Hunting In Grizzly Country

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by takeiteasybird

It wouldn't hurt to keep a can of bear spray on you also. The shotgun is fine and dandy if you see the bear coming but if hes already on you the shotgun wont help you.

Carrying a shotgun and a rifle during hunting season is a PITA also. You have to respect bears but don't fear them to the point of making irrational decisions.

I know two fellows who, at the land owners insistance, carried a slug fed shotgun while bow hunting. They ended up shooting a Grizzly in the face at point blank range as it came for them.

Now, if I'm packing a rifle, I'm packing a rifle. I can shoot a bear in the face with that.

[1Heavyhitr]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

I'm not particularly concerned about bears. I usually carry bear spray. I'll carry a gun if I'm hunting, but not if I'm not. And I believe the studies done, especially in Alaska, that highlight the superiority of bear spray.

But one thing still puzzles me... IF bear spray is effective because it makes the bear extremely uncomfortable, wouldn't a load of bird shot in the face produce the same result???

Maybe the survival results for bear spray are better primarily because once the bear is on you, you can forget about your rifle for help, but perhaps some folks are still able to reach their spray and get the bear off. And I guess some folks with rifles might miss as the charge takes place.

Forget the bird shot! In the event that you have to fire at a grizzly, it's slugs that'd be leaving my 12g* bird shot to the face just leaves too many bad variables..

[normstad]

Originally Posted by huntsolo1

Most of "the studies" do say that bear spray is more effective in warding off an attack. Probably because it is really just an annoyance, bird shot in the face or a bad shot with a slug is pain...and that just ****es them off, hence why you still get attacked.

The interesting thing about most of those studies, is that if you go on to read them in detail, they also state that the severity of the attacks is much less if bear spray is used, where as if a gun is used the severity is much worse...like I said, you just ****ed him off and now you are the focus of his anger...good luck with what ever you chose. Shoot, sometimes I carry both

The survivability of using bear spray is in the high 90%. Guns? In the 60% range. From the Meateater website, he includes the studies:

I have attached 2 papers: one on bear spray (2008) and one on firearms (2012) that have studied past attacks and give insight as to the best methods to deter a bear attack; the scientific data are convincing that bear spray is the better alternative, it is 90% successful to deter an attack with bear spray versus 76% for long guns and 84% for hand guns. Importantly, this number does not take into consideration the number of people who are killed or injured when firearms are used in such incidents. Also, bear spray saves bear lives; these bears are simply doing what grizzly bears do, and it is this behavior that is a powerful and humbling reminder of the iconic wildness of places like Yellowstone.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by 1Heavyhitr

Forget the bird shot! In the event that you have to fire at a grizzly, it's slugs that'd be leaving my 12g* bird shot to the face just leaves too many bad variables..

I don't disagree. My point was only that I'd find shot more repelling than bear spray if the discomfort were the only variable.

[skidderman]

Not sure what to think but I do know this. Spray is good maybe to 20 yards in ideal conditions. That's about 2 steps for a griz. I highly doubt most people would not be in full out panic mode at 20 yards. Take your pic. My thought is a slug is more effective beyond 20 yards. I suspect in situations where spray did work it was mostly just a lucky day.

[elkdump]

A shot gun at very close range will have the same deadly effect on a Grizzlies' head as any other creature with meat and bone for a face,

In fact a well swung 1/2 pound ball peen hammer to middle of his skull will flatten him for all of eternity,,,,

I'll opt for the shotgun,,, but a hammer will work better in a pinch than my water bottle ,

[270person]

Best defense against a charging grizzly is to be hunting with a trio of Asians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8R9fwsEA6M

I would estimate the odds of bear spray deterring a charging bear at 0. Lead spray is far more effective.

[Talking moose]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

I don't disagree. My point was only that I'd find shot more repelling than bear spray if the discomfort were the only variable.

Different type of pain. One hurts, the other blinds and chokes your life giving oxygen away. I presume the bird shot pain wouldn't have the same stopping power as spray which is something a bear has never came close to experiencing before.

[Talking moose]

Slug slug slug. In that order.

[Twobucks]

Originally Posted by rem338win

Youve survived a bear attack using spray?!!!
Good for you bud thats amazing!

So, did the spray or the bear hurt more?

Spray isnt magic and doesnt flick a switch. Hitting it in the head with a rock is probably a better bet if its already on you.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

I know two former colleagues who have. Neither was seriously impacted by the spray and neither was contacted by the bear.

Good luck swinging a rock or handling a gun once contact has been made. Ever seen someone whiff a shot on a sitting grouse or a broadside deer at 50yds? Ever see a deer with destroyed lungs run 50yds? Easy to blow a shot and even if you've killed the bear it might not die in time to help your situation.

Nothing is 100% if a bear encounter goes south but when it's my life I'll play the odds.

[bear crossing]

First shot oo buck to head,take out their senses then follow up with slug.If I am going down I want to put a whole lot of hurt on what ever is after me.

[wildwoods]

I always pack bear spray in the bush. Even just hiking or fishing. More for the cougars than anything (17 people insert lame cougar jokes here). Had a friend that was stalked by one in Kelowna. No fear here, just a healthy respect. Was in the Willmore and went scouting with a buddy about a km or so from camp. Kept wandering away scouting. Forgot our rifles and spray. That fresh grizz crap we encountered was a twee bit unnerving. From that point I promised myself I'd be more careful. Spray is not too big a pain to pack and I'd rather be safe than sorry

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Twobucks

I know two former colleagues who have. Neither was seriously impacted by the spray and neither was contacted by the bear.

