Hunter defends against grizzly attack with handgun.

[Rpg]

Hunter opens fire and kills grizzly bear charging toward him, Montana officials say

We often debate what handgun and cartridge works best for protecting from big bears.

This guy apparently used a handgun to successfully kill a grizzly that was charging him.

Unfortunately, we don’t know what handgun or cartridge he used!

Anyone know?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Inquiring minds want to know! 11 years ago a peaceable zoo Grizzly was taken down at dinner time with a Glock in 40 S&W in Muskingum County Ohio.

Ivan

 

[Chuck24]

You go to war with what you got

 

[NFrameFred]

You go to war with what you got

Just so.
No knowledge of the current event, but I recall reading a first hand account by Bob Milek of a bear (not a Grizzly) killed by a guide with a Ruger .22 after a short range shot to the bear's noggin with a .357 load by the hunter failed to slow him down . . .

 

[mtgianni]

There are plenty of bears near Ennis. The reporter covers Washington and the NW out of Pheonix. Details may never arrive.

 

[mtgianni]

Just so.
No knowledge of the current event, but I recall reading a first hand account by Bob Milek of a bear (not a Grizzly) killed by a guide with a Ruger .22 after a short range shot to the bear's noggin with a .357 load by the hunter failed to slow him down . . .

Mr Milek loaded Speer pure lead, swedged swc bullets, made I think by Speer. He then proceeded to shoot a treed bear in the head at an angle and was surprised at no penetration. I believe this started the legend of hard cast bullets solving all problems.

 

[yeti]

The hunter should consider himself very lucky indeed, but it sounds like he was at least somewhat prepared.
Details may emerge, that is a heck of a story.
Very curious myself, as I'm sure most of you guys are too.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I'll start the popcorn.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Jeff Cooper answered a reader :
"As much as I favor the 45, I wear a 44 in bear country."

 

[old bear]

This guy apparently used a handgun to successfully kill a grizzly that was charging him.

Unfortunately, we don’t know what handgun or cartridge he used!

Anyone know?

I have no idea what type or caliber firearm the hiker used. This just help to prove the old saw, "always use whatever weapon you have and then fight to the death."

 

[Chuck24]

If it’s the same incident, there’s a story on USA Today about a man that was rabbit hunting and encountered a sow with cubs.

 

[crazyphil]

Although there are a few incidents where bear were killed with 9MM, it
seems that more by far are killed with 44 Magnum. .357 Mag can also
be effective, but I would rather count on the 44 Mag.

 

[lihpster]

It says he was hunting black bears, so, I'm assuming he had a weapon that would kill one of those on him. Whether that was his handgun, I don't know.

 

[rockquarry]

Mr Milek loaded Speer pure lead, swedged swc bullets, made I think by Speer. He then proceeded to shoot a treed bear in the head at an angle and was surprised at no penetration. I believe this started the legend of hard cast bullets solving all problems.

Bullet performance in one incident means little. If Bob Milek (certainly among the best and most credible gunwriters of the day) had experienced the same bullet failure several times under similar circumstances, it would be noteworthy. I can't recall the term "hardcast" being used by anyone then, but perhaps it was.

 

[Alk8944]

If it’s the same incident, there’s a story on USA Today about a man that was rabbit hunting and encountered a sow with cubs.

The rabbit hunting incident occurred near Sterling, Alaska, completely different event. The rabbit hunter was injured in the attack. The report indicates he was using "a .44 caliber handgun" presumably a .44 Magnum.

 

[kaaskop49]

More important than the caliber, IMO, are the following:

Was the hunter arrested? If so, was he charged with illegal discharge of a firearm? Was he charged with reckless endangerment and/or disorderly conduct? What about violation of game laws? Was his firearm confiscated by LE?

I have read of this happening more than once: someone protecting his family with a firearm against a marauding animal and finding himself arrested and charged for any/all of the above.

You don't just 'walk' anymore.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103