Anyone ever stop a charging bear with a handgun?

[Bear Paw Jack]

I still would like to know if some sort of loud siren of sorts would scare off a bear???

The answer is yes, under the proper conditions. If a bear is in the process of wondering around looking for something to eat, and walks into your camp, it works very well. On the other hand if you wander into their camp and surprise them, I’m inclined to think not so much.
The first one I can tell you the vast majority of the time you are good.
The second, I haven’t tested and would be more inclined to reach for my 44 than an air horn. But if you find out, let us know.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

"For the most part few people are going to shoot one if they can avoid it, due to everything that goes along with it, legally."
^^^THIS^^^
The last time I hunted in Montana, I listened to local archery hunter who had killed an aggressive grizzly. He fired 5 times with a 44 mag and commented that his first "warning' shot was a big mistake. The shot triggered a full on charge. His opinion was if he'd placed the first shot on the bear with a quartering angle, the charge might not have happened and the bear might have retreated to die from a shoulder/lung hit. As it was, the bear was within 10 feet when stopped by a frontal brain shot. The three shots that missed the head but struck neck/shoulders of the bear had no effect.
The man was dragged through all sorts of questioning and accusations for months. :censored:

Mobuck, the work I’m referring to is you are required to skin the bear and turn in the hide (with claws) and skull and dispose of the carcass.

As to the warning shot I’ve seen it go both ways. Sometimes it will turn a bear, sometimes not so much. I wonder what percentage of warning shots are in fact true misses by someone who got in too big a hurry.
Not a big believer in warning shots with people or bears.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

What kind of bear? Black? Brown? Kodiak? Polar?

I have Black Bears all over my property and from MAR to DEC have frequent visits. The average weight is here is around 250 pounds....there have been a couple 300 plus over the years. They are afraid of yelling and bolt when they see you. However I have surprised one or two on the side deck when taking out the trash. The only time I get a bit worried is when the sows have cubs with them. Sows don't play. My house gun for awhile has been a G19 filled with 147gr Hydrashoks. I'd have no worries using that. I have been on the lower deck in my "smoke pit" smoking and grilling after dark. The G19 with me. But when company is here, and we know a couple sows have cubs I walk them to their cars with a G40 10MM. Overkill really.

Bears aren’t differentiated like that except for scoring purposes.
In general America has 3 category of bears black, brown/grizzly (distinguished by diet, high fish diet vs low to no fish diet) and polar bear’s. The vast majority of people will never come across a polar bear except in a zoo.
Fascinating animals for sure.

You won’t find me (in general) carrying a semiautomatic in the bush. More carrying capacity for sure but if one climbs on you the inclination is to put the barrel against the bear which may result in your gun going out of battery, it won’t fire.

 

[thinckley]

Bears aren’t differentiated like that except for scoring purposes.

I'm not asking questions if a bear is charging me. If it doesn't run as soon as it sees me, then I am assuming it is not a black and firearm needs to be ready. What happens next is up to the bear.

 

[vlavalle]

I went bear hunting once, the warden stopped me and made me put my clothes back on

Funny!

 

[vlavalle]

Yes I have. Long story short I was hunting Black Bear in New Mexico on the Apache Reservation near Dulce. We chased a Bear with dogs the Apache guide though he knew where it was going. We jumped in the truck literally circled the mountain got out to wait listening for the dogs. Next thing we know the Bear is heading straight for us, not a dog in sight or a howl in the air. The guide got a little excited {he had no gun} and started repeating shoot shoot shoot, My first shot no reaction from the Bear the Bear still coming straight on, my second shot the Bear collapsed with both front legs folded underneath his body. Later found my first hit the Bear in the meaty part of his right shoulder went through and hit the right rear ham and exited. My second shot hit just over his left eye dropping him. My weapon? Ruger 5.5" SS Redhawk in 44 magnum, 240 grain JHP hand loads. It was a mature male weighing just under 400 lbs {389} live weight per the Chiricahua Apache F&G scale.

Do you recall what ammo you used?

 

[Jeepnik]

I'm not asking questions if a bear is charging me. If it doesn't run as soon as it sees me, then I am assuming it is not a black and firearm needs to be ready. What happens next is up to the bear.

You do realize that you are more likely to be attacked by a black bear than a brown/grizzly or polar bear don't you?

 

[vlavalle]

You do realize that you are more likely to be attacked by a black bear than a brown/grizzly or polar bear don't you?

This probably because black bears live in 49 states, and outside of Alaska, brown/grizzlies live only in Yellowstone and its surrounding areas.

 

[Donnieweps]

If I was ever in an area where grizzlies prowl, I'd be carrying one of my S&W 500 Mags in a shoulder holster. 500 Mag, king of production handguns. Freaks like 50 BMG don't count.

 

[Donnieweps]

You do realize that you are more likely to be attacked by a black bear than a brown/grizzly or polar bear don't you?

I'd disagree, Polar bears are the only bear that stalks humans.

 

[xchecker]

I still would like to know if some sort of loud siren of sorts would scare off a bear???

