This past weekend I was by myself 2 miles from the nearest road looking for muleys and elk. I ran into a black bear at about 75 yds. Once I saw him I just stood my ground and after a short standoff he wondered off in the opposite direction. This has happened twice already this year and I ran into a mountain lion once.

Do you guys feel the need to carry a self defense weapon in non-grizzly country?

I never have and never really worried about it. But with the increasing population of cats and bears I'm starting to wonder if I should.

If you do carry a weapon what to you carry if grizzly is not on the plate? I have a 9mm and have been thinking about carrying that but not sure if its enough as I've never hunted blackies or cats at all.

I would feel comfortable with pepper spray in non grizz territory. BTW, where is Herriman? I live in N. Utah valley, just north of Provo.

You are fortunate to have the option of carrying a self defence weapon in black bear country. Since the cancellation of the spring bear hunt here in Ontario a few years ago the bear population is exploding with numerous encounters and even more nuisance bear incidences. To deal with the problem our poor excuse for a government has set up an awareness program with a 1-800 number to call if one has a problem. Have you ever in all your life heard of anything more absurd. The line below is a cut & paste from our Ministry of Natural Resources web site. I don't know if the 1-800 number will work from the U.S. but suggest you try it to get your laugh of the day. gg.

TO REPORT BEAR PROBLEMS: contact the Bear Reporting Line at
1-866-514-BEAR (2327)

I'd go with the mace even though we don't have much of a bear problem where i am at least. If mace fails for whatever reason, kick it in the crotch and hope its not a female bear..if so, try to set a record for heavy-burdened sprint


(its about 3:31AM here and feeling little goofy, sorry)

I carry a side arm when I'm in the woods always.I either carry my .44 mag or my .45 acp compact.My wife carries a short barreled .357 Taurus,I keep a strouger coach gun 12ga w/3 inch 00 buck under the back seat of the pick-up when camping with the family.You just never know what you are going to run into when out there.As much as I like a good scrap,I would rather not take on a bear or Mt. Lion with my bare hands.BBJ

Its just west of Riverton below the Kennicott copper mine. It's funny that its in the Salt Lake valley but no one ever knows where it is. Are you doing a general deer hunt this year? Its getting tough these days with the numbers being down. Of course now they are trying to exterminate all the deer above Alpine. Thats a sad deal.

I feel for you Goodguy that is in fact the stupidest bear solution I've heard so far. Hopefully the idiots running the show will pull thier head out before someone gets hurt. Unfortuneately it probably won't happen that way.

At 75 yards, "if" that bear had not "winded" you, it was probably standing around trying to figure out what you was. They don't have the best eye sight at all.

Personally, I wouldn't have been concerned in that instance at all. And, if i was, i'd want something more than a 9mm to carry!!

Drilling Man

I think a .357 and up would be pretty much all you need to deter an overly curious carnivore (other than a grizzly).

If I was going to carry a gun in bear country, it would be a 12 Ga pump or my 358 Winchester Or my 45-70. I have been on two search parties looking for the bodies of people killed by Black Bears. They are not to be taken lightly. I could live with a 44 magnum Revolver if I had to travel real light.

Yeah I wasn't real nervous but the other bear I ran into was at 30 yds and he bolted once he caught my wind. The kitty was only at 20 yds and we had a 3 minute standoff before he bolted up the hill. Doesn't sound real long but when you are unarmed it feels like an eternity as I could have easliy been lunch had he decided to make it so.

Where I live and hunt I've just never been concerned but now I'm starting to wonder as I am wandering further and further from the roads to find game in my preseason scouting. I think I'll start packing something just in case but I certainly don't want to pack my rifle or shotgun. I'm thinking maybe a .357 revolver?