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Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216117
03/14/21 11:38 PM
03/14/21 11:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,386
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,386
Green County Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Grandpa Trapper
If you were carrying both on you, which would you use first? Let’s keep long guns out of it.


if I could I would use the spray first and avoid paper work

but I would spray early and often

the way I see it , you want to have sprayed before you start shooting to avoid concerns that you didn't give fair warning.

nothing saying you can't spray weak hand, gun strong hand if the spray works great holster if the spray isn't working it has been deployed. toss it and get both hands on the gun so you can make lots of holes.


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216121
03/14/21 11:40 PM
03/14/21 11:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,776
Pennsylvania
P
patrapperbuster Offline
trapper
patrapperbuster  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,776
Pennsylvania
On black bears the spray every time. On brown bears the gun is pulled

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216171
03/15/21 03:16 AM
03/15/21 03:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
M
Mike in A-town Offline
trapper
Mike in A-town  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10,404
Northeast Oklahoma
Never dealt with bears... No firsthand knowledge. So I took a look at YouTube and bear charges...

Gotta say I'm going with the pistol... The most powerful one I can accurately handle.

But I saw a few videos where a blast of bear spray certainly would have sufficed.

Mike


One man with a gun may control 100 others who have none.

Vladimir Lenin
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216373
03/15/21 09:45 AM
03/15/21 09:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
T
Tactical.20 Offline
trapper
Tactical.20  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
I hear a mule will run a grizzly off

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Tactical.20] #7216376
03/15/21 09:50 AM
03/15/21 09:50 AM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
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Crit-R-Dun Offline
trapper
Crit-R-Dun  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by Tactical.20
I hear a mule will run a grizzly off


Way less convenient then spray and handguns.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216385
03/15/21 09:58 AM
03/15/21 09:58 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
3
3 Fingers Offline
trapper
3 Fingers  Offline
trapper
3

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,623
alaska
How well does bear spray work in below freezing temps ? I carry a BFR 45-70 on a chest holster.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216398
03/15/21 10:16 AM
03/15/21 10:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
Y
yukon254 Offline
trapper
yukon254  Offline
trapper
Y

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
I've been forced to kill a few bears in DLP situations over the years. Both blacks and grizzlies. Never carried bear spray. I know from others I respect that it works in some situations. "some situations" is the reason I dont use it. Bears have an uncanny sense of smell, and can be very aggressive if you surprise them at close range. In that scenario you will almost always be downwind of them. Not a good situation since the wind can cause you problems with the spray. Tents are another place bear spray is useless. I also believe that an enraged bear would be hard to stop with spray. I know one fellow who although he escaped being mauled, had a very close call when he realized his bear spray was frozen and wouldnt work.

I agree with Gulo to a point...bears CAN be easy to read. They are also one of the most unpredictable animals on the planet. Especially interior grizzlies. I've seen them go from mildly curious to going to kill you in the span of a few seconds. When I was reporting the last grizzly I had to kill to the conservation officers, one of the questions I was asked was if the bear had his ears back and his mouth open. Apparently thats a sign they are serious. Maybe. The fact is it happens so fast you will be to busy to notice things like that.

One of my pet peeves is some of the outdoor writers who push bear spray like its the greatest thing since sliced bread, when they have never used it. Canadian writer TJ Swanky is one such writer. What he doesnt tell readers is that one of the bear spray companies sponsors his TV show.

My personal rule is to never let any bear get inside 30-yards or so. I am confident that I can stop them outside that distance. Inside 30-yards is to risky. The bear dies if it crosses the 30-yard line.

Last edited by yukon254; 03/15/21 10:20 AM.

do unto others as you would have them do unto you

www.grizzlycreeklodge.com
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216408
03/15/21 10:31 AM
03/15/21 10:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 395
wyoming
W
WyFurHarvesters Offline
trapper
WyFurHarvesters  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 395
wyoming
I live in bear country and where they are protected and have no fear of people for the most part. I have been charged twice and one thing for sure it happens fast and both firearms and spray can have issues. With spray wind, temperature and early deployment can be a problem. With a weapon early deployment and accurate shooting are a problem. I dont care what gun you have a bear coming at you at 30 mph with no warning is going to cause stress and not a lot of clean kill area to hit bouncing area under stress is not easy. Best policy in bear country is be looking for bear sign. If you see tracks, smell a kill or are in areas that bears frequent have your spray and gun ready. Spray worked both times I used it but I like a side arm or better yet shotgun with slug and buck shot.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216418
03/15/21 10:35 AM
03/15/21 10:35 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
Brian Mongeau Offline
trapper
Brian Mongeau  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,116
Killingly, CT
No worries here on my side of the country, but a couple things to think about. A gun will shoot into the wind, spray not so much. If neither one stops the attack and you get mauled anyway, you can still use the gun to end your own misery (if you're not empty). More spray to your temple will just make things worse.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216420
03/15/21 10:37 AM
03/15/21 10:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Sprung & Rusty Offline
trapper
Sprung & Rusty  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
I just make sure to hunt with a partner that is slower than me. grin


No Jab.
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Mike in A-town] #7216422
03/15/21 10:41 AM
03/15/21 10:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,922
2A Sanctuaries-W. OK & N. NM
Blaine County Offline
trapper
Blaine County  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,922
2A Sanctuaries-W. OK & N. NM
Originally Posted by Mike in A-town
Never dealt with bears... No firsthand knowledge. So I took a look at YouTube and bear charges...

