45-70 (bear?)

[TimT]

it is not likely you will encounter anything serious-the odds are in your favor. most large predators avoid man in most instances but there is that 1% that will............practice your mental preparations in picking up and acquiring your target and being absolutely familiar with your rifle. You may have only one shot.

The .450 Marlin and the .45-70 are both true penetrators with hardcast. Just familiarize yourself with shooting and handling prior to departure.

have a good trip.

 

[wyocarp]

it is not likely you will encounter anything serious-the odds are in your favor. most large predators avoid man in most instances but there is that 1% that will

The above type of comments are interesting to me.

I wonder what the odds are of your house burning down? But how many have smoke detectors and even fire extinguishers?

Some have driven all their life without an accident but still use seatbelts.

I have camped and hunted all my life and the only time that I left my gun in the truck because my pack was already very heavy, was the camping trip that my wife woke me up with a bear in camp and I didn't like his nose inches from mine.

There is nothing wrong with being prepared.

 

[blitzen]

These pictures were take yesterday (Sunday) while fishing along the Keni river. Everyone backed off and made lot's of noise. The bears and the people are somewhat used to each other. Momma and the two cubs passed by at about 40 yards. Most of the time if a bear gets a whiff of a human he will be gone like his tail is on fire and his a$$ is catching. If on the other hand a bear is stalking you, you won't know it and they will be on you like white on rice. This is very very rare but it can happen. Either way I would still opt for a powerfull handgun straped to my body so the in the unlikely event I survived the initial attack my one remaining unbroken arm could still bring it out. Do what you want.

 

[TimT]

wyocarp, you are saying something that I am not. reread and catch that part about being familiar. I have lived here all my life and I do know what exactly I am talking about. You can live with your scenarios, I will live with my lifelong experience and share what I do know.

The odds of my house burning in "perspective" is about nil, can happen but chances are it won't-fire extingisher is handy so is my sidearms or rifles.

blitzen, that is that 1% I am talking of. In my 52 yrs. I have never been attacked and I have been all over the Brooks, this is where I was born and raised.

In perspective the best defense/weapon is between your ears. Backing off is a good thing....sometimes.

 

[wyocarp]

Tim, you are a little older than I but not by many years.

I used to think the chances of my house burning was "nil" as well until my house burned about six years ago.

Never being attacked doesn't hold much water with me. And that doesn't mean that you have done anything right, it just means that it hasn't happened to you.

My point is, preparation is always good.

 

[blitzen]

Nobody is saying don't go armed with something. If I were coming to AK for a camping/hiking trip I would bring at least a .44 rem mag and buy some bear spray when I got here. People who live in Wisconsin ( or where ever) don't know jack about brown bears and most don't know much about black bears either. Listen to the people who live here and done that. If I were in polar bear country or were TimT lives I would be a little more watchfull because the bears are a bit more aggressive. OP, buy and carry any gun you want and i am a big fan of the guide gun. I only want you to use your head and not strain your back.

 

[TimT]

wyocarp, if I ain't done anything right why am I still here after enough grizz I have shot and the ribs I have ate. Don't hold water? Buddy, I have been charged/bluff a few times, actually more times than I like but never "attacked". I am certainly not like the likes of Timothy TREADWELL-I go heeled, your kind of terminology. Have my brains tucked in where they belong and am still going strong-wow, don't hold water.

Although my packs are over 50#'s when I go in or more when I come out my rifle is still with me, mine have no business anywhere else.

wyo, sorry to hear about your home-seriously. If mine was to go with all the gunpowder and primers am certain it will be a good show cause my grief with the investment in firearms would deem it fit.

blitzen, that pepper spray is some curious defense. I know I like my steaks with pepper too, I tend to think bears like theres with pepper as well.

we can always agree to disagree.

ckevin-have a good trip when it takes place.

 

[blitzen]

TimT, They say that black bear poop looks and smells like blueberries and brownbear poop smells like pepper with little bells and shoe strings in it. I would still say that the spray will get the usuall nimrod out of a bear jam at least as well as a gun. Most people are a better shot with and aresol can. That said I don't leave the road without a gun and some spray. Stupid not to. Don't ya love what ifs and bears?

 

[TimT]

yep, sure do.

shoot straight!

 

[ECVMatt]

Honestly I have had it with all the bear attack threads..

The OP is obviously heading in the right direction. His question is valid and comes from someone who has spent lots of time outdoors, but some of these bear attack threads just seem rediculous. Go prepared, have fun, and be safe.

TimT, thanks for all of the insight. I really enjoy hearing for folks who are actually in AK.

Matt

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Get a fringed buckskin jacket and call yourself "the guide" and you're good to go, then. Study up on tall tales.

Ha, ha - bingo!

 

[wyocarp]

Well, Alaska isn't the only place with Grizzly and it doesn't matter what size they are. These four that I took a picture of a month ago here in Wyoming will kill ANY human just as easy as an Alaskan Grizzly. Alaska is incredible, but it doesn't get any more real than this.

By the way, this photo isn't from some large telephoto lens. It is from a small pocket camera from 50'.

 

[Water-Man]

I've had a Marlin 1895SS for several years and have fired a number of Garrett rounds through it with no problems. Heavy recoil? Yes, but manageable. It will take down anything that walks in North America but only if the animal is shot in the proper place naturally. Check out the Garrett Ammo web site for better info.

 

[JShirley]

I didn't address the No 1 buckshot suggestion.

BAD idea.

I'm not trying to single out that poster, but really, don't use this for bear defense. Here's an old thread from a former staff member (currently in Iraq) who shot a decent hog with No1 from about 15 feet while hunting with us in GA a few years ago.

Short version: he's not using No 1 on hogs any more, but likes slugs.

J

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Another option would be an 870 Marine Magnum loaded with Brenneke slugs. Seven rounds of hard lead Brennekes should be decent.

 

[Fast_Ed]

I'm from Wisconsin and I do know about black bears, thank you very much. We have a few here, including the one hanging on my wall. I don't know much about brown, grizzly, or kodiaks, though. FWIW, IMHO, a 45-70 would probably be o.k. If it were me, I would take a pump 12 gauge with heavy slugs. A 1 3/8 Brenneke weighs just over 600 grains and it is over .72 caliber. Seems to me it would be a better stopper. If I was hunting them, I may use my .338 magnum, or borrow a friend's .375 H&H. Different deal than trying to stop a charge. Take the pepper, too. May offer an opportunity to discourage a bear that is too close for comfort without having to shoot it, or a last ditch attempt to save your life if you don't have the gun ready when charged.

I would put more stock in the advice of those that live there and/or have more experience than I do. I can only rely on what seems to be common sense not backed up by experience.

Fast Ed