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  #61  
Old 08-26-2017, 08:08 PM
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Can't do warning shots with bear spray.

I have read a few accounts of bear spray being used to stop an attack. One fellow told how the bear had him and he could not get to his spray but he was fortunate that a companion had spray and was able to stop the attack.

I spoke to a woman that had survived a vicious attack while hunting with her husband. She wanted to buy a bigger gun than the .270 she was carrying. I asked her if she tried the 270 and she told me that she was not aware of the bear till she was on the ground and the bear was doing her thing.

Whatever one chooses to defend against an attack, I think that one should be familiar with your equipment. A spray can or firearm I think a bit of dry point and shoot would be a good thing.
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  #62  
Old 08-27-2017, 02:11 AM
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Originally Posted by JohninAB View Post

If packing a shotgun, always loaded with shot for the first couple of rounds. I want spread as may not be time to aim and shoot.
Do you credit the first 2 rounds of shot to saving your life the times that you were being attacked by grizzlies?
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  #63  
Old 08-27-2017, 09:28 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Slug/buckshot combination was the bear experts recommendation. He would train the F & W and park wardens on proper bear attack procedures. I guess he did not have any knowledge??
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  #64  
Old 08-27-2017, 10:17 AM
bbbhunter bbbhunter is offline
 
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Originally Posted by guywiththemule View Post
Yep. Two friends ,who are bear guides, laugh when bear spray is brought up. One guy`s comment was "Isn`t it amazing what anti-gun propaganda zealots will come up with to eliminate a gun in a bear defence situation ?"
Garry James Shelton also advocates the use of bear spray, and in the cases of someoene who is not well seasoned with a firearm, believes those people are better off with bearspray...And if anyone is familiar with who Mr. Shelton is, he is far from an anti...
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  #65  
Old 08-27-2017, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JohninAB View Post
Bear spray hands down.

If packing a shotgun, always loaded with shot for the first couple of rounds. I want spread as may not be time to aim and shoot.

On that note, I have a respect for bears but the respect does not consume nor dictate my adventures.

Spent far too many days a field to worry too much.
I would say that the ability to place a shot would probably be better on the first shot. If the bear is on you without warning it really does not matter much.
If you see the bear approach from a bit of a distance there is always the risk of firing too soon and hitting the bear with a less than effective pattern of buck shot. I am convinced of the awesome power of any shot charge at very close range, but I am also aware that shot looses its devastating effectiveness at any range other than very short.
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  #66  
Old 08-27-2017, 11:23 AM
270person 270person is offline
 
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Originally Posted by bbbhunter View Post
Garry James Shelton also advocates the use of bear spray, and in the cases of someoene who is not well seasoned with a firearm, believes those people are better off with bearspray...And if anyone is familiar with who Mr. Shelton is, he is far from an anti...

I'm of the opinion that bear spray is probably a pretty decent deterrent for a bear thats in "checking you out and sizing you up mode" but I wouldn't want to rely on it for stopping a bear in full charge. Think he'd run right through it.

By the same token I'm not convinced relying on a rifle or shogun is a 100% guarantee. Lots of factors in play not the least of which is the person holding it.
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  #67  
Old 08-27-2017, 12:04 PM
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.......
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  #68  
Old 08-27-2017, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 270person View Post
I'm of the opinion that bear spray is probably a pretty decent deterrent for a bear thats in "checking you out and sizing you up mode" but I wouldn't want to rely on it for stopping a bear in full charge. Think he'd run right through it.

By the same token I'm not convinced relying on a rifle or shogun is a 100% guarantee. Lots of factors in play not the least of which is the person holding it.
No guarantee especially with those using a shot gun and thinking that spread will make up for poor aim or point at target.
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  #69  
Old 08-27-2017, 12:17 PM
Bighorn River Bighorn River is offline
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Originally Posted by covey ridge View Post
No guarantee especially with those using a shot gun and thinking that spread will make up for poor aim or point at target.
If I'm hunting, rifle and bear spray suffice. If I'm hiking, bear spray.

