Thread: runin with a bear last night gun saved my butt.

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

... The reason being is that he was treed and the prior one in the city, well, the tree-huggers raised quite a bit of stink with the kill, so instead, the powers that being opted to dart the second one. ...

Many years back I remember seeing a story on the news about a similar incident. It seems a small bear was stuck up a tree and they sent the sheriff out, who brought animal control out, and then the local TV news crews were out there too. They darted the bear, but he didn't budge (though he still seemed to be moving around up there. Then they darted him a second time, still no results. Then they got one of the sheriff's deputies to climb up the tree a ways to get a better look and maybe see if he could be shaken off the branch.

It was a black trash bag.

My wife was an elementary school teacher in Revelstoke B.C. Apparently it was not unusual to find bears going through your trash cans looking for something to eat. Somehow she survived putting the trash out for a few years without carrying a gun.

Yeah, I don't think it's far fetched to say that bears really hate dogs; scared of them mostly I think. My uncle went on a hunt in Maine a few years back. They were hunting with the hounds. He described it as a blast. I mean, if that's your thing. I'm not into it myself. But I do dear hunt and I really enjoy grouse hunting. I find that most hunters have their preference for certain game over others. Maybeto some extent that each type of hunt is so specialized that it just becomes prohibitive to spread yourself to thin. I am, first and foremost a fisherman. Notice I listed that ahead of my profession - much to my girlfriend's dismay!

Originally Posted by welshwizard

My wife was an elementary school teacher in Revelstoke B.C. Apparently it was not unusual to find bears going through your trash cans looking for something to eat. Somehow she survived putting the trash out for a few years without carrying a gun.

Us crazy Americans will jump at the slightest opportunity to carry our guns... , bears are a great excuse, especially for carrying a BIG gun!

In reality of course you're right, bears rarely attack and are quite happy to be left alone. In Colorado Springs one night years ago, I heard something trampling through the gravel driveway. My large, but useless dog pretended not to hear a thing, so I went out alone and shone a flashlight at a fairly young black bear who was commencing to examine our garbage. I swear he had a guilty and scared look on his face, and immediately tried to make his escape over the fence. Unfortunately, he couldn't get over, so the only way out was past me. When I saw him beginning to consider that option in his tiny little brain, I slowly and deliberately stepped back into the house and locked the door. Then, silly city-slicker that I was, I called 911, who were singularly unimpressed and told me to just leave the poor bear alone, and to not try and take any pictures... Anyway, the bear just ambled on off to more interesting garbage cans!

There are two situations I can think of where it's a real good idea to keep an eye out for bears and have the means to fight them off if needed. One is while hunting - I've heard of several attacks on hunters field-dressing their kill. No, the bear is not angry that his friend Bambi has been shot by the wicked human - he just wants the biggest piece for himself. And maybe, for dessert, some of the human as well... ;-)

Another typical "attack" is on campers who haven't taken every precaution to keep their food a bit away from the tent, preferably hung where Yogi can't reach it. If the big 'ol bear decides to examine a tent for food opportunities, and you're in the way... oh well!

Originally Posted by HamburgO

Another typical "attack" is on campers who haven't taken every precaution to keep their food a bit away from the tent, preferably hung where Yogi can't reach it. If the big 'ol bear decides to examine a tent for food opportunities, and you're in the way... oh well!

I have heard that bear attacks at Yellowstone frequently happen when the woman is on her period. I have nothing to back this up.

Originally Posted by Crotalus

That's what I am saying. If you had decided to shoot it instead of scaring it, things might not have turned out so well. Probably the best call.

I would have felt a lot safer with a 10mm.

I know little about guns so perhaps this is a silly question, but why would you carry a 38 if you could carry a 357 magnum?
Provided you can choose of course. I've shot both, and the 357 has a lot more power to it than the 38.
If I had to carry a weapon, I'd choose something like that if I'd choose a revolver.

The bottom line is probably the weight and size of the weapon. Probably the reason why police deptmts. issued the S&W Model 5 (if my memory serves me correctly) or Model 10 to its officers. I've shot both myself, and honestly, being that I hate loud noises, find each a little too much for my pleasure. In fact, being that I carry, I used to have a .32 as my CC weapon. But, since I've gone along in life, I actually prefer a Walther P .22. It's a pleasure to shoot; no recoil; and, I can shoot it all day without going deaf!

Originally Posted by Bruno

I know little about guns so perhaps this is a silly question, but why would you carry a 38 if you could carry a 357 magnum?
Provided you can choose of course. I've shot both, and the 357 has a lot more power to it than the 38.
If I had to carry a weapon, I'd choose something like that if I'd choose a revolver.

If you are going to carry you need to be able to shoot it well. Carrying a cannon is no good if you can't hit anything with it. Well placed rounds with a lessor caliber will do more damage than a poor hit with a higher one or no hit at all.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I know little about guns so perhaps this is a silly question, but why would you carry a 38 if you could carry a 357 magnum?
Provided you can choose of course. I've shot both, and the 357 has a lot more power to it than the 38.
If I had to carry a weapon, I'd choose something like that if I'd choose a revolver.

Bruno, DH 1995 only had a .38 and really had no choice.

Originally Posted by cflaageriv

... being that I carry,...

You can carry in NY?!