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My wife and I visit the mountains every now and again. While I’m more concerned about two legged predators there is the concern of a four legged one. I carry a 9mm and while I know it’s not known for being a bear stopper it might save your bacon in a pinch. My main question is, what would happen if your in a state park, one that allows concealed carry and your getting attacked? A man that we rode horses with that was our guide told me they cherish the bears more than people and that you’d probably get in more trouble for shooting one than a person. I would rather take the legal ramifications over losing life or limb on me or my wife. What say you? I’m not talking about Texas state parks obviously

You can legally shoot any animal that attacks you in the US. Just be ready to prove it was attacking and a shooting was justified. I found a few stories doing a search of people being held liable after shooting bears in self defense.

That gives me a piece of mind but....... how could someone even prove it was actively self protection? Sure you have you and your spouses story but in the end it’s your word against the states. I think this is a grey area in the Self defense world.

I think that is where it gets tricky. The likely situation is them trying to determine if you simply got scared and blasted the bear prematurely or if the bear was actually attacking and a true threat to you or yours.

Maybe hafta let the bear gnaw on your leg to prove it was self defense!

Seriously 9mm?

While I would not choose the 9 mm as a bear defense weapon, they have been used to defend against bears successfully.

We have found four cases where 9 mm pistols were used to defend against bears. All were successful.

https://www.ammoland.com/2018/02/defens ... z5ZpPBneLC

My uncle is quite the outdoorsman and loves Alaska above all other states. He said of killing a bear in self defense: "You better have teeth marks on you or you're paying the fine." He was also a big believer in bear spray unless he was actually hunting the bear, in which case he used a .375 H&H.

Does it really matter? You only have two options, let the bear attack you or defend yourself. If you choose the first option there will be proof of the attack. Of course you may be dead but there will be tooth and claw marks all over your body. I will always choose the option that gives me the greatest likelihood of living. Anything that happens due to that choice is a mere consequence of my actions and an acceptable risk.

rotor wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:17 am Seriously 9mm?

Yes seriously. I am not gonna go buy a 44 mag just to carry for two hours about two - three times a year. Although that does give me a good justification hmmmmm

cmgee67 wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:03 am

rotor wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:17 am Seriously 9mm?

Yes seriously. I am not gonna go buy a 44 mag just to carry for two hours about two - three times a year. Although that does give me a good justification hmmmmm

Buy the 44 mag. Give the wife the 9mm so you have both a backup and she can defend herself if need be.

You can now justify the purchase. “See honey, I bought this gun so now we both can be safer”

What’s a good 44? I’m really intrigued now. Y’all are not helping my pocket book

S&W 500

All bears are not created alike. Black bears can often be discouraged from interaction without resorting to deadly force. Grizzly bears? Do whatever you feel is necessary.

A dog might be a mixed blessing. Some bears hate them, so a dog might be a draw. But our dog is utterly terrified of bears (and wolves /northern coyote hybrids too for that matter). If she even THINKS that she smells a large predator at a distance, she goes into panic mode. Her reaction has the potential to alert us and fall back before the thing gets closer.

I always carry bear spray in the Canada-compliant packaging. It can't hurt.