bear hunting tips?

shottyhunter24 · 03-26-2009, 01:31 PM

this fall im thinking of applying for bear
i will be hunting in northern MN
and i would like to know a few things before i go out
would a 30-06 be enough
a 357 sidearm
do i need the same amount of orange as deer?
what kind of bullet should i use?
thanks a-lot
-Mark

salukipv1 · 03-26-2009, 01:45 PM

you'd have to consult your MN regs regarding orange...

I think a 165gr or 180gr from your '06 would do the job quite nicely.

I don't think you need a sidearm, but the .357 would be fine if it would make you more comfy.

shottyhunter24 · 03-26-2009, 01:48 PM

yea i cant find anything about orange for bear
and im 15 i think ill carry some protection because under pressure i dont think i could take a few shots at a charging bear
plus my girl wants me to be safe

FarNorth · 03-27-2009, 10:41 AM

shottyhunter24,
I can't comment on the regs in Mn, but I'd like to offer my opinion on the sidearm, based on my bear guiding experience (since 1990).
You're carrying a 30.06 right? Why take a pea shooter to a gun fight? The sidearm isn't going to do anything to a "charging bear" other than make it mad if of course you are lucky enough to hit it. You aren't going to get to take a few shots at a charging bear.
FWIW, I've guided brown/grizzly and black bear hunts and have never been charged by a bear, wounded or otherwise.

shottyhunter24 · 03-27-2009, 11:36 AM

hahaha pea shooter..
well then should i borrow my uncles 300 ultra mag.?

FarNorth · 03-27-2009, 03:56 PM

I was talking about the sidearm being the peashooter. The .06 is enough gun for sure.

blasted_saber · 03-27-2009, 04:44 PM

30.06 is more than enough. Any bullet, 150 gr and up would do the job nicely. Make sure you read up on bullet placement though, cause it can be decieving as to where the boiler room is on a bear.

Ditch the .357. I live in Canada where you can't carry handguns for hunting. No one ever has any issues taking a bear here with "just" a rifle of shotgun.

Take the shot, listen for a death moan (you'll know it when you here it) and go find your bear.

DARKSIDE55 · 03-28-2009, 07:03 AM

I've run bear and moose hunts for almost 30 years. That 30-06 will do the job. I've had guys using 303's, 308's and bows. You didn't say if you were tree-stand hunting or stalking.But it doesn't make any difference if you're using a 50 cal if you can't place the shot where it needs to be, you won't drop it. Like the other fellow said...Get use to the gun, how it shoots and where to shoot, and you'll go home a winner.

I've had a few close calls while baiting but that's to be expected in this business. I'd leave the side arm at home and concentrate on my accuracy. Good Luck to you!! And when you get back, don't forget to post a picture!!

shottyhunter24 · 03-28-2009, 09:42 AM

hahaha oh
and i will be tre stand hunting
and ill just leave it at home and just get used to the 06

DM · 03-29-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: shottyhunter24

yea i cant find anything about orange for bear
and im 15 i think ill carry some protection because under pressure i dont think i could take a few shots at a charging bear
plus my girl wants me to be safe

Leave the sidearm home, if you can't get the job done with a 30-06, youwon'tget it done no matter what your carrying...

DM