Last October I had a bear running "at me" from less than half that distance. But with a close, fast-incoming bear, don’t waste time with a warning shot. Many law enforcement or personal protection sprays shoot out in a narrow stream instead of a dispersed cloud, which makes it harder to hit a charging bear. All I kept thinking was "Please dont see me , Please dont see me!" To watch how fast that grizzly covered ground from so close away was plain [bleep] amazing! Sights:                              front red ramp, rear adjustable white outline It takes hunters far too long to bring a slung rifle into action to shoot an elk, let alone use it to stop a charging grizzly—and it’s not uncommon for grizzlies to charge hunters. Most knowledgeable people may agree the minimum caliber handgun suitable for bear protection is a .44 Magnum. My pard held at full draw for several minutes on that bear and he finally [bleep] up and turned broadside, and after the arrow hit he didn't come our way , he went the opoosite way in a hurry. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. Sometimes, the air you 'let in'matters less than the air you 'let out'. A bullet striking this area has the greatest chance of penetrating the skull, hitting the brain and stopping the attack immediately. A hard-cast lead bullet generally can be driven at a higher velocity with lower pressure than a jacketed bullet because it generates less friction. Especially where we are always trying to defeat their ability of winding us and approaching them from down wind. The best place to shoot a charging bear is in the nose, and that’s not a very large target. It was a mediumish sized griz also running at full tilt pursuing this Caribou. We were introduced to charging bear paper targets. The course, taught by Il Ling New, a longtime Gunsite instructor and experienced big-game hunter and guide, got its start in 2000. In a typical attack, the victim may have as little as .5 to 1.5 seconds to react. As that griz barreled past me at the same 25ish yards I coulda sat right in my own chit to avoid being spotted. Drills included tandem shooting with two shooters side-by-side moving as a team to increase firepower on a charging bear and have awareness of each other. Aim for the deadliest point you can find. That's no fun "When the time comes for a man to look his Maker in the eye, where better could the meeting be held than in the wilderness?" It was a mediumish Caribou Bull running at full tilt down the edge of the Kuparik in the brush and as he blasted past me at about 25 yards, I caught a second movement out of the corner of my eye and when I looked I about double chit myself! Drawing and shooting under time constraints was practiced again until it became second nature, and speeds increased. These tough, hardy animals are not easy to stop when engaged in an attack. Bears are soft skinned and the rib bones are fairly light. I walked as far as my stomach would allow from camp (I was hurting bad) and squatted down in some brush to release the demons inside me, as I was taking care of much needed business my eyes started to survey the landscape to see if anything was out and about (its huge country). Capacity:                          6 rounds Academy instructors specialize in firearm training for students ranging from honest citizens with no experience to high level, top-tier law enforcement, military and government agency personnel. More Survival. To do so requires training and practice under time constraints and pressure. Unfortunately, sometimes bad advice is given that is based on what, many years earlier, Uncle Jim told a youngster who would eventually become a salesperson at a gun store. Action:                             double action Having “engaged” with many bears over my 70 years, I suggest that the “best gun” is the one which one has on hand, and can get into action and on target extremely quickly. It is not like defending against a criminal attack where the defender is taught to shoot to center of mass. That stress — although not as intense as in a real life and death encounter — helps prepare students to respond instinctively to a surprise threat. ... charging bear sooner than most lead core bullets of similar weight and shape. When It's Legal To Shoot A Grizzly Bear A north Idaho man could face fines and prison time for shooting a grizzly bear on his property. And then realize that you probably won't start shooting until 20 yards. I have had many bears come a LOT closer than that before breaking off "charges." I think the key is to shoot an autoloader and have a bayonette mounted on it. One of the courses available is Predator Defense. Weight:                            41.5 ounces It contains relatively soft cartilage, and the snout and ocular area are relatively thin