HavocteXIII Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I'm a small guy and an encounter with a black bear or pack of wolves is something I need to be prepared for. I have encountered grizzlies and each time the bear to ran the other way. Great, but now I own land in an area where black bears & wolves are abundant. Handguns are allowed as protection even on the county land. Hand guns are brand new to me, I only grew up with shot guns, so any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Where did you acquire the land? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavocteXIII Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 In Northwest Wisconsin, Jackson County to be exact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Handguns are quite hard to learn to use especially under stress. I've got a SIG 220 SOA in 45 ACP with a 22 LR conversion so I can practice with 22's and stay sharp. A shoulder fired weapon would be best but you could probably manage the 45 ACP with practice. Full metal jacket loads would give the penetration needed on frontal shots. Good luck. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I would suggest a revolver to you. Something in a short-barreled .44 Magnum would be an acceptable tool for the job. You can familiarize yourself with the gun by using .44 Special loads which are a little easier on the hands. I would carry it loaded with .44 Magnum loads with a heavy (260-300 grain) hard lead cast load for bear duty. I have a 4" S&W 29-2 that would be just the ticket for what you are wishing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Strut and Mark are both correct, IMO. A shoulder weapon would be best, but a short .44 would be best for a handgun. Oh, btw, I am a big guy, and stand exactly the same chance as you if one of those critters decided I was on the menu. FACT: Humans are soft and chewy. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 I personally think you could have more to be concerned about with the wolves than a bear. A cornered sow with cubs is a different story though. The wolves are super smart hunters and work together to accomplish their goals. They will have YOU cornered before ya know it. IMHO a .44 for a bear and a .45acp for wolves. The shotgun (00buck) is probably the best choice but carrying it may deter from the other activity you are trying to do. If you are bowhunting deer I suggest not possessing a shotgun with buckshot:nono::clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gzilla45 Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 I would have to agree with the prior post about being more concerned about wolves than the bears. We have relatively good populations of both in and around my land and I've had encounters with both. I purchased my 9mm shortly after being followed out of the woods by a small pack of wolves while bow hunting last year. It was definitely an uneasy feeling. I chose the 9mm due to a higher ammo capacity and with good quality ammo, should offer a good defense against either species. The big thing is to choose something you are comfortable with and to practice with it a lot. Practice will lead to greater safety which is the most important thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavocteXIII Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Well I'll be sure to look into some of the models you all recommended. Thanks again. In the meantime, I will only invite friends of mine who run slower than me up to the property :-) I will be sure to upload some pics once I purchase my new gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenOfTheMarsh Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 In Northwest Wisconsin, Jackson County to be exact. Sorry to hear that! :oops: We've had property there since 1978. Thanks to the rampent wolf problem (bears are quickly on the rise too) the hunting in the area has gone downhill. That is unless you head further west in the county towards Taylor. I wouldn't worry so much about yourself getting mauled by a bear or wolf in that area, however if you plan on running a dog (grouse hunting, leasure walk, etc) then you need to be very cautious. Just remember, even if you shoot a wolf in self defense you can still get nailed for poaching. So stupid. Many of the locals practice "SSS" and I don't blame them at all. Every time I go to the cabin I see either a bear or a wolf. They aren't nervous of people at all - won't be long til someone gets hurt .... then maybe the laws will change. Can't wait to see the handgun pics, good luck with your decision! I have zero experience with them, so no advice from me! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csualumni21000 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Glock 19. If you put a light on it I think it would be good to go. A tlr-1 http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=80 would probably do more to scare off animals at night than anything besides muzzle blast. I would think 15 rounds and ease of reloading would be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Glock 19. Dunno, man. I don't think a 9mm would be very high on my list of prefeered weapons if I had to turn back a P.O.'ed bear. Not much oomph there. In reality, I would think that, if you actually got the chance to get drawn and loose a round at a charging bear, it would be that first round that would be your best (and maybe only) hope/chance to end the fight. The second through the 15th round are probably just extra weight. Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 If you do get something to carry make sure it's at least a 357 revolver with heavy solid bullets. You can make a low advancing target to practice on with a cable and rope. Have someone pull it quickly towards you. You will have to learn to aim low and keep swinging the pistol downward. Or just sit and shoot level. We had a target on little railroad type rails with a stop of course so it wouldn't run over you. It was a pit bull and came fast. It was really easy to draw and shoot over because it was always a surprise. Practice. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swampbuckva Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 Well think god I live in Va and we dont have wolves but do have Black Bear. I have heard lots of rumors of Mt Lions as of late but havent seen any yet!!! I am a firearm salesman at dances sporting goods and my personal choice would be either the S&W 686 plus 7 shot .357mag 4" bbl or the Taurus 608 ss4 its an 8 shot .357mag I would also carry a hard cast bullet for penetration!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 I carry a s&w model 29 with a 6" bbl. we have a very healthy population of both wolves and bears, not just blacks, but grizzlies, and also mt. lions. IMO when you are counting on a sidearm to protect yourself get the biggest calibur you feel comfortable shooting. I would recommend nothing smaller then a .357mag, but if you don't feel comfortable with the .44 mag, look at the .44 special. When it comes to big heavy hided animals, you want penetration, not high bullet capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavocteXIII Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Sorry to hear that! :oops: We've had property there since 1978... I'm in Black River Falls to be exact, but then come hunting season who isn't?! There are plenty of turkey on the property so I'm already thinking about my spring season. Goodluck this season! -Shaun- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocMort Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 Look at the ruger alaskan, the 357 is a nice gun but the 44 has alot more behind it, and alot more frontal area. some guides a friend hunted with in Alaska just carried a 44 for a back up gun because you never forget it when it is on your hip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHunter Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 ...ok a .357 or a 45 or a 40 are like TOYS on a real bear. You START looking at .44mag and go up from there....my step dad carrys a 12g with 3in buck shot. I have a ruger super black hawk(not a great defense gun) in .44 mag...now The .44 mag is a great caliber but the gun I have is a singel action...NOT good.......Now if you look at a ruger super red hawk or a smith and wesson or any other revolver in DOUBLE ACTION. It's the only way to go...smith makes a gun with a 2in barrel with a double action...it's a great way to go if you can handle the recoil. I have see DEER hit with .357mag that dont die in a reasonable time....AND lets be REAL, your talking about an animal that is charging you...you dont want to have to shoot it 3 or 4 times to get a reaction...GO BIG or your going down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45-70cannon Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 You will need a barrel length of at least 6 inches in order for the forces of the magnum to come to full potential. Anything shorter and you will have to be kissing the bear to get in a kill shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45-70cannon Posted November 11, 2009 Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Yea go big. Use a short barreled 12 guage. Any handgun will be a loss if you can't handle it andput the bullet where it needs to go while keeping a cool head. and a 357 magnum loaded with 180 grains will stop a black bear. It will even stop a bigger bear IF you can hit it where it needs to be hit. By the way a single action is the best as Double actions jam and you don't need that to happen when you are about to become bear scat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 When it comes to a bear attack, not sure about wolves, you would be better off with pepper spray. Most bear attacks will be aborted when the bruin takes a blast of pepper in the eyes and nose, but getting in a stopping/killing shot with a pistol at a bear charging at 25-30 mph is not the easiest thing to do. Try keeping a steady bead on a puppy/dog running towards you and you will see just how easy it is, just do not use a loaded gun in this experiment. That being said, I carry a Taurus Raging Bull in .454 Casull when hunting in known grizzly areas. I use a shoulder holster and practice getting the gun out of the holster and on target as quick as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocMort Posted December 7, 2009 Report Share Posted December 7, 2009 If you can only carry a handgun then by all means look at the Ruger Alaskan. I do know that the big 500 smith is another one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tecumseh Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 I kept a 480 ruger on me around camp and while hiking in and out the Bob Marshall wilderness in Montana Elk hunting till someone broke into my girlfriends truck and stole it on the way home from the range.I just made some loads up for my 44 with a 300 gr Sierra flat point for bear encounters,I'd go with the 44. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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