Was camping with my wife at Bass Lake this past July 4th, (just south of Yosemite NP) which is a VERY popular camping area and boating lake. When I told the Ranger I forgot to bring my air horn, he said that ALL the local bears were immune to air horns and sirens. Apparently though, the cooking pans clanking still seems to annoy them.
Kept my M&P .40 FS on my hip in camp, and bedside at night.
Ranger also said the bears now recognized coolers and would break into the vehicles if they see them.
Had a sow spend 20min trying to break into the campground dumpster 30yrds from our tent @ 3am one night. Spent the next half hour with the pistol on my chest listening for "sniffing sounds" until I heard pans clanking and car alarms in the distance.

Side note: The almost extinct California Golden Bear(pictured on our state flag) is a Grizzly! and they're trying to repopulate them.

 

[hfcable]

not with a handgun:

 

[Gutshot]

The load I used was 22 gr. of 2400 under a 240 gr Sierra JHP. For many years I hand gunned hunted {Ruger Super Blackhawk}almost exclusively with this load. One Bison, 3 Moose, one Mountain Goat, a few Pronghorn Antelope, many Mule Deer and two Black Bear. I know there are other big game animals I have taken but cannot recall them right now.

 

[vlavalle]

If I was ever in an area where grizzlies prowl, I'd be carrying one of my S&W 500 Mags in a shoulder holster. 500 Mag, king of production handguns. Freaks like 50 BMG don't count.

Nor does the Bush Wacker (NOT A PRODUCTION MODEL)! But the .454 Casull and the 4.60 S&W WOULD DO JUST FINE AS WELL. It is funny that you would even mention the .50BMG, which is 5 times more powerful than the .50 S&W, and does exits in a handgun format. I have seen it on YouTube, but it shoots only 1 round! Too bad Tom Hanks didn't have one at the end of Saving Private Ryan to shoot at the tank in front of him instead of his 1911 .45!

 

[Jeepnik]

Nor does the Bush Wacker (NOT A PRODUCTION MODEL)! But the .454 Casull and the 4.60 S&W WOULD DO JUST FINE AS WELL. It is funny that you would even mention the .50BMG, which is 5 times more powerful than the .50 S&W, and does exits in a handgun format. I have seen it on YouTube, but it shoots only 1 round! Too bad Tom Hanks didn't have one at the end of Saving Private Ryan to shoot at the tank in front of him instead of his 1911 .45!

Get serious. The Tiger 1 has 4" of armor plate on the front of the turret and hull. The famous bazooka couldn't penetrate the front armor and couldn't reliably penetrate the side and rear armor. Per a fellow who faced a few Tigers, the best way was to blow off a track and then let the infantry guys deal with it. Heck, it wasn't until the high velocity 76 mm gun replaced the 75 mm gun on Shermans could they penetrate the front armor. Oh yea, dad ws a tanker in the 6th (Super Sixth) Armored division.

 

[RugerForMe]

If you do a google search "bear attack stopped by gun" you will find quite a few.
Makes me wonder how many people that just go missing in say Alaska and are never found, actually encountered a bear and fired a gun at said bear and it didn't work or unloaded bear spray and all it did was make them a spicy snack.
Also, people find bullets logged in bear skulls that have been there for a while.

 

[Mike J]

I have never encountered a bear in the woods which is fine by me. I don't really have a desire to experience that excitement. I do remember reading a thread a long time ago (probably ten years or longer) written by a fellow that stopped a 900 pound brown bear that was charging him. The essence of the story was that he was a fishing guide in Alaska that had a day off & decided to go for a walk with his dog. While on the walk his dog suddenly jetted past him & fled. He heard a stick break & looked back to see the bear coming at him. He pulled the revolver & just pointed it at the bear & shot. He said after the third shot the bear started rolling & he ran because he was scared it was going to fall on him. It was a DLP shooting. If I remember right the thread was at Graybeard Outdoors. The gun used was a Ruger Alaskan with a 4" barrel chambered for .454 Casull. I went back & looked for the thread once since then. I managed to find the thread but the pictures were gone. It is mind blowing how huge those things are.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Bears aren’t differentiated like that except for scoring purposes.

Ummm...even Boone & Crockett/Pope & Young recognize the difference between species......you saying the little 250lb Blackies in my yard are not "differentiated" from a Polar Bear? Send me what you are drinking....it sounds high proof.

I'm not asking questions if a bear is charging me

Nope. I get bluff charged often just walking around the house and startling them....usually when the cubs are about...but it still makes you pucker a bit.

You do realize that you are more likely to be attacked by a black bear than a brown/grizzly or polar bear don't you

For me that's 100% true....only Blackies here....lol

I'd disagree, Polar bears are the only bear that stalks humans.

Wrong......

I have never encountered a bear in the woods which is fine by me.

Spend enough time in bear woods and I'm sure one will encountered you and you may not even know it.

 

[thinckley]

I get bluff charged often just walking around the house

I wish my wife would buff charge me while walking around the house. (no, that is not a typo).

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Ummm...even Boone & Crockett/Pope & Young recognize the difference between species......you saying the little 250lb Blackies in my yard are not "differentiated" from a Polar Bear? Send me what you are drinking....it sounds high proof.


