[Jeff Higgins]

Interestingly, black bears account for far more maulings and deaths than brown bears. Partly due to proximity and numbers of black bears, but also because of behavioral differences. Brown bears are typically defending something, like their cubs, or a kill, or have simply been startled. They just want to end the threat and get outta there. Black bears, however, often attack in a predatory mode - they fully intend to kill and eat you. Yes, they will defend a kill, their cubs, etc., but this predatory behavior is far more common amongst them than it is with brown bears.

Yes, unfortunately, even hunters sometimes get mauled by bears. Sometimes because they shot and wounded a bear, who then goes into a defensive survival mode. Sometimes because they stumble upon a kill, sometimes momma with cubs. Hunters do, however, often succeed in defending themselves against bear attacks by virtue of being armed. We don't hear as much about these (at least outside of hunting circles) because it's rather less remarkable than when the hunter gets mauled or killed, especially as far as the general public are concerned. That, and many hunters would just rather not make a big deal out of it outside of our circles, so these incidents don't really get publicized. When a human gets mauled, though, it's all over the news. But to say "they really don't care if you have a rifle" is just uninformed. A rifle, or a shotgun, has absolutely made a very real difference for far too many people to say such a thing.

I've hunted in places populated by big bears where they are off limits to hunting, or where I didn't have a tag, or was not accompanied by a guide (a legal requirement to hunt them in most places). Blacktails in Southeast Alaska, for example. And, yes, they are absolutely tuned into rifle shots as their "dinner bell", and one is compelled, by law, to let them have your kill if they ask for it. Even if they are less than polite about it... It was suggested to me to learn to bow hunt as a better option in these areas. Our approach was to gut them as quickly as possible, then drag the rest as quickly and as far as we could, the idea being to leave the smelliest, most desirable part for them. Seemed to work, we never had any trouble.

People might laugh, but I hunted these tiny little blacktails (and caribou, and other such Alaskan game) with no less than my .375 H&H Magnum Model 70. None of these animals require that kind of power, of course, but when there are big bears around... It's best to be prudent about such matters. And, well, on those trips where there was a bear tag burning a hole in my pocket and I did wind up pointing rifle at one, I cannot think of a better caliber. It sure makes the guides smile to see one.