Bear protection??

[LufkinMike]

Was wondering if you guys and gals take a pistol when you are fiishing on the rivers? we are coming next week and are debating if we should bring our pistols/I really do not want to What do you think?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Bear Buster]

bring it, if it's a 45 cal or larger

bring it, if it's a 45 cal or larger

If your going fishing in the big tourist holes like, the Russian , Willow, Montana or shi[p creek leave it at home because there will be so many people that people will be more of a pest than the bears.

 

[SoggyMountain]

What Buster said.

 

[TBLOOMA]

what i do

what i do

I load my own .44 stuff very hot for bears. To each his own. shot placement is key.

 

[trapperbob]

Always take a firearm

Always take a firearm

I am not afraid of Alaskas bears but I run into them routinely and believe in being prepared. Why would lots of people affect your decision to be prepared for bear trouble when these are the situations when bears are most dangerous. A properly handled weapon should present no threat to neighboring fisherman and might save their lives.

 

[guns68]

Looks to me that you have answered your own question. If you do not want to carry a gun then don't! For myself when I lived in Kodiak I never carried when fishing the road system. I figured that if a bear showed up I'd leave. Besides I would be more likely to use a pistol on the occasional snagger and or rude "fisherman" than on a bear so I play it safe and leave it at home.

 

[Mr. Pid]

Common sense and awareness are your best protection. A pistol won't overcome the lack of them.

If you anticipate being in the proximity of other people, I'd leave the gun home. If you're going to camp in some remote spot on a salmon stream and you anticipate wading or walking through the bushes, I'd take it. In any case, remember that the bears are there for fish, not for you. Don't put them on the defense. The other thing is that you don't need to be stealthy for salmon fishing. Make some noise. A surprised bear is dangerous. Make certain that you don't surprise one. Talk, sing, whistle, whatever. Announce your presence as you walk.

 

[Alaskan Fly Guy]

It is a bit of a pain in the a$$ but I still carry my short barreled, extended magazine, 870 Mairner shotgun. Very reliable and has some major knock down power. Like the others here, I don't bring it along when I am fishing with a bunch of people, but always have it if I am bush wacking to or from salmon streams by myself.

 

[Andy]

Although I don't live in Alaska, and have only seen one bear from a distance in a boat. I had an idea for a bear repellent. You know those bear Spays that you can buy. They should incorporate those with an air horn. This way if you do come face to face with a bear, when this item is sprayed along with the liquid bear spay hitting the bear, a loud air horn goes off at the same time. I think that would scare the crap out of a bear.

 

[OKElkHunter]

need it and not have it

need it and not have it

Was wondering if you guys and gals take a pistol when you are fiishing on the rivers? we are coming next week and are debating if we should bring our pistols/I really do not want to What do you think?

Thanks

Mike

I would rather have mine and not need it than need it and not have it. The one time I forgot mine last year, I ended up face-to-face with a Brownie at the Russian. Luckily we scared each other and he decided to cross about 20 yards down strean instead of right on top of, or through me. I take mine everywhere now, tourist area or not.

 

[Alaska Gray]

I carry a .44 mag

 

[Tight Lines]

I carry a 460 Smith, even a 44 mag can be marginal unless you practice often. I've been around allot of bears and never had to use it (thankfuly) most bears leave as soon as you get there. They know we are anti social.


DD

 

[tull777]

What, no bear spray???

 

[nibenza]

Don't leave home without it.

Don't leave home without it.

.454 Casul

 

[TruBluTex]

It is a bit of a pain in the a$$ but I still carry my short barreled, extended magazine, 870 Mairner shotgun. Very reliable and has some major knock down power. Like the others here, I don't bring it along when I am fishing with a bunch of people, but always have it if I am bush wacking to or from salmon streams by myself.

I carry my Winchester 1300 Defender and eliminate the pain in the butt by having a rifle holster. Works like a charm, very secured, and totally out of the way while casting.

 

[alaskachuck]

If im fishing the russian or the mouth of the russian and the kenai I dont carry anything. To many other people with guns and I just stay aware of my situtation. Keep my head on a swivel and always looking around. If i go up the russian i will carry my 44 with 320 back packer specials and my wife carries my glock 40 just in case.

 

[big_dog60]

If you don't want to take it don't. If you are uncomfortable with it then it will probably do you no good. Just take standard bear country precosions and have fun.
I didn't till I could aford to buy one. Now I carry a 44mag.

 

[nibenza]

Clarification

Clarification

I should have said, I don't leave home without it. Someone not intimately knowledgeble with there weapon should not carry, particularly in an area such as the Russian. IMO

 

[utvolsfan13]

I have a bear bell attached to my backpack. If a bear comes, I'll shake it in his face til he runs away... or I'll beat him with it... hmmm wishful thinking I guess

 

[Sierra Hotel]

I have a bear bell attached to my backpack. If a bear comes, I'll shake it in his face til he runs away... or I'll beat him with it... hmmm wishful thinking I guess

Brings to mind that joke about being able to tell the species of bear by looking at bear scat . . . .

If you're not competent with the firearm, leave it home - you'll do more harm to others around you or even yourself. That having been said, when you leave the hard surface you are part of the food chain, and you're not at the top anymore. My personal preference is the .454 Casuill, loaded with 300 grain solid brass bear stoppers.

Of course I have mine specially modified - the front sight was ground flush with the barrel. That way, it doesn't hurt so much when the bear grabs it and shoves it up my posterior orifice.

SH