Recent content by fta0303

The most important rule. My FAther's 300 Wby Mk 5 fired as he was cycling the bolt - twice. That old habit of muzzle awareness prevented something much worse than a scare.

A trained dog is an asset. An untrained dog is a real liability. Most can't afford the dog you have. It's probably handy for you to bring along and good company. People not having daily or weekly outings in griz territory are less likely to have one. It's kind of like, "Wear your anti-bear...

I've read of instances where a grizzly rolled around in an area where bear spray had been discharged. Showed all signs of enjoying it.

There are those bears who are charging you or set to charge you, and those that are curious. I think spray will help with the latter, but not reliably with the former. Too many cases of bruin taking a face full of spray and continuing to attack. I've read that the spray-favorable stats compiled...

Mountain lion attacks are on the uptick in the western states. They can be deadly predator, attacking from the back without warning, like a tiger. If they are accurate in their first rush, they probably have you. Outside of them hunting you, I suspect they'll run from you unless they have...

I like your reasoning. I think the Glock 20 is good for what you're doing, I rely on BUffalo Bore hardcast. I suggest a chest holster, also a lanyard on your handgun. Bear attacks sometimes end in contact that can cause you to lose your gun. If that happens, you don't want to be searching...

The head of a moose, like the head of a horse, is mostly bone and cavity. You can shoot a horse in the head all day long and not kill it, if you don't know where to shoot it. Likely same for moose. In most cases of gun defense against bear, the gun works, whether to drive the bear off or kill...

Also have been informed of a case where a guy in Ak peppered a attacking grizzly with the contents of an M1 carbine. Didn't stop the bear, but the blood in his face blinded him, making him stand up close on; the guy put six .44 Mags in the bear's throat and finished him. The bear had been...

About follow-up shots with a big revovler: I watched a video in which a guy shooting a 454 Casull in a FA revolver put 5 shots into 10" at maybe 15 ft in 3 seconds. Not as fast as a 10mm, but respectable. He had to use 2 hands to do it, and was a fairly beefy guy. The revolver in a big caliber...

and if the spray misses the eyes, nose, and mouth, it will do nothing. it has no permanent effect. black bears, when they attack humans, are in predatory mode, a whole different beast than that clownish fellow who runs away from you. about 95% of bear attacks on humans are turned, if the human...

Very good stuff, really enjoyed listening to it. Phil is a likeable person. His stress on the bears ability to learn and adapt was especially interesting - you know they must, but neat to hear examples. His 9mm experience illustrated one of many possible scenarios. The bear actually exposed...

Grizzlies behave differently than black bear. Black bears will usually go away if you hurt them. Grizzlies not so much - they have instincts that lead them to attack and kill if you stumble on their food cache. Both continue to death if in predatory attack mode. Surprisw encounters can go...

Bear spray is for the other guy....

"You'll do your work on water and lick the bloody boots of 'im that's got it." ;) I've not heard of excess Eskimo deaths due to the .30-30 or .303. The .303 ammo was probably milsurp, hardball. Good penetrator for a square hit. .30-30 maybe too low a velocity for cup & core to fail , certainly...

My Father worked in Alaska out of Fairbanks in the mid-fifties. He spoke to an Eskimo fellow who came from the North, asked him what was used up there on Polar Bear. The answer: .30-30 or .303 British. Clearly, you use what you have and make it work. The Model 94 provides a fast seven rounds...