What caliber would you carry in black bear country

[Amishman44]

I have hunted black bear in Maine four times and have taken three bears. I would consider a .357 Mag loaded with a heavy bullet to be my minimum suggestion for black bear. I would feel confident carrying my S&W 681 loaded with either Garrett or Buffalo Bore ammo.

East of the Mississippi...I'm comfortable with a 180 grain cast load, in .357 magnum, from Buffalo Bore as it would be sufficient, as would 10mm, .44 magnum, and .45 Colt +P, or .454 Casull!
West of the Mississippi...I'd stick with the .44 magnum, a 10mm, or .454 Casull!

 

[Amishman44]

If it’s black, fight back,
if it’s brown, lie down,
if it’s white, good night.

Never heard it put quite that way before...
Makes sense though...

 

[Expat]

I remember that video of a black bear pursuing the guy through the woods. They said it was a hungry bear and wanted to eat the guy.

 

[ditcherman]

Never heard it put quite that way before...
Makes sense though...

Straight from the Alaskan bush, via a buddy of mine that spent a few summers up there.

 

[Tactically Fat]

9mm.

No reason for anything more.

Generally - black bears are human sized. BIG boars are like BIG humans. Sure - they're around. But averages are averages for a reason. Black bear are also not super thick skinned animals.

Most importantly is if you can hit your target.

 

[66chevelle]

9mm.

No reason for anything more.

Generally - black bears are human sized. BIG boars are like BIG humans. Sure - they're around. But averages are averages for a reason. Black bear are also not super thick skinned animals.

Most importantly is if you can hit your target.

I wasn’t even thinking about boars. I have never been around them either. Guess I have a good reason to buy a 10mm.

 

[bradbessett]

My vote would be for a 10mm 1911. When you run out of rounds, it’ll also make a good club.

 

[Tactically Fat]

I wasn’t even thinking about boars. I have never been around them either. Guess I have a good reason to buy a 10mm.

(Male bears are called boars)

 

[66chevelle]

(Male bears are called boars)

Correct but that comment made me think of hogs also. I had not even thought about that.

 

[planedriver]

I know this is very open ended question. I am going to Tennessee to look at a remote piece of property. Which got me thinking. What would others carry for personal protection and black bears. I have read articles of people killing them(humans and bears) with 22 LR up to a 300 ultra mag. What pistol caliber would you personally carry if you were going tent camping and hiking?

After all of the replies I’m left wondering if I misunderstood. Are you looking at property to buy or going bear hunting?

I guess I don’t understand the implied “what if”..

My crop insurance adjusters don’t come armed with the fashionable flavor of the day to inspect fields where bears, turkeys, small game of any description, waterfowl, whitetail and if you buy the rumors, cougar are reported. Believe me if one showed up with some kind of cannon he would be asked to go back to the office and send someone less fashionable. I suppose that if you are a hammer, every problem is a nail.

Are simple carry guns changed based on grocery shopping verses going to Lowe’s or mushroom hunting?

Flame on……..

 

[two70]

Correct but that comment made me think of hogs also. I had not even thought about that.

Much like TF's comments on bear, hogs are also human sized and not particularly tough. People tend to exaggerate the toughness of potentially dangerous wild animals. Animal attack stats indicate that speed and accuracy are far more important than heavy artillery when dealing with aggressive animals.

 

[redgreenrider]

I agree with the 10mm. I carry an XDm 10mm when hiking in TN or KY. But like others have said, they're not too aggressive so wear a bear bell to let them know you're around and they should vacate the area from the nice jingling sound alone. Just don't pet the cubs.

 

[Hookeye]

Much like TF's comments on bear, hogs are also human sized and not particularly tough. People tend to exaggerate the toughness of potentially dangerous wild animals. Animal attack stats indicate that speed and accuracy are far more important than heavy artillery when dealing with aggressive animals.

I dont consider a 10mm heavy artillery.

 

[two70]

I dont consider a 10mm heavy artillery.

Nor do I, I consider .454 and up as heavy artillery.

 

[Hookeye]

Nor do I, I consider .454 and up as heavy artillery.

Yup. I dont think the .44 mag to be all that w 240 and lighter.

 

[Trevelayan]

I would use 9mm with Underwood or Buffalo Bore hardcast, black bears can be intimidating but 99% of the time they'll leave you alone and or/wander off if you don't antagonize them. Much like 2 legged predators I'd prioritize capacity

 

[bgcatty]

.44 Mag with 300 grain hard cast over a healthy load of your favorite powder applicable to that purposeful load.

 

[Hop]

More important than the gun is the ammo. I swap out my HP ammo for hardcast when hiking.

HANDGUN AMMO

HANDGUN AMMO

www.buffalobore.com

 

[rhslover]

I've camped a lot in black bear country. They aren't anything to worry about. So carry whatever you carry for two legged problem creatures.

 

[Talkinghalls]

My go to is my Glock 19, but I’m looking into various 10mm for my fall backpacking trip!