Black bear protection

Whippy

Whippy

Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
48
Location
Irmo, SC USA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I visit the Murphy NC area a couple or few times during the year for vacations and am often out in the woods and enjoying the outdoors.

While I'm certainly not out looking for trouble, what would be a good 9mm luger round to use as protection from black bear just in case? I don't reload.
 
I would use bear spray before the 9mm. Not saying you couldnt get lucky with a hard cast bullet and a brain shot......but like said.....there would have to be some luck on your side.
 
Honestly you would be better off with a broom or a stick. They are literally big posssums.
Twenty-five fatal black bear attacks have occurred in North America during the last 20 years.

You are more likely to be mugged or raped. (Federal hydrashocks are a great deterrent for that.)

The most deaths have occurred in British Columbia, Canada (6), with Quebec, Canada (3) and Alaska (3) tied for second most. Fourteen females have been killed and 11 males.
 
Last edited:
I intend on replacing my recently sold .357 eventually but must save the funds first. Yah, I understand the likelihood of an encounter is extremely slim, but don't want to get caught without being as prepared as I can be. I think I'll pick up a box of that Buffalo Bore +P. Thanks for all the advice and comments!! ;)
 
If you come through Charlotte (not sure what part of SC you’re in), you can borrow my Beowulf to carry. :D
 
I think I'd like my hand to remain attached horizontal with my arm for now, but THANKS BW :D
 
While in the woods, don't be stealthy, make noise as you hike. Situational awareness, look around, don't find yourself between a momma bear and her cubs because you wern't paying attention to your surrounds.

If you do encounter one, make noise, look big (raise your arms) and back away. Do NOT turn your back, and do NOT run. It gets your heart rate up, but I have done this several times as we have bears in our neighborhood.
 
I'm a-working on it, friend! I've owned at least one .357 since I turned 21 over 20 years ago...until now. It doesn't feel right to not have one. lol
 
Plott Hound said:
While in the woods, don't be stealthy, make noise as you hike. Situational awareness, look around, don't find yourself between a momma bear and her cubs because you wern't paying attention to your surrounds.

If you do encounter one, make noise, look big (raise your arms) and back away. Do NOT turn your back, and do NOT run. It gets your heart rate up, but I have done this several times as we have bears in our neighborhood.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, it's good information to hear! I'm disabled and cannot run, so I mentally prepare myself constantly of the need to get out of situations without running away. I suppose I have that going for me LOL
 
Last edited:
If it's all you have then buy the BB +P ammo and hope for the best. I'd still carry good bear spray in addition to the gun, and study up on avoidance tactics.
 
I'll certainly research and acquire some bear spray. I really like that advice a lot. While at it, I will get some to leave at my mom's cabin for others who may visit. The only other handgun I own which might be somewhat effective is a Tokarev, but it's not something I would want to carry. All my other handguns are in cartridges which I feel would not stand up to the 9x19 for this situation.
 
Whippy said:
I visit the Murphy NC area a couple or few times during the year for vacations and am often out in the woods and enjoying the outdoors.

While I'm certainly not out looking for trouble, what would be a good 9mm luger round to use as protection from black bear just in case? I don't reload.
Click to expand...

Wild boar/feral pig are more likely than a bear messing with you. Coyote are pretty prominent, too. So are mountain lions.

For bear, I’d recommend hard cast lead bullets. You’re better off with 4x caliber such as 10 mm or 44 magnum.

For grizzly, the rule of thumb is the 4-3-1 rule (4x caliber, 300 grains and above, 1000 FPS or higher).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
As stated above...a loud voice and a can of bear spray are far more effective than a pistol.

I DO carry when hiking, but it's for the exclusive purpose of tweakers and copperheads.
 
Ikarus1 said:
Black bears aren't brown bears. Yall act like those overgrown raccoons are man eaters [emoji849]
Click to expand...

Oh hell NO!!! When you're facing a 3' tall black bear it LOOKS like a 10' Brown bear, a PISSED off Brown Bear.... That's why I always go in bear country with my wife, I KNOW I can outrun her.... survival of the fastest.....
 
