Will 12ga f-up a black bear?

[Patrick]

Effective against Black Bears: pots and pans, sticks, rocks (banging together, not throwing at him) and generally being an *******. I've had a few run-ins with them and the ones that act all cool around you and your noise are the scary ones -- they are not afraid of you. You need to leave. Now. Most attacks I have seen reported started with "he seemed like a nice bear...".

Browns and Grizzlies are the ones to watch out for. Especially Browns. They are quick tempered and mean. The good news is they are "hit and run", so if you survive the first attack you are generally going to make it. Grizzlies stick around and finish the job. That's why there are more grizzly deaths.

I spent a lot of time with black bears in NY and have never had a problem with them. I spent even more time in the Sierras with Browns and an occasional grizzly (got photos I should dig up somewhere) and kept a respectful distance. People stay clear of the browns in the Sierras. Best thing to do if a brown approaches is abandon your campsite by walking away. You'll need a new tent and clothes, but you'll stay safe. Just don't provoke it or make yourself look like a fun things to chase. Generally they will rather stick around and have at your campsite.

My experience with Browns is two campsite "incursions" and finding myself accidentally between two cubs about 20 yards apart after walking into the woods to take a leak (Kings Canyon Wilderness). That one made my blood run cold -- it was a complete surprise to me and I had no idea where momma was. I got a picture of one of them once I fell back and got in the car.

 

[teratos]

You can get a Mac 10 for $3500. That should do it.

 

[bean93x]

You can get a Mac 10 for $3500. That should do it.

i believe theres one for sale in the classifieds somwhere

 

[racinghoss]

Effective against Black Bears: pots and pans, sticks, rocks (banging together, not throwing at him) and generally being an *******. I've had a few run-ins with them and the ones that act all cool around you and your noise are the scary ones -- they are not afraid of you. You need to leave. Now. Most attacks I have seen reported started with "he seemed like a nice bear...".

Browns and Grizzlies are the ones to watch out for. Especially Browns. They are quick tempered and mean. The good news is they are "hit and run", so if you survive the first attack you are generally going to make it. Grizzlies stick around and finish the job. That's why there are more grizzly deaths.

I spent a lot of time with black bears in NY and have never had a problem with them. I spent even more time in the Sierras with Browns and an occasional grizzly (got photos I should dig up somewhere) and kept a respectful distance. People stay clear of the browns in the Sierras. Best thing to do if a brown approaches is abandon your campsite by walking away. You'll need a new tent and clothes, but you'll stay safe. Just don't provoke it or make yourself look like a fun things to chase. Generally they will rather stick around and have at your campsite.

My experience with Browns is two campsite "incursions" and finding myself accidentally between two cubs about 20 yards apart after walking into the woods to take a leak (Kings Canyon Wilderness). That one made my blood run cold -- it was a complete surprise to me and I had no idea where momma was. I got a picture of one of them once I fell back and got in the car.

There are no Grizzly Bears in the Sierras. What you were seeing were a cinnamon or brown coated variation of black bears. A black bear can be black, mottled black and white, brown, cinnamon, or blue.

Grizzly bears (ursus arctos horriblis) are brown bears (ursus arctos). They are considered a subspecies. They did not used to be, but it was changed. Generally, the difference is where they live. Grizz are inland, and browns are coastal. Browns typically get bigger due to easy access to salmon spawning streams, etc. Grizz typically live on grass, berries, carrion, and whatever they can kill.

Another subspecies is the Kodiak; also a brown bear, but is isolated from other populations and has developed distinct charachteristics such as its skull structure. Brown bear taxonomy is disputed often. There are several subspecies worldwide.

 

[trapture]

Here is the typical home defense round for Alaska versus black bear.

Slug, Buck Shot, Slug, Buck Shot, Slug

Hit the bear, blind the bear, Hit the Bear, Hit it again in Eyes, Hit the bear.

If that doesn't do it your either dead or running with a load in your pants.

 

[racinghoss]

Here is the typical home defense round for Alaska versus black bear.

Slug, Buck Shot, Slug, Buck Shot, Slug

Hit the bear, blind the bear, Hit the Bear, Hit it again in Eyes, Hit the bear.

If that doesn't do it your either dead or running with a load in your pants.

Some people do that, but not the smart ones.

You will not have time to rack and fire that many rounds if a bear is charging you. That is, unless you start shooting at 75 yards. Not to mention, a shot square in the face with buckshot would be very good shooting when you are shitting your pants and preparing to be eaten. They cover the gap FAST.

12ga slug. It is the single best defense you have against a charging bear. The best defense is to be vigilant and try not to be caught in a charge situation, but that is not always possible.

 

[Lex Armarum]

There are no Grizzly Bears in the Sierras. What you were seeing were a cinnamon or brown coated variation of black bears. A black bear can be black, mottled black and white, brown, cinnamon, or blue.

Grizzly bears (ursus arctos horriblis) are brown bears (ursus arctos). They are considered a subspecies. They did not used to be, but it was changed. Generally, the difference is where they live. Grizz are inland, and browns are coastal. Browns typically get bigger due to easy access to salmon spawning streams, etc. Grizz typically live on grass, berries, carrion, and whatever they can kill.

