# Carrying firearms for defense against an aggressive bear? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420 "2024-04-17T18:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/61 "2024-04-19T22:04:34Z")
Oh I shot it in the air. But I put another in the chamber in case it decided to run towards us rather then away! No way I wanted to deal with killing a bear without a hunting license (when I wasn’t in critcal danger!) MtM ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/62 "2024-04-19T22:35:41Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > I carry a short barreld (just legal by 1/4") 12 gauge shotgun. It is chambered with 1.5 ounce hollowpoint magnum slugs. No disrespect meant to your choice of weapon nor to your bear risk management, but I have to say this sentence along with your username conjure up a very formidable image. Great combo. Nicely done! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/63 "2024-04-19T22:57:18Z")
In other bear news, [these idiots made on tonight’s broadcast](https://abcnews.go.com/US/bear-cub-recovering-after-dropped-bystander-picked-photos/story?id=109386159). What the fuck is wrong with people? ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/64 "2024-04-19T23:20:42Z")
Recommended for anyone interested in this topic: _A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear: The Utopian Plot to Liberate an American Town (And Some Bears)_, by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/65 "2024-04-19T23:35:45Z")
That was a good read for sure. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/66 "2024-04-19T23:42:25Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > What the fuck is wrong with people? Picked up/tried to pet/chased up a tree and grabbed a bear cub is just one category of Darwin Awards reported in _Death in Yellowstone._ ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/67 "2024-04-20T00:10:37Z")
If a bear has the decency to run straight at you in an open field then even a modest handgun provides a lot of distance (time) in which to make repeated head shots. Certainly much farther than bear spray will reach. But many of the attacks I’ve read about the bear was coming from a spot hidden by brush. The bear was just waiting and watching. I’d go with bear spray and a lighter because most of them are flammable. If the spray isn’t working then plan B is an impromptu flamethrower. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/68 "2024-04-20T04:35:07Z")
The way I heard it, you do not need to outrun the _bear_… ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/69 "2024-04-20T09:53:26Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If the spray isn’t working then plan B is … getting mauled? Much as I like the visual of someone flamethrowing Cocaine Bear, the primary method of finding out that bear spray didn’t work, is a bear knocking you into next week. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/70 "2024-04-20T11:26:21Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > The way I heard it, you do not need to outrun the _bear_… Another good reason to only hike with little kids or the infirm. Even better than bringing a gun, spray, or jingle bells. … for you ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/71 "2024-04-20T12:48:35Z")
Late add: Humor aside, this brings up an interesting point about the old adage. Given a bear annoyed at some aspect of a nearby group of people, it assumes the bear will settle for mauling the first one it catches. How true is that? Does the bear pick a target person and chase just them, bypassing any other closer people? The classic attack scenario is getting between Mom & cub(s). If you have two or three people involved, it’s built into the setup that the person closest to Mom is farthest from the cub(s) and vice versa. Does Mom attack the greatest threat = the one closest to the cubs, or the one conveniently close to her? I know I don’t know. I do know that I bet you can’t keep up with me. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/72 "2024-04-20T16:42:58Z")
> **[Do not ‘push a slower friend down’ if you encounter a bear, National Park...](https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/do-not-push-a-slower-friend-down-if-you-encounter-a-bear-national-park-service-warns/)** > > (CNN) — The National Park Service has some bear-y important tips for what not to do if you — and a friend — encounter aRead More ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/73 "2024-04-20T16:50:14Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The very loose rule of thumb I was told (this is **NOT** expert advice at all…just humor): > > - Black, fight back. > - Brown, lie down. (play dead and find religion) > - White, you’re fucked. I’ve always heard the saying regarding what to do if a bear is actually attacking you as: **“If it’s brown, lie down; if it’s black, fight back; if it’s white, say goodnight.”** But your version has a certain _je ne sais quoi_ to it. 😉 > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I never understood the “lie down”. > Nope. I’m running, I probably will be caught, but dang it I’m gonna try. It’s because you can’t outrun an attacking brown (grizzly) bear, and your best chance of survival at that point is to curl up, protect your abdomen, and play dead—and hope the bear no longer sees you as a threat and loses interest. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’m guessing they do not think bear spray or handguns are sufficient for a polar bear. I actually wouldn’t have thought that bear spray was a particularly good deterrent against aggressive polar bears, but was surprised to find a recent [study](https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.1403) that it actually _is_ an effective deterrent. