Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: TheHunt on December 09, 2010, 08:27:24 AM

Title: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: TheHunt on December 09, 2010, 08:27:24 AM: The situation is that a friend of mine that I work with now spends two weeks a month in Alaska. He loves to fly fish and has been making those two week trips to Alaska since April this year. He has been told to get a firearm to take with him while fishing. He said the people he has seen up there have stainless steel pistols across their chest or on their hips. He has seen some shotguns, but he is worried about maneuvering (Casting) with the weapon on him and wading in the water.

The question: What should he buy to take with him fishing?
My idea would be these two choices, but my first choice would be the shotgun.
(1) High capacity 12 gauge with 00 buck as the first two shells then slugs after that.
(2) Stainless Steel 44 Mag with 240 grain bullets or 300 grain bullets.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Woodchuck on December 09, 2010, 08:39:28 AM: I would go with a short shotgun, i takes some serious nerve to place one where you want it under serious duress :twocents: spray and pray baby
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: McCascades on December 09, 2010, 08:46:06 AM: Has your friend shot big bore pistols much? If he goes that route, he will need to practice, alot. Just having it on your hip doesn't make you safe by default. If your friends elects to go with a shotgun, the sling he chooses will be critical. He must be able go from carry position to mounted and ready to fire easily. Again practice is crucial. I prefer to carry a slinged shotgun muzzle down because it's easier to mount rapidly. Carrying muzzle down while fishing may be a little dicey though. It's not difficult to plug the barrel climbing banks or sitting down.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Bofire on December 09, 2010, 08:46:33 AM: Shotgun!! short pistol grip, while being attacked aiming will be more than difficult.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Wenatcheejay on December 09, 2010, 08:47:04 AM: Doesn't Matter, just be sure to roll the bullets in bacon grease, that way when you have emptied the magazine at the brown bear and you throw the gun at it while running for your life, God willing, it will stop to lick the grease while you get away.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on December 09, 2010, 08:47:36 AM: all my experience up there short barreled 12 gauge, I have no use for a 44 up there any longer. Did not work for me.

Joe
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Bowbender on December 09, 2010, 08:50:52 AM: Don't forget to file the front sight off on whatever weapon he decides on. This way it won't hurt so much when you pull it out of where the bear shoves it :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 08:51:08 AM: I suspect that your best odds of deterring a charging brownie is gonna be with bear spray...it's especially difficult to shoot a big bore handgun or a shotgun while simultaneously pooping yourself.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Woodchuck on December 09, 2010, 08:58:15 AM: good point jackelope :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Bob33 on December 09, 2010, 09:00:19 AM: Your best defense is bringing a slow friend along, or better yet a slow enemy.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MP123 on December 09, 2010, 09:03:09 AM: .45-70 lever gun or short barrel 12 gauge. Forget the 00 buck and just go with slugs.

