Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

BYU study: Guns don't give people advantage during a bear encounter
Deseret News ^ | March 8, 2012

Posted on 03/08/2012 10:58:38 PM PST by Zakeet

Conventional wisdom isn't always based on common sense, and sometimes isn't even based on real data, especially when it comes to animals of mythological proportions like bears.

BYU wildlife biologist Tom Smith wants to change that.

A new study suggests that one of the most commonly suggested deterrents against bears in the wild — guns — actually won't protect people any better than not using a gun.

"It really isn't about the kind of gun you carry,” he said. “It's about how you carry yourself. We need to respect an animal that could potentially take our lives."

[Snip]

This isn't the first time Smith has had a study showing that guns aren't as effective against bears as generally believed. In 2008, Smith released a study saying that bear spray is more effective than guns.

Part of the problem is that shooting accurately is very difficult in a terrifying situation like having a giant animal charging at you. Even if you do kill the bear, that's still a problem, given declining populations and the the loss of what a bear can contribute both economically and ecologically.

"It's a conservation issue in that we'll see needless bear mortalities," Smith said.

(Excerpt) Read more at deseretnews.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; banglist; bear; guns; hunting
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 161-169 next last
To: RC one

I’ve never fired one of those, but I saw a YouTube video of an idiot almost getting a split forehead. Was he just being an idiot and limpwristing it?

I have pretty strong hands and wrists but wanted to know about the recoil...guess the only way is to rent one!


101 posted on 03/09/2012 10:30:23 AM PST by scott7278 ("...I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked..." - BHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition
Well, that looks a hellofalot better than the Bird Sheriff standing in mid air.
102 posted on 03/09/2012 10:33:26 AM PST by X-spurt (Its time for ON YOUR FEET or on your knees)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet
Mog the caveman disagrees. He would like a gun.
103 posted on 03/09/2012 10:36:44 AM PST by allmendream (Tea Party did not send GOP to DC to negotiate the terms of our surrender to socialism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: X-spurt
Come here....so I can *SMACK* you! LOL :)

Nothing's *ever* wrong with my graphics....quitchercomplainin'!!! :D


104 posted on 03/09/2012 10:41:57 AM PST by Daffynition (On Andrew Breitbart: In his honor, I'll fight harder...He'll be back and he'll be millions.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: Bobalu

Do you know where can I get a full size image of that page?


105 posted on 03/09/2012 10:44:55 AM PST by Little Ray (FOR the best Conservative in the Primary; AGAINST Obama in the General.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: RC one
I got a .500 smith and wesson magnum that would drop any animal on earth.
Actually a charging bull elephant would probably not be stopped. I doubt the muzzle velocity from that short barrel is enough to punch through that skull. Even 45-70 was not considered enough for those back in the safari days.
106 posted on 03/09/2012 10:51:54 AM PST by TalonDJ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Little Ray

This page, near the bottom..right click..choose save as :-)
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1256428_There_is_only_one_gun__the_Colt_AR15A2.html


107 posted on 03/09/2012 10:54:36 AM PST by Bobalu (It is not obama we are fighting, it is the media.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: Windflier

wonder how long the mama bear is going to nap beside him...its not sleeping because of bear spray...someone shot that sucker...


108 posted on 03/09/2012 11:08:29 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut

LOL why did your grandfather shoot a jar of mayonnaise?


109 posted on 03/09/2012 11:11:32 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: piroque

you are bad.......but funny....:O)


110 posted on 03/09/2012 11:18:16 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

I am much more concerned with bipeds than I ever will be with bears.


111 posted on 03/09/2012 11:26:26 AM PST by Red in Blue PA (Read SCOTUS Castle Rock vs Gonzales before dialing 911!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
Yep, that sweetheart is a real killer....I hope that's your face he's going for, cannot tell which part of your anatomy is in peril.. LOL thanks for the ping...
112 posted on 03/09/2012 11:26:26 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition; Elsie

I taught one of my goats to shake hands like you do a dog, but that woman is a genius...


113 posted on 03/09/2012 11:31:03 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: chris37

Pit bulls don’t get over about 70 pounds.

However it is neat to call every scary dog a pit bull.

Your 100lb. german shepard might actually be a poodle.


114 posted on 03/09/2012 11:32:47 AM PST by Eaker (Remember, the enemy tends to wise up at the least convenient moments.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: USAF80

Years back when I worked at an innercity hospital my husband bought me a small can of mace that went on your key chain....the directions were to periodically test it to make sure it was still working....I wish you would have told me about wind direction....I maced myself twice, damn wind blowing in the wrong direction...it smarts the eyes real good...back then you could carry real mace..


115 posted on 03/09/2012 11:35:30 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Elsie, that sweet animal will not hurt you, see that idiot researcher was right....:O)


116 posted on 03/09/2012 11:37:06 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Eaker

There is a breeder of pits that has a web site (which I have long ago lost) and brags about his 130 to 150 pure bred pit bulls...with pictures. Been breeding large to large.


117 posted on 03/09/2012 11:51:26 AM PST by goat granny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]

To: goat granny

Because it lost to the bear, silly! LOL.


118 posted on 03/09/2012 11:58:13 AM PST by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: goat granny; Elsie; GladesGuru

Apparently, I mis-spoke in my last post. I do not recommend using illegal aliens as bear bait. This would be a clear-cut violation of Fish and Game Laws.


119 posted on 03/09/2012 12:11:18 PM PST by Kenny Bunk ((So, you're telling me Scalia, Alito, Thomas, and Roberts can't figure out this eligibility stuff?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: Eaker

Go pound sand. How’s this, if I would have had my pistol on me, I woulda shot the thing dead hwere it stood.


120 posted on 03/09/2012 12:22:53 PM PST by chris37 (Heartless.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140 ... 161-169 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson