Alaska State Troopers

[AlaskanInTexas]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

[G26ster]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

Amen! Never saw a sole out in the bush with a handgun for bear protection, except "Cheechakos."

[Excaliber]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

The folks up there sometimes advise newcomers who think they're adequately prepared for bear by carrying a handgun to file the front sight off so it won't hurt so much when the bear inserts it into places it wasn't designed to go into smoothly.

They're not kidding. A handgun, regardless of type, is almost certainly not going to stop one of these living tanks in time to do you any good.

[gthaustex]

Which civil rights did you see being violated?

What got me thinking about it was when one of them went inside someone's home after the owner said no. Now, he could've seen or heard something that gave him probable cause and it just didn't make the final cut (in which case I'd be annoyed with the editors/producers), or maybe I'm unclear on when the police can enter your home without a warrant.

Also, the rules might be different when it's -10000000 degrees outside.

Attitude-wise, a couple of times an officer has made statements that make it almost seem like he or she is on a power trip, but again, it could easily be a trick of the editing.

It's not all the time. Mostly I've got a good impression of them.

I think I have seen the episode you are talking about. If it is the same one, the guy in the house was either or probation or parole and as part if his release, he had to agree to unannounced home visits from law enforcement to inspect him and his house for drugs, alcohol, etc. They had reports that he was back to his old ways and went to check. So the entry was part of what he agreed to in order to get early release from custody.....at least that is what I remember.

[Dave2]

I think I have seen the episode you are talking about. If it is the same one, the guy in the house was either or probation or parole and as part if his release, he had to agree to unannounced home visits from law enforcement to inspect him and his house for drugs, alcohol, etc. They had reports that he was back to his old ways and went to check. So the entry was part of what he agreed to in order to get early release from custody.....at least that is what I remember.

I could see that being the case with a lot of the people they interact with on-screen.

[Dadtodabone]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

The folks up there sometimes advise newcomers who think they're adequately prepared for bear by carrying a handgun to file the front sight off so it won't hurt so much when the bear inserts it into places it wasn't designed to go into smoothly.

They're not kidding. A handgun, regardless of type, is almost certainly not going to stop one of these living tanks in time to do you any good.

Hey, thanks for the info. I didn't know that the only dangerous fauna in Alaska that workers and outdoorsman had to be concerned with was "Duh Bears". I'll drop a note to the Folmers http://www.biggame.org/publications/CT%20Sept2010.pdf to let them know that you can't stop bears with handguns and that you don't need a backup handgun. I'm glad that the kabloonak community is able to share this knowledge with the cheekchakos, I'd hate to see all those fish or shoe bottoms out in the bush with handguns for no reason.

[Excaliber]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

The folks up there sometimes advise newcomers who think they're adequately prepared for bear by carrying a handgun to file the front sight off so it won't hurt so much when the bear inserts it into places it wasn't designed to go into smoothly.

They're not kidding. A handgun, regardless of type, is almost certainly not going to stop one of these living tanks in time to do you any good.

Hey, thanks for the info. I didn't know that the only dangerous fauna in Alaska that workers and outdoorsman had to be concerned with was "Duh Bears". I'll drop a note to the Folmers http://www.biggame.org/publications/CT%20Sept2010.pdf to let them know that you can't stop bears with handguns and that you don't need a backup handgun. I'm glad that the kabloonak community is able to share this knowledge with the cheekchakos, I'd hate to see all those fish or shoe bottoms out in the bush with handguns for no reason.

My point was that the folks I talked to didn't think much of the idea of carrying a handgun as a primary weapon to be relied upon as the only option for stopping charging polar or grizzly bears. They heavily favored the long gun approach.

You've spent much more time up there than I have and it doesn't surprise me that there are folks up there with different opinions on handguns (there are even some differences on that topic here), but I was only in one small part of the state and I didn't get to meet them on that trip.

I'd jump at any opportunity to go back, though. It's an incredible place.

[G26ster]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

The folks up there sometimes advise newcomers who think they're adequately prepared for bear by carrying a handgun to file the front sight off so it won't hurt so much when the bear inserts it into places it wasn't designed to go into smoothly.

They're not kidding. A handgun, regardless of type, is almost certainly not going to stop one of these living tanks in time to do you any good.

Hey, thanks for the info. I didn't know that the only dangerous fauna in Alaska that workers and outdoorsman had to be concerned with was "Duh Bears". I'll drop a note to the Folmers http://www.biggame.org/publications/CT%20Sept2010.pdf to let them know that you can't stop bears with handguns and that you don't need a backup handgun. I'm glad that the kabloonak community is able to share this knowledge with the cheekchakos, I'd hate to see all those fish or shoe bottoms out in the bush with handguns for no reason.

My response to your post was your use of the term "preferably," referring to handguns, when describing defense against animals in AK. Carry in AK what you wish, but I would not count on a handgun of any caliber to be my primary defense, especially against brown bears.

No one said you can't stop a bear with a handgun. Certainly, you can kill a bear with a scoped large caliber handgun, perfectly aimed, at a safe distance. It's when you are being attacked by a brown/grizzly that counts, and from within 25 yds or so, even if you get a good hit, the bear will have you shredded before it drops. It's just like "stopping power" discussed on this forum. It's pretty much agreed that a .22 or .25 or .32/.320 cal can kill someone, but it's "probably" going to take a bit of time. Their usually not going to "stop" an attacker, attacking at close range. Of course, you could get lucky. Grizzly bears are generally one and one-half to two times larger than black bears (black bear is what the Folmers shot) of the same sex and age class within the same geographic region. Grizzly bears are also more aggressive than black bears. That's why bear spray or bear slugs are a far better choice.

