Big Game Hunting > Bear Hunting

20ga Bear Defense While Upland or Waterfowl Hunting

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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:

--- Quote from: Lalo on September 27, 2024, 01:23:51 PM ---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.

--- End quote ---

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

pianoman9701:

--- Quote from: drakeallterrain on September 26, 2024, 01:36:34 PM ---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.

--- End quote ---

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.  :tup:

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.

 :twocents:

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