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Bear Country

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by 808Kaap, Feb 18, 2020.

  1. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:29 PM
    #1
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    Aloha all,

    Wondering what people like to carry when out in bear country. Mainly for defense and not for hunting. I'm from an island so the only apex predator that I've had encounters with were sharks and hunting dogs lol. I've been doing a lot of research and seems that 10mm isnt a bad choice for bear defense (glock 20 preferred by many). I know a lot of the "hand cannons" are a viable choice but never really got around or showed any interest in owning a revolver styled handgun. Here's what I'm thinking... I like the idea of a 10mm so i thought a Kriss Vector carbine in 10mm out of a 16" barrel versus a 10mm out of a handgun...more velocity? I dont know how reliable a vector is? I like the idea though. Another thought would be a Marlin 45-70 lever. Always wanted one but never could justify getting one. Now that Alaska might be a potential move, I'd say its justified lol. So my question goes out to the people who live in bear country or frequent bear country on a regular basis... what do you carry for defense? Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:05 PM
    #2
    AlaskanAssassin

    AlaskanAssassin I now walk into the wild

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    In Alaska, I always have my 10mm Glock 40 and bear spray with me, although, it doesn’t have as much power as a .44 Magnum that some carry here in Alaska. It will always come down to putting your bullets in the right place, but heavy cast 10mm has much higher velocity rate and I’ll take 15+1 ALL DAY over 6.
     
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  3. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:08 PM
    #3
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    My thoughts exactly. I like the capacity of the glock as you mentioned! Also why I was considering a vector in 10mm?
     
  4. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:14 PM
    #4
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    If you are going to be putting it to your shoulder, go for a mag fed, pump action, 12 gauge with bear slugs. It'll outperform any 10mm, and can be had in a compact enough form to easily be a backpack gun.
     
  5. Feb 18, 2020 at 10:16 PM
    #5
    KnuckleHD

    KnuckleHD New Member

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    Not to start a debate on “what’s the best” but I like to consider Glocks as the Toyota of handguns. Hard to beat that reliability when out in the elements.
     
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  6. Feb 18, 2020 at 11:50 PM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I was wondering right off the bat what kind of bear, and then I read Alaska.

    The three things I would use in order is:

    1) Common sense.

    2) Bear spray

    3) Weapon of choice.

    If you like the shotgun idea, check out the Kel-Tec KSG. One of my friends purchased one, and I was very impressed at the capacity, selection options(run different rounds on each side), compact and light considering the punch.
     
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  7. Feb 18, 2020 at 11:51 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I have owned a G20, and if you want a very effective round (expensive), you picked a very good platform.
     
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  8. Feb 18, 2020 at 11:56 PM
    #8
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    I don't know that I'd go KSG just because in a panic (who TF isn't panicking with a bear charging) you might short stroke it and that would be bad. It's really the only negative thing I've heard of on the KSG, though.
     
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  9. Feb 19, 2020 at 12:01 AM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    That is one of those “shit yo pants moments” and I speak from experience.

    You do bring a valid point with a pump shotgun.

    This is one of the reasons I no longer carry a 1911 for EDC (thumb safety).

    Guess it all comes down to training. My pops always told me to shoot what you carry...a lot. Probably some wisdom there.
     
  10. Feb 19, 2020 at 12:04 AM
    #10
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    ooooo. Yeah, pretty sure I'd do more than shit. :eek2:

    Solid advice from your Pops.
     
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  11. Feb 19, 2020 at 12:07 AM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I’m really glad we don’t have Grizzly bears in CO. Those damn things are rather big up close. I couldn’t even imagine the bears in Alaska.
     
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  12. Feb 19, 2020 at 12:09 AM
    #12
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    That they are, but honestly (sorry :threadjacked:) I am more afraid of a black bear.
    You always hear about the people mauled by grizzlies and it was something about them startling the bear, or getting between a sow and her cubs, etc. Black bears.... those bastards attack people when they are hungry. They want to eat you. People dragged out of tents, chased up on cabin roofs, etc.
     
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  13. Feb 19, 2020 at 5:02 AM
    #13
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    I do have my Remington 870 but just wanted to see what everyone else carrys through bear country. Not a bad option though!
     
  14. Feb 19, 2020 at 5:02 AM
    #14
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    True. That's why my EDC is a glock 19! Another reason why I consider the glock 20.
     