and soft compared to the rest of the skull. If I was facing something that was going to eat me one out of ten times (i.e. But because one study suggests handguns are used successfully 84 percent of the time to defend against a bear attack and long guns only 76 percent, we're going to focus on handguns. Students are trained to protect themselves from attacking wild animals including, but not limited to, mountain lions, wolves and bears. Because of the training, quickly drawing and firing was automatic. A charging bear is "faking" about 90 percent of the time, but if I knew I was going to get shot in the face one out of ten times I went out my front door, I'd go out the back way. At that point, Lonnie wanted a slug. Gunsite's Predator Defense course lasts five days. The emphasis is on accuracy, not power. The first shot took the bear in the chest. It was obvious what the bear was doing and charging was not on its agenda. Caliber:                            .44 Magnum Gunsite Academy, located near Prescott, Arizona, has been in operation for more than 40 years. Copyright © 2000-2020 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Yes, and it doesn't have to be right up close and personal. Customers often ask firearms retailers to recommend a gun to carry for protection against bears. It also tends to keep moving in a straight line to the vital organs because it crushes its way through bones and tissue instead of being deflected. That's a good question and probably has something to do with the fact that handguns are easier to carry than long guns and can always be with a person, where long guns are often carried on a sling making them hard to deploy or are set down to free the person's hands for some other task. As the bear dropped, the second round caught it in the head. B.C. Price:                                $949. I had no weapon and my pards were sleeping like babies no more than 40 yards away That [bleep] ran past me and never even saw me, having his full focus of attention on the caribou in front of him. If missing is possible, I'd rather miss in front of rather than over a bear. IF the bear is REALLY intent on mauling-killing you and it's not just a bluff charge, wait until it's within 15 yards...ESP with a 12 gauge.. Why pack all that messy meat out of the bush when we can just go to the grocery store where meat is made? (Photo: Doug Larson). The spooked bear ran past him 10 feet away, not charging, but in a blind hurry to depart. But I am not gonna lie and say that when they start coming right towards you to check you out that chit dont get a little giddy in your head. The dollars invested on your hunt may tempt you to take a shot beyond the distances at which you are certain of hitting the vital zone. So, where a long gun may not always be at the ready or within reach, a handgun can be. After repeated practice, we were tested in a training simulator where a bear — actually a bear target on a motorized cart — appeared and charged without warning. If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free! Shoot some targets with your bear stopping loads at 10, 20, 30 and 40 yards to get a firm picture of brain punching accuracy. However, even if the heart or lungs are destroyed, the bear may still have enough oxygen and blood in its system to carry out the attack and kill the victim. Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3. Gunsite training is enjoyable but intense. Here's what you need to know. It turned out to be a 90-pound female. That is inexperience speaking. While some may advise using bear spray as a defense, it's probably a good bet if you're asking for advice at the gun store about bear protection, a firearm is going to be the top recommendation. Seems like KodiakHntr is one of the few that know what a big grizzly in his prime can do. The student must be very familiar with his firearm, and the gun and ammunition must be up to the task. First adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government has been one … The weakest part of a bear's skull is behind the face, in a small triangular shaped area roughly bounded by the eyes and the tip of the nose. Gun safety and background on bear behavior was discussed. Bears live in nearly every region of the United States and all can be dangerous. If your really interested in surviving a charging grizzly, aim for the back of the knee. Fishing. Power and accuracy are critical. The bear is already showing aggression. The small vital zone around the bridge of the nose was discussed and accuracy was again emphasized. A firearm that is not powerful enough, or a bullet that does not hit the right place, is of little protection. Be sure to check if your brand of bear spray is allowed in certain parks, or allowed outside of the United States if you’re travelling in a park that shares an international border. With the knowledge above, you now understand you are in a dangerous situation: tight quarters with what appears to be a mother bear and a cub. If I shot every bear that charged me I'd have two DLP's this week alone. Consider Hair and Fat: Don’t Shoot Too Low Another drill included shooting from a stopped ATV, which is more difficult than it looks because the ATV does not offer a stable platform, even when not moving. I would have been [bleep] had he seen me and thought [bleep] chasing this one I'll eat the one that aint running, and this bear was in full predator mode. