20ga Bear Defense While Upland or Waterfowl Hunting

[Threewolves]

You will be fine. You are only going to shoot a bear in self-defense and if it is extremely close.

JBLM (new) regulation 215- 1, now says you can have an open carry side arm for self defense, not for hunting. Except TA2 and main post. BUT, must be registered with JBLM. Yep with federal government.



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[dilleytech]

You’re going to blind a bear with bird shot at close range. I think that sounds like really good bear defense to me. Bummer way to die but he deserves it.

[dilleytech]

Not sure why everyone is so negative. At 10 feet, a shotgun load of tss or bismuth would not open up at all and would basically be like a slug, and I would prefer it over, say, 10mm any day. (Then again, your bird shot would also be similar to a slug at 10 feet). I have actually considered a similar problem, though I have more options, because I carry a 12 gauge. Hevi-shot Dead Coyote, for example. However, if the bear is close, who wants to be fumbling with taking bird shot out of your gun and putting a heavier round in? In that sense, the naysayers are probably right that if you are quick and accurate with a handgun, and if it is legal, probably better to hit the bear with bird shot, and then draw the pistol.

It would not work like a slug at all. The pellets don’t have the weight to carry themselves like a slug.

[pianoman9701]

Hello,

First time posting. I have scoured many forums about this, and there does not appear to be a reasonable solution for non-toxic ammo in 20ga that would work to defend against bears in this scenario “legally”. There are very niche manufacturers of “tin” rifled slugs, but they don’t come in 20ga. Steel 20ga (petal?) rounds must not be shot in choked barrels. Can’t legally hunt migratory birds/upland while in possession of lead ammo.

What I did was order 5x custom TSS rounds 20ga #BB 1-5/8 payload. I expect to never use them, but in addition to sometimes bear spray carried I wanted another option.Their cost shipped is $70/5 rnds, which is fine. In a 7lb. O/U I expect these rounds to take a chunk out of my shoulder.

At defensive range and within reason, what could I expect from this while choked at Improved Cylinder to Modified vs. bear face? I expect it to work for any other predator, but bear is the primary concern. I know its no slug but I imagine I can’t ask bears to be patient while I swap chokes.

Maybe I'm missing something but I'm confused. While bird hunting, while you're being charged by a bear, you will be changing ammo in the shotgun to defend yourself? Nope. You're not going to have time to change shells in time for a charge. Please leave me that nice shotgun in your will. I'm a nice guy. 

If you're in black bear territory and you're larger than a child, you shouldn't worry about a black bear attack. But if you still are, carry a handgun or bear spray in a holster for quick access. You don't need a CCW permit during or to and from outdoor sporting activities. If you're in grizzly country carry both and make it as large a caliber as you can shoot accurately under stress.

[Skillet]

I believe you're really overthinking this.  If it's truly a self-defense situation,  at the range you'll be shooting at your bird loads will get the job done just fine.

At 10 feet, an 1-1/8 oz load going 1300 fps delivers an 1800+ lb/ft blow.  Even with "poor" penetration, that's a DRT bear.

 

[big wood]

Bear ain't gonna mess with you

[boneaddict]

Apparently you city kids haven't shot any fence posts, trees or whatever at close range with a 20 gauge.   Hell I'd even take a .410 over a fir limb if I was about to go toe to toe with Yogi.   Self defense on a bear shouldnt be 30 yards out.    I'm not afraid of my own shadow though

[300rum]

I was thinking something similar but would have said it a bit different.

Anyway, I wouldn't feel under gunned at all.  I suppose no one ever had a coyote sneak up on your dekes?

I had to take out a pit bull with a 3" Magnum BB and I will tell you, there wasn't a better load available to do that job.

Apparently you city kids haven't shot any fence posts, trees or whatever at close range with a 20 gauge.   Hell I'd even take a .410 over a fir limb if I was about to go toe to toe with Yogi.   Self defense on a bear shouldnt be 30 yards out.    I'm not afraid of my own shadow though

[Bob33]

I have my doubts that birdshot would penetrate a bear's skull but it would certainly get its attention.

[Loup Loup]

I like duck, but I’d much rather come home with a bear. The problem with your scenario would be runnin all that nasty steel shot through the grinder.

[jdb]

Apparently you city kids haven't shot any fence posts, trees or whatever at close range with a 20 gauge.   Hell I'd even take a .410 over a fir limb if I was about to go toe to toe with Yogi.   Self defense on a bear shouldnt be 30 yards out.    I'm not afraid of my own shadow though

man I wish we had the option to “like” a post, so I’ll just say “what he said”

[hunter399]

There is few concerns....
Most dedicated bird guns usually some kind of chokes in them.
Depends on the choke ,you most likely will not be able to shoot buckshot or slugs.

Shot placement....
If it was me ,right in the throat or neck. Your looking for vitals that the birdshot got can get to. That is about your only chance is in the throat.

Cut shells
Ever hear of a cut shell ,I'll see if I can find the video for ya.
Don't try this at home.

[Loup Loup]

The .410 talk got me remembering. I’ve poked two bears in the chest with my gun barrel, one with the barrel of my .300 wby. just to mess with him as he didn’t know I was there. the other with the barrel of my single shot .410 with a slug in it, to stop him, before I had to kill him. One more “false charge” hop and he’d been dead.
My Grandson was filming the second encounter. When we were done he said “ I videoed that whole deal, except when that bear charged you” I asked why didn’t you video that? He replied “cause I was bookin it!!” Ha ha, pretty funny to see the camera blurr as it bunces through the alders!
Black bears are of no concern, other than they will go out of their way to wreck your stuff and eat your food if given a chance.

[metlhead]

Can't imagine you'd have enough time to eject your bird loads and reload with bear loads. Just try to hit em in the face and keep shooting

[buglebuster]

Well you won’t have time to change loads, BUT. Having lead slug or buckshot with me while duck hunting wouldn’t even be a concern to me. Especially in your pocket and not in your gun. Now lead bird shot, yes you could get in trouble.