February 3, 2015, 11:32 PM | #76 |
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Join Date: August 20, 2014
Location: northern Mn.
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I've been told, if you hang small bells on your dogs collar it will alarm wolves and bears before you stumble onto them. Might make them easier to track later if they do eat your dog, their scat will have little bells in it. If you know your traveling in big bear country than a rifle is the logical choice.
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February 4, 2015, 07:20 AM | #77 |
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Join Date: July 31, 2012
Location: Land between the Lakes
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Good map...
http://www.backpacker.com/survival/s...nimal-attacks/ Didn't realize cougars were so spread out....heard about one here...did not believe it till now... One of the grizz's that I witnessed in the wild was at about 200yds ....ran up a hill faster that any 4 wheeler could from a start... I was shocked how quick it was...it covered 100yds in just about 3 seconds in a steep uphill run thru junk that would have tripped up any human trying to run. You carry a gun...? Then load it appropriately... 1. enough of one that will stop the animal if hit; 2. practice to make number one likely for your part. 3. Most people think the Bear minimum is 357 for black and 41-44 min for Brown. Last edited by ATPBULLETS; February 4, 2015 at 07:28 AM. |
February 5, 2015, 01:22 PM | #78 |
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Join Date: January 22, 2005
Location: Kentucky
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Not anticipating any Griz in KY are you, padnuh? I'm up in Oldham County and we're short of them as well as the black ones. But kidding aside, the biggest caliber you can handle at very close range, that'll shoot more than once in a split second is the route to go.
Having packed out elk quarters at sundown in Colorado's high country, then finding FRESH bear tracks in my back trail, I'd recommend nothing less than a DA .44 Magnum. On that memorable day, with my rifle back in the jeep to save packing weight, I resolved never to be caught again without at least a heavy caliber revolver. Nothing happened that evening, but I felt like I was back in Vietnam, looking for Mig 21's coming out of the sun...still makes the hair on the back of my neck raise up. I've not been back in that country since and age won't allow me to anticipate another sojourn thataway, but a heavy Smith N frame in .44 Magnum, or one of the current crop of .454's, 460's, 480's or 500's might fill the bill with suitable bullets. For more likely scenarios, here in KY, I carry a 3" Smith j-frame in .357 Magnum, loaded with a gas checked SWC of my own casting and pushed along at 1100 fps by a healthy dose of 2400. Tracking in dense cover, the little gun is easier to handle than even my .35 Marlin Carbine, and keeps both hands free to part brush during a trail-up, or a finishing shot from 10 feet. Last season, I helped a young hunter and his clueless dad track down a very large buck they'd wounded at day break. We finally found it just after noon. I'd spent a large part of my time on hands and knees that morning in the wild roses tracking from drop to drop, while convincing 'Dad' that he owed that animal at least a morning's search. Finally, a single shot in the back of the neck from that Smith, killed the buck from 50 feet as he stood up one last time. The dad and 12 yo learned a cpl lessons that morning, I'm sure; be sure of your shot, don't take chancy ones, use enough gun, and you don't quit a trail up 'cause you've got a soccer match that afternoon. Nuff said. HTH's Rod
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Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; February 5, 2015 at 01:29 PM. |
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