[jgcoastie]

Originally Posted by RC20

I had to laugh at the comment by " jgcoastie" in regards to playing dead

Vast majority of the attacks are hit and runs. I.e. sow protecting a cub (she only knows boars kill them) and or sudden encounters.

Playin dead means you get smacked around and then they leave. Vast majority of the people who get attacked live through it (some have no guns, some have guns and can't deploy them).

Laugh away... It's your life, play dead if you want to. Just don't say I didn't tell you.

When grizzly/brown bear sows feel their cubs have been threatened enough for them to attack, they attack to kill. Period.

I take more stock in myself than just curling into a ball and letting the bear have its way with me. I'd rather go out fighting than leave my fate up to an animal with a brain the size of a kiwi to decide for me. I don't trust people, what makes you think I'd just turn over control of my entire life over to an animal? I have a wife, 2 kids, and another on the way... I have too much to live for to just give my life away. I will sell my life dearly to any creature that wishes to take it from me.

Latest stats say handguns are slightly more effective than rifles for bear attacks (stats not well done but it was interesting). Stats failed to sort out all the encounters and categories them clearly.

Without a source, all I'm going on is your word here and forgive me if I just generally don't trust people.

The last ADF&G study I saw was done over 15 years ago... Don't think they've done one since...

Shooting gthem means you get smacked around and have a wounded bear (at which point its back to a crap shoot, but its going to be one ****** off bear).

So, yes best startegy is to play dead. Worst is to shoot.

Again, your opinion... I've been charged thrice, and I know what brown/grizzly bears are capable of... I'll shoot.

Of course its obvious that data means nothing to some people. It does to me, I go with the best odds.

You do that... I'll shoot.

And yes, guides shoot (right after the client, I was being a bit smart). The idea is to put the bear downa dn fast (guess who gets to go into the brush after the bear if it does nto go down? That right, not the client. I guess the guides I know lie to me. Terrible people to do that.

The only time a decent guide shoots is if the bear is charging or the bear has already been shot by the client and is headed into the brush. They don't get paid to steal the client's thunder. Big bad man coming to Alaska to prove he's hard wants to feel like a big shot when e dominates the massive bear... And he feels emasculated when the guide has to clean up his sloppy shot.

I got hauled kicking and screaming up here back in 1954. I have yet to see a sure fired solution. I have never read of a charging bear being taken down with shotgun slugs. Some shot from cover and died by LEO, but that is to do with them being in towns and a shotgun slug is better than a rifle bullet due to the travel.

Most of the bears/shotgun interaction I have seen has come in the form of beanbags and rubber pellets shot by LEO's.

I do know of at least 2 grizzly bears, maybe 3 now, that got taken down by 9mm. One claimed by a 45 (8 shot).

I heard about the guy with the .45... I think that was in Denali? Never heard of a 9mm taking down a bear and I sure as hell wouldn't want to find out if it could.



Difference of opinion is all....