Going Camping With Bears

[sarahbn]

So, I'm going camping with some Young Women from my church. We will be up where there's a danger of bears. Obviously we'll be taking all precautions to avoid bear trouble, but should some young woman decide the rules don't apply to her and she can have a snack in her tent, or whatever, I might have to deal with a bear. What's the best way to deal with a bear entering your camp? And should I have to use a weapon, what do you recommend I carry and how do you recommend I use it? Is it legal to shoot a bear that's threatening someone's life?

[Hawk87]

Some good bear spay is a must have. All the leaders should have some if there is bear threat. As for guns, think 44 mag and up. A 45 or 10mm would most likey work for black bears, if loaded with hot fmj. Of course i would prefer a rifle...

[Dustin WJ]

Is it legal to shoot a bear that's threatening someone's life?

The laws regarding the use of deadly force don't say that the attacker must be human, so yes, it is legal to shoot a bear in such a situation. But, be aware that you will be under a lot of scrutiny if you do shoot one.

As for the type of gun to carry, I would recommend a powerful hunting rifle or a 12 guage shotgun with 3" slugs if your reason for having it is to stop an attacking bear. In addition to the gun, I would also take some bear spray. From what I've read, it's very effective and it could save you from a lot of legal headaches.

Of course, the best advice is to make sure the girls follow the safety rules of camping around bears and avoid an encounter all together. (But you already knew that.)

[gravedancer]

Some good bear spay is a must have. All the leaders should have some if there is bear threat. As for guns, think 44 mag and up. A 45 or 10mm would most likey work for black bears, if loaded with hot fmj. Of course i would prefer a rifle...

You really think FMJ over hollow points for a bear ? Ive wondered about that myself. I usually carry a mag of each with me when camping, but ive always waffled over which one to keep loaded.

[Jesse 8]

There is a thread along these lines...but I can't remember the location or title....mods? Snurd?

As to advice, you should be able to borrow a shotgun easily enough if you don't have one, the slugs are a good recommendation IMO. To the hp/fmj argument....if it's a semi auto, even my .357 mag. I keep fmj loaded if bear is my concern. At .44 mag and above I trust HP's to do their job. The consensus of the other thread IIRC was bear spray before firearms. Apparently it's good stuff

[gravedancer]

The consensus of the other thread IIRC was bear spray before firearms. Apparently it's good stuff

its good stuff if you plan on calling off your camping trip after the encounter. A lot of bear sprays can actually act as an ATTRACTANT after they are exposed to air for a while. So if you get bear spray on your tent or any other gear, your trip is over with unless you want even more bears the next night.

[Snowman]

Odds are one or two girls WILL sneak snacks. Take the biggest gun that you're willing to. And a large can of bear spray. +1 to FMJ below 44mag. I know it's hard to lug around a shotgun, or a rifle. But those, as mentioned, are obviously the best choice. Try to take those. And keep in mind, if a bear does come into camp, to grab the spray, AND the firearm, in case plan A fails.

[UtahJarhead]

... if you're expecting bears, take a rifle. Keep your handgun, but have your rifle for bears. Handguns are for when you have no intention of ever seeing bears and it's inconvenient. If you think there's a possibility of bears, just keep your stinkin rifle on hand.

[muddy]

So, I'm going camping with some Young Women from my church. We will be up where there's a danger of bears. Obviously we'll be taking all precautions to avoid bear trouble, but should some young woman decide the rules don't apply to her and she can have a snack in her tent, or whatever, I might have to deal with a bear. What's the best way to deal with a bear entering your camp? And should I have to use a weapon, what do you recommend I carry and how do you recommend I use it? Is it legal to shoot a bear that's threatening someone's life?

First you are in no real danger from Bears. Second explain the reasons for a clean camp to all campers and if they can not follow sound reasoning and in the off chance a Bear comes looking for the snickers bar then let him have it. In a camp with multiple tents, a night and people spread out a firearm is not the best choice as there is just to many things to hit besides the Bear. I for one wouldn't want to kill somebody because a camper just couldn't keep the snacks out of the tent. Bear spray is your best bet but If you really need a firearm then don't mess around with anything but a 12 gauge shooting slugs, theres a reason the 12 gauge is standard issue in real Bear country.

[Hawk87]

Some good bear spay is a must have. All the leaders should have some if there is bear threat. As for guns, think 44 mag and up. A 45 or 10mm would most likey work for black bears, if loaded with hot fmj. Of course i would prefer a rifle...

You really think FMJ over hollow points for a bear ? Ive wondered about that myself. I usually carry a mag of each with me when camping, but ive always waffled over which one to keep loaded.

Yes, the reason is that with a bear, your major concern is penetration. Bears have very think hides, and some have thick layers of fat. A JHP will just not penetrate. Personally I would load a 44 mag with FMJ, but anything bigger then that and I would take a look at JHP. Remember too, we are not talking light practice FMJ, get the hottest load you can if you are looking at an up close encounter with a bear.

Personally I would prefer a 12 gauge with slugs (not foster style slugs, think Brenneke or the Federal Truball Deep Penetrator*), but a hunting rifle, or even an AR15 with steel cored ammo, would work just fine.


*citing my reference for slug types http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=99583

[jktseug]

I don't have much experience but have heard that a .45 wouldn't really cut it. You would want something a little bigger. Bears do have really thick hides, they also have thick fur, fat, and a strong bone structure. I have heard a strong 10 mm FMJ should work, but do you really want to chance it? go with a .44 magnum or bigger if you can.
The best defense is a good offense. So make sure everybody understands why you don't want food in tents, and the best spot to store the food. Tell them the stories about bears that have clawed into sleeping bags for the candy bar in the last few years. Remember to wash all dishes further out from camp too. Be careful and have fun.

[B Cart]

First you are in no real danger from Bears.

Tell that to the family of the 11 year old boy pulled out of his tent and eaten by a bear in American Fork Canyon, and the many other people mauled by bears each year.

but If you really need a firearm then don't mess around with anything but a 12 gauge shooting slugs, theres a reason the 12 gauge is standard issue in real Bear country.

I agree with this^^. I think your best bet is a shotgun with slugs. I've also heard bear spray works very well too. Might be worth taking both.

For the most part, your chances of having any trouble with bears is definitely slim, however there is always a chance and it's much better to be safe than sorry.

[The Armed Female]

When I read this title, I thought you were going to Chicago and camping with football team. DA BEARS!

Seriously, I won't pretend to know what you should carry. But I would be concerned with where the bullet(s) may end up. I am inclined to go with Muddy. If they don't listen, then tell them to worry about protecting themselves from the bear that they lured into your camp.

[RoccoRacer]

When I went to Philmont a few years ago they told about a scout that put on some fruity Chapstick before crawling in his tent at night. As the story goes, the scout woke up to a French kiss from a bear.
I plan on getting some bear spray soon, and I will have no sympathy spraying it at bears or scouts that attract them.

[sarahbn]

Obviously we hope to never see any bears and will make every effort to impress upon the girls the need to bear-proof their stuff.

Even if they're the best tools for the job, I don't think I can easily carry a rifle or a shotgun. I have a .380 and a 9mm, do you think either of those would be up to the job with FMJ? Or should I see if I can bribe my friend into letting me borrow his .45?