"John Keeney" wrote:
"Harry Andreas" wrote:
(SteveM8597) wrote:

I have carried a firearm a time or two while backpacking in grizzly country but
not in state and national parks where they are illegal. I hear the situation
in some of the CA parks is pretty bad, though. Not what I would consider a
survival situation, just common sense.

Best bet for bear and cougar defense is actually pepper spray, although I've
also carried a .357, especially when hiking with kids.

A .357 is great for shooting at your neighbor. It might be okay
for a cougar, though your chances of killing the kids is great
too. (Though a snub nosed .357 that you shoot into the air to
make noise might well be more effective than trying to shoot at
the animal with something that might kill it or the kids.)

I've lately been thinking hard about an Alaska trip and noted
bear gun recommendations from the National Park Service.
Here's what they have posted in one spot (note that guns
can't be carried in *some* of Alaska's national parks):

What you have quoted is *extremely* good advice.

"If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are
more likely to be injured by a gun than a bear. It is illegal to carry
firearms in some of Alaska's national parks, so check before you go.

A .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs are appropriate
weapons if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may
be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands.

People should pay particular attention to that statement. Any
time you see someone using a .44, or any other handgun, for bear
protection (with one exception which I'll explain farther down),
what you know is that they don't understand bears, but they do
like to show off.

State law allows a bear to be shot in self-defense if you did not provoke
the attack and if there is no alternative, but the hide and skull must be
salvaged and turned over to the authorities.

Defensive aerosol sprays which contain capsaicin (red pepper extract) have
been used with some success for protection against bears. These sprays may
be effective at a range of 6-8 yards. If discharged upwind or in a vehicle,
they can disable the user. Take appropriate precautions. If you carry a
spray can, keep it handy and know how to use it."

Which is to say... if you can be assured that all bears will
attack you running into the wind, then pepper spray is suitable.
Otherwise, not.

Note that there is one way to make bear protection with a pistol
work. This is quite handy and has many great side benefits, or
at least it potentially does depending on who you can get to go
traipsing around in bear country with you. You'll need to buy a
small .22 caliber pistol that is easy wear concealed in a manner
that allows easy access. You don't want *anyone* to know that
you have it.

Then you *only* go into bear country when you can implement the
"buddy system". Go with a buddy. And if a bear comes charging
out of the brush... pull out your .22, shoot your buddy in the
leg, and run like Hell.

That's the only way a pistol is going to save you, so why carry
around anything as heavy as a .44?

--
Floyd L. Davidson http://web.newsguy.com/floyd_davidson
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska)