Bears are out, be careful. (Copper Center: house, best, park)

[tigre79]

Just a reminder.

A friend of my boyfriend's was attacked by a brown bear near Copper Center today, in what sounds like a predatory attack. A big boar knocked him down from behind and he had to empty his revolver and then go to his rifle at point blank range to take it down. Was wearing the pack he uses for trapping at the time, probably smelled like a tasty assortment of dead animals.

Be careful out there.

[Dakster]

Thank god he has good survival skills... Glad he is ok.

[Marty Van Diest]

Originally Posted by tigre79

Just a reminder.

A friend of my boyfriend's was attacked by a brown bear near Copper Center today, in what sounds like a predatory attack. A big boar knocked him down from behind and he had to empty his revolver and then go to his rifle at point blank range to take it down. Was wearing the pack he uses for trapping at the time, probably smelled like a tasty assortment of dead animals.

Be careful out there.

Whoah...that's one to keep his knees shaking for awhile. Glad he had both guns on him. Any idea what revolver he had? I only carry a 357, when I carry which isn't consistent, and I'd like to think that at point blank range it would work.

[Moose Whisperer]

Yep, seen a couple here at my house already as well.

[stiffnecked]

I was out hiking at Kincaid Park Thursday and almost ran into a sow and yearling cub. They've been feeding and hanging around the 8 mile mark for a few days. I think it was more of a surprise to me and then it was to them.

[tigre79]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

Any idea what revolver he had? I only carry a 357, when I carry which isn't consistent, and I'd like to think that at point blank range it would work.

He had a S&W 500. The bear threw him about 20 feet when it swiped at him, paused and looked a little surprised when he rolled back over, and then started to charge. It took four rounds of .500 just to get it to stop coming at him.

[Dakster]

That's a pretty nasty round. A little worried that one didn't stop the bear and he had to go back for his rifle. I figured he was toting at most a .357.

What is the best handgun round to stop a bear?

[brokencrayola]

Scary stuff!

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Dakster

That's a pretty nasty round. A little worried that one didn't stop the bear and he had to go back for his rifle. I figured he was toting at most a .357.

What is the best handgun round to stop a bear?

That's a loaded question, eh? Using hard cast core ammo I'd say .357 for blacks at a minimum, .44 mag and up for browns and grizzles. But just carrying a firearm is no panaceia. Your head needs to be like that of a bobbing dog. Constantly scanning everything. Hearing and listening ratcheted up. Even your sense of smell comes into play. It means when your out on a trail in bear country you can't have headphones on and earbuds jammed into your cranium. Your best defense is situational awareness.

[Dakster]

Stiffnecked - I hear ya' on awareness. That is true, I realize that just because you have a gun doesn't mean you can get to it and use it in time either.

However, if I was aware and had a gun I would want to make sure I had the right one with me!