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  15. Feb 19, 2020 at 5:08 AM
    #15
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    Very true. Our best weapon is out minds! Theres a KSG here in my local gun store, it is nice but I think I'd take my 870 over it. Probably just because I'd had more practice with my 870. I'm sure the KSG is a fine firearm though. Reading further down, your pops gave solid advise...shoot what you got...alot.
     
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  16. Feb 19, 2020 at 5:18 AM
    #16
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    When I was up in AK my buddy carried a Ruger Toklat 454 Casull for protection from brownies. From what I saw revolvers were preferred over semis for obvious reasons. Semis can jam at the wrong time. We came across numerous brownies when fishing the Russian and Kenai Rivers. Brownies use the same trails to the river as humans. We never felt threatened. You have to give them their space. Any sow, brown or black, will protect her cubs. Bear spray is a given. Word of advice, when you get up there, don't hike with your head down. You might bump into something big.
     
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  17. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:00 AM
    #17
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    Must've been an experience! Great advice. Thanks!
     
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  18. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:10 AM
    #18
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    The marlin 45-70 are beautiful firearms and incredibly effective. It’s on my bucket list to purchase. I have a friend who has the 1895sbl. It is an incredible gun
     
  19. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:12 AM
    #19
    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    The exact one I want!
     
  20. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:15 AM
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    Jbehredt

    Jbehredt Burgeoning member

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    No handgun (or pcc) is going to be an especially effective stopper of brown/grizzly bears. They are however, what I call good “nightlights”. They’ll help you sleep better in bear country. CNS hits are not the norm when being charged or mauled. There are however accounts of multiple rounds from big bore revolvers and 10mms stopping attacks. Have read at least one first hand account of a 9mm being employed. A glock 20 with underwood hard casts is my sidearm of choice in Alaska. I load up Underwood 200gr XTPs at home in CO. Being alert and “bear aware” is your best plan of action.
     
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  21. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:19 AM
    #21
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    He bought it after watching the movie “Wind River”. If you didn’t want one before that movie you will after watching it.
     
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  22. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:26 AM
    #22
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    The 2nd largest Kodiak brownie taken with a handgun is here in Colorado at Steve's Meat Market in Arvada. Brought down by the owner several years ago. It was certainly dicey and he was experienced. S&W makes a .500 brownie killer that's becoming quite popular for protection and hunting. It's always good to have someone along with a .338 Win rifle.
    Here's a nice article:
    https://www.biggamehunt.net/articles/handgun-hunting-alaskan-brown-bear
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2020
  23. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:26 AM
    #23
    Dylan7194x4

    Dylan7194x4 New Member

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    Any time in in brown bear country which is often in the summer time, I spend as much time as i can fly fishing northern Idaho, northern Montana and try to get to alaska at least once per year, I carry a ruger redhawk Alaskan in .454 casull in a chest rig. Like others have said here keeping your wits about you is number one. Bear spray is number 2 but if neither does the trick and a bear is on me I can pull that hand cannon as a last resort. It is not a fun gun to shoot but it will do the trick on a big grizz. I have been bluff charged twice by bears and only had to deploy bear spray once. Black bears are another animal they wont bluff charge you and if you are attacked by a black bear its because they are depearate and hungry. Just be mindful of where you are most grizzly attacks happen as humans crest ridgelines as bears like to use these ridgelines as navigation routes and people will unknowingly surprise them.
     
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  24. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:46 AM
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    808Kaap

    808Kaap [OP] New Member

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    Make sense. What about those loads/ammo in a kriss vector 10mm?
     
  25. Feb 19, 2020 at 6:56 AM
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    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    FYI......Give moose a wide berth too. AK has big one's that can mess you up.
     
  26. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:00 AM
    #26
    TXMiamiFan

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    Don't forget a bear bell and make noise while you hike. Sing I will always love you by Whitney Houston and you're golden.

     
  27. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #27
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I was thinking a Ted Nugent song...Stranglehold
     
  28. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:09 AM
    #28
    Rex Kramer

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    Pro tip:

    Don't carry Bacon in your pockets when you are out there in Bear country.
     
  29. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:12 AM
    #29
    TXMiamiFan

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    No. That will bring the bear in with lighters and weed
     
  30. Feb 19, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #30
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Bears run away from Nugent. Literally. He got in trouble up there. Big fine.
     

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