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/74 "2024-04-20T17:08:25Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I never understood the “lie down”. > Nope. I’m running, I probably will be caught, but dang it I’m gonna try. If you “challenge” a black bear (yell, scream, wave your arms, try tp appear as threatening as possible), it will usually back down and decide you’re not worth the risk. Note the word “usually” in that sentence. Not always. If you challenge a grizzly, it will usually attack. A grizzly’s instincts are very different from a black bear’s. If you run from either type, they will chase you and attack. At that point you’ve triggered their hunter/prey instincts and you are the prey. If you play dead, the grizzly may think that you’re sick. It will probably take a few swipes at you, and if you don’t fight back there is a good chance that it will leave you and go search for healthier prey. Black bears are less picky scavengers, so if you play dead they will just think “ooh, this one’s easy!” and will start feeding on you. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > We only have black bears around here, and common wisdom is that they aren’t terrible dangerous unless you corner them or threaten their cubs. Obviously they are huge and powerful and can hurt people, but mostly they’d prefer to just keep away from us. Same here. Black bear sightings are on the rise around here. A couple of years ago we had one wander into town. It ended up in a tree, and the Department of Natural Resources came and tranquilized it. After it passed out and went _plop_ out of the tree, they put it in a cage on the back of a truck, took it way out into the wilderness, and let it go. I live in a town of about 20,000 people for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/75 "2024-04-20T17:12:32Z")
When I had encounters with my bear(6 or 7) After the first, I was uber prepared. I still felt unequal to the task. Running was the only thing my brain could think no matter how many times everyone told me make noise, stand your ground, shoot to kill if you have to. But, your heart beats so hard you feel it in your ears. You just know it’s gonna break. RUN! Your head tells you, Go girl, now!! At the time the Bear was around I was walking with an obese beagle. I had her on a long lead to keep her close enough I knew she was safe. She always went nose down into the brush. She was slow but so focused that running into a tree trunk happened frequently. When, we saw the bear, well she always smelled him before we saw him, I could tell because she’d glue herself to the back of my legs and shake. Had a low growly whine. Never barked at it but one time when the bear was knee deep in my pond. I’m not sure why. It was funny, when I decided retreat was safe and necessary she knew it a half second before I did. That old, fat, round beagle body ran so fast. It was the only times I saw her ever move like that. She was a blur of tricolor beagle and you couldn’t see her feet. Like a cartoon they were pure movement. Not once did she look back to see if I was behind her. She was just gone. When I’d finally get to the house, panting and heaving. She would be sitting on the deck, look up at me and say “Hi, where you been?” Wagging her fat tail. I’m just so happy Mr. Bear moved on. Hasn’t been spotted in 3 years. I hope he’s went to better digs and has a good life. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/76 "2024-04-20T17:29:38Z")
A black bear ATE pounds of flesh off my close friend, killed two and wounded another. They are extremely dangerous, especially when they become habituated to a human supplied food source such as garbage or bird feeders. Such situations must be dealt with urgently for both the safety of humans and bears. They are beautiful amazing creatures and should be respected. This includes recognizing that they are opportunistic predators. Ive seen many black bears, usually by the ass end as they run away scared. Going away from you they are a decreasing threat. Coming towards you they are a threat of the highest order. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/77 "2024-04-20T17:53:50Z")
Of course now I’m watching _Revenant_ like a dummy. 😳 ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/78 "2024-04-20T18:20:15Z")
One evening while reading a firearms themed message board the question as to which handgun was best for bear defense came up. One user, who said he was a hunting guide in Alaska said: “it doesn’t really matter much. You just need to file the front sight down flush with the barrel.” Someone asked why. He replied: “Then it won’t hurt quite so much when the bear shoves that handgun up your rectum before he eats you…” ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/79 "2024-04-20T19:59:03Z")
A 45-70 in a rifle would be best. But still, if you have a handgun of any caliber you would probably feel better shooting the bear while it kills you. At least you have something. Most predatory animals are very careful about thier prey. If the predator gets injured, they are dead in a few weeks. They will not recover if injured. Humans appearing large and loud it your best bet. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420/80 "2024-04-20T20:25:24Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > A 45-70 in a rifle would be best. Yeah, that’s a cannon. My .356 is basically a .308 necked up to 35 caliber. Should be good enough I think. Under such circumstances that I would have to use it to save my self, I may have a 50/50 chance of making the shot. Better than no chance at all. I’ve read that for Black Bears and Cougars, it is good to look bigger by raising your arms and such. Best to have an escape route IMHO. But that’s when your front door to your house is closer than the bear is to you. Lots closer. If a Cougar is after you it is probably injured and real hungry cause it can’t get it’s normal prey, and you are probably SOL. Driving to an appointment once, there was a moose laying by the side of the road. I did not have a chance to look close, but decided that if it was still there when I came back I would call the department of wildlife. Someone else saw it. It had been injured (probably hit by a car) he dispatched it and was dressing it out on the road. It can be a bit crazy. But my opinion is that wildlife is not encroaching on us, they belong here. We are encroaching on them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrying-firearms-for-defense-against-an-aggressive-bear/1000420.md?page=5)