Good luck swinging a rock or handling a gun once contact has been made. Ever seen someone whiff a shot on a sitting grouse or a broadside deer at 50yds? Ever see a deer with destroyed lungs run 50yds? Easy to blow a shot and even if you've killed the bear it might not die in time to help your situation.

Nothing is 100% if a bear encounter goes south but when it's my life I'll play the odds.

Sure they did. They had a contact scuffle with a bear and deployed spray and it won them thw day? And they didnt get contaminated. Thats a story.

Good to know spray magically stays glued in your hand and is so super effective.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[robson3954]

An attack near sundre a few hours ago

[gitrdun]

Not that I have experience thankfully. However, I'm gonna go with the fact that wind will have a lesser effect on a 300 gr. lead pill than a spray can that makes you taste like a burrito should said wind not be in your favour.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by Twobucks

I know two former colleagues who have. Neither was seriously impacted by the spray and neither was contacted by the bear.

Good luck swinging a rock or handling a gun once contact has been made. Ever seen someone whiff a shot on a sitting grouse or a broadside deer at 50yds? Ever see a deer with destroyed lungs run 50yds? Easy to blow a shot and even if you've killed the bear it might not die in time to help your situation.

Nothing is 100% if a bear encounter goes south but when it's my life I'll play the odds.

I don't like your odds.

[Don_Parsons]

Keep the strange encounters of the furry kind active in ones mind at all times.

Draw point, shoot.

Cycle that action like you mean business.
Full cycles as you prepare for back-up plan 2.

If you fail to plan, your plan will fail.

My Nieces Uncle took on a cougar at Canmore many years ago with a pocket knife while the cat had him by the scuff of the neck.

"""He took it bad,"""" but that cat was toast in the attack zone.
He had no plan, but it kicked in, in the heat of battle.

Don

[dfrobert]

I'll be honest. I doubt I'd hit a full charging grizz properly between the lookers with my slug gun or my rifle. Wound maybe, and then what? Mauled to bits. most guys who get in trouble don't see it coming. I'll pack the spray. I pack it when rifle hunting and bowhunting in grizz country. To each their own.

[NCC]

If a bear was chewing on or packing away your wife or companion, you would be wishing you had a rifle or shotgun to complement the bear spray.

[Pathfinder76]

https://youtu.be/SOQAhKrOOww

[Don_Parsons]

A person just got jumped by a bear in the Panther area yesterday.

He took it bad. Legs, head and face.
Sounds like he he fought it off.

[Envitro]

Here's the story that was referenced earlier in this thread, from yesterday:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/he-is-v...ling-1.3560956

A 32-year-old man is recovering from injuries to his face and head after a bear mauled him in a remote hiking area just east of Banff National Park in Alberta.
The man, from Calgary, Alta., was eating breakfast at around 9 a.m. in the Panther River area on Thursday when a bear came out of the wilderness and attacked him, according to the RCMP. The bear grabbed the man by his legs and dragged him, the RCMP said.
RCMP said the man managed to fight off the bear and escape but he suffered wounds to his face and head. He was also able to hike several kilometres to his car and drive to the Mountain Aire Lodge. From there, the man was airlifted by private helicopter to the Sundre Hospital, the RCMP said.

[HoytCRX32]

Originally Posted by bear crossing

First shot oo buck to head,take out their senses then follow up with slug.If I am going down I want to put a whole lot of hurt on what ever is after me.

Me too....
And from what I've heard if you go with slug only don't necessarily go for the head but the shoulders....bust up the shoulder and the charge is slowed/stopped....but once you commit to shooting, keep it up until dead (him or you)
I'd probably just crap myself and die of a coronary

[sarahfaye]

Challenger slugs are proven performers on bears. Slugs and more slugs. Keep aware,**** happens in a blink.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Combination of buckshot and slugs best proven medicine for a charging grizz. Most guys will not hit charging bear at further distances. Buckshot to blind him then slugs to finish him off.

[rem338win]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Combination of buckshot and slugs best proven medicine for a charging grizz. Most guys will not hit charging bear at further distances. Buckshot to blind him then slugs to finish him off.

Again, this is a load of chit. Slugs. Slugs. Slugs.

A few people shoukd read the extensive study Alaska has done on the subject and concluded.

The only thing buckshot slug combo proves is that you've swallowed a goos load of bs.

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by rem338win

Again, this is a load of chit. Slugs. Slugs. Slugs.

A few people shoukd read the extensive study Alaska has done on the subject and concluded.

The only thing buckshot slug combo proves is that you've swallowed a goos load of bs.

Exactly!

[JohninAB]

Bear spray hands down.

If packing a shotgun, always loaded with shot for the first couple of rounds. I want spread as may not be time to aim and shoot.

On that note, I have a respect for bears but the respect does not consume nor dictate my adventures.

Spent far too many days a field to worry too much.

[artie]

I put a cardboard box about the size of a lab out at 25 yards. From a standing shot I could hit it every time with the double odd buck but missed one out of two with the slugs. That could just be my shooting and I need more practice with the defender shotgun but I feel more confident with the double odd.

[Buckhead]

Use what you are most comfortable with.
I have to fiddle with bear spray to use it. I don't practice spraying bear spray.
I have many years behind the trigger of many kinds of firearms. If push comes to shove I use what I am most comfortable with.