Whippy said:
I think I'd like my hand to remain attached horizontal with my arm for now, but THANKS BW :D
Click to expand...
It’s an AR with a 16.5” barrel...so it wouldn’t hurt your hand. It’s your shoulder to think about. It just wouldn’t be near as convenient to carry around as a pistol would be. :D
 
Within the last 20 years or so there was a black bear attack in N.C. I believe it killed the lady if I recall. It was a mother bear with cubs. The wildlife officer killed it with a 9mm handgun. I am going to try and find the article but I think it took one or two magazines.

Bears are not something I worry about in the woods but 2 legged critters are much more likely to cause you harm.
 
We have 3 within 500 yards of where I am sitting. Love to watch them on game cameras. The sound of gunfire means Nothing to them. They have been here for some time and will actively Attack a pile of deer corn. Lying down and scooping it in their mouths. Big Black Clowns.[is that ok to say?]
 
I'm sure Buffalo Bore or similar .357Mag or 10mm would do just fine for black bear. I'd prefer a wheelgun in a caliber beginning with a 4, but that's just my preference. .41Mag, .44Mag & .45Colt pushing 240gr - 275gr at 1000fps will be fairly mild shooting & punch a hole all the way about any critter indigenous to this continent, shy of the American bison.
 
NKD said:
I can't decide what I need more, a bear gun or a snake gun?
Click to expand...
I'm kind of playing two cards with one hand here. I take the stainless Judge 3" magnum...three rounds of Winchester 410 PDX (3 slugs wrapped with 8 large bb's) and two rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 45LC.
A great snake gun, I've had to shoot several copperheads that got a little too close. Popped one last year at our July 4th gig at the firepit. The kids were all mad because it took his head clean off and they wanted to take pictures. The PDX rounds explode a milk jug full of water but I don't know what they'd do against a bear. The long colts would probably suffice, but even then I'd still be prepared to run.
Honestly, if I had to shoot a black bear that wasn't a momma with cubs, I'd be surprised. As far as bears go, they're pretty laid back. If I did have to defend against a momma, I'd be sad...leaving them cubs without their momma. They probably wouldn't make it.
I'm not too concerned about bears. More likely to come across coyotes, bobcats, foxes, wild dogs. And toss in some rabies, um no. Homey don't play that game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NKD
NKD said:
I can't decide what I need more, a bear gun or a snake gun?
Click to expand...
Just remember a bear gun can take care of a snake but will a snake gun take care of a bear? :p
Overkill is underrated ... :D


Black bear aren’t overly aggressive in general but a momma bear with cubs, hurt/startled bear or a food source do cause the risk to jump. In 40+ years of camping up and down the Appalachians I’ve seen many signs of bear activity but only maybe half dozen sightings that I’d even say the bear was in scent range ... I give them a wide berth and try to let them go away from me before they get uppity.

You’ve hiked and camped in the area so I’m sure you’ve heard the different Bear Do’s and Dont’s so a firearm would be a little down your list of bear interaction tools I’m guessing but it is still a tool to have just in case. That said I’d prefer more than a 9mm ... but a mag of good Buffalo Bore or other heavy +P rounds would be better than a sharp stick.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NKD
Bears will see you before you see them.... typically... When you scare them is when it gets interesting.

On two different hunting occasions a hunting buddy was crawling through thickets and came fact to fact with a Black Bear. Each time, I think the Bear beat them out of the thicket... just by a smidgen though, LOL.

Bear spray and a change of pants is all you need.
 
iu


Black bears ALWAYS submit to grizzly bears....obvious solution
 
Black bears don't require anything special. They aren't big or dangerous. Carry whatever you want. You're more likely to need it for 2-legged critters.

Brown bears on the other hand, get a 10mm or big bore revolver as said before...
 
When I go into Brown bear and big cat country...I take a .458 Socom because 10rds of 325gr lead speaks like a big stick while talking softly
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom