Graphic

[robb92]

 

[let.it.fly]

the spot outside of winthrop i hunt is full of bear. everynight about an hour after sundown and an hour of sun rise the woods around our camp become alive, crashes and snaps and grunts. its a scary place, i sleep with a 12 g. defender with slugs. not to mention my huntin buddies pitbull. this past year we were up above rondevuex pass and we found a griz track in an old cattle wallow. that had me on edge aswell although i would never lead on. when a bear is close enough to hear his breathing 9 times outa 10 i will crap my pants lol. gota stop eatin that cornbeef hash.

[alanger]

Creepy to know that stuff could happen like that.

[cohoho]

Having a gun doesn't get you out of being attacked, if you have ever been bluff charged or charged, you don't have time to pull any gun out.  Been close a couple times up north and I will tell you this, there is no way I could have pulled any gun period if she/he was committed to attacking, thanks goodness it wasn't committed.  I had a long rifle at 20 yards held at the hip it came so fast I couldn't get on target, shoot from the hip a clean miss, it went the other way and so did I. Now on the other hand if you got the gun out and hammer back you'll do fine....  Ever want a good read, it's called Bear Tales, read that before you head to AK for a Moose trip, at least let your buddy so he'll be the camp watch dog...

[buckhorn2]

When I was caribou hunting out of kotzebue a bear was taking meat from the camp. Everynight you would load your gun at bed time. Three guys from utah were muzzleloader hunting and at night came up with the idea to tie a rope to some meat and tie it to the tent pole so they could wake up and scare the bear off. They had there guns ready and flashlights ready but when the bear pulled the tent down in the middle of the night they could;nt find anything. They flew out the next day,  we had 3 loaded 338;s in the cook shack by the door up there it was smart to be cautious.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Floundering through the rest of that website, the statistics of Bear attacks seem to be a bit scew'd. Is that result of the times regarding the completeness of data? It seems that the 2,000's have had more Blackbear attacks, (mostly Canada), and the previous years had more Brownbear attacks. I don't think it matters which one you're attacked by, the result is seldom good. Thing is, I've always experienced/taught that Blackbears are more afraid of us than we are them. I've never come across an aggressive Blacky in the woods. (I've been fortunate enough not to ever get between a sow and cubs)

I might be Deer/Elk hunting solo in the north east this year. Guess I'll stick to the camp trailer instead of spiking out. Photos like those make you think. (won't be showing them to the wife...)

As for having a pistol handy, I'll admit that I've had the hair on my neck stand on end once or twice. You know when you're still hunting through an area and something just doesn't seem right? My rifle gets slung and the pistol goes in hand. As hunters we all need to realize that mother nature likes to play games, that the tables can turn any time, reminding us that were not always at the top of the food chain.

I'm with Jackalope. 460s&w mag is a fine choice when in Bear country. (I don't have one of those, so I'll keep loading my 44mags really hot!)

-Steve

[blindpig]

Dang.  What do you say....really?

[River]

Last fall in south Siouxon I was hunting a ridgeline alone and carrying a .270 win when I heard something like a low grunt in the brush up ahead of me.  I kept slowly making my way along when I see a large bear bedding area -- and right next to it is a huge bear dump with a lot of steam coming off in the cool air.  That got my attention big, as I realize I must have disturbed someone, and now I am really moving slow.

I kept moving along the ridge and heard a little noise from time to time Behind Me as I moved along.  It was starting to get to me a little by now.  I knew there was an old forest service road below me, so I made my way down there and eventually back to my truck.

Next weekend I went back to the very same area because there deer sign all over the place -- but this time I was carrying my .300 WSM.  It made me feel a little better as I trudged through the brush up there.  Never did see him though.

[Pathfinder101]

Pistol, rifle AND bear spray for me.  Still no insurance, they're strong animals. 

[heavy hauler]

what does it matter  how big of weapon you have?  didnt you guys see the part   about the gun not being fired? it dont matter how big of gun you have , if you dont use it.  that sucks for sure