Grizzlys Protected Again

[ChrisJones 7,975]

On 28/10/2018 at 09:31, Welsh_red said:

as effective as they may be and more accomplished men than me might say they would want 1 over a gun. but its all down to the guy being charged. i wouldnt be confident using that over a pistol

I couldn't agree more, mate but for me, it wouldn't be a case of one over the other it would be both whenever and wherever possible. If you're out hunting you'll have your primary firearm in your hands or at least slung over a shoulder. But if you're in bear country going about your daily business you're probably not going to have that firearm drawn in case of a bear.

The clip above is pretty standard advice from DNR. Bears come in like the Lions front row and unless your training and drilling for a  bear encounter it can be over before you realise it's happened. You're always going to revert back to the lowest form of training as the resulting adrenaline dump is going to completely sap your fine motor skills and with a 30mph charge, you're going to have to be good to draw a revolver and get an accurate round in a vital area. Not saying it can't be done but a bear running through a cloud of chemical irritant will at least be on the defensive while you get your wits about you. Also, it's cheap as well as it is effective against anything that may consider you as part of their daily menu. I don't live in bear country but I do live in large cat country and same rules apply and although I tend to carry a pistol all the time I don't need a hand cannon. The pistol is holstered but I can carry the spray in a jacket pocket.

22 hours ago, Born Hunter said:

A H&H double rifle chambered in .700 nitro express with 1000gr soft points would be hard to leave at home I must admit. Be a bloody shame really. LOL

While I agree, if you're not out hunting it's going to be a tough one explaining that to fish & game. It's a lot easier to argue a large calibre revolver for personal defence than it is a much larger hunting rifle. DNR are really good guys but anything you carry in large game wilderness has the potential to make you look like a poacher. Especially in the months of the year where hunting isn't permitted and the local game is likely to be much more aggressive protecting their young. Being out with the dog and carrying the spray among your gear definitely swings the pendulum in your favour. Fines vary from state to state but a local elk poacher ended up with a $30,000 ticket earlier this year a suspended jail sentence and hunting priveleges revoked for several years. If a $20 can of spray can allieviate any suspicion of wrong doing then I'll carry one every time.