As for a backup with a handgun, fine. But there's only a few animals in AK that can kill you for sure. A charging moose is one, but you rarely hear about moose "attacks." A caribou is another, but no stories to read there. Wolves? Well that's another story, but it doesn't take a .454 to take down a wolf.

As for the term Cheechko, it's mainly used by white folks that live there to describe newcomers, just as the word noob is used on internet forums. Believe me, the native population has far more names for white folks to choose from. Everyone not born in Alaska is a Cheechako when they arrive. The old story goes that you are a Cheechako until you have survived at least one full winter in Alaska. It's really good natured chiding by those that have achieved Sourdough status, and were formerly cheechakos themselves.

[AlaskanInTexas]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

The folks up there sometimes advise newcomers who think they're adequately prepared for bear by carrying a handgun to file the front sight off so it won't hurt so much when the bear inserts it into places it wasn't designed to go into smoothly.

They're not kidding. A handgun, regardless of type, is almost certainly not going to stop one of these living tanks in time to do you any good.

Hey, thanks for the info. I didn't know that the only dangerous fauna in Alaska that workers and outdoorsman had to be concerned with was "Duh Bears". I'll drop a note to the Folmers http://www.biggame.org/publications/CT%20Sept2010.pdf to let them know that you can't stop bears with handguns and that you don't need a backup handgun. I'm glad that the kabloonak community is able to share this knowledge with the cheekchakos, I'd hate to see all those fish or shoe bottoms out in the bush with handguns for no reason.

My point was that the folks I talked to didn't think much of the idea of carrying a handgun as a primary weapon to be relied upon as the only option for stopping charging polar or grizzly bears. They heavily favored the long gun approach.

You've spent much more time up there than I have and it doesn't surprise me that there are folks up there with different opinions on handguns (there are even some differences on that topic here), but I was only in one small part of the state and I didn't get to meet them on that trip.

I'd jump at any opportunity to go back, though. It's an incredible place.

In my experience, most people would opt for a .44 magnum or larger for hiking and general recreation (for convenience and mobility), but would prefer a long gun if possible (e.g., if fishing alone in a remote area or hunting). The magnum handguns can do the trick, but don't leave much margin for error. I would liken it to carrying a .22LR as your concealed carry weapon - sufficient with skill, but underpowered for reliability.

It is a wonderful place. I hope to get back there when my Texas detour is over (which is looking to be about 30 years down the road).

[Dadtodabone]

It's really good natured chiding by those that have achieved Sourdough status, and were formerly cheechakos themselves.

Sorry, this was a tongue in cheek kinda thing, hence the sole/soul misuse play on words. No offense meant.

[G26ster]

It's really good natured chiding by those that have achieved Sourdough status, and were formerly cheechakos themselves.

Sorry, this was a tongue in cheek kinda thing, hence the sole/soul misuse play on words. No offense meant.

No offense taken, nor should there be.

Just for jollies check out this video. At about 1:16 in, this the the target you'll have to see, draw, aim, and have that perfect shot placement to even have a chance of survival on land. Bear spray all the way for me. (spray and pray?)

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=fmB41C9qbqE[/youtube]

[Dadtodabone]

A charging moose is one, but you rarely hear about moose "attacks."

While rarely fatal, moose attacks are double the number of attacks by brown and black bears combined. Not because they are more aggressive, they're not, it's because they out number the bears 4/5 to 1, are not shy of humans and will enter developed areas(Anchorage)and people do not equate herbivorous with dangerous. 1500 lbs of bull moose with 6' of antlers at the charge is a sight you'd only want to see from the middle branches of a tall tree.

[G26ster]

1500 lbs of bull moose with 6' of antlers at the charge is a sight you'd only want to see from the middle branches of a tall tree.

And not from your open sliding doors to your backyard either. One morning, at about 2 AM my wife woke me up frantically saying, where's the camera?" I told here where, and closed my eyes again. Then I wondered, what for? I went out to the family room, where the doors led out into the yard, and there she was pointing the camera, with the doors open, at a moose in the backyard. I loud whispered, "no, no" picturing the flash and a charging moose in the house. Fortunately, the flash batteries were dead and all it heard was a click. I gently closed the doors, and the moose meandered off. Obviously this led to a "counseling" session (which my wife ignored anyway). This was her first winter in AK. If I can find the picture, I will attach it to this post.

[VoiceofReason]

You'd be out of mind to live, work, travel without being armed.
Preferably with something like this;
http://www.ruger.com/products/superRedh ... odels.html

I assume you mean so that you can finish yourself off when the bear starts eating you?

I would want to have something more along the lines of this in a shoulder holster as back up to a twelve Ga. with 000 buck & slugs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxguns/5251092421/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AlaskanInTexas]

Just for jollies check out this video. At about 1:16 in, this the the target you'll have to see, draw, aim, and have that perfect shot placement to even have a chance of survival on land. Bear spray all the way for me. (spray and pray?)

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=fmB41C9qbqE[/youtube]

I would have handled the charge differently - I would have shot my leg on the draw and put three rounds in the raft before getting on target.