A slow friend is a good idea too! :)
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: whacker1 on December 09, 2010, 09:04:05 AM: Only be concerned if you start getting invited to join him. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: h20hunter on December 09, 2010, 09:05:27 AM: For what sounds like a firearms novice I would agree with bear the bear spray. Tell him the joke about people wearing little bells and carrying pepper spray and how to tell the difference between black bear scat and griz. Obviously the blackie scat is full of berries and seeds and the griz smells like pepper and has little bells in it. I know, I know, I'll be here all week folks. Seriously though, unless he has firearms experience I would recommend a pony keg canister of bear spray.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: whiteeyes on December 09, 2010, 09:07:29 AM: And always save one bullet in the chamber just in case.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Mike450r on December 09, 2010, 09:17:21 AM: Bear spray definitely, but I don't go hunting/fishing unarmed either so would say a stainless revolver .44 minimum. Strapped across the chest or on the hip the same as the others he has seen up there up there.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MtnMuley on December 09, 2010, 09:32:47 AM: Personally, I'd take the 44 mag and a can of bear spray. Granted the shotgun loaded the way you mentioned might be your best defense, but after all, it is a fishing trip and I could cast all day with a can of bear spray and a pistol on my side. With the shotgun, it would be difficult. As for wading in the water fishing, the shotgun would definately be in the way. In all reality; it is great, and a must....to be prepared, but 99999/100000 times, you won't have to pull the trigger on a bear. Hence--Id take the pistol and spray. :twocents:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 09, 2010, 09:33:14 AM: If he chooses the shotgun approach, I'd agree with the poster that said forget the 00 and just load slugs. I would go with a revolver bigger than .44 mag. There are a few pistols now with some kind of 'Alaskan' designator to them.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 10:20:20 AM: I would agree with the shotgun idea, however....
Slugs offer you one projectile and you aren't likely to make your best shot under the circumstances.
I'd load #6 birdshot in the chamber and another behind it, then buckshot.
Remember, you're not trying to kill the bear, just deter it from chomping you or someone in your party.
If I can hit a bear in the face with birdshot, disable it's sense of sight, I have a pretty good chance of not getting injured.
If you want to be a hero after that, load slugs and finish them off.
I don't want to be a hero, I want to be uninjured.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Rick on December 09, 2010, 10:26:09 AM: I'd go with one of Marlins big bore lever actions. Either a 45-70 or .450 Marlin.

18 1/2" barrel with a 6 shot capacity. Compact with lots of horsepower.

Get some 400+ grain hard cast bullets from a campany like Buffalo Bore.

Even the biggest handguns are a POOR substitute for a rifle. A shotgun is better than a handgun,but still not as good as a rifle.

A rifle like this is going to kick like a mule. Not something most guys are going to shoot enough to get good with. Definately not something for the average Joe to strap on his back and think he is gonna save his ass with.

In real life,a big can of bear spray is gonna be his best bet.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Rick on December 09, 2010, 10:30:15 AM: Quote from: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 10:20:20 AM

I'd load #6 birdshot in the chamber and another behind it, then buckshot.
Remember, you're not trying to kill the bear, just deter it from chomping you or someone in your party.
If I can hit a bear in the face with birdshot, disable it's sense of sight, I have a pretty good chance of not getting injured.
If you want to be a hero after that, load slugs and finish them off.
I don't want to be a hero, I want to be uninjured.

Shooting a brown bear in the face with birdshot is a brilliant strategy. :bdid:

Then you'll have a wounded bear that somebody is going to have to track down and finish off.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: oneezreiter on December 09, 2010, 10:40:00 AM: Go with the bear spray, It works and wont get in the way while fishing.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 10:53:42 AM: Quote from: Rick on December 09, 2010, 10:30:15 AM
Quote from: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 10:20:20 AM

I'd load #6 birdshot in the chamber and another behind it, then buckshot.
Remember, you're not trying to kill the bear, just deter it from chomping you or someone in your party.
If I can hit a bear in the face with birdshot, disable it's sense of sight, I have a pretty good chance of not getting injured.
If you want to be a hero after that, load slugs and finish them off.
I don't want to be a hero, I want to be uninjured.

Shooting a brown bear in the face with birdshot is a brilliant strategy. :bdid:

Then you'll have a wounded bear that somebody is going to have to track down and finish off.

Yup...pretty pragmatic, isn't it.
That's what survival is....
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MP123 on December 09, 2010, 10:59:55 AM: I dunno, shooting an 800 lb. Griz with #6 sounds like a real bad idea. Unless you get really lucky and take out both eyes you're just going to piss him off.

I'd stick with the .45-70 or slugs...
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: TheHunt on December 09, 2010, 11:05:59 AM: I gave him the link to this thread. Here is his response:

I read the material from the reference you provided. Besides the usual humor, which was nice but not helpful, I am still stuck either going with something manageable in size and perhaps something more accurate but bulky to deal with. In thinking about this situation, I recall that I was the only guy on the Russian River than was unprotected.

My guess is that whatever the result, I lot of practice will be necessary to feel comfortable.