Gotta say I'm going with the pistol... The most powerful one I can accurately handle.

But I saw a few videos where a blast of bear spray certainly would have sufficed.

Mike


I am with you. I have no clue about bears. I do however know about spraying aerosolized liquids. I would prefer sending lead through the air when dealing with an aggressive anything.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Crit-R-Dun] #7216456
03/15/21 11:23 AM
03/15/21 11:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
T
Tactical.20 Offline
trapper
Tactical.20  Offline
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T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
Originally Posted by Crit-R-Dun
Originally Posted by Tactical.20
I hear a mule will run a grizzly off


Way less convenient then spray and handguns.

Well if you use mules to pack in and out then I would figure a mule isn't unhandy

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216476
03/15/21 11:44 AM
03/15/21 11:44 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739
Beatrice, NE
L
loosegoose Offline
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loosegoose  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739
Beatrice, NE
Interesting stuff. I've got a backpacking trip planned for the summer of 2022 in northwest wyoming, just east of yellowstone. I plan on carrying spray and a pistol, but Im pretty sure my 40 s&w won't cut it.

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216519
03/15/21 12:33 PM
03/15/21 12:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,067
Wyoming
C
cmcf Offline
trapper
cmcf  Offline
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C

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,067
Wyoming
I believe you are right


“The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined” B. Disraeli

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216540
03/15/21 01:00 PM
03/15/21 01:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,067
Wyoming
C
cmcf Offline
trapper
cmcf  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,067
Wyoming
I also believe based on energy tables the 10 mm being close to .357 is a little over rated at least for the grizzlies I’ve seen,( about a dozen). Black and grizzly aren’t even in the same ballpark IMO. A little bit of info from a bear biologist in the jellystone ecosystem. In a ten year study he was in charge of the largest bear was a black @ 570 ish Number 2 was a grizzly about 20lb lighter. Go figure. smirk


“The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined” B. Disraeli

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216551
03/15/21 01:12 PM
03/15/21 01:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
T
Tactical.20 Offline
trapper
Tactical.20  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,770
N.W. Iowa
My wy friend has a 44 Mag for the bears

Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216556
03/15/21 01:14 PM
03/15/21 01:14 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,386
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,386
Green County Wisconsin
this is a interesting read
https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/de...e-37-incidents-by-caliber/#axzz6pCY3UUm6

with a fair number of deputies getting called to nuisance bears and them having to shoot more and more they are getting some better stats on the typically duty caliber guns for bear defense and making more holes is definitely better than a really loud miss.

while not instantly fatal in most cases good hits from a 9, 40 or 45 have proven effective in deterring a bear often when the bear has already been sprayed

there are clearly times when the spray just isn't a good option like your pointing into a head wind.

a shot gun or rifle is also a better option for a stop but a handgun and spray are easier to carry and faster to deploy.


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216590
03/15/21 02:37 PM
03/15/21 02:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
The most important part of being armed for defense is that a handgun helps give you the confidence you need to calmly diffuse aggressive predator encounters. Most uncomfortable encounters aren't full blown charges, with "no time to react" they are size ups, stare downs and posturing. Having a firearm will certainly increase your ability to posture.

Last edited by bctomcat; 03/15/21 02:43 PM.

The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216591
03/15/21 02:37 PM
03/15/21 02:37 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,895
michigan,USA
S
seniortrap Offline
trapper
seniortrap  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,895
michigan,USA
Quote
My wy friend has a 44 Mag for the bears


That would be my choice with a Taurus 44 magnum.


Vietnam--1967 46th. Const./Combat Engineers

"Chaotic action is preferable to orderly inaction."
"After the first shot, all plans go out the window!"
Re: Pepper spray or pistols for bear attacks [Re: Grandpa Trapper] #7216670
03/15/21 04:18 PM
03/15/21 04:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 395
wyoming
W
WyFurHarvesters Offline
trapper
WyFurHarvesters  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 395
wyoming
Loosegoose best just be aware of bear sign and keep your food stored as specified by Regulations and camp away from your food and where you cook I even sleep in cloths just for sleeping not cooking and by all means dont cook in your tent the odors stay long after you cooked bears have the best nose in the woods and prevention is the best defense. As far as shooting bears if you dont kill them in a lot of cases they will be come more aggressive. We have had several mauling's attributed to wounded bears. In several cases the individuals were hit by the bear and dragged away from their gun. I had a friend that survived with a few bites and scratches but ended up with damaged knee and broken ribs from the impact of the hit. He said it was like getting hit by a truck.

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