I've bowhunted for 40 years and never needed a pistol until last year, hopefully I'll never need one again, but I won't hunt a tent groundblind without one. I was in my blind with nothing but a compound bow and pocket knife when a black bear cub stuck it's head in the back door and nipped the back of my elbow, another cub stuck it's head in the side window and the momma bear then heard me screaming and cussing and ran up on the blind, in a blind spot where I couldn't see it but could hear it brushiing and growling against the side. She finally ran out 5 yards in front of me and turned, didn't know if she was going to charge or leave so I slung an arrow(wasn't planning on shooting a sow with cubs but didn't have a choice and it was legal bear archery season) anyway, slung an arrow, hit the side of blind and cleanly missed her and luckily the arrow hitting the tree scared her away........anyway that's why I am getting into pistols.
Not an issue during turkey season when you have a gun, but with a bow only what would you pack?
Would you consider just a .22 pistol where you could scare stuff away and use it for small game hunting, or would you consider a large caliber where you could stop a bear, but overkill for small game? I was thinking toward a ruger single 6 .22 for small game and hopefully scaring a bear, or maybe a larger caliber that wouldn't have any use for small game, but could possibly get into white tail deer hunting with a pistol(legal) here?
If I was worried about a bear it would definitely be a pistol caliber that could take it down.
Way take a chance shooting a pea shooter and pissing the bear off them what?
I would suggest a long barrel 44mag if I wanted to deer hunt and take care of a charging bear, I have hunted deer for 25 years with a Smith and Wesson model 29 with an 8 3/8 barrel. You can scare the bear with either the 22 or the 44 mag but the 22 will not stop a charging bear. I've never bear hunted with mine but have killed many deer with it,
Check your regs. We can pack a pistol while bowhunting because of bears. However, it has to have a barrel length of less than 4" and be carried in sight (unless you have a concealed carry permit.) I used to carry a 45 cal but now just pack my concealed carry gun which is a 9mm. With some hard cast bullets, I feel ok with it, but it is definitely on the light side.
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#1. You still didn't need a pistol, if she wanted you, she had you!
#2. Hastily slinging an arrow was probably the worst possible thing to do! Lucky it turned out ok.
#3. If you're truly worried about bear, then nothing short of a central nervous system shot with an adequate caliber will save you from a true change and close range. Think 10mm auto and go up!
#4. Very few people can fire a handgun well enough under extreme stress to be effective. And most game wardens will tell you that if it's self defense, you almost better have bear slobber on yourself! Shooting one standing a few yards away that's trying to figure out what you are isn't going to fly!!
When I worked on kodiak island. I carried a Glock 10mm. I went everywhere. Up mountains, down in the rivers and had a lot of confidence in it. Never had to use it. But I seen a bunch of bears.
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We have blackies here that can go 700+ pounds. The folks that tell you "they're more afraid of you than you are of them" don't know s**t. A 600 pound boar black bear isn't scared of ANYTHING unless he's living in grizzly country.
I carry a Glock 10mm ANY time I'm in the woods or working the Christmas tree farm. I've seen it too many times............. I have too many friends who've seen it.
As far as having bear slobber on me before I intervene in the situation........... No. Combat distance (21 feet) or less and I will start running the trigger. I'm not interested in putting any sport in a malevolent bear encounter.
Years ago I had several run ins with black bears while bow hunting in Florida. Some of the boars were 500+ pounds. And you never want to piss off mama. It wasn't legal back then to carry a sidearm, but it is now if you have a CWP.
If I had the experience you did, and I've dealt with mama and cubs, I'd be toting a hog leg. Better safe than sorry, or dead.
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A 10mm would be a good start, why is everyone so hesitant to shoot a bear that is threatening them, double lung that sow and be done with it!
Hunting deer I assume in a ground blind? I would tote your turkey gun with some T sized TSS handloads!
Anyone considering bear spray? When I went to Wyoming in 2022 it was common in most retail stores. Don't think I've ever seen for sale here in Florida where protected trash eating black bears can be a problem.. As for a gun I have a SW 4506 that I can load to nine max. It's loaded now with home defense loads but not certain they would be ideal for a big bear. They do work on hogs although a lung shot isn't an instant kill. Interesting dilemma.
