Self defense vs predatory animals?

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Atroxus

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As some know from my other posts here, I am planning to learn to hunt very soon. I am probably going to start on squirrels and/or rabbits. I was in a gun store yesterday and overheard someone talking about having a close encounter with a black bear while deer hunting. I got to thinking what happens if I cross paths with a bear or mountain lion while I am out hunting and have to kill it? I am curious if anyone here knows what the laws in washington state are in regards to killing a dangerous animal such as a mountain lion, bear or wolf if you think your life is in danger? Would I be correct to assume it would have to be reported it to dept of fish and wildlife? Would an animal killed in self defense go to the person that shot it, or would it be turned over to dept of fish and wildlife? I would think the shooter would not get to keep it to discourage people from faking self defense shootings, but thats just a guess on my part.
 
...laws vary so much from state to state and even within states...I would only believe what was written by my state's Fish and Wildlife Dept...any mis-information could cost you your gun, vehicle, and heavy fines...again, varying from state to state...
 
Yes, the laws vary, but the basics remain the same everywhere:

Yes, always report it to the game warden.

It's real simple, if your life and limb are in danger, shoot; if they're not, don't. The law supports that basic principle, and so does common sense. The old adage always applies -better to be judged by 12 than carried by six. If the animal is not charging or attacking you, then let it be.

Most likely, you will NOT get to keep the animal, for the exact reason you describe - opens the door to fraudulent "defense killings". But with a friendly game warden in a good mood, who knows.....
 
You shoulda seen it mr. Game warden! That 19 point buck was charging at me running sideways, it was either me or him! I was squirrel hunting with my 22 but i took him out with my trusty backup 308!
 
Don't worry too much, animal attacks while not unheard of, are rare. Quite honestly, you have more of a chance of walking into some thugs weed field or running afoul of some whacky hermit than you do being attacked by an animal.

If you are hunting with a buddy, make sure that you both have some radio's so that you can communicate, other than that, ENJOY.

Carry a sidearm if you are nervous. Doesn't matter what kind.
 
I was already planning on carrying my Beretta 92FS. (Is only other firearm I own currently) Thanks for all the info though. Am hoping I won't need anything other than my .22 until deer season though, when hopefully I will have enough saved up to buy a .308 or .30-06. :)
 
I don't expect to, just like I don't expect to be mugged. But I want to be as prepared as I can and know what side of the law I would be on. In my case the best/only option I have for a backup weapon in the woods is my 92FS. I know it's less than ideal; but if it came down to it, I am pretty sure that half a dozen or more 9mm gold dots into a bear's head would be more effective than my .22.
 
I am pretty sure that half a dozen or more 9mm gold dots into a bear's head would be more effective than my .22.
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That would be a mistake, for two reasons.

1. You think you can draw and make 6 head shots in a second on an animal that runs at you at 30 MPH without warning.

2. Gold Dot 9mm is designed to expand. That's not what you want to use to stop a bear. Handgun rounds have been found at shallow depths in bears killed by rangers/wardens after fatal attacks on humans. The rounds had come from the guns of the dead people, and all they did was make the bear more angry and maybe cause a shallow infection over time. Typically, these rounds are from calibers designed for defense against muggers, not bears.
 
I agree that multiple guns get unwieldy and is impractical. Unless you're going to be hiking or hunting in an area known for aggressive bear, there's no reason to get worried about an attack. Most parts of the country have never even seen a black bear attack. There are some areas where they get exceptionally large and have killed people before, particularly in parts of Canada where there are no brown bear to keep them in check. But I've never heard of or read about a fatal black bear encounter in Washington state. An attack on a full grown man would be even more unlikely.
 
I am pretty sure that half a dozen or more 9mm gold dots into a bear's head would be more effective than my .22.
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More, yes. Enough? maybe, maybe not. Bears and hollow points from handguns do not mix well.
 
Well the idiot that shot the black bear in SWFL just got 2 years probation for shooting and killing a black bear. At first he said it was self defense, took it to trial and changed his mind.
 
I shot a charging coyote once at about 5 yards.

In Montana, if you shoot a bear and claim self defense you better have some claw marks, so I've heard.
 
In Montana, if you shoot a bear and claim self defense you better have some claw marks, so I've heard.
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Yeah, I'm not sure Dr. Tad has spent much time in Montana, since he wrote this:

Yes, always report it to the game warden.

It's real simple, if your life and limb are in danger, shoot; if they're not, don't. The law supports that basic principle, and so does common sense.
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Please don't run into the woods carrying your hollow point 9's and think you're golden. Armed Bear is trying to help you.

1. Hollowpoints vs. thick skinned/30 mph/with large teeth predators...just think about it, honestly.
2. 9 mm = not enough of the power or energy or whatever you wanna call it.
3. Your .22 rifle shot from the hip would probly be more accurate, hence deadly, than you trying to shoot a running bear with a relatively short barreled autoloader.

In closing, start with a .357 mag or above, .44 if you can handle it...use hard cast, no hollowpoints. Before that, though, get some bear spray, that should be your first priority. Never leave it in the car, you should forgo the handgun before it. Just be happy you don't have to worry about grizzlies...like some of us. And think carefully about who you tell and what you say if you ever had to shoot a bear, your first priority should be yourself, since you know you had to shoot.
 
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The catch-22 with big bears and hunting would be that the very things you want to do when you're around them is what you don't want to do when you're trying to hunt:

make noise and hike downwind:)

Seriously, check out bear attack stats for where you will be hunting. You will probably find that they're very rare. I was talking with a guide who is the Idaho state elk calling champion. He's been hunting in very remote country for a very long time. He told me that, unless he's hunting bear, he's only seen one once in his whole life. They're around, but they want nothing to do with us.

One reason Browns are a big deal in AK is that there are so damned many of them. They come into town to eat, and they can't just take off if they sense a human, since the next big bear's territory might be a few hundred yards away.

Black bears in the Northwest? I wouldn't sweat it. But again, if you DO have reason for concern, DON'T use 9mm holllowpoints. It's not a joke: it really does just piss them off.

Now there are other things in the Northwest that you might not expect to be dangerous, but are: moose, mountain sheep, elk, badgers, public land pot farmers, etc. It's not stupid to carry a gun. It is, however, a bad idea to carry the wrong gun, and the wrong ammo.
 
Well, I worry a lot more about predatory animals inside the loop or anywhere around Houston than I do in the mountains out west.
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Yeah, but in the mountains out west, you can carry your engraved beauty where everyone can see it.:) Who cares if you really NEED it?
 
If you are attacked by a bear, it is completly illegal to shoot him, so id just go ahead and let him eat you. :evil:

on a serious note, if you do get attacked by a bear, your 22 or 9mm is probably not going to help you very much.
 
I'd recommend a large slingshot made of surgical tubing, a huge container of peanut butter, and an ATV.

If attacked by a bear, sling the peanut butter as far as you can (some of those things can go 100 yards) in the direction you don't want to go. When the bear goes for the peanut butter, jump on the ATV and get the hell out of there.:D

Sound silly? Well, if you read the instructions on a can of bear spray, you'll find that they can sound pretty silly, too...
 
Bear pepper spray is highly effective and frankly I recommend that for animal protection. The side arm is for HUMAN ANIMAL protection.
 
Bear pepper spray is highly effective
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I'd like to see your opinion after trying it while facing into a steady 25 MPH wind. I'll buy you a can if I can watch.

Bear pepper spray is highly effective when used exactly in the way it's designed to be used. Read the complete instructions, and you'll find that to be less than reassuring.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't carry it, or that I think a .44 is magic, either.
 
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