Another subspecies is the Kodiak; also a brown bear, but is isolated from other populations and has developed distinct charachteristics such as its skull structure. Brown bear taxonomy is disputed often. There are several subspecies worldwide.

You know, I tell people, "There are actually blue bears," and they laugh at me and tell me I'm crazy, or stupid. I tell 'em that I saw a "Wild America" where they covered "Glacier Bears" - where the color of the bear's coat changed to match their surrounding environment. Bear resides is glacial environment, so its fur takes the color of glacier ice - blue/grn hues. No one believes me and I was starting to wonder whether I had imagined it. Now I know, at least, that I am not crazy.

 

[Patrick]

There are no Grizzly Bears in the Sierras. What you were seeing were a cinnamon or brown coated variation of black bears. A black bear can be black, mottled black and white, brown, cinnamon, or blue.

Grizzly bears (ursus arctos horriblis) are brown bears (ursus arctos). They are considered a subspecies. They did not used to be, but it was changed. Generally, the difference is where they live. Grizz are inland, and browns are coastal. Browns typically get bigger due to easy access to salmon spawning streams, etc. Grizz typically live on grass, berries, carrion, and whatever they can kill.

Another subspecies is the Kodiak; also a brown bear, but is isolated from other populations and has developed distinct charachteristics such as its skull structure. Brown bear taxonomy is disputed often. There are several subspecies worldwide.

You are right; California is free of Grizzly Bears. I think we all just called anything big and other than a brown "grizzly". Thanks for the correction.

Hope the rest of my advice to the camper made sense to an expert, even if my taxonomy was wrong.

 

[BenL]

Don't forget the Grizzly/Polar hybrids.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly–polar_bear_hybrid

 

[Malthus]

My grandfather (who used to hunt in WV a lot) always used to tell me that most bear incidents were a result of a human surprising and startling the bear. He used to say you should always make a lot of noise when hiking in bear territory (which can be pretty much anywhere in the Northeast). If the bear knows you are there, it will generally avoid you, and any potential confrontation is eliminated. (especially true during whelping season when the momma bear might have cubs) Just my 2 cents (or rather my grand dads).

 

[corelokt]

If the bear has a hat that says SMOKEY on it,he just wants to make sure your campfire is out.........da bears

 

[mark1070]

Here's an innovative way to carry light and still get maximum protection from angry bears:

 

[Sirex]

Here's an innovative way to carry light and still get maximum protection from angry bears:

I need one of those. FWIW, I always see the police on Alaska State Troopers carrying a 12G when going out, and I assume they have the possibility of encountering many bears. Around here I wonder if the flash bang 12G shells would work to scare a bear away. Of course a 12 slug or buckshot behind it, but bears will be bears and when going out into their home I would prefer to not kill them, but coming out alive would be a plus too.

 

[Speaker2Wolves]

Griz are another matter entirely. Joe McInnes writes in "Going to Extremes" about a cheechako asking an old timer if a .44 magnum would offer any protection against a griz. The response: "Maybe. If'n you put it in his mouth before you pull the trigger."

Sure. Just be sure to file down the front sight so that it doesn't hurt as much when it shoves the barrel up your ass after you piss it off by shooting it.

And for the most part, yeah, black bears don't want trouble any more than you do. But all bears are wild. Making assumptions about what it will or won't do, could get you killed. Folks who advise firing a shot to scare off the bear might want to consider what it would mean if they're trying to scare off a she-bear whose cubs are out of sight, but nearby, for instance.

PS: What Racinghoss said x10

 

[miben]

They make pepper spray for bears. Alaskan guides carry 12 gauge and slugs for grizzlies, so they would be suitable for black bear, but that should be the very last resort. If you read about bear risks there is plenty of information on the web, much of it included in posts above.

 

[FrankOceanXray]

2 years. I think the bear already got him.

 

[swinokur]

Then there's this:

The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.
They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.
Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.
Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.

 

[BUFF7MM]

Then there's this:

That's an oldie, but a goodie.

 

[blackthorne]

Fact: A 12ga w/00 is plenty to stop a black bear. It is what most game agencies carry when working with bears. PH's use 00 in Africa to go into the thick stuff after wounded cats, which are more dangerous than black bears.

Fact: Although relatively few have DIED from black bear attacks, lots of people are attacked by them - it's just that few die.

Fact: Bear spray works. I've worked a little with a game biologist in Montana who has turned a couple of Grizzlys with it. It should work even better on black bears.

This said, most bear attacks are most likely due to people being stupid. In most cases, people walk around with the heads up their a$$e$ and even if well armed, a bear attack could be so sudden that there's little time to react. Better to to be well aware than well armed.

 

[PGTMG]

My little brother is gonna be doing some camping up north (east side) and is a little worried about black bears, so he wants to take a weapon up there with him.

It seems to me a 12ga with some slugs or even 00buck will be plenty good for 200 lb bear up close,
or I can give him a Mosin M44 and he can stick it with a bayo if the bears goes for his tent.

I have a .357 too, but no .44

You are not in any danger around black bears. But to answer your question a 12 gauge will F-up__________ and you can fill in the blank with anything lives on land depending on the load you choose.

Your brother should be looking for something to F-up mosquitoes.