October 2017 in the valley below our home in Rabun county, Georgia. Forage is adequate in the area, obviously, but nourishment has to be better in areas frequented by hikers and car cruising tourists.

Impressive. Easily over twice as big as any I've encountered.

 

[Fishinfool]

All I will add to the conversation is I have spent a lifetime in the woods hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, and photographing wildlife, particularly black bear and moose. Only NEEDED a gun one time, while kayaking up in Maine. Glad I had it, probably saved my bacon. Maine F&G classified it as a predatory black bear encounter. They do happen. I happened to be carrying a .45 1911, loaded with WW hardball.

Larry

 

[rwsmith]

That's a BLACK bear????

This little fellow (673#) was harvested in October 2017 in the valley below our home in Rabun county, Georgia. Forage is adequate in the area, obviously, but nourishment has to be better in areas frequented by hikers and car cruising tourists.

It looks like Grizzly.

 

[rwsmith]

More common sense laws....

If it's legal for you to carry in the state where the park is located, then it's legal for you to carry in the park. The exception is within any buildings. This includes stand alone restrooms as well as visitor's centers.

So if you are out hiking and away from your car you need to leave your gun outside if there is a restroom you want to use. I suppose I would keep my gun and take a **** in the woods, just like the bears do.

Bear: "Psst. Hey fella. Can I have some of your toilet paper?"

According to the TV commercial bears do use toilet paper., as long as it's not the cheap, thin stuff.

 

[Echo40]

So, I actually just had a scare today while getting a bit of yardwork done...

I heard a scratching sound followed by a low, deep grunt coming from the woods at the edge of my yard. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it had me reaching for the M&P40c on my belt. I just stood there for a long while, staring at the woods and listening hard, but whatever it was remained quiet and still until I decided that it was about time to finish up and head back inside.

It's always remarkable how after you're in a situation in which you feel that you're in danger, whatever you're carrying suddenly feels completely inadequate for the task... So as this was happening I'm thinking like; "All I've got on me is this M&P40c loaded with 165gr Ranger T... Will this penetrate deeply enough? Probably not. I wish I had it loaded with 180gr FMJ. Heck, I wish I had my Mossberg 590 loaded with 3" Brenneke Slugs!"

 

[BKLooney]

Last year while I was out riding the 4wheeler in the mountains here behind the house I was taking a break and enjoying an adult beverage and a pack of cheese crackers, feet kicked up on the bars and resting on the pack on the back, fantastic day.

I had been there about 10 minutes when I heard movement at my left at about 10 o'clock, a black bear that would go about 350+/- looking and walking straight towards me.

I just sat there watching him for a bit, already had the 10mm XD-M in hand.

He got about 15 yards from me, I don't think he knew I was there. Once he realized he was walking straight towards a human his eyes kinda bugged out and did a 180 and took off, he was outta there.

That's happened a few times to me in the last few years, similar circumstances.

99% of the time they don't want anything more to do with you than you of them!

 

[K Frame Keith]

Pocono mountain resident here. Black bears are generally not a threat, but I've encountered a few somewhat aggressive or overly curious types over the years. I'm comfortable with my EDC while hiking but I do prefer a .357 . Black bears are usually easy to scare away and are not as hard to put down as western bears.

 

[Bald1]

While not probable it is certainly possible that a black bear could attack. The trick is to be prepared for anything. Even the improbable. Any combo that you listed would be sufficient in my mind. So take the one that packs the easiest.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Wild animals are "wild animals", and as others have said- they can be be unpredictable. Bears tend to live away from people in protected areas (National and State parks, etc.), and it's their home. But they do tend to wander looking for food. My kids live in Central Florida near the Wekiva Springs State Park (and associated management areas)...which is black bear country. They have to be careful with their trash, and when walking their dogs in the evening, because the bears are always scavenging. They've had their trash cans demolished, and their chain link fence's top crossbars are bowed from 500 lb. bears climbing over them to get into their backyard. My son keeps a 12ga. Mossberg handy, but fortunately has never had to use it. There are folks in their area that have been attacked in their garages or carports after startling a foraging bear, but rarely are the attacks fatal. When hiking in the wilds, I would certainly be packing a serious handgun...but it would be more for 2-legged critters than 4-legged ones!

 

[CH4]

I wouldn't carry any more than bear spray. Not east coast, but I've been backpacking, hunting and camping in the Sierra Nevadas for over 40 years and have only seen one black bear, a cub. Although probably not necessary, at night we hang our food in a tree a short distance from camp. I do carry a gun, but only because I don't want to leave it in the car at the trailhead.

That said, I worked and hunted in Alaska. Coastal Browns and grizzlies are different beasts all together. When hunting, I packed my 4" 500 and 375 H&H.