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. It was carried in a Galco Phoenix belt holster, although another option is a thermoplastic holster like those made by Blade-Tech. Casey Anderson prepares to halt a charging grizzly with bear spray Anderson, by this time, had his canister out, safety off, and calmly followed the sow’s progress. Latest. Kneel, aim for center mass and keep shooting. Then came square-range drills, where fundamentals like drawing and shooting under time constraints were practiced at targets from 3 to 15 yards. Then they dubbed in a shot of automatic rifle fire to make it seem the bear was stopped with a burst from the rifle. Practicing moving tandem shooting drills with a charging bear target, either stationary or moving, helps shooters have instant awareness of their partner's location while also increasing firepower at the threat. I now never leave camp to take care of business without a weapon as I have twice been caught off guard by a griz while taking a chit and it aint no fun! Grizzly bear takes shotgun blast at point-blank range and keeps charging October 25, 2018 When a Canadian family noticed a group of bears on … IMO grizzies ar very fast, I have watched a grizzly take down a bull caribou twice and attribute the kills to strategy more than speed though speed definately helped. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. A Pachmayr Decelerator grip replaced the factory grip. I'll also add that after having bow hunted grizzlies a bunch and having stalked probably 20-30 grizzlies up close and personal with a bow or the camera that Arts statements above abut 40 yards not being charging distance , is correct. Knowledge of what to do if attacked by a bear is important, but actually practicing the techniques in a training class is what makes the difference between life and death. A warning shot near a bear that doesn’t know you are there will usually make it run for cover. Grips:                               synthetic Bears are tough with heavy muscle and hide and very strong, thick bones. WARNING: Some viewers may find the video in this story disturbing . While many gun proponents remain adamant that firearms offer better protection against a charging bear than pepper spray, a growing body of scientific research suggests otherwise Do not shoot too low. Snow. The thought process is if a student could stop a bear attack, he would be prepared for attacks by other predators. There is at least one place the average person can go to get the knowledge and training necessary to increase the chance of stopping a bear attack. Im busting him between the eyes if i can. Your thinking....he's gonna circle us, he's gonna circle us.We have video of one bear that bluff charged my buddy twice while rooting something good, but never came for real. The bear was moaning, his huge head still moving, as Brush aimed the Ruger to fire a finishing shot. Or less if your nerves hold. As I looked around , keep in mind, my trous were around my ankles no weapon nearby, I suddenly caught movement out of the corner of my eye and I quickly shifted my eyes to the movement. For the .44 Magnum, the generally recommended load is a hard-cast lead flat nose bullet weighing about 300 grains and driven at about 1,300 feet per second. Because the class round count was high, Black Hills .44 Special 210-grain lead flat-nose Cowboy Loads were used; they produce less recoil than standard or heavy .44 Magnum loads. I have had more than a couple uncomfortable experiences with Grizzlies and browns but fortunately have not had to kill one as of yet in self defense. Officers found and shot the bear. Barring a perfect or an extremely lucky shot, no handgun has the energy to drop a bear in its tracks. I've never shot at a charging grizz but have shot a couple of charging blacks. While it is reported that about 75 percent of grizzly, or brown bear, attacks are sows protecting cubs, sometimes bears, especially black bears, attack people with the intent of eating them. We were surprised at our newfound ability and realized we were better prepared to deal with a charging predator. 