Also consider one of those small handheld boat horns that every Walmart carries. If that blast doesn't scare the bear he will at least be deaf. Lol.
In my area, I never had to worry about bears and such, but I always carried a firearm with me while bow hunting, just in case I fall or something I could hopefully signal someone for help if needed. Also, in the woods you never know who or what you might run into... animal / drug people ... etc ... IMO ...
Unless not permitted by law I always have a pistol. 9MM, 45, 357, sometimes a 22 revolver while turkey hunting. A few years ago while turkey hunting with an outfitter I tagged out first hunt so I tagged along on the other hunts and felt naked not carry a gun. Being here in Florida could come across a hog or Yote just about anywhere. Bubba
Quote from: Happy on September 12, 2023, 01:37:31 PM
Check your regs. We can pack a pistol while bowhunting because of bears. However, it has to have a barrel length of less than 4" and be carried in sight (unless you have a concealed carry permit.) I used to carry a 45 cal but now just pack my concealed carry gun which is a 9mm. With some hard cast bullets, I feel ok with it, but it is definitely on the light side.
Yes... Check the regs.
In California I believe you are NOT allowed to carry any firearm while (actually) bowhunting (at least during archery season or archery only tags).
Me... I would probably go with a 10 mm glock were I to carry for people/critters in CA... Know a few fishing guides that carry them (In Montana), and they are compact enough to carry, and have the potential to cause tissue damage/Penetration... Were I in Alaska, salmon fishing around lots of grizzleys, I would go with a short shotgun or .454.
In CA, my concerns would be black bears and mountain lions.... I believe a 10 mm would be adequate...
I'd pack bar spray before I'd try to scare a bear with small caliber pistol.
Quote from: Crghss on September 13, 2023, 06:26:22 PM
I'd pack bar spray before I'd try to scare a bear with small caliber pistol.
Yes... Bear spray before a .22 cal...
But I would rather have a 10 mm than bear spray (at least in CA).
In Grizz country, I would probably carry both (at least whilst fishing).
Quote from: joey46 on September 13, 2023, 10:34:24 AM
Anyone considering bear spray? When I went to Wyoming in 2022 it was common in most retail stores. Don't think I've ever seen for sale here in Florida where protected trash eating black bears can be a problem.. As for a gun I have a SW 4506 that I can load to nine max. It's loaded now with home defense loads but not certain they would be ideal for a big bear. They do work on hogs although a lung shot isn't an instant kill. Interesting dilemma.
Also consider one of those small handheld boat horns that every Walmart carries. If that blast doesn't scare the bear he will at least be deaf. Lol.
Y'all know how to identify bear scat? It has pieces of air horn plastic in it and smells like cayenne peppers.
Could help myself. I heard a joke along those lines years ago.
Some great vids on the "Hated You Tube" about pistols and bear spray. You guys should watch. Everyone should watch.
When bears are going to attack you, your screwed. Otherwise, your shooting at a bear that is intimidating you.
If you are not an experienced handgunner Inwould recommend .40 cal for black bear. Unless you have a lot of real big bear that should be a good choice for penetration that isn't too much recoil for a handgun "sometimer".
All joking aside I may be turkey hunting next spring in an area of PA where black bears are common. My wife's cousins lose a few bird feeders every year to some neighborhood black bears in the Poconos. I always guessed that carrying a few deer slugs would be decent bear insurance if really necessary. Opinions? I would be flying up so trying to get both my turkey gun and a .45 pistol to PA may be too big of a hassle and I really don't want to bother with a pistol. The gun will be a .410 but I did find some deer slugs for it and they are surprisingly accurate. If it ever cools down I'll try a Florida hog test. These PA bears are hunted and have a supposed fear of man. Our Florida bears aren't hunted and will go through your pockets looking for spare change. LOL.
BTW - what state Jc69?
