If you and a friend are being chased by a bear, what do you do?

[bustedknee]

Alaska Bear Facts, Traveling in Bear Country, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

If Attacked
• If a bear actually makes contact, you have two choices: play dead or fight back. The best choice depends on whether the bear is reacting defensively or is seeking food. Play dead if you are attacked by a grizzly bear you have surprised, encountered on a carcass, or any female bear that seems to be protecting cubs. Lie flat on your stomach, or curl up in a ball with your hands behind your neck. Typically, a bear will break off its attack once it feels the threat has been eliminated. Remain motionless for as long as possible. If you move, and the bear sees of hears you, it may return and renew its attack. Rarely, lone black bears or grizzlies may perceive a person as potential food. Fight any bear that follows you or breaks into a tent or building. Fight any black bear regardless of circumstances.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Quadmonkey

Easy, pull out the 454 Casull or 50AE handgun you are packing and drop the bear. Or for you more whacky folks, pull out your 45-70 revolver and take care of it.

OK, I see there is a difference of opinion here, personally I prefer the .41 Magnum, 240 grain soft nose projectile w/ 13.1 grains bullseye, puts muzzle velocity close to 1850 f/sec, from muzzle to 75 yds downrange, the projectile will drop 3/4 of an inch. Yeah I know, there are more modern rounds. As you may have guessed, I am also a fan of the .270 Winchester round using a 130 grain projectile and/or 7mm Mag @ 150 grains, flat shooters with a lot of ft/lbs of energy, after all ..... Force = Mass x Acceleration, the physics speak for itself. Both have muzzle velocities in excess of 3200 ft/sec. Ah yes!!!! Peace of mind through superior ballistics. Oh yeah, the 12 gauge slug is also quite effective.

[Huckleberry3911948]

down hill situations ---- if this occurs it is one of the most feared manuvers of a grizzly
roll out the bearroll we'll have a bearroll of fun. (sing it)
ps thanks for the tip on 3 inch magnum slug for the shotgun good to know.

[stiffnecked]

300 grain hard castcore 44mag. if your going to carry a handgun. I'd leave the jacketed hollow point and soft nose projectiles at home. Those bullets are better used on urban predators. In bear defense the key is penetration. You don't want the bullet to mushroom out....

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

300 grain hard castcore 44mag. if your going to carry a handgun. I'd leave the jacketed hollow point and soft nose projectiles at home. Those bullets are better used on urban predators. In bear defense the key is penetration. You don't want the bullet to mushroom out....

you're right, I was indeed thinking of a softer target. Old thought processes are sometimes hard to outlive, particularly if they have been useful for a number of years. D

[AlaskaApril]

you don't run....
actually if it is a grizzle bear, you climb a tree, and if that isn't possible, you play dead. most grizzes are looking for entertainment. but if it is a black bear, yo make yourself look bigger then them... don't climb a tree, they will come after you, and what ever you do.... DON'T PLAY DEAD a black bear will eat anything.. they are little dumpster pigs.
just make your voice all deap and streach your coat up as far as you can.. if there is more then one of you... stand together and do this.

My gosh people! you call yourselves alaskans.. whats up with that? hasen't fish and game taught you anything! lol

what ever you do... DON'T RUN... THEY WILL CATCH YOU

[AlaskaApril]

[quote=stiffnecked;2113741]300 grain hard castcore 44mag. if your going to carry a handgun. I'd leave the jacketed hollow point and soft nose projectiles at home. Those bullets are better used on urban predators. In bear defense the key is penetration. You don't want the bullet to mushroom out....[/quo


get a dang 30-06 for crying out loud... like every hunter! urban predators... LOL that is great!

[thepenartist]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

In bear country, a true friend it your trusty 12 gauge pump loaded with 2 3/4 or 3" magnum slugs.

However, since you can't always count on your friends being there, carry a big can of pepper spray as well. What did you think that leg pocket on your Carhartts is for if it ain't for bearspray?

Leg pockets? Geez, I'm missing all the good stuff.