An axe for bear defense?!

JD Spydo said:
One of the survivor type TV shows that I do give some creedence to is Canadian Les Stroud's SURVIVORMAN. In one of the episodes he filmed up in Canada he was in some forest that was full of moose,. He said in that show that the one animal he feared more than about any animal on the planet was a bull moose during rut. He said they literally go berserk trying to kill any living thing in their path. Bears can be bluffed because I've seen it done before. But there would be no stopping a bull moose short of a big caliber rifle like a .375 H & H or bigger.

One thing that the brother's testimony made clear. Be very careful how you store your food because that will bring bears in for sure. They have one of the best noses in the entire animal kingdom. I've also heard that certain high pitch noises will drive bears off because they have very sensative hearing.

Hey I'm not knocking using an axe if you have one handy. I'm for using any kind of weaponry necessary to preserve one's life or protecting one's self. Personally I would like a thick bladed Gurka Kurkri myself over an axe for that type of defense because I believe a lighter weight weapon would have it's advantages. I was fortunate enough to nail a couple of the really good Cold Steel models made with Carbon V before they become extinct. I love the Gurkha Kukri and I take one of mine in the woods with me every time I go. I just hope I never get that close to a bear or any other potentially dangerous animal to begin with. But as the old saying goes "I would rather have it and not need it, as to need it and not have it". AGain I say to all of you>> be extremely careful around wild animals. That recent chimp attack that happened to that one lady in Connecticut still gives me the creeps :eek:
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I don't have a bear problem in my part of the woods ..... yet, although we had our first bear season this year in the eastern part of the state.....Oklahoma that is. What worries me is all the increasingly larger feral wild hogs we have. Some of the tracks I've seen are huge. I have a 20" and 15" Khukuri one or the other that I take with me as a just in case weapon when I go to the woods if for some reason I don't take a gun; and usually even when I do, guns jam and run out of ammo you know. I also have an inexpensive cold steel Khukuri. It is very light, durable and I have no complaints with it at all. But I love the heft and feel of my handmade nepal Khukuris. My 15" AK is from Himalayan Imports and the back of the blade is nearly 1/2 inch thick. My 20" is not HI but a good quality Khuk that is basically a larger version of my HI. The chopping power of these knives is "too me" unreal. If you want a excellent quality Khukuri with a lifetime warrenty check out Himalayan Imports.
Also, I am a big fan of Les Stroud.
 
If the hogs are subject to regular hunting pressure, I'd be surprised if they become a widespread threat to humans. With the exception of a couple that have been shot, every one I've seen has taken off when he spotted me. In fact, most of those that were shot did the same.

'Course I'd still carry some protection, just in case.

DancesWithKnives
 
Pepper spray is what bear spray is made from. Not all pepper sprays are the same, and even the way some companies compare the supposed effectiveness is a problem. You will hear some compare only the pepper spray 'percentages' (like: 5%, 10%, etc.), and others will compare Scoville Heat Units, or 'SHU's' (like: 1 million, 2 million, etc.). In reality, those are not good comparisons. The pepper spray 'percentages' are not calibrated to a particular (common) type of pepper, and the 'SHU' assignments are human-based testing criteria that is subjective in nature. The only comparison that is 'apples to apples' is the capsaicin percentage measurement, which is a scientific method where the pepper spray is tested in a laboratory to measure the actual strength of the product chemically (like: .18%, .40%, 1.30%, etc.). Many of the bear sprays out there are weak, even though they may be listed as 10% pepper/bear spray or as having 1 million or more SHU's. The best LE pepper sprays are measured in capsaicin percentages. The most effective sprays for LE use or bears sprays will be at least .40%, with some reaching as high as 1.40%. The higher the capsaicin percentage, the more effective the product will be. The lower capsaicin percentage products will not be as effective, and may be as low as .18%, or even lower. Find out the capsaicin percentage before you buy, and if they can't tell you this number, don't buy the product. I have done a lot of research on this specific subject, check me out if you have doubts... do your own research, too.
 
after watching THE EDGE i`d rather have an axe then not. but as vector said i`d rather make a lance or spear , more reach
 
Ask Alaska Fish & Game...

Winchester 8-shot Defender 12 gauge, loaded with Brenneke slugs...
That's what they carry for Kodiak Grizzlies (can reach 14 feet tall)...
 
There is an old joke about whether a 9mm is enough gun to stop a bear attack... it is recommended that you remove the front sights if you plan on using a 9mm, as it won't hurt you as much when the bear shoves the pistol up your rear!:eek:

10mm or bigger in black bear country, preferably a shotgun with slugs for both black and brown bear. I would use an axe/ hawk only as a last resort. I don't know if I would use the spike end of a hawk because it is more likely to get stuck with a good hit only giving you one wack at it (not that you will be lucky enought to get a second or third hit). If I couldn't have a gun I would use the axe/ hawk to make very long spears... and even then I would probably still have a gun (better to be judged by twelve than have your pieces picked up by 6 park rangers if and when they find what's left).

In gator country (around me) I usually carry a glock 10mm (which might not do a whole lot for big gators) and a very large knife (which would be even less desireable because of the close proximity required for it's use). Even more importantly I use a hiking staff with a sharp end to help keep distance.

The best thing for bears is to avoid surprising or encountering one in the first place. Wear a bell/ make noise and practice food safety by keeping food and cooking well away from the campsite. I always keep food in a bear vault and in a tree far from camp when in bear country.
 
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