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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 1:32 PM
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| Unless the trail is in High Park NY, I don't think there is a real need to pack heat. Pack a survival knife and some bear spray. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1321 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 2:56 PM
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| I occasionally bring those little handwarmer packets. |
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red deer, alberta
Canada
168 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 8:14 PM
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realistically, the gun would have to be loaded to be effective in the time allowance for an aggresive bear.
And for the gun to be loaded, you would have to rely on the safety.
And then, the chances are better for you to hurt yourself than for the protection that it would provide.
I only seen one hiker on my travels that carried a firearm. And just by looking at him, i could sense his fear.
I dont know how someone could enjoy themselves out there with that constant feeling, but hey, its a free country.
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352 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 10:42 PM
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| Good to know, thanks for your thoughts. |
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Surrey, B.C.
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 11:35 PM
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Here is another video of a bear charging and a firearm being used.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw
note: bullets did not stop the bear - the noise of the firearm discharging did.
I would imagine a firearm being used against a charging bear is more effective as a noisemaker (like a bear-banger) not so much as a weapon - especially a handgun.
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352 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 1:41 PM
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| I've tried out my bear banger's before. They're not guarenteed to work, and also explode 20-30 metres away, while a shotgun loaded with 000 buck shot, in front of a bears face would surely make a bigger bang. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1321 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 1:47 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
I've tried out my bear banger's before. They're not guarenteed to work, and also explode 20-30 metres away, while a shotgun loaded with 000 buck shot, in front of a bears face would surely make a bigger bang.
The launcher for bear bangers is smaller than a shotgun though. |
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2421 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 1:48 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
I've tried out my bear banger's before. They're not guarenteed to work, and also explode 20-30 metres away, while a shotgun loaded with 000 buck shot, in front of a bears face would surely make a bigger bang.
"in front of a bears face"?
So given a choice, you'd rather kill the bear than scare it away?
Pretty pathetic.
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Edited by - peter1955 on 03/02/2011 1:49 PM |
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974 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 1:59 PM
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Hey Wildtrekker...what about mountain lions?? how are you going to be able to shoot them before they get you,out in those big bad scary woods.
no gun will be able to save you from them,they will sneak up on you and bite deeply into your neck. be afraid, be very afraid!!! |
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Victoria, BC
Canada
430 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 2:09 PM
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1607 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 2:26 PM
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I might pack a gun if I was at risk of running into this guy.
Otherwise, I'm relying on bear spray. It doesn't guarantee safety but nothing does.
One comment on bear bangers: It takes a while to load them up. Last year we ran into a black bear and by the time we had loaded the bear banger, the bear was gone. If he had decided to charge us instead of walking away (unlikely.. but it happens,) then we would have had to use spray.
For that reason, I now sometimes also carry an air-horn. I can activate it about as quickly as bear spray and I can use it before the bear gets close. I'd like to avoid ever spraying a bear.
I'm not actually sure how effective an air-horn is. Anyone try it before?
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Edited by - Steventy on 03/02/2011 2:26 PM |
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671 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 3:49 PM
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| 7.62 mm full metal jacket |
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Van., BC
Canada
274 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 4:14 PM
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"7.62 mm full metal jacket"
Seen too many American movies?
That would go right through a bear and he'd keep coming at you if that was his intention.
I've seen bears struck with with a 180 grain 7.62 mm soft point expanding hunting bullet and run hundreds of yards. |
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352 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 6:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by peter1955
quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
I've tried out my bear banger's before. They're not guarenteed to work, and also explode 20-30 metres away, while a shotgun loaded with 000 buck shot, in front of a bears face would surely make a bigger bang.
"in front of a bears face"?
So given a choice, you'd rather kill the bear than scare it away?
Pretty pathetic.
You know..on the ground, in front of the bear. I really need to spell it out on here so you can understand? Do you have the brain the size of a small nut? |
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352 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 6:25 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by nmcan84
Hey Wildtrekker...what about mountain lions?? how are you going to be able to shoot them before they get you,out in those big bad scary woods.
no gun will be able to save you from them,they will sneak up on you and bite deeply into your neck. be afraid, be very afraid!!!
