ORIGINAL: demoIL
My very first time in Canada bear hunting I sat in a stand all day and didn't see anything. Walking out after it was dark I was waiting near a makeshift road for a truck to come get me and I had a bear come charging up out of the woods. Stomping paws and popping jaws both. I guess it was a bluff charge because the bear never came out of the woods and onto the road. I walked up the trail a ways with my bow in hand and flashlight on my head singing sweet home alabama.. lol Then sat there for over an hour to think about it waiting on the truck. Come to find out they were tracking a bear.. The charge was one thing, sitting out there for an hour to think about it was way worse...
Yikes!! I had this same thing happen to me but the only difference was I'm not sure If It was a bear or a Timber Wolf. My light quit working, battery was dead. I'm thinking It was a bear because of the muffled cracks of the sticks but whatever It was I didn't like It one bit being I couldn't see a thing waiting on the road to get picked up.
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ORIGINAL: Stonegoat
I live in British Columbia, am a former guide, and have encountered literally hundreds of black bears and several dozen grizzlies. I have only been charged once.
My opinion is that unless you are an expert with a "sidearm"...leave it at home. Bring along some pepper spray instead. It works and avoids the complications of a wounded bear runnung round or the tradgedy of orphaned cubs.
Unless you can consistantly hit a tennis ball bouncing down a hill towards you with your pistol, it will cause you more problems than it will solve.
Perfectly said!! This guy should know.