In northern Canada, when hunting bears, Griz included, anything from 30/30 to big magnums are used. But mostly it is something like a 30-06, .338, or 7mm. Not because they are the best, but because that is what the hunters that LIVE there own. Money is not flowing like water for most of those living up there, so they use what they have. It's the fly-in hunters from other parts of the country, or world, that usually carry the super big monster calibers. I lived in Fort Good Hope and Fort McPherson, both in the NWT, and have been on several hunts where bears were shot and killed. But on these hunts, bears are not really the game sought. Caribou, moose, even rabbits, lynx, beaver and ducks are always on the short list. Black bears, moose and barrenland caribou are ofter killed with .243's, sometimes .223's. Smaller black bears are occasionally killed with .22 and .22 mag! Caribou as well. This is for the sole purpose of preserving meat and skins. Almost anything is hunted with one of the following; .243, .308, .270, or 30/30, 7mm, .338, or .303. This is because that is what they own. If they need to kill a 1000lb grizzly, they use 12ga slugs, because it is the biggest thing they have. The slug will go in one side and out the other, which isn't desired, but it does leave a big hole. And just for the record, will easily go through any bear skull. For up close self defence against a bear, meaning 6 metres and less, anything reasonable from a 12ga is more useful than a rifle. One load of 00 buck at ten feet will kill a bear. Of course this is a last resort, but it will do WAY more damage than any single bullet. Don't believe me? Shoot a tree with a large cal rifle, and then shoot a similar tree from 6 feet away with #2 lead shot.
I am not even suggesting that a shotgun 0r 30-06 is better than a .375, etc. for hunting bear. I am saying that they are used more, and by the people that have lived with these animals in the backyard for generations, and they (the 12ga.) are better for real close self defense encounters.
That said, most of the local hunters I have dealt with would not be shooting any bears unless they were a danger to the the hunting party or community, or other game was very scarce.
I have read Herrero's book, and there is an incident of hunters I think in Kodiak that were killed by a big bruin. I am not entirely sure of the details, but they had shot the bear a number of times with a .338, and one of the bullets actually went through the bear and hit one of the hunters. I cannot recall if it was two or three hunters, but I think two or three were killed. It is certainly a good book, and it makes it very clear that bears are wild animals, and very individual. Something that keeps one from attacking you may not prevent another. What kills one, just enrages another. Playing dead, climbing trees, and pepper spray sometimes work. Sometimes they don't.
Of interest, a Mountie in Fort Providence area, in 2002 shot a bison, which then charged him. He shot a few more times, and the beastie slid to a halt right at his feet. I think he was using a .338 win mag. A friend who knows this guy told me he thought he was done for. It was apparantly terrifying to be charged by over a ton of pissed off meat and horns. Imagine how much fun that would have been if it was 1500 lbs of pissed off teeth and claws!
I am not even suggesting that a shotgun 0r 30-06 is better than a .375, etc. for hunting bear. I am saying that they are used more, and by the people that have lived with these animals in the backyard for generations, and they (the 12ga.) are better for real close self defense encounters.
That said, most of the local hunters I have dealt with would not be shooting any bears unless they were a danger to the the hunting party or community, or other game was very scarce.
I have read Herrero's book, and there is an incident of hunters I think in Kodiak that were killed by a big bruin. I am not entirely sure of the details, but they had shot the bear a number of times with a .338, and one of the bullets actually went through the bear and hit one of the hunters. I cannot recall if it was two or three hunters, but I think two or three were killed. It is certainly a good book, and it makes it very clear that bears are wild animals, and very individual. Something that keeps one from attacking you may not prevent another. What kills one, just enrages another. Playing dead, climbing trees, and pepper spray sometimes work. Sometimes they don't.
Of interest, a Mountie in Fort Providence area, in 2002 shot a bison, which then charged him. He shot a few more times, and the beastie slid to a halt right at his feet. I think he was using a .338 win mag. A friend who knows this guy told me he thought he was done for. It was apparantly terrifying to be charged by over a ton of pissed off meat and horns. Imagine how much fun that would have been if it was 1500 lbs of pissed off teeth and claws!
It startles me on Sundays to see a 250 POUNDER running a legit 4.6, but a 1000# hungry mutha running a 3.5 boggles the mind. Nice carpets though.
