mark.k.watson
07-17-2008, 01:59
I am planing a 2009 section hike and have been reading in interest the bear threads. Take or leave this for what it is worth.
I have been reading the pros and cons of carying bear spray or a gun for protection against 2-legged and 4-legged terrors.
#1 For bears I will not carry bear spray on the AT as I do not believe the weight is worth the risk of a bear attack on the AT. With that said I fully trust bear spray with my life far more than I would trust a firearm.
I am a damn good shot with both a rifle and pistol and I trust spray over a gun any day. I am from Wyoming and South Dakota and researched bear attacks in HS here is what I found: One, a cook in a hunting camp in Alaska shot a Griz at point blank range in the head with a .444 Marlin. He was mauled severly. By the way this gun has the energy to life an elephant 1-foot off the ground at point blank.
Two, Think about it. a .3-inch bullet against a 3-inch brain to instantly kill a bear during a full-on charge. Factor in addrenalin and poo factor and you are more than likely to miss or wound. I do not choose to kill a bear, but would have no problem doing so if needed. Go to You Tube and search bear attacks to see a variety of attacks.
While bow hunting elk I ran into a grizz, that fortunatly did the right thing when my dad and I ran into it in the dark, by running away. The next day we both bought spray.
My dad test sprayed a .5 second shot into the still air. His spray worked and he went back into the garage. 15 minuets later he came back out and walked into the area he fired his test spray. He was nearly leveled by the residue.
Since I have carried spray I have run into half a dozen black bears. I wouldlove to see a grizz again from the safety of my car ... but I have never pulled the spray on anything but a bull moose that was getting too close; 15 feet or so.
I know there have been several threads posted that spray is ileagle in many parks, but in parks like Yellowstone, GT, Glacier, spray is a necessity and nearly required. Personally I feel that if I felt it were necessary to carry spray on NPS property I would do so no matter what the regs. I think the rangers would not cite you, but this is knowledge gained from western parks
So, if you see a bear, don't run. This will trigger a predatory responce and you are numm nunm time. Stand your ground and be the biggest baddest mother around. Yell, scream, throw things, be huge, take pictures.
Enjoy the fact that you got to see a bear. I am fortunate enough to have seen multipleears from the heart of the west to the GSMNP, wish you well Bobcat. on't be afraid. Use your head and you will be OK.
I have been reading the pros and cons of carying bear spray or a gun for protection against 2-legged and 4-legged terrors.
#1 For bears I will not carry bear spray on the AT as I do not believe the weight is worth the risk of a bear attack on the AT. With that said I fully trust bear spray with my life far more than I would trust a firearm.
I am a damn good shot with both a rifle and pistol and I trust spray over a gun any day. I am from Wyoming and South Dakota and researched bear attacks in HS here is what I found: One, a cook in a hunting camp in Alaska shot a Griz at point blank range in the head with a .444 Marlin. He was mauled severly. By the way this gun has the energy to life an elephant 1-foot off the ground at point blank.
Two, Think about it. a .3-inch bullet against a 3-inch brain to instantly kill a bear during a full-on charge. Factor in addrenalin and poo factor and you are more than likely to miss or wound. I do not choose to kill a bear, but would have no problem doing so if needed. Go to You Tube and search bear attacks to see a variety of attacks.
While bow hunting elk I ran into a grizz, that fortunatly did the right thing when my dad and I ran into it in the dark, by running away. The next day we both bought spray.
My dad test sprayed a .5 second shot into the still air. His spray worked and he went back into the garage. 15 minuets later he came back out and walked into the area he fired his test spray. He was nearly leveled by the residue.
Since I have carried spray I have run into half a dozen black bears. I wouldlove to see a grizz again from the safety of my car ... but I have never pulled the spray on anything but a bull moose that was getting too close; 15 feet or so.
I know there have been several threads posted that spray is ileagle in many parks, but in parks like Yellowstone, GT, Glacier, spray is a necessity and nearly required. Personally I feel that if I felt it were necessary to carry spray on NPS property I would do so no matter what the regs. I think the rangers would not cite you, but this is knowledge gained from western parks
So, if you see a bear, don't run. This will trigger a predatory responce and you are numm nunm time. Stand your ground and be the biggest baddest mother around. Yell, scream, throw things, be huge, take pictures.
Enjoy the fact that you got to see a bear. I am fortunate enough to have seen multipleears from the heart of the west to the GSMNP, wish you well Bobcat. on't be afraid. Use your head and you will be OK.