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Author Topic: Better for self defense against bear attack?  (Read 4199 times)

Offline hunter

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Better for self defense against bear attack?
« on: January 11, 2014, 08:54:51 PM »
Around these parts of Nebraska we have a lot of dangerous brown bears ( on TV) , so naturally a question came to mind.  If you were hiking alone which would be more effective for self defense if you were under attack from a large bear a 336 lever action in 30-30, or an 1894 lever action in 44 magnum?
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Offline Wildgoose

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2014, 09:11:59 PM »
Marlin Guide Rifle in 45-70. ;D Or between the two offered to choose from I guess the .44 Mag. More Rounds than the 30-30. Your going to need them.
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Offline AWick

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2014, 09:53:55 PM »
I worked at a Boy Scout camp in WY and CO for two summers and one evening I had a bear stick its nose in at the base of my tent (canvas top on a wooden platform) Scared the hell out of me! The only two weapons I had that were sufficient were my tomahawk and Bowie knife... I sat there prepared to fight with everything I had in me but luckily he/she lost interest and moved on.

I too would go with the .44 Mag I think.
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Offline SemperFiGuy

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2014, 11:04:47 PM »
Never, Never Ever Hike Alone in Bear Territory...........

It's dangerous.  Always hike with a hiking partner.

Bear comes along, kneecap your hiking partner with your .380ACP.

Then run like the Blazes.

I hear that it Really Works.   (That's why they make the .380ACP.  It's light to carry, but it will do a pretty good kneecap.   Be Sure to Get the BearGun Model.)

FWIW,

sfg
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Offline unfy

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2014, 11:44:46 PM »
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Offline NE Bull

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2014, 07:20:41 AM »
Quote from: AWick on January 11, 2014, 09:53:55 PM
I worked at a Boy Scout camp in WY and CO for two summers and one evening I had a bear stick its nose in at the base of my tent (canvas top on a wooden platform) Scared the hell out of me! The only two weapons I had that were sufficient were my tomahawk and Bowie knife... I sat there prepared to fight with everything I had in me but luckily he/she lost interest and moved on.

I too would go with the .44 Mag I think.

I would think in similar scenarios, I would think the best OFFENSE would be a clean pair of underwear. ;)
« Last Edit: January 12, 2014, 08:46:08 AM by NE Bull »
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Offline bkoenig

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2014, 09:18:10 AM »
From what I've read, hunting guides in Alaska tend to carry a 12 gauge with slugs for bear protection.
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Offline Mudinyeri

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2014, 07:55:23 AM »
I carried a 12 ga. loaded with slugs when I worked for a hunting guide in Montana.  As much as we're all gun nuts, bear spray is probably more effective (based on a couple studies I've seen).
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Offline RedDot

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2014, 04:50:16 PM »
I thought I read that urinating on oneself would deter attackers...
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Offline NE Bull

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2014, 05:28:15 PM »
Quote from: RedDot on January 13, 2014, 04:50:16 PM
I thought I read that urinating on oneself would deter attackers...

When it comes to Bear, that might be more a natural "flight" reaction than a defensive "Fight" move.
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“It is not an issue of being afraid, It's an issue of not being afraid to protect myself.”
 Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert
 "A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that."  Shane

Offline RedDot

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2014, 05:34:45 PM »
Oh well...just have to put "Bear Attack" on the list of things that wetting one's pants is NOT an effective tactical response . ;D
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Offline Chris C

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2014, 06:28:35 PM »
I'd probably use my Alaskan in 454 or S&W 460.   ;D

One thing I've wondered (never "hiked" in bear county or anywhere really) why not have a small bell or bells on your backpack so you would alert bears.  From what I've heard a lot of bear attacks occur when startling them.  Again never hiked in the woods. 
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Offline AWick

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2014, 08:18:57 PM »
Quote from: RedDot on January 13, 2014, 04:50:16 PM
I thought I read that urinating on oneself would deter attackers...


If kinda worked for me :) jk,  but what do they say? Correlation isn't causation...
« Last Edit: January 13, 2014, 09:43:59 PM by AWick »
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Offline bbauman

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2014, 09:38:58 PM »
The 30-30 loaded with the hardest, heaviest bullets you can find. More energy to dump, better penetration.  $0.02.
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Offline Gary

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2014, 09:55:25 PM »
Getting attacked in the woods, is the study of a retired police investigator.  Fascinating listening.   He is the author of three books, called Missing 411.  His original book, focused on 411 missing people in wooded areas.   He has two additional books out now. 

He comes up with a list of safety measures, including not being in the woods alone.  However, lots of people come up missing in small and even large groups. 



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Offline tcon1834

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #15 on: January 13, 2014, 10:00:36 PM »
Quote from: Chris C on January 13, 2014, 06:28:35 PM
I'd probably use my Alaskan in 454 or S&W 460.   ;D 

I think either would work well for the urban bears that are indigenous to the Omaha area.  ;D
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Offline Mudinyeri

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2014, 10:59:24 AM »
Quote from: Chris C on January 13, 2014, 06:28:35 PM
I'd probably use my Alaskan in 454 or S&W 460.   ;D

One thing I've wondered (never "hiked" in bear county or anywhere really) why not have a small bell or bells on your backpack so you would alert bears.  From what I've heard a lot of bear attacks occur when startling them.  Again never hiked in the woods. 


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Offline NENick

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2014, 11:20:50 AM »
Quote from: NE Bull on January 13, 2014, 05:28:15 PM
When it comes to Bear, that might be more a natural "flight" reaction than a defensive "Fight" move.
I can urinate myself while fighting the bear... would that tip the scale in my favor?

+1 for shotgun+slugs. I certainly would have bear mace with me too. Pure speculation on my part = I bet they couldn't see or smell a thing with a good hit from mace. 

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Offline abbafandr

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2014, 07:08:44 PM »
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Offline bigdog

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Re: Better for self defense against bear attack?
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2014, 07:30:14 PM »
It these are the only choices. I would go with a 30-30 with heavy loads for penetration.
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