The bear target in question.
Posted on 02/22/2023 3:15:29 AM PST by marktwain
USA – A few years ago, a well-done target featuring an attacking grizzly bear came on the market. It appeared to be an official target of the Alaskan State Parks.
I liked the look of the target as an image to use with bear attack stories where original images of the scene were unavailable. Many bear targets show cartoonish bears, bears that are not approaching the shooter, or bears that are not focused on the people being trained to shoot at them. This target showed the right mix of realism, focus, and artistic depiction. The image was created by an artist. It would not confuse readers about whether it was an actual image from the scene of an attack.
I contacted Alaskan State Parks and was directed to a very helpful Development Specialist at the State of Alaska, Wendy. Wendy was a delight to work with. However, we were unable to find the source of the target.
Two years ago, Wendy said I could use the target, as the government of Alaska did not seem to have any information on it. Using a more realistic target when training to stop bear attacks is useful. Notice the eyes of the bear are focused on the defender. It helps break down the inhibition against shooting a bear. Such inhibition has been inculcated into millions of people via the constant portrayal of bears as friendly, fuzzy, furry forest creatures in hundreds of TV shows and movies.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
The bear target in question.
So... aim for the nose?
>>Such inhibition has been inculcated into millions of people via the constant portrayal of bears as friendly, fuzzy, furry forest creatures in hundreds of TV shows and movies.
>>In reality, bears are large, strong, unpredictable wild animals that are very dangerous to naive humans. When people practice shooting realistic targets, it helps them overcome the inhibitions instilled by television shows and movies.
I blame Walt Disney et al on the first. The second is worth saying again.
I think “Walt DIsney effect” every time I see a story about people trying to feed a black bear in the Smokies, or people trying to pet a buffalo somewhere like Yellowstone.
Along with an realistic target, mental conditioning also helps.
Just as one is going to shoot say BEAR that trains your mind.
To react to the word bear and the idea of a bear.
So when you hear the word Bear think a bear is near, see a Bear. You are pretrained to reach for your defensive weapon.
That little extra time could be very important.
Goes for almost any self-defense situation.
“ I see a story about people trying to feed a black bear in the Smokies, or people trying to pet a buffalo somewhere like Yellowstone.”
Bears and buffalo are just fine.
You just need to rub their bellies just like a dog.
They will be your best friend .
“SIT BEAR SIT”. “Come on buffalo, roll over, good boy”
Apparently YES! The skull ridge will stop even a mid-caliber round, like a .380 or 9mm, the chest has too many thick muscles, so I am seeing in reading about such attacks, that the nose is a effective path to the brain, and a round that enters through the front of the snout reaches the brain, and, well, lights out....
Of course that's the theory. I can't imagine having the nerve or skill to be able to hit such a target under stressful conditions; but then again I'm not a person that puts myself in such situations.
Handguns have proven to be very effective.
Even some so called smaller calibers.
Read the article at the link and have better information.
https://www.ammoland.com/2021/06/handgun-or-pistol-against-bear-attacks-104-cases-97-effective/
I think “Walt DIsney effect” every time I see a story about people trying to feed a black bear in the Smokies, or people trying to pet a buffalo somewhere like Yellowstone..
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Exactly. Disney has damaged us by blurring the distinction between people and annimals. Kids grow up presuming: “That bear is just like my gruff and lumbering uncle Joe. If we leave the bear alone, he’ll leave us alone.”
Or that ad with the Polar Bear hugging the guy who just bought a Nissan Leaf.
Aim for the shoulder. If you break the shoulder they are going down.
Just think of it as a 800 pound Badger and you can’t
go wrong.
Break one shoulder they can run fast and far on 3 legs.
Break both very likely you can get in a 2nd shot.
But that requires a shot from the side.
Not very likely on a bear coming at you.
I wouldn’t say that bears are unpredictable...
I’m pretty sure that bears can defend themselves well enough without any special aid or training ...
the bears in chicago could use help...
I’ve read if you break the shoulder they’re going down which gives you time for follow up shots. Otherwise its like a freight train coming at you.
Having hunted bears for 50 years.
Having shot them with rifles shotguns and handguns.
I can tell you they can run really good on 3 legs.
You can drop them by breaking one shoulder. But they well bonce up and be running shortly.
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