This would make for an exciting turkey hunt. Just noticed the picture does not show if not logged in. Don't remember that being a concern on this forum before. Anyway picture (took three resizing's - grr) from the Denver Bass Pro. Bear spray conveniently located in a nearby display. Never saw the air horns.
Agreed, .22 to protect you from rabbits and squirrels. Anything else you'd better have more. My problem is sweat on the gun early season. But chances of encountering what you've encountered are slim. Now that Glock thing!!! Great paper weights! Honestly if you go 10mm and aren't a pistol guy you may have probs with it. Get yourself a SW .357. Learn to shoot it using .38 special. Then when you're ready to shoot mags you can prob switch to the 10mm or better yet stay with a real/wheel gun but I'd advise again being you're unfamiliar, a metal gun like a 1911 might be easier to shoot. Yes heavier to carry but a gun you can't shoot isn't any good at all and almost everyone unless taught properly and carefully had a flinching stage early on. Go right to the 10mm especially if it's a light Glock, God forbid, and see what happens.
I carry a pistol all the time. Especially bow season. Mainly for meth monkeys. Other also know is archery season so most aint carrying a gun. Easier to get robbed then. .40 Springfield xd sub
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Quote from: roberthyman14 on September 18, 2023, 08:00:55 PM
I carry a pistol all the time. Especially bow season. Mainly for meth monkeys. Other also know is archery season so most aint carrying a gun. Easier to get robbed then. .40 Springfield xd sub
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Just curious? What state?
Quote from: joey46 on September 19, 2023, 07:14:47 AM
Quote from: roberthyman14 on September 18, 2023, 08:00:55 PM
I carry a pistol all the time. Especially bow season. Mainly for meth monkeys. Other also know is archery season so most aint carrying a gun. Easier to get robbed then. .40 Springfield xd sub
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Just curious? What state?
Florida
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I have a S and W 29 Classic in 44 mag but it's just too heavy to carry so I typically carry an M and P 45. Going to upgrade to an M and P 10MM
I too carry my M and P 45, the recoil is very easy in the decent frame with good grips. I have a 357 6" Ruger Security Special, but my son has it. If I wanted bear protection, that should be ideal. There are bear everywhere I hunt in North Florida, I am much more comfortable with my M&P shooting a combat grip and practice quite a bit, so that is what I carry. I just feel like I can more quickly put more shots on target with it. I'll post a pic from my phone in a minute. This is 150 yards from my house.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230919/0f037326f7756dbce9be03ed1cbd9040.jpg)
This is a big boar.
I carry a pistol but it's for meth heads more than anything. We have bears but they're not a concern. Studies show that when carrying a pistol for bear defense the number of shots on target are what really counts. Imo any spicy +p round from 9mm and up is fine for black bear defense inside the ranges you'll be shooting at. For brown bears 10mm is where it's at. If .22 is your only option go with the bear spray. It works fine too
10mm is what you probably want for bears. That said, if they're of limited concern in your area you could consider one of the 9mm penetrator loads from Underwood. Better than nothing
Just last week......checking trail cams. Ran into a sow and 3 year-old cubs. So, + or - 600 to 700 lbs of bear in 4 easy installments. They behaved. But, I was in a place no one would hear you yell. Very, VERY comforting to have 11 rounds of 10mm under my finger and another 10 rounds in my back pocket.
I do not have much concerns with bears where I hunt but it could happen as they are around yet scarce. I carried a pistol regularly on another piece of property even with my rifle as the place was eat up with hogs. Down on the inlaw's farm I did not carry anything but whatever I was hunting with. We are possibly seeing hog sign so I have started carrying my pistol again. I carry a 40 S&W when I carry a pistol. It is either a Glock 23 or a Smith and Wesson Sigma. I feel if I am going to carry it best be something that I can depend on regardless of the situation. I have not carried it yet, but I have my dad's Smith and Wesson 686 357 mag I may tote some as well.
Get out of the blind.
Hunt where you can see around you and be aware of your surroundings.
Aside from that much ado about nothing.
That bear didn't want you or it would have had you before you would get a shot off inside your tent house.
You don't need a pistol. You need to hunt where you're aware of your surroundings.