What is the best defense for a bear attacks?

I can verify that pepper spray is illegal in Ontario. So I don't have a hand gun while camping (a no-no in Ontario as well), cannot out run a brown bear, and probably won't have time to climb a tree. How about running around a tree? A 1000 lbs animal cannot shift its weight faster than a human, right?
 
I couldn't resist adding the following regarding pepper spray for bears.

Mark

Montana grizzly bear notice:

In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the
Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and
fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in
the field.

We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing
so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise
outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter
with a bear.

It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity.
Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and
grizzly bear s**t. Black bear s**t is smaller and contains lots of
berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear s**t has little bells in it and
smells like pepper.
 
Anyone recall seeing a special on a looney on t.v., he had this Horrible looking humongous suit on he invented. Supposedly came up with the idea after being attacked by a bear. Believe he was a Canadian, called it "Project Grizzly"! Now there's a man with an IDEA!! If you can't avoid the bear, just kick his ass! Of course the suit was so heavy, that once he fell over he could'nt get up!
 
I believe that in Canada certain people are allowed to carry handguns for the purpose of animal defence. I believe that trappers are one of categories of people allowed in Canada to carry pistols, but, only in wilderness areas.

I personally would have more confidence with a canister of bear spray (which is legal in Canada-provided it is purchased for defence against animals NOT humans)and a 12 gauge, and my trusty pocket knife (to keep this discussion knife related).
 
One other point I thought of. Of the last dozen or so bear attacks I have heard about in Kodiak, the victims didn't have time to do anything irregardless of whatever weapon they were carrying.

Most of these attacks were unexpected, like my co-worker who was mauled last year when he just turned a "corner" on a path, looked up, so a sow who lunged at him (her cubs were there) and he didn't even have time to raise his 30-06. Kodiaks have been clocked at 35mph!

Make noise! Sure, carry a weapon in case your partner gets attack and you can assist but most attacks are so close time is not on your side.

My co-worker was saved by another friend who heard him screaming and came running and shot the bear off of him.

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~Greg~


 
Speaking of pocket knives and bears....a brother in Alaska mentioned that there were a few articles after a kid in one of the villages managed to kill a bear that attacked him, with a pocket knife, stabbing over 70 times or something. He was pretty chewed up but lived thru it. His aunt said that his luck was bad, enough to have been attacked, but also good enough that he managed to live thru it. Evidently when the kid said that he would get a gun his uncle said that they sure didn't want him having one.

When my brother said that the polar bears weren't usually afraid of anything I suggested that they might be afraid of bigger polar bears, and that he should try a large inflatable bear :^)
 
I recommend grenades to anyone in a bear attack situation...shrapenel should slow it down enough for you to get away...
 
Gunner-I have no doubt in my mind that the Griffith Large Hunter on my hip would fare just fine as I fired seven 3" magnum 12 gauge slugs into that mutha from my 870!
 
One thing to keep in mind is that the best defense in camp is too heavy to be taken along while out hunting (unless you're hunting bear, of course), hiking, fishing, etc.

In camp, I keep handy a Winchester 1300 with seven slugs in the magazine and five more attached to the receiver. Personally, I would rather face a bear with that than with pepper spray.

Out on the trail, though, or out in the trout stream, who can lug around a cannon? Here, I think, is where a can of pepper makes the most sense.

And save the knife for knife stuff.

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I don't want my children fed or clothed by the state, but I would prefer THAT to their being educated by the state.
 
Johno,
I believe the kid you're refering about was attacked by a grizzly bear and he did try to fend it off with his pocket knife, but he did not kill it. In fact, he was attacked pretty bad but luckily the bear ran off but not until he came back and bit him again.

The boy also lost his knife so the guys at worked pitched in and we bought his a beautiful Case Kodiak bowie and sent it to him. We got a thank you card from him a few weeks ago.

To read the original thread Click Here

Regards,

------------------
~Greg~


 
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