Kill a bear

[westy1970]

We are going camping up in the mountains this weekend and there have been a lot of reports of bear problems. I am planning on taking a shotgun and was wondering of buckshot or a slug would be best if the unfortunate need were to arise that I would have to kill a bear.

Any sage advise?

[car-15]

I would say a slug if you are real confident of your shooting ability with a sg, buckshot if not.

[Wallary]

We are going camping up in the mountains this weekend and there have been a lot of reports of bear problems. I am planning on taking a shotgun and was wondering of buckshot or a slug would be best if the unfortunate need were to arise that I would have to kill a bear.

Any sage advise?

If you meet a bear:
There are definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear. In almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and leave the area. Bear attacks are rare compared to the number of close encounters. If you do meet a bear before it has had time leave an area, here are some suggestions:

• - stay calm. if you see a bear and it has not seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, make noise to let the bear discover your presence.
• - stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as bears may perceive this as a threat.
• - Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked.
• - Do not run. If on a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Do not run or make any sudden movements. Running is likely to prompt the bear to give chase, and you cannot outrun a bear.
• - speak softly. This may reassure the bear that you mean it no harm. Try not to show fear.
• - Fight back if a black bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

The Last Resort
Killing a bear may be the only alternative if a bear is damaging property or threatening human safety.

A short-barreled, pump-action, twelve gauge shotgun is extremely effective at close range. Use slugs.
Your first shot must be your best. Shoot in the chest.
For your second shot, aim for the shoulder. Keep shooting until the bear stops moving. Chest shots guarantee death and a good blood trail to the carcass.
Immediately report the kill to a Wildlife Officer.

[pickenup]

Unless it's a momma with cubs, sick, or hurt, bears don't want anything to do with people. Food is what they want, if you make it easy for them, they will get it. They have been known to break into cars to get to it.

We had one come to our BBQ last week. He came down the back stairs and was about 10 feet from #1 son. As soon as he saw/heard us, he turned around and left the way he came. I've had them on the roof, on the deck, and as in this latest case, no more than 10 feet away. Never had a problem, they are just looking to EAT.......a LOT.

Oh, and if you HAD to, slugs.

[westy1970]

Thanks, I am most concerned about a night time visit and a startled me then the startled bear deciding to stand it's ground. I am far more paranoid than I should be, but it has kept me alive this far.

[thedave1164]

00 buck works well for blackies.

You could string up some noise makers around the camp, that might be enough to scare a bear off, and it would for sure alert you so you could be better prepared.

[westy1970]

Well, we made it back and not a bear/cat/snake/park ranger in sight. It was a great evening after I figured out how the heater in our camper worked. Fortunately I did this before dark so it was not an emergency at midnight as most of my trips are.

[pickenup]

But the question is...........
what did you load the shotgun with?

[HunterCO]

Wear some depends your going to need them anything shy of a cannon and your not going to like the outcome.

I would recommend at the minimum a .375 H&H for an attacking bear. Understand a bear you are hunting versus one that wants to kill you is not even close to the same thing. On average (Once again this is an average) from the time you see the bear attacking, You will have 2.5 seconds to stop it. The brain can function for up to 15 seconds with out oxygen. Even if your the fastest gun in the west, you draw fire and hit the bear in the heart he still has up to 13 seconds to tear you apart.

Get some bear spray it is 10 times more effective than a gun. I would also carry a gun no harm in having back up.

This is also CO we only have black bears they are very docile and as others mentioned they will only attack if you get between a sow and her cubs.

Just my .02

[westy1970]

Well, we were in a campground, had 2 dogs, kept trash and stuff in approved containers. I had my shotgun near the door of the camper loaded with slugs and was wearing my Glock with JHP at all times. I though of spray, but we did not have time to get any. I will have some for our next trip, though.