hunting protection ??

[steviebiggun]

Hello, Here in Minnesota bow season has started for deer. put out a bunch of game cameras and had as many black bear pics as deer pics. makes me a little nervous about sitting in the woods with just a bow. I know its illegal to carry a firearm while bow hunting but I will take the chance ( I would rather get a fine than become bear food) Here is my question. Is a Ruger p345acp acceptable pistol to carry in my backpack to get me safely to and from my stand ? Its only a 45 auto but it has to be better than nothing. also, what bullet would you recommend for me to use brand,grain, would I be better off with a full metal jacketed bullet ? Thanks for the help. Steve

[TUK101]

The gun is fine, the fmj bullet is not. I would want something in the 230gr neighborhood with a hp bullet.

[bigbulls]

Well, that gun you are risking carrying illegally during bow season isn't going to do a darn bit of good in your back pack. If you aren't going to carry it on your hip ready for immediate use then why carry it?

Also the 45acp isn't something I would carry as bear protection. It isn't going to stop a bear if it is intent on killing you. Unless you make a 1 in a million shot with it you will die or at a minimum get mauled.

You would be much much better off with bear spray than a 45acp.
http://www.udap.com/

If you do insist on carrying the 45acp then I would not carry regular ole FMJ bullets. There are better bullets suited for bear protection. Most HP bullets wouldn't cut it either as they would not get sufficient penetration to the CNS in a big bear. Look at reloading a flat hard cast bullet and make sure it functions in your Ruger.

Oh yeah, make sure you file off the front sight so that when the bear shoves it up your arse it won't hurt so bad. Also make sure you save one bullet for yourself to help ease the pain of teeth and claws ripping into your skin and skull.

[statjunk]

LOL. BB, that was a little rough, no pun intended.

I would rather be holding a 45 acp than my **** or my bow for that matter.

The backpack is stupid though there is no timeout.

Tom

[Wingbone]

We hunt in bear country a lot, bowhunting and turkey hunting (think about sitting on the ground, making noises like a turkey). Your fears are exaggerated. We've seen bears and bears have seen us. Believe me, they want absolutely nothing to do with you. Most will be gone long before you see them. Carry your .45 if it makes you feel better or some bear spray if you really want to thwart an attack. I would worry more about feral dogs.