Another gun question?

[Grog]

Looking for some suggestions,

We have about 6 acres next to almost endless state land. Wife would like to ride her horses on some of the many trails out there. About a week ago I came home from work and chased a bear down the driveway with the 944, the car gripped the corners (gravel drive), but the bear’s back end was a bit loose. The bear knew he was out of his league, so he shifted into 4x4 mode and left the track. I might have seen a cougar a few weeks ago on the main road, not sure. Anyway she went out to feed her horses the other night and heard something close to the house growling, she says it was a cat growl but almost sounded like human noises before the growl? Maybe bobcat. I looked around the next morning and couldn’t find any prints. Now she wants a side arm to carry with her at night while feeding her money pits and when she rides them off the property. The property, I partially cleared a couple acres after we moved here last summer for her animals the rest of the property is like a rain forest, plenty of places for animals to hide. Oh, and during the growl attack our old yellow lab mix was barking her head off with every hair standing straight up. We just got a new puppy, not sure what it is, maybe Australian Shepard. Thinking about getting one more dog because the old one is starting to have trouble getting around. Oh yea, my question is what side arm should she carry? I have a stainless Ruger redhawk, 44 mag 7.25” barrel, I know she can handle it but it’s still a big gun to pull out in a panic. Wife went to college on a track scholarship, discus, javelin and shot put, strong girl. She has a little shooting experience, rifles I think. I’m thinking a revolver for ease of use in a panic situation, short barrel, .357. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Steve

[9dreizig]

Go with the SW 629 44 mag in a 4 in barrel, it's light easy to shoot and packs a punch .. I love mine

[Porsche-O-Phile]

If it's a cougar or mountain lion, I doubt a handgun would do much good. Can't hurt, but typically those animals are extremely good at not being seen unless they're attacking. And if they're attacking, it's pretty much too late. Also worth noting (and you probably know this already if you live up there) that cougars & moutain lions do not "bluff charge" like bears will. If they attack, they're trying to kill you. You're in a fight to the death.

Either mountain lions or cougars typically won't bother you though - attacks on humans are very rare unless you look like easy prey (i.e. small children walking alone)

[competentone]

There was a good thread, either here or on gunbroker. The conclusion was that the best defense for bear was pepper spray -- better "stopping power" than most handguns. I can't find that thread now, but here is some discussion:

Denali Bicycle Safety Tips.... Please!

[Grog]

Thanks for the replies,

I know the attacks are rare, but it’s more of having a little peace of mind. I figure on the property she will have some warning from dogs, I don’t think that the predators will come around if you have a couple good sized dogs, however there is a ton of rabbits here (wild) and a couple cats. Could have been a coyote, have seen them around. I was at work when it happened, didn’t get to hear it. If she is out riding, I would think the horse would get attacked, give her a chance to get away. Never ride alone. Most cougar attacks come from behind, they jump on you and try to bite your head/ neck. I really don’t think it will happen, but if it ever did, you might have time to pull the gun and shoot, a .44 mag going off might scare the critter away. I’ll have to get here a Rambo knife also.

[Grog]

Pepper spray, I like that idea. Poor wife will have to carry a 50lb utility belt. Holly bear poo batman, we should use the horses as bait. When the cats are done feeding they will be slow due to their full bellies. easier too shoot. This will save me a ton of money, no horses means more P cars. I like this.

[Rick Lee]

I have also heard that bear spray is most effective unless you want to carry a .44 mag. around with you. When I ride out in the bush, I usually bring a .357SIG, which might suffice for what we have for wildlife out here. But anything bigger than a small black bear and I'd want a .44 mag. and/or bear spray. I know it wouldn't matter in a life or death situation, but I can't imagine shooting a .44 mag. without ear protection. It would be about the same as a punch in the face.

[Grog]

Ginny and Rusty, at rented barn before we moved.

[Grog]

Making a pasture/ mudd pit, and horses on property.