There is a real, but tiny risk of a negative bear encounter in the bush, and there are sure anecdotes of all types but the weight of the data shows bear spray is your best bet.

Just an observation, but its sure funny that folks here seem a lot more scared of the bush than some of the backpacking pages I frequent.
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  #70  
Old 08-27-2017, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Bighorn River View Post
If I'm hunting, rifle and bear spray suffice. If I'm hiking, bear spray.

There is a real, but tiny risk of a negative bear encounter in the bush, and there are sure anecdotes of all types but the weight of the data shows bear spray is your best bet.

Just an observation, but its sure funny that folks here seem a lot more scared of the bush than some of the backpacking pages I frequent.
back in the sixties and seventies in the Crowsnest Pass there were few bears around town. Our moms never worried about us running into a bear but if she thought we were chasing packrats in the old mine shafts we were in for it. Now mine shafts all covered in and lots of bears around town
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  #71  
Old 08-27-2017, 06:27 PM
BenC68 BenC68 is offline
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I'm with you on this OP - I always have a shot gun with slugs in it when I'm out that way. I am also very hesitant to bow hunt the area because of the bear.

I wouldn't say I'm scared of them, however with the increase in population as well as how comfortable some are getting towards people - hell they have been spotted walking through back yards in Cochrane, I wouldn't put it past one and if all I have is a bow I'm not going to last very long. If you're interested during bow season, I have a few lease spots I go to as well as just crown land - always safer in twos in my opinion.
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  #72  
Old 08-28-2017, 09:12 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Whem Mr Winchester came on the seen about 100 years ago bears were moved to 2nd place on the food chain. Now with them being protected so much they are now taking back their position as number one predator in the bush. To a grizz we are just a big chunk of meat now.
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  #73  
Old 08-28-2017, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf View Post
Whem Mr Winchester came on the seen about 100 years ago bears were moved to 2nd place on the food chain. Now with them being protected so much they are now taking back their position as number one predator in the bush. To a grizz we are just a big chunk of meat now.
I agree with you. If grizzlies ever did worry about humans I think it would have been when there was actually humans out and about hunting them. There is no need for them to fear humans anymore with the new state of affairs here in Alberta and BC will be the same soon by the sounds of it.
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  #74  
Old 08-28-2017, 12:37 PM
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Yaha Tinda Yaha Tinda is offline
 
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I have been checking my back trails from my moose pit and they have been following me around. I take different routes in and out to reduce the chance of coming nose to nose with them, but it is just a matter of time and sooner or later were gonna square off.
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  #75  
Old 08-28-2017, 03:36 PM
Rockman Rockman is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Don_Parsons View Post
A person just got jumped by a bear in the Panther area yesterday.

He took it bad. Legs, head and face.
Sounds like he he fought it off.
Yeah, I was in the area when this happened. Didn't see or hear a thing but heard it from the CO on the 26th noon, as he was closing some roads. He said it was a grizzly and they were trying to trap it.
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  #76  
Old 08-28-2017, 09:25 PM
Twobucks Twobucks is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bighorn River View Post
If I'm hunting, rifle and bear spray suffice. If I'm hiking, bear spray.

There is a real, but tiny risk of a negative bear encounter in the bush, and there are sure anecdotes of all types but the weight of the data shows bear spray is your best bet.

Just an observation, but its sure funny that folks here seem a lot more scared of the bush than some of the backpacking pages I frequent.
X2 - including that last part
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  #77  
Old 08-30-2017, 09:03 PM
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rem338win rem338win is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf View Post
Slug/buckshot combination was the bear experts recommendation. He would train the F & W and park wardens on proper bear attack procedures. I guess he did not have any knowledge??
Funny thing is have spoken with a recently retired F and W member and in his 35 years he never had a "bear expert" train them with this horse puckey. So yep, someone os lacking knowledge.