Expert that you are, I’m surprised you don’t know Boone&Crockett/Pope& Young are for scoring purposes or have you been drinking, Because you are confused. I’ve been around more polar bears than you have seen in a zoo. Brown/Kodiak bears are the same bear, but then expert that you are, I figured you would know that. Maybe you just can’t read. I never said black bears and polar bears were the same, obviously more proof you can’t read. Are you a product of the current education system? If you don’t know that brown/Kodiak bears are the same animal, you are already over your head in this discussion.
I think I’ll just ignore someone that can’t read any better than you. I haven’t had a drink of alcohol in 35 years. I’ve been around Alaska and it’s various bears for over 40 years. Don’t assume anything you don’t have personal knowledge of.

 

[Mike J]

Spend enough time in bear woods and I'm sure one will encountered you and you may not even know it.

I understand that. Here they are mostly in the coastal plain down south or in the North Georgia mountains. My relatives that live in Jasper have had them pop up on the front porch. They do travel back & forth between the two areas. It is not likely I will run into one but it is possible & I have no doubt you are correct that I might be close to one & not know it. I have spent enough time in the woods to have things I had no idea were around pop up unexpectedly. One usually has to be still & quiet to really see what goes on in the woods but you still might be observed & avoided without knowing it.

Edited to Add: The irony is rich. I replied with this then went & browsed F-book. Someone in the next county South of me posted pictures of large black bear tracks.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I'm not asking questions if a bear is charging me. If it doesn't run as soon as it sees me, then I am assuming it is not a black and firearm needs to be ready. What happens next is up to the bear.

Pretty sure I know what you’re saying and not a bad idea. I see you are in Utah so the chance of running into a grizzly there is extremely slim. Chances of a black bear attack is pretty slim as well depending on proximity. If both of you are surprised by the relative lack of distance between you it can certainly happen. If it doesn’t happen, doesn’t mean you are out of the woods. Black bears are more likely to be predatory than others. First thing they will do is size you up. Can I take him. Then they look for an opportunity. Like many attacks whether bear or cougar they know they have a better chance if you are facing away. That facing away includes a chase scenario. Be alert until you have left the area, although if you happen to run into a predatory bear they will pursue you. For those that carry pepper spray, once you spray a bear and they go away, it’s time to evacuate the area, as black bears are more likely to return. Stay aware.
I just don’t have a lot of confidence in spray.
Personally it’s important to be aware of what species you are dealing with, and especially if you are hunting where you are likely to run into either a black bear or a Grizzly. Unless you’re in ideal conditions and angle it can be difficult.
Alaska fish and game has a video where it’s easier to see that.

 

[thinckley]

Pretty sure I know what you’re saying and not a bad idea. I see you are in Utah so the chance of running into a grizzly there is extremely slim. Chances of a black bear attack is pretty slim as well depending on proximity. If both of you are surprised by the relative lack of distance between you it can certainly happen. If it doesn’t happen, doesn’t mean you are out of the woods. Black bears are more likely to be predatory than others. First thing they will do is size you up. Can I take him. Then they look for an opportunity. Like many attacks whether bear or cougar they know they have a better chance if you are facing away. That facing away includes a chase scenario. Be alert until you have left the area, although if you happen to run into a predatory bear they will pursue you. For those that carry pepper spray, once you spray a bear and they go away, it’s time to evacuate the area, as black bears are more likely to return. Stay aware.
I just don’t have a lot of confidence in spray.
Personally it’s important to be aware of what species you are dealing with, and especially if you are hunting where you are likely to run into either a black bear or a Grizzly. Unless you’re in ideal conditions and angle it can be difficult.
Alaska fish and game has a video where it’s easier to see that.

I am currently in Utah, but will be moving to the mountains of Montana soon. My trail cams have picked up two black bears on the property, a black sow and a cinnamon boar. No grizzlies yet, but I know they are only a hundred or so miles away. Also have a good size cat that we have seen on the cams a few different times.

I've got the .44 mag to carry, and my wife has a .357, both loaded with bear loads. We also have dogs to help warn us of anything nearby (they'd also do a pretty good job of warning the critters).

 

[Johnnu2]

As replied earlier: just take his credit cards away..!!!

J.

 

[coachk64]

I've also heard that it is a good idea, when in bear country, to wear bells on your shoes and carry pepper spray. And it is important to know what kind of bears are around, which you can tell by the scat. Black bear scat has nuts in it and smells like berries, while Grizzly Bear scat has bells in it and smells like pepper.:ROFLMAO:

 

[thinckley]

 

[Donnieweps]

Ummm...even Boone & Crockett/Pope & Young recognize the difference between species......you saying the little 250lb Blackies in my yard are not "differentiated" from a Polar Bear? Send me what you are drinking....it sounds high proof.

Nope. I get bluff charged often just walking around the house and startling them....usually when the cubs are about...but it still makes you pucker a bit.

For me that's 100% true....only Blackies here....lol

Wrong......


Spend enough time in bear woods and I'm sure one will encountered you and you may not even know it.

Blackies are prone to false charges, a polar bear is likely to dismember you not run off.