Dang...I can't help thinkin' that guys the luckiest unfortunate SOB I've heard of in quite some time....
I reckon I might as well chime in with my .02 cents, even if it's in confederate currency ie: worthless
As far as handguns for bear, I'm of a rather unique opinion. I really don't think there IS a true handgun to stop bears. Here's a factoid for ya': There had never been a single incident of a charging grizzly being stopped with a .44 mag until this summer in Anchorage when a guy managed it with a 4 inch barreled Model 29 Smith, he had one shot left when the bear collapsed, still alive, but out of commission. (I'd have been saving the last shot for myself personally) But overall, I think the few handguns capable of delivering power THAT truly devastating are too heavy, too slow, and not tested enough. Sometimes they work, but bears have also been killed with Buck knives as well as attacking moose being killed with camp axes, it CAN happen, but what are the odds? They aint in our favor.
That being said, I never venture into the woods without a handgun, but..that handgun is often times a lil' ole 1911 Commander. I carry it because: #1 people are alot scarier to me than bears. I've met alot more people I've disliked when going camping, hiking and fishin than I've ever met bear I've had a problem with. #2 it is WITH ME It's not carried on my belt for an hour or two and then left in the boat, cabin, or campsite when I go to get some water, or take a dump or whatever it is WITH me, kinda like the golden rule of gunfighting is to have a gun....#3 It may not kill a bear, but 8-10 rounds of 200 grain +p+ .45 ACP is VERY likely to discourage one, and if it doesn't than I still have the cold comfort of knowing I left a decent blood trail for the brown shirts to track the *&%$#!! down and kill his furry a$$.
Besides that, even if I can't outrun a bear, I could still shoot my buddy in the kneecap and outrun him.
My father has recently taken a similar approach and retired his 629 Classic Deluxe in favor of a Glock 23. 13 rounds of .40 S&W gotta hurt....
Hey, that reminds me, have you heard of Smith & Wessons latest design? It's a .44 mag made specifically for bear in Alaska. It's made without a front sight on it. When asked the reasoning behind this unique design, the factory representative commented "they're designed that way so it'll hurt much less when a bear takes it and shoves it up someones a$$
I'm also a huge fan of the slug loaded shotgun for bear protection, they're cheap, reliable, and they certainly don't eat nuthin' back at the camp, in the truck, or the boat where you're most likely doing all your cookin' and such. Rarely shoulder one through the woods unless I'm actively lookin' for something to kill. (pretty rare) I think the guys who say "just load it with birdshot an' shoot 'em in the face...it'll blind 'em!" are crazy. I have no faith in 00 buck either. barely pops beneath the flesh.....I do like to have a couple of #4 shells with me, just in case somethin' goes wrong and I wind up havin' to forage for a day or two.
I'm a fan of bearspray also...sorta...quit goin' anywhere near it for a couple of years after my genitals had an exposure incident with a leaky can in a valley where no water was available, but...I'm over that now...I think....
I've heard of it working splendidly for some people, and not working at all other times. My Pitbull got a face full of it once and couldn't have cared less. But, nonetheless it's as good an option as any- My wife usually carries a can of it when we go out. (she can't shoot straight anyways...just don't tell her I said that...
) Which does bring me to another point. It's probably a hellaciously good option if someone isn't comfortable with guns, or has the honesty and guts to admit to themselves they aren't good enough with a gun to reliably make use of one. I've known a few folks like that, I admired the hell out of them for it.
Heh...anyone remember the incident with the fly in fishing trip and the bear repellent...Granola boy was dropped off for a fly in fishing trip where the Bush Pilot highly suggested he carry a handgun, ole boy adamantly stated he didn't like guns, and he was just gonna use his bear repellent, end of story. Until of course the Pilot took off, and flew over to see the ole boy hootin', hollerin', an' rollin' around on the ground like he'd lost his ever lovin' mind. Pilot landed the plane and went to investigate, 'lo an' behold Granola boy had been very unsuccessful in applying the bear repellent to himself.
Overall, I view the topic of "bear protection" the same way I view other aspects of personal protection- nothing is all inclusive and foolproof on all ocassions, one is best off to work at it from levels.
A deadlock on your front door isn't likely to keep you safe from home invasion by itself. Add an alarm system and you have a new and better level. Add a cell phone in the bedroom and you have another, add some personal defense training and you have another level, add a firearm and you have another level, etc, etc...
Likewise with bears, start out by avoiding areas with problem bears, then when you go out, make alot of noise, then, keep your food out of bears reach and away from YOU, use common sense when cooking, keep a shotgun in the cabin or whatever nearby, keep a handgun with you, etc, etc...basically you're making layers of defense, just like you do with people, just using different hardware. (the making noise part is real smart if there's other people around, it has the added advantage of keeping occassional forementioned unqualified guntoting idiot from mistaking YOU for a bear.
)
Alright, daylights burnin' and I have to find something productive to do with myself today, or at least pretend I did so the wife doesn't get me....
Maybe wife protection should be a future thread?
