[dorc-1]

The guy that started this thread is probably laughing his arz off. What started out as a simple question has turned into a "who's got the bigger gun" contest, and I'm sure that was his intent.

Just read where another nut and his friend stuck an elk with a bow up in Idaho a few days ago. They're following the blood trail with their noses on the ground when one of them is charged by a griz that claimed the kill. Fortunately all he needed was some minor work on his shoulder and he was released......no gun/no spray for either of them. This was an experienced bow hunter from out of state and he learned a lucky lesson this time.

Griz on a kill, with cubs, or surprised for the most part are not afraid of anything. Heck, that picture last week of a huge boar sitting on a dead bison in Yellowstone was typical. Not even a low flying airplane could move him. Had he been off a kill and in the open he would be galloping away at full speed. Shooting one that is charging or amped up is russian roulette with any gun. Use the spray.

That said, there are guys that hunt the docile Alaska Brown's along the coast with large handguns and a guide with a very large rifle/shotgun for backup. These bears are well fed and even get along with other Brown's as they share a food source. Interior bears are not so easy going. Most are battle scarred fighting for calories, and are mean as all get out. It might be easy to shoot an Alaskan bear that is grazing with a handgun, but the hard part is following his blood trail if he's not DRT or trying to figure out what to do if he decides he's going to take you with him.

Black bear are a whole different story and it's the only bear encounter in North America that I would feel semi safe packing heat.