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Author Topic: Bears in the winter  (Read 1757 times)

Offline Night goat

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Bears in the winter
« on: February 09, 2023, 01:27:00 AM »
I feel dumb for asking this but I simply don’t know…. I’m not 100% convinced a bear won’t get up mid winter and end hibernation early if temperatures allowed.

The reason why I bring this up as I’m going up to southeast Alaska in 2 weeks to visit a friend for a while and we have plenty of adventures planned out… everything in me is saying to bring the 10mm… she says there’s nothing to worry about, but I say that it’s Alaska and it’s not worth risking it even if they are supposed to all be sleeping, I don’t trust that entirely. It’s a no brainer to me 3/4s the year to stay armed up there but she says it’s safe this time of year… I just don’t like letting my guard down up there…

Thoughts?

Offline Skillet

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2023, 01:39:39 AM »
I feel dumb for asking this but I simply don’t know…. I’m not 100% convinced a bear won’t get up mid winter and end hibernation early if temperatures allowed.

The reason why I bring this up as I’m going up to southeast Alaska in 2 weeks to visit a friend for a while and we have plenty of adventures planned out… everything in me is saying to bring the 10mm… she says there’s nothing to worry about, but I say that it’s Alaska and it’s not worth risking it even if they are supposed to all be sleeping, I don’t trust that entirely. It’s a no brainer to me 3/4s the year to stay armed up there but she says it’s safe this time of year… I just don’t like letting my guard down up there…

Thoughts?

In Sitka here. 

#1 - If you want to carry, carry.  No chick's false confidence could ever get me to not carry if I felt I needed to, no matter how sweet the cake was...

#2 - If the reason you are carrying is you are worried about bears being up in February, I think you are worrying too much. There's other good reasons to carry.

#3 - I've been wrong about bears being up during late November blacktail hunts, but I've never, ever, seen any activity after Dec 1 until about March 1.  We have a few bruin marauders that let the town know when they're up and about, since the garbage pickings are pretty easy. And unless I'm not as up on that info as I think I am, I don't believe we've had a bear on the prowl here in Jan/Feb.  But - even though it has been very stormy this winter, it has been warm.  So I could stand to be corrected.

Just some free advice, probably worth what you paid for it.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2023, 01:53:33 AM by Skillet »
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Offline Rob

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2023, 10:42:17 AM »
I saw a black bear in eastern Wa walking on an iced over lake in January on a sunny 25 degree day...

Bears do not hibernate in the true sense, they will on occasion get up and do a walkabout.  That said, I would think it to be very unusual to see one up and about that early.

No reason not to bring your 10mm though!
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Offline pashok23

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2023, 09:25:49 PM »
Take it!!!

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2023, 10:19:53 PM »
You know the saying: Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

There were some people on youtube, we were just talking about in a bad spot with a bear wishing they had more guns and a way to protect themselves better when stuff went bad.
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Offline KFhunter

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2023, 05:50:18 AM »
I'd prolly pack a regular EDC for people, they can get a little sketch this time of year  :chuckle:

Offline headshot5

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2023, 07:21:38 AM »
I wouldn't be too concerned about bears right now.  Other predators etc, I would including moose in deeper snow they get pissy.  How far North into Alaska are you going? 

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2023, 07:52:15 AM »
I’d be more worried about 2 legged predators, and the 10 works wonders on them.

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2023, 08:11:10 AM »
I’d be more worried about 2 legged predators, and the 10 works wonders on them.

Zip right through if using bear loads, it might be less lethal than a 9mm with self defense rounds.

Offline Rob

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Re: Bears in the winter
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2023, 09:14:04 AM »
Good point on Moose.  They scare me a lot more than bears.
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

 


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