Posted on 10/15/2021 3:51:27 AM PDT by marktwain
I’ve slept alone many nights over several years (pre covid) on the Yukon River.
I agree with Weingarten that a pistol is best in bear country for several reasons but among them are it is ALWAYS holstered on your body based upon the proven reality that seconds MAY count in a bear attack.
So, my chosen pistol is a S & W .50 caliber, 5 shot revolver. AT night, I sleep with it holstered on my chest with the hammer resting on an empty cylinder. So, effectively, I have 4 shots.
I have fishing line with beepers that I intended to set up around camp but am usually too tired to do it at the end of the day. So far, so good. Oh, I never have a fire at night. Only in the morning for coffee. And, I agree with you that the gun is no fun to shoot. Plus, you better have ear protectors in place when you shoot it.
I am and have been “forever” a Tar Heel.
I carefully read every bear attack story regardless of where it happens.
I live in Piedmont NC surrounded by very Liberal news media.
The local media did not mention how vicious that bear was. Thank you for making the story complete.
The man was one tough hombre.
Friend of mine had one of those that we used to load some really hot and heavy loads for.
It was a beast but we’d load 45-70 just as hot and it was way easier to find components for
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
Extra ammo is always good but it's doubtful the bear would wait for a reload.
Granted, having your hands free at all times would be good. I think I’d work with a scabbard and see if it was just as fast as drawing a pistol. The Mare’s Leg might be an interesting option, too.
Needed their permission? Give me a break. Should have said no gun no guide!
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You may have misinterpreted the remark. The guide had a black bear tag, which makes them legal to hunt (generally the bb, though dangerous, is not nearly as dangerous as a griz). I read it as he was asking them to shoot a bb so he could fill his tag. That is an illegal act itself where I live, but it did probably saved a life or two.
In my state I’m allowed to carry a sidearm for self-defense against bears when archery hunting. I live in griz country on the plains as the bears have expanded their territory out of the Rockies. I carry out on the most mundane walk.
Might as well carry 5 rounds in a cuff on the stock. They still had to get out of there.
The SW50 is heavy so I “made” my own harness that combined backpack type “shoulder straps” with the holster so that the gun hung on my chest and my shoulders carried/bore the brunt of the weight.
I’ve had 3 hernia operations (Inquinal) and couldn’t carry it all day on my hip.
“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.”
Like that Doctor that killed the famous lion not long ago? Liberals went nuts over that.
...........looks like it would be fun!
Always bring along someone for the bear to snack on while you get away.
Yep...that’s Asheville. Avoid it like the plague.
The guy on the Youtube channel "The facts by howtohunt.com" has mentioned that typically the first shot on a charging bear is always high. He says it's better to drop to one's knee and take the shot from that position. I doubt in the heat of the moment most people would remember to do that.
it's better to drop to one's knee and take the shot from that positionExcellent advice! Easy to remember and now something to practice.
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