Spray is certainly part of the equation, but bear charging has been a real problem that I think the audience under appreciates.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Woodchuck on December 09, 2010, 11:26:15 AM: Well, i would like to answer your friends response like this....no i have never been charged by a grizzly. i have however been in situations where i have had multiple people shooting at me with bad intentions. both situations i would call "under duress". i know that when the time came for engagement i would have much preffered to have something that covered as much area as humanly possible. when it is about self preservation milliseconds count :twocents:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: NWBREW on December 09, 2010, 11:27:53 AM: Quote from: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 10:20:20 AM
I would agree with the shotgun idea, however....
Slugs offer you one projectile and you aren't likely to make your best shot under the circumstances.
I'd load #6 birdshot in the chamber and another behind it, then buckshot.
Remember, you're not trying to kill the bear, just deter it from chomping you or someone in your party.
If I can hit a bear in the face with birdshot, disable it's sense of sight, I have a pretty good chance of not getting injured.
If you want to be a hero after that, load slugs and finish them off.
I don't want to be a hero, I want to be uninjured.
m

WOW...really. I can see no instance where shooting a bear in the face with birdshot is a good idea. :bdid: thinkingman.....you may want to think about that a little more. It doesn't have anything to do with being a hero....just surviving a potentiel bad outcome.

Pepper spray and gun. :twocents:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 11:30:03 AM: Quote from: TheHunt on December 09, 2010, 11:05:59 AM
I gave him the link to this thread. Here is his response:

I read the material from the reference you provided. Besides the usual humor, which was nice but not helpful, I am still stuck either going with something manageable in size and perhaps something more accurate but bulky to deal with. In thinking about this situation, I recall that I was the only guy on the Russian River than was unprotected.

My guess is that whatever the result, I lot of practice will be necessary to feel comfortable.

Spray is certainly part of the equation, but bear charging has been a real problem that I think the audience under appreciates.

I'd like to know how to practice shooting at a charging brown bear.

I stick to my initial theory in that the spray is gonna be your best defense. A big coverage area, a non-wounded bear that is not going to kill or injure someone else also, and no random bullets flying around the hoards of fishermen on the river. I suspect if you do some internet searching, you'll find that to be the best and most reliable option as well.

:dunno:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 11:41:15 AM: You can shoot the bear in the face with 6 shot all you want, just remember as was mentioned earlier, remove the bead off the front of the barrel before hand so as to reduce the pain when the bear shoves the barrel directly up your assssss.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 12:00:20 PM: Quote from: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 11:41:15 AM
You can shoot the bear in the face with 6 shot all you want, just remember as was mentioned earlier, remove the bead off the front of the barrel before hand so as to reduce the pain when the bear shoves the barrel directly up your assssss.

If the bear can't find me, how's it going to shove it?
Seriously.
I fully realize this isn't the common sentiment, using birdshot.
In re practice...I heard it described as 'load your handgun or shotgun and have someone roll pumpkins down a mountain toward you at 30mph and see how many you can hit'
That's 44 feet per second.

Maybe some of you can.
I'll spray (shotgun) and pray.
I can see that I'm not going to change anyone's opinion.
But I will try to eliminate the animal's ability to find me, rather than kill it.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Alchase on December 09, 2010, 12:02:18 PM: I was watching a show on bear attacks awhile back. Basically what they concluded was if you get charged, unless you can break the bear down by hitting shoulders, back, hips and vitals you will get hit. Even the cases where the bear was hit in the heart or vitals alone and is a "dead bear" for all practical purposes, they still had enough forward energy and time before death to maul the shooter significantly and even kill them before they actually died.

So obviously the gun is for shooting your partner so you can get the heck out of there, lol
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Bob33 on December 09, 2010, 12:09:26 PM: At close range a shotgun's pattern is not a lot different than a bullet. If you miss the animal charging you at 44 feet per second to mangle you, it's game over or you'll probably wish it were. Very few animals die instantly when shot. If you can hit some portion of the brain or spinal column, death might be instant. Otherwise, the bear will have enough time to do some serious damage before expiring. You might get lucky and blind the bear, but if you're off by a couple inches it won't work.

Pepper spray works instantly, and has been proven to be as or more effective than a firearm. Neither is 100 percent effective. I would carry spray and some potent firearm, but I'd rely on the pepper spray first in most instances.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MP123 on December 09, 2010, 12:15:38 PM: Even if you did hit it in both eyes with birdshot it could still smell you and hear you screaming like a little girl :chuckle: I bet it could still get ahold of you too since we're talking about an up close charging scenario.

I don't know how well spray would work on an old/sick/injured bear that really wanted to eat you either but it would cetainly be better than nothing...
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 09, 2010, 12:36:50 PM: The good strong bear spray works really well on mountain goats. I don't know anyone that has tried it out on a bear though. This summer a mountain goat came after my neighbor and he blasted it in the face with bear spray. The goat ran off pretty quickly. I would think it would work great on bears seeing as they have a really good sense of smell and taste. But the counter is, a guy I used to know used the human version of pepper spray on his dog and the dog liked it. It would lick it up.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 12:43:30 PM: there may or may not be good info here. I don't have time to read all of this right now.

http://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/upload/bear%20spray%20in%20Alaska.pdf (http://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/upload/bear%20spray%20in%20Alaska.pdf)
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MikeWalking on December 09, 2010, 12:50:09 PM: Heard from a lot of Gammies from Alaska over the years. They all recommended 00 or 000 to the face. The idea being blinding the Bear and filling its nose with blood so it couldn't smell you. Followed up by several slugs. Some recommend a mix of Buck/Slug/buck etc...Up there I pack Spray in a chest holster and a 45-70 with 430gr hardcast FP's +p+

I've met 12 Bears in the woods, just hikking, 8 Griz including a Sow with 2 cubs and 4 Blackies. The only real charge was a Blackie that turned when our eyes met, me looking over the sights of the .357 I had. Of all the Alaskan Griz I met only one made me worry. The rest ran like scalded cats or didn't spot me (sow and cubs at 125yds thank you Lord). I got some great pics of one till I realized he was following my trail up to my camp. Despite making a lot of noise he kept coming. He stopped just short of the target I checked my sights on, about 100yds out. Bear spray is great stuff but only if the weather is on your side. I only had one instance where wind and heavy rain weren't an issue, in my face or crossways...

I've read some who claim Bear Spray doesn't work too well on Blackies, more mucus in the nose, more gunk in the eyes to shield them. During my 3rd Brooks trip 2 of my Pilots long time friends were killed and fed on by a Griz despite spray and a 45-70, of course he got'em in their tent. (not to many air miles away) Same week another customer was mauled by a Griz he surprised in the willows. It got a chunk of his thigh before he sprayed it, point blank. The bear vanished after that.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MikeWalking on December 09, 2010, 12:56:23 PM: Quote from: jackelope on December 09, 2010, 08:51:08 AM
I suspect that your best odds of deterring a charging brownie is gonna be with bear spray...it's especially difficult to shoot a big bore handgun or a shotgun while simultaneously pooping yourself.

:chuckle: My first "Griz meeting" up there came just after draining the tank before putting on the heavy LJ layers for the night. The bear made a tactical retreat through the brush before coming back into view 300+yds away (after locking eyes with me from 50yds) After many tense minutes waiting to see if he was putting the sneak on me, then getting some poor pics way out there I relaxed. And drained a full tank about 6x in the next hour... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: mjbskwim on December 09, 2010, 01:28:35 PM: A ton of great ideas here.
1 thing to remember is the friend has been doing this and knows there are bears around.So he won't be "jumping into action".He will likely see the bear from a ways off and be able to get ready.(or if he isn't aware of the surroundings,none of this matters)
There is a story of a guy who dropped a bear from a very short distance with a 1911 and then the ever famous ones of guys shooting bears in the head(bad choice) with a 44 mag and dot doing any good.

