Bear Story

12 July 07

Bear story, from a friend in WY:

"While camping last week in WY, we returned from a fishing expedition only to find a black bear on our camper's doorstep! We honked our horn and blinked the lights. The bear quickly got the hint and departed.

Shortly after retiring for the evening, our alarm went off. It was the bear again, trying to pry the door open. The siren didn't impress him, so we yelled and banged pots together. Once again, he went away, but not for long! He was back two more times during that same night. The last time, he got up on the roof of the camper. I went outside with flashlight but no gun. What a mistake!

Around back, the bear was trying to break out the camper's rear winder. My wife was still asleep inside. I had to go back inside, grab my revolver (357Mg w/140gr Cor-Bon JHP), and then re-exit and confront the bear.

I decided this bear was becoming too dangerous. I fired one shot, broadside, striking him just behind front shoulder. The bear dropped off the camper and started flopping on the ground. I then fired four more shots. All hits. Bear was DRT.

We contacted the F&G folks by phone, and they sent out a Ranger the next morning. The Ranger had no problem with what I did, saying the animal wasa " nuisance bear" and would have had to be destroyed anyway.

I had no idea "nuisance bears" like this one were so commonand so aggressive and unafraid of humans. Next time, I'll be better prepared!"

Lessons:

(1) When in bear country, don't walk around unarmed! Guns in drawers in campers will be of no use when you find yourself in an unexpected confrontation with an aggressive bear.

(2) Bears are unlikely to be impressed with "people-guns," like 9mm, 40S&W, even 45ACP/GAP. When in bear country, one should be armed with a 41Mg, or larger, revolver and a slug-shooting shotgun or autoloading, military rifle in 308, like a DSA/FAL.

(3) As recent events have, once again, clearly illustrated, no unarmed human, no matter how big or well trained, is any match for a bear, even a small one. When you are unarmed, most any bear will make short work of you, and you will have no chance of outrunning him!

(4) Be unprepared at your peril. This is bear country, not Disneyland!

/John

Arms Industry

12 July 07

Of small arms and small-arms ammunition, from a friend in the Philippines:

"UN policies, which all member nations are supposed to enforce, prohibit exportation of arms and ammunition to countries with 'human-rights violations.' As with most things at the UN, the exact definition of 'human-rights violations' doesn't seem to exist! In fact, the list of nations without such violations doesn't seem to exist either!

For us here in the Philippines, pistols, shotguns, and military rifles, as well as ammunition in nearly any caliber, are increasingly difficult to import. Many importers routinely wait a year or more to get shipments in. Our domestic arms industry is microscopic and altogether inadequate to equip even our own military.

Any nation seriously thinking about its own preparedness must develop and nurture a vigorous and healthy domestic defense industry. Nations unable to arm themselves internally will become hopelessly dependant upon other, not so friendly, nations when they need to equip their own soldiers and police.

Interesting, while the arms and ammunition industry is the USA is increasingly under brutal attack via impossibly burdensome regulations imposed by petty government employees at all levels, the arms industry in China, Russia, and all of Eastern Europe is thriving! They may want for many things, but rifles, pistols, shotguns, and ammunition are in ample supply!"

Comment: Yes, and when the USA's arms and ammunition manufacturing capacity is destroyed completely, an often-stated goal of both our liberal politicians and the UN, this nation will be utterly dependant upon the tender mercy of Russians and Chinese, for the means we will desperately need to defend ourselves.

"We have met the enemy, and they are RIGHT!"

/John

More on Bears!

12 July 07

More on bears, from a friend in AK:

"You're right about not going into bear country without a suitable weapon, or two. When attacked by bears, nothing less will do!

With bears that have had previous exposure to people, yelling is generally ineffective. However, Black Bears respond well to 'negative-conditioning' via rubber slugs from a shotgun. Once they make the connection between that painful sting and humans, they typically stay away from people from then on. Some are incorrigible, however, and need to be destroyed. With these perpetual 'nuisance-bears,' there is no other viable alternative.

Conversely, Browns and Grizzlies typically do not respond well to negative-conditioning. When struck by a rubber slug, they may run away, but just as often they will become extremely aggressive with the perceived source of pain. They are accustomed to being 'king-of-the-forest,' and are thus not easily intimidated.

Hunting bear and shooting a attacking bear are two entirely different circumstances. Some bear-hunters even come up here with the intent to hunt with pistols, so long as they have a rifle backup. However, when an aggressivebear in menacing or even in the process of an attack, you must have the right equipment and the right strategy, if you plan on living through it.

I recommend heavy rifles. Leave your 7mms and thirty-calibers at home! Good bear medicine is 458WM, 45-70, 375H&H, et al. Just as with Cape Buffalo hunting, I recommend solids, rather than hollow-points. Bears up here have thick, tough skin, and the rest is dense muscle and heavy gristle. Only solids will guarantee adequate penetration.

A three-legged deer will run like the wind. Conversely, a three-legged bear will go nowhere and will be unable to run you down. Thus, when shooting bear, you need to break bones, specifically the heavy, structural bones that are necessary for the bear to stand up and to run. Best place to hit a bear is the point of the shoulder. Smash his shoulder, and he is anchored! Then, you can finish him at your leisure."

Comment: In 2008, I'll be bear hunting in AK with my friend and, with any luck, get a chance to test these theories!

/John