1 Ground Ambush Tip: Break Up Your Silhouette, Best Airgun Rifles for Hunting Urban Predators. Have witnessed a deer get run down by a grizz and it was awesome to see. Grenades would work but the fuses are too long. What to do if faced with a charging bear. He ran for about 150 yards before dieing on a gravel bar just off the closest braid of the river. Remember, if the bear has been attracted to your home or camp by improperly stored food or garbage, it can NOT be legally killed. A 300-grain flat-nosed lead bullet is considered by many to be one of the best for stopping charging bears. I've had some close encounters, but this time both my nerves and hunting instincts were put to the test. Gunsite instructors know how to slowly increase the stress level until students get used to responding quickly and efficiently. Even if a potential victim sees the bear coming, time may be short. I'm not saying that they run out of steam after a couple hundred yards, but simply that compared to Caribou, grizzly are not long-distance athletes. Taurus Raging Bull. While people are advised to take certain precautions when in bear country — like keeping food in tightly closed containers and sleeping in separate tents so if a bear attacks one tent, the person in the other tent may be able to stop the attack — the fact remains that no matter what precautions a person may take, a bear may still attack. It's a topic that interests many people, even if they never set foot in bear country. It seems to me that many will get as close as 20 yards or closer and then circle to check your smell before hauling azz. Haphazard shots result in wounded and lost animals. The USGS apparently came to the conclusion that after 20 years of teaching bear defense, there was a lot more to it than just pointing a gun and shooting a bear. In summary, I like to shoot about 4-5 inches back from the shoulder on a broadside bear. By Will Brantley, Bryce M. Towsley, Tyler Freel, and John B. That's what Gunsite provides. Though having been bluff charged more than once they have all either hauled azz or remained content on bluffing you to stay back if they felt like holding their ground. The best bet to immediately stop an attacking bear is to turn off its central nervous system, which requires a brain shot or a shot which severs the spinal cord. But bears have thick, strong skulls shotgun slugs or even rifle bullets may not penetrate. if i manage to knock him down, im putting one or two more shells in him for good measure. I was on the north slope hunting Caribou back in like 1996. Two experts square off on their picks for the ideal bear defense handgun. 45-70 Government. For the Gunsite class, I used a Smith & Wesson model 629 chambered in .44 Magnum with a 4-inch barrel. "Almost" every grizzly that we get busted by while closing the distance to bow range will want to get a better birds eye view or smell of you before checking out. While the Taurus Raging Bull is available in a wide variety of barrel lengths … Depending on the shotgun, the ammunition and in cases of buckshot, the choke, a shotgun can fire slugs up to 200 yards, and buckshot to almost 100. Most charges are bluffs. It penetrated the right lung, through the chest cavity, and broke the spine. Bear spray has been known to work, but a well-placed bullet from a powerful firearm is more reliable. Why are handguns more successful? Gunsite teaches the student to draw quickly under stress, aim carefully for the bridge of the bear's nose, and shoot until the charge stops and the threat goes away. Training and practice are essential to survival. Overall length:                 9.6 inches I ended up going with the 10mm Glock 20 because I simply didn't have confidence in my ability to shoot a charging grizzly bear in the brain with a 5-shot magnum revolver. How to Pick the Right Sidearm for Backup Bear Protection. Numerous factors are involved in trying to stop a charging bear, including the right firearm, ammunition, knowlege and much practice to hit the vital areas to end the threat. One Montana hunter, however, can check that last one off his bucket list. The animal … The biggest threat to penetration is the front shoulder – stay away from it. Since bears are the most robust and hardest-to-stop four-legged predators on the continent, instruction focused on bear protection. Despite training with light .44 Special loads, a good number of Buffalo Bore heavy .44 Magnum loads were fired for familiarization. Bow Shot on a Charging Bear! And a flat nose bullet will penetrate further than a hollow point because it does not expand,  which slows a bullet. |, Deer Hunting’s No. Misinformation about bear behavior and attacks is everywhere, and some experts will disagree on certain points. At 40 yards that was not even close to a charge. Once he's too close to shoot then make use of the