Interesting read on bear defense:

[BearBio]

Several factors to consider:
1. BIG difference between a black bear and a grizzly! (NOTE: Still took 7 shots!).
2. BIG difference between an unsuspecting bear and one full of adrenalin.
3. Over penetration with FMJ slugs?
4. Lack of penetration with expanding bullets?
5. Lack of maneuverrability! Especially in crowded spaces!
6. Hitting CNS, especially brain?? More chance a slim, pointed projectile will get deflected, especially on a bear's skull!
7. A rifle on your shoulder? Attended a meeting/class in Seattle. I palled-around with a Canadian Forest Service Biologist. I asked him what was the single factor he had noted on Canadian fatal bear attacks. He answered that (1) they all had rifles over their shoulder and (2) they all had safeties on.

My preference is bear spray and a large handgun (45 Colt with heavy handloads in an OM Blackhawk or Glock G-20 or G-29SF in 10mm) when walking or hunting. Number One in firearms: 12 ga with Brenneke bear loads! (What Refuge Biologists use in Alaska).

I asked my old boss, Sierra Franks who is Chief of the Marine Mammal Regulatory Branch for National Marine Fisheries in Alaska for comments or additions.

BTW: Been (bluff) charged once while doing my thesis study; bears are unbelievably fast!!!

https://shopping.yahoo.com/home-gar...-bear-defense-practical-choice-181615713.html

Oh, with the likelihood of some civil unrest looming, our camp guns are a Mossberg 835 (hers) with 3" or 3.5" 00 Buck and a Benelli 3.5" slugs or 00 Buck for me!

 

[Unshaven2897]

All I will say is I prefer the 00. We're down a goat and at least 10 pigs so far this year.

 

[BearBio]

All I will say is I prefer the 00. We're down a goat and at least 10 pigs so far this year.

We like bear meat!!!

 

[Hilldweller]

Hope you were able to salvage at least some of the pork…..unless there are inherent problems with bear saliva….

 

[Unshaven2897]

Hope you were able to salvage at least some of the pork…..unless there are inherent problems with bear saliva….

We raise Kune Kune and American Guinea pigs and butchering is at ~165#. So these are light enough that they are literally taken out of the pen - over the 5' fence and off into the forest. The only killed animal that was eaten inside the pen was our last sheep and that was done by a cougar and that was 7-8 years ago. The Sheriff sent two range deputies who called up the tracking hounds but the trail had dissipated. But they definitely found the sheep remains in the middle of a thick stand of ceanothus (Cali lilac) 100 yards away from the perimeter fence.

This year has been atrocious for predators - more than any year previous. The deputy who was here last Sunday got together with F&W and found someone who wanted the bear. They took the goat too. I'm not interested in butchering in the heat of the summer. I guess I work to slow. The LEO folk around here are excellent. There is never any wagging fingers about killing the State's resources. In fact, we were thanked for taking the bear down and calling them. We don't call at every incident. Mainly when there is such a clear example of what goes on in this here forest.