I like the idea of the 45-70 guide model or a pistol grip 12ga.If you sling them low enough,you should be able to cast without a problem.
Otherwise go for the 44mag with Buffalo bore or 454 casull or some of the bigger ones they have out.

If he's pissed,I think only the shotty or 45-70 will be sufficient ,but otherwise the handguns should deter him enough.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: thinkingman on December 09, 2010, 03:04:45 PM: Bear spray is great stuff but only if the weather is on your side. I only had one instance where wind and heavy rain weren't an issue, in my face or crossways...
Always thought the same thing...gotta play the wind.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: AWS on December 09, 2010, 03:27:40 PM: For a rifle or shotgun a Nimrod Back Scabard is just the thing it keeps both hands free to fish and you just have to reach over your shoulder and the weapon is ready to go. I use one while skiing on a predatoer hunt.

http://www.nimrodpacks.com/n215.html (http://www.nimrodpacks.com/n215.html)

AWS
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MtnMuley on December 09, 2010, 03:37:02 PM: Very true AWS, as I use the same system. Also, Eberlestock makes many packs which also carry your gun vertical on your back.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 09, 2010, 05:15:35 PM: I have friends that guide in Alaska, and family that has lived up there for years. Most vary on what they carry. Some go with the big bore handguns, others use lever guns and others shotguns. I know 2 people that have had to shoot bears in self defense. You better make sure its true self defense and not like 50 yards away standing there watching you :chuckle: Alaska fish and wildlife does not mess around. One bear was shot with a 454 casull, the other was killed with a shotgun and slugs. If a person is no use to shooting a handgun of at least 44 mag size, i would not tell them to go with that route. Lever guns are great but very heavy and a pain to pack. Most my friends that guide carry 444-45-70 lever guns as there main gun. But once again if not use to shooting them they can be hard to shoot and spend time learning. I would go with the shoty for him. He can get one that shorter and get a lot of rounds into it. Most of the guys i know, do the reverse of what you would think. They shoot slugs first, why because the first shots are going to be more then likely "in a self defense situation" be very close. You want stopping power! buck shot does not have the stopping power on a bear that slugs do. Then after the slugs they put 1-2 shots of #8 or 9 shot. Why? they want to blind the bear if the slugs miss. You mess with anythings eyes, its going to be f-ed up.These are just my thoughts and feed back.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MikeWalking on December 09, 2010, 05:23:57 PM: Very good points. Even in a .44 mag the Hard cast +p+ monsters from Buffalo Bore hurt 3 fast rounds and my ring/pinkie fingers go numb and my wrist stings like mad.

I put a Pachmayr recoild pad on my 1895 45-70. Pretty big push but easily mastered with a box or 2. Wouldn't want to shoot the 430gr from BB with a factory butt plate.. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: rasbo on December 09, 2010, 07:16:08 PM: A fishing partner thats much slower than you.. :chuckle:...........I know some guys up there have the riot type shotguns that fit on a pack made for them,they fish fine with them
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: NWBREW on December 10, 2010, 01:51:54 AM: I don't know if it's been brought up here yet....I kinda skimmed through some of the post but I watched a documentry that was pretty interesting...and scary at the same time. It was on the effects of pepper spray on grizzly bears in Alaska. What they did was not shoot the pepper spray at the bears but emptied a can on the ground with salmon carcasses around it. 6 bears came to the carcasses and when they came in contact with the pepper spray 5 bolted away....running completely out of sight. The one that didn't run was a big, big, ugly old boar. He rolled around in the pepper spay for something like 13 minutes like he was in heaven. Never touched the salmon but loved the pepper spray.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MikeWalking on December 10, 2010, 02:27:50 AM: :yeah:

I've seen that too. some researchers hosed a bush with bear spray set up a camera and waited. About 2 hrs later a big ol'griz was there rolling around in that bush like he was in love.

