Bear protection handguns?

[VLD Pilot]

We hunted Black Bears with dogs in North Carolina, A totally different situation from the OP's perspective, They (The Bears) have a different attitude with the dogs on them and 99% of the time when you go in after them the brush was so thick you can barley see 10 feet in any direction, hence my choice of the 10mm and 15 rounds, I've seen a few photo finishes

Well the NC bears are as big as grizzlies so I'm pretty sure there a different breed anyway. Biggest black bears in the country live in NC

 

[WYO300RUM]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/5272050001&ved=2ahUKEwiVqYiGk43xAhXSIjQIHQrEAL8QFjADegQIJBAC&usg=AOvVaw0hrdHdYEjqLiRho5v--u7y&ampcf=1

 

[Husky user]

I have to ask,when hunting deer ,are you using a bow& arrow?
If not if you are parking a rifle why pack a big heavy hand gun.
If you feel you need a side arm I suggest a Taurus Ti in 44mag.
Weighs and cost half what a S&W 29 does.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I heard this guy's bear spray had tooth punctures in it. Another thing you may never know. Approaching a dead animal the griz has been feeding on.. Reminds me of the sow and two cubs I saw and found the buck deer they were feeding on. The hair on the back of my neck thing happend

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/us/grizzly-bear-attack-yellowstone.amp.html&ved=2ahUKEwiVqYiGk43xAhXSIjQIHQrEAL8QFjAPegQIIhAC&usg=AOvVaw3LpxkQOxofMvSm3P8T_Q6X&ampcf=1

 

[xsn10s]

I preferred the 4" M29 because of the balance of weight, power, and ease of shooting. Yeah you can find lighter revolvers but shooting them with heavy 300 gr loads isn't easy for me. With a standard M29 4" I could shoot and practice with it to a high level of proficiency.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I have to ask,when hunting deer ,are you using a bow& arrow?
If not if you are parking a rifle why pack a big heavy hand gun.
If you feel you need a side arm I suggest a Taurus Ti in 44mag.
Weighs and cost half what a S&W 29 does.

You are allowed to carry pistol while bow hunting here. Even in Ca. you can now ! That state doesn't want lawsuits from lion attacks. Depends where you are hunting . Timber yes. Flatland, ranches anything not in n/w Wy. no. In yes.

 

[xsn10s]

I have to ask,when hunting deer ,are you using a bow& arrow?
If not if you are parking a rifle why pack a big heavy hand gun.
If you feel you need a side arm I suggest a Taurus Ti in 44mag.
Weighs and cost half what a S&W 29 does.

I carried a Marlin 1895 45-70 and a M29 in Alaska. When fishing I left the rifle and carried the pistol. When hunting I carried both. When I took a dump in the woods the pistol sat on my lap unholstered. A sidearm is handy and a backup. But only if you load it with proper bullets and can use it. It'll never replace a proper rifle or shotgun, but is better than foul language.

 

[WYO300RUM]

I preferred the 4" M29 because of the balance of weight, power, and ease of shooting. Yeah you can find lighter revolvers but shooting them with heavy 300 gr loads isn't easy for me. With a standard M29 4" I could shoot and practice with it to a high level of proficienc

I carried a Marlin 1895 45-70 and a M29 in Alaska. When fishing I left the rifle and carried the pistol. When hunting I carried both. When I took a dump in the woods the pistol sat on my lap unholstered. A sidearm is handy and a backup. But only if you load it with proper bullets and can use it. It'll never replace a proper rifle or shotgun, but is better than foul language.

Spot on .

 

[WYO300RUM]

Oh boy...

Grizzly Bear Capture to Begin - Eastmans' Official Blog | Mule Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting and Bowhunting Magazine | Eastmans' Hunting Journals

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) has begun its grizzly bear population study in the G

eastmans.us2.list-manage.com

 

[xsn10s]

I have to ask,when hunting deer ,are you using a bow& arrow?
If not if you are parking a rifle why pack a big heavy hand gun.
If you feel you need a side arm I suggest a Taurus Ti in 44mag.
Weighs and cost half what a S&W 29 does.

Hello
Next season I plan to hunt deer in Arkansas. I am told that from time to time bears pass through the lease. With this in mind, what is a good, dependable handgun (that won't break the bank) to carry for protection? I hear that the Glock 20 (10 mm) is a solid choice. Any other guns to consider?

In Arkansas or other areas with only black bears, cougars, and wolves I wouldn't feel under gunned with a 10mm. Or a 357 magnum for that matter.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I have to ask,when hunting deer ,are you using a bow& arrow?
If not if you are parking a rifle why pack a big heavy hand gun.
If you feel you need a side arm I suggest a Taurus Ti in 44mag.
Weighs and cost half what a S&W 29 does.

If your slinging a rifle, I'd say your an easy defenseless meal. A sidearm allows easier access when hauling a pack, even with bow in hand. Even then it's rolling the dice on deploying it in a last minute close encounter. Much rather have a long gun in hands in that scenario. Your pretty handicapped with archery equipment while hunting with bow in hand. I'd agree on the Ti weight issue for sure. More recoil, less weight. A trade off for sure. With a chest rig, weight isn't as much a factor for me within reason. I do see myself using my 4" .44 mag in the chest rig on trips more than prior to having that set up. In most cases and most locations I hunt, the G20 will be a better choice. Lions are most of what live in those areas. Black bears also.

 

[dogz]

As mentioned B4, the Gun Fighter Kenai holster is your friend.

Mine's packed in the truck for my afternoon hike down by West Yellowstone this afternoon

 

[mnoland30]

I've had close encounters with a few black bears and cougars, but they are hunted here in NM, so they tend to run away. The only bear that didn't run was in my tent (Luckily I wasn't). In those days I locked my rifle in the truck because I'd never seen a bear. She had no fear of humans, when I yelled at her, she just stood up. A warning shot made her leave for about 5 minutes. The second shot wasn't a warning shot. I came across a lion on an elk carcass and it growled at me and looked ready to defend it's meal. I walked away.

Once a bear found my elk before I did. It left before I got there, but I was glad to have my .357 with me, and spent a lot of time looking over my shoulder. I had a cougar watch me clean my deer once. I didn't notice until it got dark, and my headlight lit up his eyes.

When bears come to the sound of a shot, they aren't hunted enough. I'm glad I don't hunt in grizzly country, but those idiot environmentalists want to reintroduce them. Google wolf attacks in the 19th century, and it will scare you.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I love mine