I wasn't talking about mountain lions...That's for a NEW thread, but thanks for coming out.
And I am more afraid of your mother  |
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Penhold, Alberta
Canada
2012 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 6:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
I've tried out my bear banger's before. They're not guarenteed to work, and also explode 20-30 metres away, while a shotgun loaded with 000 buck shot, in front of a bears face would surely make a bigger bang.
Just to be clear on the use of bear bangers.... they are intended as a scare device. You shouldn't be using bangers when the bear is within a 100 ft. of you. The intent is to alert a bear of your presence so that they will move off in an opposite direction. Never aim the banger in the line of sight to a bear but rather into the air above yourself or any direction other than the bears.
Also, I have not yet had a banger fail on me and I suppose it is possible that there could be a miss fire but the same can be said for actual ammunition. There are no guarantees!
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| gyppo
Intermediate Member
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
747 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 8:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Steventy
One comment on bear bangers: It takes a while to load them up. Last year we ran into a black bear and by the time we had loaded the bear banger, the bear was gone. If he had decided to charge us instead of walking away (unlikely.. but it happens,) then we would have had to use spray.
I think this is "bang on" (booo) the intended use of bear bangers.
One thing I have done is carry the launcher loaded and clipped to my pack's shoulder strap, with the firing pin sitting on the blank (using the orange launchers found at MEC) - the spring not under tension. Since the hammer is not cocked, it would be difficult to accidentally fire, though not impossible. I did this a few times when walking through areas covered in bear tracks and/or fresh scat.
We also like to do some "1-2-3 yell-very-loud" when we see bear signs.
Although I am a big proponent of bear spray, a rifle would certainly make me feel more comfortable on a long trip where I spend a lot of time in one camp, and the odds of food smells attracting a bear over several days are greater. But on the other hand, I would never want to go into a bear's territory and shoot it. I wouldn't feel right doing that. Still, being face to face with a grizz and only a can of pepper between you and it is a pretty hair raising experience. I find this quite the dilemma personally. I've run into several people carrying shotguns, but never thought anything of it.
Here's a question for the folks who carry a firearm into the backcountry, don't read between the lines, this is a genuine question: have you ever been face to face with a grizzly? and not shot it? Did your firearm make you feel safer? I watched a youtube video a while back of a hunting party of 3 or 4 armed with .338 win mag rifles in Alaska. They had to fire several warning shots to scare off a charging grizz. They sounded like they got quite the scare.
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974 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 9:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
quote:
Originally posted by nmcan84
Hey Wildtrekker...what about mountain lions?? how are you going to be able to shoot them before they get you,out in those big bad scary woods.
no gun will be able to save you from them,they will sneak up on you and bite deeply into your neck. be afraid, be very afraid!!!
I wasn't talking about mountain lions...That's for a NEW thread, but thanks for coming out.
And I am more afraid of your mother
Nope,the mountain lion topic belongs in this thread. this thread is all about your fear of going into the woods and getting attacked by a bear...a bear can get you,and a cougar can get you even easier. So like i said...look over your shoulder every second you are out there in the big bad woods. the bears are gonna get you and if they don't,the cougars will.
beware!!!
p.s.-even though you have no clue what my mother is like,i can assure you,don't be afraid of her,she is the sweetest thing on this earth. |
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352 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 9:49 PM
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hahaha
Well than I'll look out.
Who usually makes alot of noise in the brush? When you're on a hike with a few people, do you actually make that Extra racket to scare away/warn anything in front of you? |
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| gyppo
Intermediate Member
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
747 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 9:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wildtrekker
hahaha
Well than I'll look out.
Who usually makes alot of noise in the brush? When you're on a hike with a few people, do you actually make that Extra racket to scare away/warn anything in front of you?
Sure do! More frequently if it's just me, or two of us.
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Packing Heat on the Trail