Spray and LEAVE... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: satchel3006 on December 10, 2010, 10:56:44 PM: I'd go with the shotgun with slugs and buck shot. There is a company (dixie slugs) that makes a buckshot load the is 2 .60 caliber? balls that apprently designed for dangerous game. I'd stay away from the bird shot if I only have one shot before the bear gets to me i'd much rather it be a load buck shot or a slug.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Stickerbush on December 10, 2010, 11:29:35 PM: I was up in AK fishing this summer and my buddy gave me the option of a big handgun or short shotty with slugs. I took the shotty and had it slung on me or laying a few feet away on the bank while I was fishin
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: Bigshooter on December 11, 2010, 05:24:50 AM: I would go with a big can of Bear spray.
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: ICEMAN on December 11, 2010, 05:41:50 AM: How about a hand grenade? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: DIGGER69R on December 11, 2010, 06:47:49 AM: The JUDGE!....if he very good with a pistol

Spray is the best
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: cohoho on December 11, 2010, 07:31:24 AM: Lived there for ten years and fished alot of remote out of the way streams, filled with Brown Bear sign and bear activity... First off the brownies along streams are pretty passive compared to a mountain Griz... Take that with a grain of salt as any bear whenever it decides your food, you don't have time to react.. PERIOD... Cut your line if you got fish on and the bear is near the shore.... I have been charged a couple times -thank god false bluffs, but didn't have the time or ability to think and process what was going on. It happens way to quick, but I am sure there are some John Wayne's that talk a great game about what they would do, but read anyones tales of being mauled, NO TIME TO REACT.... If those bears wanted me they would have gotten me... plain and simple. I don't care what you carry, bear spray, slug gun, handgun. Unless your set and conditioned to a extremely high alert, your toast... if they really want you. And if your fishing, highly unlikely your going to be that alert as your focus is on the fishing... But carry a hangun for the mentality stress relief and the syc effect it will have for you..

The best all-around gun for AK is a .22 pistol and a friend... Shoot your buddy in the knee cap and run, atleast the bear won't get you... Oh and by all record read BEAR TALES prior to fishing these remote streams....lol
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: ICEMAN on December 11, 2010, 07:41:12 AM: BEAR TALES available online at Amazon for only $10.17 in paperback right now.... but wait there's more! http://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Bear-Tales-Larry-Kaniut/dp/0882402323 (http://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Bear-Tales-Larry-Kaniut/dp/0882402323)

This book should not be confused with BAIR TAILS...just sayin'
Title: Re: Need some opinions with rationale.
Post by: MikeWalking on December 11, 2010, 08:58:18 AM: Quote from: cohoho on December 11, 2010, 07:31:24 AM
Lived there for ten years and fished alot of remote out of the way streams, filled with Brown Bear sign and bear activity... First off the brownies along streams are pretty passive compared to a mountain Griz... Take that with a grain of salt as any bear whenever it decides your food, you don't have time to react.. PERIOD... Cut your line if you got fish on and the bear is near the shore.... I have been charged a couple times -thank god false bluffs, but didn't have the time or ability to think and process what was going on. It happens way to quick, but I am sure there are some John Wayne's that talk a great game about what they would do, but read anyones tales of being mauled, NO TIME TO REACT.... If those bears wanted me they would have gotten me... plain and simple. I don't care what you carry, bear spray, slug gun, handgun. Unless your set and conditioned to a extremely high alert, your toast... if they really want you. And if your fishing, highly unlikely your going to be that alert as your focus is on the fishing... But carry a hangun for the mentality stress relief and the syc effect it will have for you..

The best all-around gun for AK is a .22 pistol and a friend... Shoot your buddy in the knee cap and run, atleast the bear won't get you... Oh and by all record read BEAR TALES prior to fishing these remote streams....lol

Pretty sobering book. Kinda why I pick the Brooks Range for all my trips. Unless I'm in the tent most areas I covered gave me several hundred yards of visibiltiy or more. But not always.