Bears
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 3
From: BC
I used to be a part 135 pilot in S.E. Alaska and was more partial to guys carrying firearms in the airplane rather than bear repellent, mainly because of accidental discharge of the spray in aircraft. Matter of fact we used to pack it in an ammo can and carry it outside of the cockpit if possible. I would always feel way more comfortable packing a high powered pistol (.44 mag) than bear repellent. I guess that's all just personal preference though. Plus you don't have to worry about which way the wind is blowing. 
I agree everyone has a preference of firearm or spray. Spray for me when I am packing my lunch, Flagging Ribbon, Axe, GPS unit with Antenna and a can of paint or two and Rain Gear....it becomes a real pain in the rear to pack a Defender or Rifle with my line of work climbing over logs/blowdown, understory and steep Terrain. Bear spray & bangers are lightweight and have done the trick for me on Grizzly and Black Bears.
Also, with my work you have so much brush to contend with like alder, Devils Club (5+ft tall), Regen/understory and that a shot will more than likely will not hit a fully charging bear. Also, spray will disperse in a wide discharge if you happen to be in dense brush and understory.
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 0
From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Actually.....what the F&G, Police (when bears come into the city) as well as Forestry and other departments have gone to up here, are 12 gauge with a couple double OT buck, THEN followed up with the slugs. The idea is to aim for the face first with the buckshot if they're in close, in hopes of blinding them....makes it a lot harder for them to find you that way. Then they use the slugs.
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Actually.....what the F&G, Police (when bears come into the city) as well as Forestry and other departments have gone to up here, are 12 gauge with a couple double OT buck, THEN followed up with the slugs. The idea is to aim for the face first with the buckshot if they're in close, in hopes of blinding them....makes it a lot harder for them to find you that way. Then they use the slugs.
Ha the way I shoot, I would rather repair one big hole than nine little ones
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, GA
GUNS- Mixed on this. Yes it may work on Bears....
Drawbacks -
You better have steady aim with a big Boar Bear charging you through BRUSH and hit them in the vitals! You may piss that bear off more if you wound or graze him! Also, a Grizzly bear full of adreniline and hit with a bullet can still reach you and maul you before you reload, aim and fire another slug into him!
B. the only camping gun I have is accompanied by a 75 round drum and five 30 rounders
C. Glad I dont live in Grizzly country
thanks for all the info and nice pics!
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 0
From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 3
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
yep...it's standard for any Helicopter pilot I fly with is the Bear Spray cans go into a sealed tin box in the back compartment for those just in case discharges if the safety pin falls off or someones Caulk Boots puncture the can!
I agree everyone has a preference of firearm or spray. Spray for me when I am packing my lunch, Flagging Ribbon, Axe, GPS unit with Antenna and a can of paint or two and Rain Gear....it becomes a real pain in the rear to pack a Defender or Rifle with my line of work climbing over logs/blowdown, understory and steep Terrain. Bear spray & bangers are lightweight and have done the trick for me on Grizzly and Black Bears.
Also, with my work you have so much brush to contend with like alder, Devils Club (5+ft tall), Regen/understory and that a shot will more than likely will not hit a fully charging bear. Also, spray will disperse in a wide discharge if you happen to be in dense brush and understory.
I agree everyone has a preference of firearm or spray. Spray for me when I am packing my lunch, Flagging Ribbon, Axe, GPS unit with Antenna and a can of paint or two and Rain Gear....it becomes a real pain in the rear to pack a Defender or Rifle with my line of work climbing over logs/blowdown, understory and steep Terrain. Bear spray & bangers are lightweight and have done the trick for me on Grizzly and Black Bears.
Also, with my work you have so much brush to contend with like alder, Devils Club (5+ft tall), Regen/understory and that a shot will more than likely will not hit a fully charging bear. Also, spray will disperse in a wide discharge if you happen to be in dense brush and understory.
People who make their living in bear country and cannot realistically carry a long gun because of their work(trappers, geologists, prospectors, etc.) are eligible to apply for an ATC. You will need to own a firearm in a caliber approrpiate for the critters in the area you work in, and be willing to demonstrate proficiency with said firearm.
Given where you live and work, I'd reccomend a .44 magnum as the absolute minimum, and you'd probably be better off with a .454 Casull
You can get a version from Taurus that will digest .454 Casull (bears) .45 Long Colt (for practice) and .410 shot shells (snakes?).
If your employer will let you carry, it'd be worth looking into.