[RWebb]

44 is ineffective against a grizzly/brown bear

no pistol is -- unless you are lucky

to scare yourself really well, read Stephen Herrero, Bear Attacks

he is a prof. at U. Calgary who studies bears

otoh, a friend of mine [a museum prof. no less - often stereotyped as nerds] came down from climbing one time and found a grizzly in his tent eating up his food -- he got pissed, yelled at it and started wailing on it with his ice axe -- exit one scared bear

later, he said he thought it was a young one [2-3 years maybe] so it would have been easier to educate...

also the recent story of the guy who killed a mother bear with a big stick -- apparently a brown bear

maybe the bears swap stories about don't F with those primates...

[9dreizig]

Considering there are no Grizzlies in Wash State ( or very few) I assume we were talking about black bears.. and big cats certainly don't take lead well.
I've killed or witnessed enough brown bear/ grizzly kills to tell you that a well placed 44 mag is plenty of firepower to at least ward off an attack.. I certainly don't have a problem hanging out with the big boys when my 44 is strapped on my hip.. Granted I'd rather have my 375 H&H but it's a bit big to have all the time

[HardDrive]

I'm sorry, but all this business about .44 mags 'not being effective' just strikes me as baloney. You shoot a cow with a .44 mag loaded with a hard cast Keith bullet its going to go in its nose and come out its ass. No, a charging Grizzly will not be stopped dead in its tracks, but it sure as hell is going to mortally wounded with a well placed shot.

I'm not saying that pepper spray isn't the better option, but I just think there is some really baloney surrounding the whole bear/gun issue.

I carry a .357 Blackhawk loaded with 200gr hard cast CorBons in the outdoors. There are no grizzlys in WA. Frankly I'm more worried about meth heads than bears.

Bear in full charge, muzzle blast sends bear running:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw

Can anyone point to single confirmed instance of a bear being shot and continuing the attack?

[MT930]

[QUOTE=HardDrive;4232927]I'm sorry, but all this business about .44 mags 'not being effective' just strikes me as baloney. You shoot a cow with a .44 mag loaded with a hard cast Keith bullet is going to go in its nose and come out its ass. No, a charging Grizzly will not be stopped dead in its tracks, but it sure as hell is going to mortally wounded with a well placed shot.

I agree !!

44 Mag is quite effective on Griz. I live 50 Min north of Yellowstone, the Montana fish and game and the Yellowstone park rangers prove this point at least once or twice a season.

I even know a bow hunter that is here today, because he was ready when the time came.

There are bigger guns but the 44 Mag is the choice of the pros. Hands down!

When handled correctly it is extremely effective on grizzly bears.

[RWebb]

well you morons do whatever baloney you want -- have a friend in a tree to take some pics and maybe I can use them next time I teach mammalogy

[Joe Bob]

The Montana State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising golfers to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears while in the Gallatin, Helena and Lewis and Clark National Forests golf courses.

They advise golfers to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert, but not startle the bears unexpectedly.

They also advise you to carry pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear activity.

Golfers should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings on the golf course. Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur.

Grizzly bear droppings have bells in them and smell like pepper spray.


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[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by RWebb

well you morons do whatever baloney you want -- have a friend in a tree to take some pics and maybe I can use them next time I teach mammalogy

Just before the bear charges and takes takes my head off, I'll make sure I say to the camera man, "Dude, hold my beer and watch this......."

[Grog]

Not too worried about the bear, he was a small black bear. Harddrive is right, no grizzlies, and the meth heads are the biggest problem. The guy neighbor behind us was out burning a brush pile today, so I go over and talk to him, first thing he says is, have you Heard the cougar yet? I'm thinking there are two of them, working as a team. I will call them the Ghost and the darkness.

[Grog]

How about the taurus judge for cougar protection?

http://www.taurususa.com/video/taurus-theJudge-video.cfm

[pwd72s]

New Dog? Do a search on Anatolian Shepherd.

[RPKESQ]

If I recall correctly, Alaska has a state mandate to investigate all bear attacks. The last time I checked, no successful self defense against a Grizzly or Brown Bear has been recorded. True Brown Bears (not brown colored Black Bears) in attack mode are difficult to stop. Giving it a deadly wound that takes affect after the bear mauling you is not optimum!