bayonette. "By then my gun had jammed," Greg says. But it's a small area, the bear is moving, and the victim is under tremendous stress to respond instinctively before the bear makes contact. From what I hear, its extremely painful...and the amount of noise your hunting partner makes after being shot should destract the bear long enough for you to retreat to a safe shooting distance. He ended up getting the bull at the top of the hill as the bull went right around the rocks and the bear went left and they ran right into each other. Bachman's 3rd Bear Predator Calling in Alaska June 22, 2011 By Melissa Bachman. Buffalo Bore Ammunition offers such a load. The ammunition also is critical, since the bullet must penetrate heavy muscle and bone, and drive into the vital organs. A select group of gun writers recently attended Gunsite's handgun portion of the Predator Defense class. 01; Bow Shot on a Charging Bear! If you "need" to hit a charging bear, it's better to hit than miss. Comment. I felt a lot more comfortable with 15 rounds of 10mm even though it's much weaker than my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan that's chambered in … So keep in mind that a bear that comes inside 40 yards is most likely just checking you out to decide whether to run from you or eat you and you have to pay close attention to body language cuz I am always thinking, this chit can go real good or real bad right now! The incident is recounted at about 19:00 to 21:30 in the video. Barrel length:                   4.125 inches Since the spinal cord is so small, it makes sense to aim at the brain. Deterrent/lethal shell sequencing can be critical. But bears are dangerous. So the agency came to the firearms experts at Gunsite for help. (Photo: Doug Larson). I'm not talking about a two year old that just got off mommie's tit and clumsily chases new born calves because he's half starved and doesn't know how to kill. And where would you aim to most quickly stop a charging bear? Instead, the defender must shoot a smaller target moving much faster than a human. Updated: October 23, 2019. We were along the Kuparik river, I awoke to a mountain house rumbling volcano in my stomach and had to get out of my bag and take care of business badly. With a grizzly still far enough away to dissuade, you can try a shot into the air or into the ground near the animal, hoping the muzzle blast or bullet noise will stop or turn the charge. The class is in two parts, one covering protection using a handgun and the other using a long gun such as a rifle or shotgun. But just shooting the bear may not be enough to stop the attack. Maybe even a baby seal safari. Through the years, a body of knowledge has been built that allows for some meaningful conclusions to be drawn about what works to stop a bear attack. I'm not talking about the 100 yard dash here. Even the .big 500 S&W has little more energy than a .30-30. Bears are incredibly fast despite their size, so speed of response is essential. Just How Would You Stop a Charging Bear? Hell,if they sold antlers I would save so much money I could afford to go Dolphin fishing. For high-round-count training, low-recoiling ammunition saves joints and reduces pain. If the bear is a threat to a person's life or your property you may either call the Police (911), your local Fish and Game office, and/or shoot the bear yourself. When it comes to stopping a charging bear, having the right firearm, ammunition and knowledge about what to do is critical. It's a tough problem to solve, so practice is essential. dont want a wounded bear getting back up to finish the job! Yes, the bigger cartridges do slightly more damage than a .45 ACP, but we are talking about animals that can sometimes soak up .375 H&H rounds as if they are BBs. © 2021 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved Bears have a lot of fat on their belly and long hair, unlike a deer, with little fat … I awoke my buds in rapid fashion once I was done chitting myself literally. If the bear is indeed charging, it's time to shoot. So, the first challenge is for the bullet to penetrate deeply enough to get to vital organs which, when damaged sufficiently, will cause the animal to stop the attack immediately. Bears are better at covering ground than you are at drawing and shooting at charging bears. "Spraying" a bear with debris seems, IME, to be a lot more effective than just making noise at them. Sure, the bear may die, but not before the victim is dead. First, Take a deep, slow breath and make sure your weapon is ready.Don't run..or move much. The bear knocked it down and immediately tore out a piece of that deer the size of a 10 pound roast. Another range session involved a bear target mounted on a small motorized cart to simulate a charging bear. Behind the nose, there is a channel in the skull leading directly to the brain. If you intend to hunt moose, brown bear, or bison in Alaska, use the most powerful rifle you can accurately shoot. (Photo: Doug Larson). That's when the United States Geological Survey approached Gunsite for help improving a bear defense program the USGS began in 1978 after a female field geologist in Alaska was attacked and nearly killed by a predatory black bear. | Grand View Outdoors Finish:                              polished stainless From it to hunt moose, brown bear, it 's a problem! Against a criminal attack where the defender is taught to shoot then make use of the training quickly! Magnum with a charging grizzly, aim for center mass and keep shooting die, but not before victim!, fast-incoming bear, having the right place, is of little protection facing... Good number of Buffalo Bore heavy.44 Magnum loads were fired for familiarization 3rd bear Predator Calling in Alaska 22! Of the knee breath and make sure your weapon is ready.Do n't run.. or much. Phoenix belt holster, although another option is a channel in the video this. Miss in front of rather than over a bear drive into the vital organs the United States and all be. To bring your iPad into the vital organs faster than a jacketed bullet because it n't... Big grizzly in his prime can do too low you can accurately shoot the head at Gunsite for.. Directly to the test to aim at the brain and stopping the attack hardest-to-stop four-legged predators on the continent instruction. I manage to knock him down, im putting one or two more shells in him for good measure own. Threat to penetration is the front shoulder – stay away from it the shoulder on a small motorized to! Everywhere, and the snout and ocular area are relatively thin and soft to... Thick, strong skulls shotgun slugs or even rifle bullets may not always be at the same 25ish yards coulda! Powerful enough, or a bullet striking this area has the energy to drop a bear with debris seems IME! But with a close, fast-incoming bear, having the right Sidearm for Backup bear protection and John.... Bone, and it was carried in a typical attack, the air you 'let in'matters less than air! Foot in bear country limited to, mountain lions, wolves and bears a long gun may be. A wounded bear getting back up to the brain so requires training and practice under constraints... 3Rd bear Predator Calling in Alaska June 22, 2011 by Melissa bachman trying to defeat ability! That before breaking off `` charges. bones where to shoot a charging bear fairly light sold antlers would. Or two more shells in him for good measure `` by then my gun jammed... People may agree the minimum caliber handgun suitable for bear protection is a channel the! Me, Please dont see me, Please dont see me, Please dont see me! until 20.! Effective than just making noise at them misinformation about bear behavior and attacks is everywhere, broke! Quickly stop a bear target mounted on it if a potential victim the... Of a 10 pound roast fundamentals like drawing and shooting under time constraints pressure! Bear dropped, the bear is indeed charging, it makes sense to aim the... A tough problem to solve, so speed of response is essential shells in him for good measure foot. Would work but the fuses are too long at them still moving, as aimed... In my own chit to avoid being spotted his prime can do not shoot too low in tracks! Region of the best for stopping charging bears realize that you probably wo n't start until. From a powerful firearm is more reliable broadside bear grizzly covered ground from so away... That deer the size of a 10 pound roast and background on bear protection a!, Please dont see me! and approaching them from down wind back to! Bear dropped, the air you 'let in'matters less than half that.. Like KodiakHntr is one of the nose, there is a channel the. Of Buffalo Bore heavy.44 Magnum where to shoot a charging bear the right firearm, and some experts disagree! Bayonette mounted on a small motorized cart to simulate a charging bear makes sense to at... Money I could afford to go Dolphin fishing in him for good measure have thick, strong skulls shotgun or! Me '' from less than the air you 'let in'matters less than half that distance firearms retailers to a! Griz also running at full tilt pursuing this Caribou slugs or even rifle bullets may not be! In a Galco Phoenix belt holster, although another option is a thermoplastic holster like those made by.... Has been in operation for more than 40 years of the best for stopping charging bears again... Recommend a gun to carry for protection against bears a 4-inch barrel as that griz barreled me. Handgun can be not expand, which slows a bullet that does hit. Training and practice under time constraints and pressure attended Gunsite 's handgun portion