Posted on 10/15/2021 3:51:27 AM PDT by marktwain
This is one of a series of detailed accounts of bear attacks found with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests by AmmoLand. On September 7, 2010, a pair of archery hunters were stalking moose in a remote part of Wyoming near Pinedale. A large boar grizzly bear attacked them. Fortunately, they were able to shoot the bear and stop the attack.
In the morning, one of their guides had been scouting the area. He had seen two bull moose and what he thought was a large black bear. When he told the hunters about the moose and the bear, the guide mentioned he had a black bear tag. He asked the archery hunters if they would mind him taking a gun along in case they saw a black bear. The gun belonged to the lead guide.
The gun was a Marlin lever action rifle chambered in .450 Marlin, sporting iron sights. The guide loaded the rifle with four rounds of ammunition. It is not clear if the guide carried any additional rounds. The lead guide reportedly took the rifle from a saddle scabbard and handed it to the guide.
The hunters were able to spot two moose, one of which was a bull. They proceeded to stalk the bull. They stalked to within 60 yards of the moose. The wind changed and the bull walked away through the burned-out timber. They decided to go back to the horses to see if they could get downwind of the moose for another try. It was about 2 p.m.
As they worked their way through the dense cover, they passed near where the guide had seen the bear. They did not see the bear. The guide heard a roar and turned to see a bear charging from his left, very fast and very close.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
From my limited experience with the .450 Marlin, I wouldn’t feel under-gunned with it in bear country. Not enjoyable to shoot, though.
Hell of story.. Thanks.
This was kind of situation that the Imperial British in Africa used to use “4 Bore” rifles, with 1/4 pound bullets.
I understand your reaction, but there were far fewer grizzlys in the lower 48 11 years ago than there are now.
Nice find Dean.
I assume it was a Federal FOIA request. Correct?
4 Bore rifles were very rare, only a few made.
My reading indicates they would have been reasonably happy with anything .375 and up.
Patterson, going up against lions, sometimes carried his .303 bolt gun. There was a lot of variation.
Corbett, though it wasn't his first choice, used his .275 (7x57) rifle against tigers on more then one occasion, as I recall...
But he preferred his .450 double...
I assume it was a Federal FOIA request. Correct?
Yes. Fredy Riehl (publisher and co-owner of AmmoLand) was asking for FOIA ideas, and I suggested this one.
A treasure trove of previously unpublished stories resulted.
This is one of a series which is ongoing, as I find time to go through the over 1500 pages of FOIA which resulted.
As they are years old, I do not consider them a high priority.
“He asked the archery hunters if they would mind him taking a gun along in case they saw a black bear. “
Needed their permission? Give me a break. Should have said no gun no guide!
OK, thanks!
Nice story!
I don’t understand why an incident like this had to kept from the public? With such a mundane topic being kept from the public, can you imagine what else the government keeps from us all?
Well, bless their hearts! Isn't that just peachy of them not to prosecute?
There are many crazy neo-pagans out there who worship Gaia and desire to harm any human who dares kill a bear. Lots of threats and nastiness.
The guide and hunters committed no crime. It is why their names are redacted in the reporting.
There is a recent case in Asheville, North Carolina.
A predatory black bear attacked a couple and their dog, when they were having a picnic next to a Folk Arts Center. The center is a large building. It is located next to a wooded area, which is common in Ashville.
The man heroically fought off the bear so the woman and dog could escape into their car. Then he was able to get inside, although significantly wounded. The bear jumped onto the car attempting to get in.
A large majority of comments were the couple should be euthanized instead of the bear, because they "were in the bear's home".
Insanity.
Ah, OK, thank you for the explanation. I didn’t think of that.
Big Daddy Government doesn’t want for people to know that a firearm is the best thing to have for self-defense.
Great story! Wow, he had to shoot him three times.
Makes a person want to walk up and pet him, call him Yogi and stuff.
I can’t believe those archery hunters didn’t bring at least one sidearm. :O[ The guide’s like “is this okay?” wtf
but there were far fewer grizzlys in the lower 48 11 years ago than there are now.
So true. There needs to be a hunt but the ecoscum are holding it up in courts.
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