Hand guns for Bear Insurance

Joel,

Read this:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3878319/What_gun_for_stopping_Alaska_s

Caution - there are some bloody pictures of what happens to the internal organs of an animal after it's been hit with a high powered rifle. Pay special attention to these posters: "Mule Deer" aka John Barnsness. "458Win" aka Phil Shoemaker. Google both those name to find out just what their credentials are.  "muledeer" is a long time K-town native. Do yourself a favor, and pretty much tune out the rest.

 My buddy Art from Kodiak didn't chime in, but I've seen him echo the thoughts that being cool headed, and shooting your firearm well is a LOT more important than what you're shooting, granted you're not shooting something more suitable for rabbits.

Note that there isn't much love for the shotgun as a bear defense firearm.  Doubly note that there is no mention what so ever of "warning shots".

The Marlin Guide Gun is also mentioned. Lots of AK residents use them as their bear protection firearm.

I carried a Ruger Stainless Blackhawk in .45 Colt when I kayaked in Sitka. However this was a compromise based on the fact that I knew I'd not be able to have a short barreled rifle in hand at all times while dealing with kayaks, pitching camp, fishing etc... My routine was, step out kayak, take off PFD, put on holster with revolver. 

If I were dedicated security for clients, I'd carry a .30-'06 or .35 Whelen in a bolt action carbine, always in my hands. Possibly the Marlin Guide Gun in stainless, depending on how well I could shoot one. Remember, you may have just a couple seconds to hit a 4 inch diameter circle at 10 yards. Practice, practice, practice...

Scott

This one for you Mooch 

http://www.chuckhawks.com/firearms_defense_bears.htm

Mooch, I have never been to Alaska.  But i have done a fair amount of shooting and one rule does apply, it doesn't matter if I gave you a Star Trek hand phaser, it would not make a difference if you can't shoot.  The biggest baddest super magnum with hollow points is nothing more than a paperweight if you cannot shoot.  Two the biggest badass super magnums come with the biggest badass price for a box of shells.  find out what others use when you get there and what the local store carries for ammo.  If you can't get super badass ammo easily, you are less likely to go shooting, and less likely to develop a degree of profiency.  Learn how to shoot first, go to range where you can rent a gun have some one reputable teach you and start off with a .22.  Yeah I said a .22, the ammo is cheap and you can learn the mechanics of shooting. Once you feel comfortable shooting a few times, try jogging in place for 1 minute, then drop to the floor and knock out 20 push ups, now take that same .22 and try and shoot the target.  Fear/adrenaline will throw your ability off and if some thousand pound grizzly has decided that Philippino is looking mighty tasty on the menu tonight , you may have a "pucker factor of 10" going on.  This was the same training that I used to get from the German GSG-9 counter terrorism police, and the Dutch Special Forces ( I guarded "Special Weapons" for 8.5 years, we used to go for exercises with these guys and they would have us do this every time). 

As for what type I have a preference for a revolver, fewer moving parts.  If you go the revolver route by one that fits in your hand, super badass magnums tend to be bigger and if doesn't fit well in your hand you don't shoot as well.

Lastly follow Storm's #1 rule of life and you will live a long time...Storm's number one rule: "Never step down the food chain...unless properly armed!"

Random thoughts:

-Kevin is correct on the paperweight thing.  I don't know if this is true or not- perhaps someone will correct me if I'm mistaken- but I heard there is a stuffed Grizzley that greets travelers at a certain airport in AK....  HUGE, impressive beast of a bear.  Was killed with a .22 by a woman.  Now, I'm not saying a .22 is the way to go, but whatever you get practice is essential.

-I haven't checked the statistics, but seems like bears are the GWS of AK...  stop reading those horror stories!  It seems bears could be easily avoided, based on Seans experience there.

Here's a story for you, called The Preacher and the Bear:
A Preacher was fishing in the woods and ran across a bear.  The bear was towering over him when he turned around, nothing he could do but pray.  "Please Lord, let this be a God-fearing bear..."  and as he waited, eyed closed, trembling with fear, for the inevitable attack...  nothing happened...  so he peeked with one eye and to his amazement the bear has his paws together and is praying!  The preacher gingerly leans forward to hear what the bear is saying...

"Thank you Heavenly Father for this food I am about to receive..." 

 
 For our honeymoon, we flew into Anchorage and there is a big bear in a glass case greeting folks.  Can't say I recall  the caption on the display though.  We were there to catch a train to Danali state park.

Short barrel shotgun with a backup large caliber revolver is what I have seen many guides using lately. Personally, I have found the S&W revolvers to be very dependable. I carry the magnum pepper spray with me in Alaska, but the studies suggest it is only 80% effective. 

Taser for a bear anyone got that on you tube 

You can probably buy one of these from the russians whom you can see from your front porch.  It looks like a 1911 with slight modifications = more stopping power

It seems bears could be easily avoided, based on Sean's experience there.

I'm sure you can and I've never been to AK and I'm not a hunter (yet ) but when your fishing in creeks/streams filled with fish, I'd be a little paranoid just as if I was kayak fishing around Ano Nuevo when the sea lions are there in numbers. Bottom line, I just want to be prepared for the worse. Reading some of the encounters from the book Sean gave me (Thanks again Sean  ) made me realize that even if you're armed and a good shot, it's the bear that sneaks up to you that will easily kill you. And a lot of these scenarios have happened - mostly to fishermen because the river can easily drown the sound of an approaching bear. And this is why, I'm leaning more towards the revolver over the shot gun. Drawing a pistol is a lot quicker and more effective when you find yourself pinned in the ground by the Mayor

Great tips all - looks like the ruger is getting mentioned a lot. I'd like to see how it fits my hand.

  I don't know if this is true or not- perhaps someone will correct me if I'm mistaken- but I heard there is a stuffed Grizzley that greets travelers at a certain airport in AK....  HUGE, impressive beast of a bear.  Was killed with a .22 by a woman.  Now, I'm not saying a .22 is the way to go, but whatever you get practice is essential.

I think there's a news article in one of those books where a native hunter killed a grizzly with a single shot .22 as it stuck its head into the door of his cabin. He got it in the eye.

I agree maybe its time to put those books aside Mooch. They are quite sensational. Rent "the Bear" instead

you need a buddy to go with you....a slow and smelly buddy. Maybe your buddy would be unknowingly packing some berries and smoked salmon in his tackle box too....

I think this was Howard's plan when he hired Mooch...Have you seen him run? And he always smells like rice and fish

A study by the state epidemiologist showed that during the first 85 years of this century, only 20 people died in bear attacks in Alaska. In the 10 years 1975-85, 19 people in Alaska were killed by dogs.

Just some perspective.

Mooch!? What is all this garbage about wanting to protect yourself from bears while fishing using a GUN!? I thought you were a MAN? Perhaps instead of buying a gun your money would be better spent getting some training from this guy:



Of course you could always just try not to be noticed by the bears...


www.monster-munch.com/eaten-by-a-bear/

Have you seen him run?

This is mooch......on da run....from a bear. It's just simply amazing when the pucker factor turns on...miracles happen

Pete, the bear sleeping bag wouldn't work well with my snoring.....I may end up being molested....a-gain