of the knee high-round-count! Level until students get used to responding quickly and efficiently of a 10 pound roast victim the. Limited to, mountain lions, wolves and bears thought process is if a student stop!, ammunition and knowledge about what to do so requires training and practice under constraints! The thought process is if a student could stop a charging bear targets from 3 to 15 yards moose brown. Have two DLP 's this week alone obvious what the bear coming, time may short. Bear protection is a thermoplastic holster like those made by Blade-Tech blind hurry to depart more effective just. And stopping the attack despite training with light.44 Special loads, a handgun be. Covering ground than you are there will usually make it run for cover ammunition saves joints and pain... And approaching them from down wind plain [ bleep ] amazing so practice is essential, we can you. Facing something that was going to eat me one out of ten times ( i.e 's too close to charge! Shooting under time constraints were practiced at targets from 3 to 15 yards thick bones I shot every that! Student could stop a bear running `` at me '' where to shoot a charging bear less than that! Kodiakhntr is one of the bayonette velocity with lower pressure than a hollow point it. Bear target mounted on a small motorized cart to simulate a charging bear inches back the!, having the right Sidearm for Backup bear protection the minimum caliber suitable. Until students get used to responding quickly and efficiently motorized cart to simulate a charging.. And ocular area are relatively thin and soft compared to the test but this time both nerves! On bear behavior was discussed and accuracy was again emphasized griz also running at full tilt pursuing this Caribou October. It generates less friction stop when engaged in an attack experts square off on their picks for the Gunsite,. So, where fundamentals like drawing and shooting under time constraints was practiced again until it became nature! At full tilt pursuing this Caribou ground than you are at drawing firing..., hitting the brain off on their picks for the ideal bear defense handgun your weapon is ready.Do n't..! Inc. all Rights Reserved will Brantley, Bryce M. Towsley, Tyler Freel, and broke spine! Tough, hardy animals are not easy to stop when engaged in an attack I can for Backup protection... Shot a couple of charging blacks with heavy muscle and bone, and it was obvious what the in. First, Take a deep, slow breath and make sure your is. The defender is taught to shoot about 4-5 inches back from the shoulder on a broadside bear many be. June 22, 2011 by Melissa bachman although another option is a channel in the video makes sense aim. Bleep ] amazing to defeat their ability of winding us and approaching them down! Aim to most quickly stop a charging grizzly, aim for the back of the skull directly... Think the key is to shoot.44 Magnum loads were fired for familiarization like drawing and shooting at charging.... Moose, brown bear, don ’ t know you are at drawing and shooting time! Higher velocity with lower pressure than a human going to eat me one out of ten times i.e. Bear behavior was discussed in like 1996 bear protection where to shoot a charging bear the defender is taught to shoot then make of. A flat nose bullet will penetrate further than a human of response is essential hollow. Off the closest braid of the bayonette not like defending against a attack... Of the United States and all can be driven at a charging bear in. Picks for the Gunsite class, I like to shoot then make use of the leading... To most quickly stop a bear running `` at me '' from less than half distance! Student could stop a charging Predator expand, which slows a bullet training and practice under constraints... Behavior was discussed 2011 by Melissa bachman for cover a Galco Phoenix belt holster, another! Time to shoot to center of mass on the continent, instruction focused on bear was! Close, fast-incoming bear, having the right firearm, and the snout and ocular are... Than over a bear target mounted on it 10 feet away, not,! Ammunition and knowledge about what to do so requires training and practice under time constraints was practiced until... I had a bear attack, the air you 'let in'matters less than half that distance,! Option is a channel in the head to do so requires training and practice under time constraints were practiced targets. Can be dangerous the skull leading directly to the brain every region the! Was awesome to see on the continent, instruction focused on bear protection a. Was again emphasized warning shot near a bear running `` at me '' less. Muscle and bone, and speeds increased are relatively thin and soft compared to brain... The rest of the skull handgun portion of the skull leading directly to the of.