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  #78  
Old 08-30-2017, 10:21 PM
wildwoods wildwoods is offline
 
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Had a run in on Saturday with my two young boys (8 and 3) with three bears heading our way. One got to 50 yards and the other 2 about 80 . Had spray but was sure wishing for a rifle or defender at that point. Even yelling didn't deter their curiosity. I've baited blackies and don't fear them. Healthy respect. We probably weren't in any danger but with two youngsters I wasn't taking any chances. We pulled outta there at a good clip and everything was fine. So I'm on the fence. I would prefer a gun when I see it happening. Spray would probably be best on a surprise attach. They both have a time and place. Me thinks a quick shot in the close bears direction may have ended it quickly. I felt awfully inadequate with just a can of spray although was thankful to have something

Edit: slug slug slug slug. You can probably forget shots 2,3 and 4 anyhow... make it count

Last edited by wildwoods; 08-30-2017 at 10:27 PM.
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  #79  
Old 08-31-2017, 12:56 AM
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I read an article in sports Afield a few years ago that stated a man was 50% more likely to be attacked by a grizzly bear if he was carrying a gun when he encountered it, whether he fired a shot or not. Study had been made up of data from grizzly encounters in Alaska. The magazine is still next to my toilet somewhere.

The reality is , the fight or flight response changes when you are packing heat. Joggers with 9mm get killed by muggers and fly fishers with 12 guages get mauled by bears. bottom line.

Head into the woods with a healthy respect, a knife at your hip and enjoy the heck out of it.

Willy
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  #80  
Old 08-31-2017, 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by st99 View Post
Honestly, the very first step is to cure the unhealthy fear of bears.

And if, 1 in a billion chance, you're attacked by a bear, you'll never gonna have the time to shoot more than 2 rounds.
Exactly, keep,your camp clean, sleeping area free of food etc, use a cache, bear spray and shotty, be aware of signs of bears etc and enjoy the hunt...you are always prey but sharp teeth and claws are no match to a slug or two...
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  #81  
Old 08-31-2017, 07:19 AM
Don_Parsons Don_Parsons is offline
 
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With more and more people visiting the back country, "me" included,,, there could be more bear & cougar encounters. Both of their populations are on the rise.

Our group started noticing more and more wolf, cat and bear tracks over the last 6 years,,, and more sighting of them.
Last summer we spotted more bears than the last 5 years, almost a even split between Blacks and Grizzlies.
The cougar Hunters we're out full force the last few years since their numbers are increasing to.

The reasons that "some" of us talk more about furry critter encounters than others is that some of us spend alot of time along the Eastern Slopes... I'm closing in on day 150 this year,,, I ran all winter in the West country.

I hope to pull off another 80 to a 100 days before years end.
Most, "not" all back packers see the West country 4 to 7 times a year, so their regards to furry critter encounters are low. Those that pack for months on end way out along on the edges of the Eastern and Western Rocky Mountain Range see more critters then the short stint back packers.

Rightfully so since less time spent "sometimes" means less chances of encounters, not sure as most folks don't give feed back on social media. This is not saying that some folks don't share encounters on Friend Book. LOL

All I know is that I keep in the back of my mind the idea of Bear Awear along with Cougar Encounters and Cow Loosey the Moosey,,, Cow Moose have injured more humans then they are given credit for,,, many humans have been seriously hurt and injured by Moose,,, in most cases the humans that have been trampled by Moose go threw a long struggle getting back to everyday living because of the damage they can dish-out.

No matter what critter it is, each of us can pick and choose what course of action we will draw from "if" an encounter a-rises,,, only "us" get to play it out with our game plan should an encounter take place.

If one does, are we ready to react, is it in our thoughts to deal with a situation, and what might it look like when things happen fast.

My Harvesting partner is not as fast as he use to be, but when or if an encounter comes up his gut reactions are fast.

He grew up in critter country,,, staying ahead of the game has always been his plan.
No second guessing in his department.

Quality and Control or Control with Quality
We won't know this till a situation a-rises.

Don
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  #82  
Old 08-31-2017, 11:04 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Rem 338, nothing like a one person source for information then becomes a fact!
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