Pistol for wildlife defense?

[Speedwagon]

As to not hijack Ryno's thread, I'm starting my own. I've been throwing around the idea of getting a pistol for defense, but defense for being in the backcountry/woods areas of the state. Not currently looking for CCW or anything. I've met a few people that carry while in the woods, and when I asked them why they carry, I was told because it was bear/lion country.

Not being a native to a state that has this type of wildlife in it, I don't really know too much about such a situation. But I do plan on getting out in the mountains a lot more this year, and would like to be adequately prepared.

So, can you all educate me on this? Is a pistol the best to carry for such a situation? If so, what type of pistol? My experience with pistols is the 9mm Beretta, military issue while I was in the Army.

[dirkterrell]

This might do the trick:

http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2005/01/the_maadi_griff.html

http://www.boulder.swri.edu/%7Eterrell/images/goofy.gif

Dirk

[Canuck]

With Bear, and Mountain Lion areas, the bigger the better for defense. But let's be practical here. You most likely will not encounter anything more frightening than a Pika. So comfortability would be my #1 objective. I would go with a .45 compact (or sub-compact if your hands aren't too large). They will provide enough practical knockdown power, while being practical for carring. Now, if you lived in the Pacific Northwest, where there are a lot of Grizzly Bears, then I would go larger. We don't have to worry about that here. Black Bears are pretty tame. It's the Mountain Lions and Bull Elk (and the few moose that live here), that I would worry about.

[TFOGGuys]

Most times, just being big and loud will scare the wildlife off. Your only serious threats are bears and possibly mountain lions, so I would say .357 minimum. A .44 or .500 S&W would be the most effective choices, but lend themselves to large, heavy weapons in most cases.

Just my $.03.

[dirkterrell]

But seriously, yeah, I take my .45 along. When I used to go hunting in the southeast, the more experienced guys wouldn't go with anything less than a .44 magnum sidearm in case we ran into wild boar.

Dirk

[Sortarican]

Having had encounters with both black bears and mtn. lions I'd say you can chase both off with a big stick.
Though I did feel a lot better that most every time I've run across them I've had a rifle on me.

In reality you have more to fear from some crazy fucker in the back country than you do from any wildlife.
I'd carry to defend yourself against these guys:
http://i14.tinypic.com/6yoe6h5.jpg
Before they make you:
http://www.twistedsiblings.com/gallery/albums/twisted_stickers/deliverance.gif

[will-t]

A 9mm pistol with a heavy bullet (147 grain) and a big magazine so you can hit it a lot would probably do the trick on a cat, but it's more than likely just going to piss a bear off. I know people who carry .45s as well which should also be "enough".

Realistically, you'd probably want to go with a minimum of a .357 magnum. Smith and Wesson, and Ruger make some nice heavy duty models with acceptable recoil and good service records. I'd stay away from Taurus, they make cheaper stuff and I've known people to have more failures with their equipment (although that isn't to say that taurus sucks, I've also known people who have had problem free versions as well so if that's all you can afford just make sure you test the weapon a lot at the range before you put your life on the line).

The nice part about a .357 is that you can shoot less expensive .38 special through it to plink at the range or get used to the sights etc. As opposed to say a .44 magnum which doesn't have a much cheaper variant.

Stay away from snubby revolvers. Accuracy drops considerably once you start to get past 20 or 30 feet. A minimum of a 4" barrel is recommended, and anything longer will just help reduce recoil and may improve accuracy slightly, although unless you're going for long range shots which isn't in your defensive plan, you'll be fine with a 4 or 5".

None of these kinds of revolvers is going to conceal, so make sure you get a good quality holster and belt to support the weight. Also, a .357 can be used to hunt some decent sized game, so make sure you get a small game license incase you run into a ranger that's following the letter of the law. Small game covers things like rabbits and squirrels and allows you to be in posession of a firearm in areas where they can be found. You'll definitely want to check the regulations of any specific area you plan to be in though.

Another option, staying with the .357 but going for an automatic if you absolutely hate revolvers is an Desert Eagle. The grips on these pistols are quite large so you need to have bigger hands to adequately hold the pistol.

[salsashark]

The only time I worry about the animals is at night. Normally while your up during the day, your noisy enough that they will avoid you. In that case carry whatever you feel comfortable with.

At night when your asleep and all is quite is when curious noses will find their way into camp. If you're not diligent with food storage and trash removal you may find you have more unwelcome visitors...

Personally, I don't worry about it because I camp with a bunch of gun nuts who are armed to the teeth. When I go alone, I have a Remington 870 w/ a tac load that sleeps next to me.

[Kim-n-Dean]

In reality you have more to fear from some crazy fucker in the back country than you do from any wildlife.
I'd carry to defend yourself against these guys:
http://i14.tinypic.com/6yoe6h5.jpgThat's the truth!!! I'm jettin' out for a meeting right now, but I have a great story about coming up on a group of people in Wyoming. I know, Wyoming, it probably doesn't count. You kind of expect this type of thing out there. Gotta roll, though. Ask me about it sometime...

[Panman06]

As to not hijack Ryno's thread, I'm starting my own. I've been throwing around the idea of getting a pistol for defense, but defense for being in the backcountry/woods areas of the state. Not currently looking for CCW or anything. I've met a few people that carry while in the woods, and when I asked them why they carry, I was told because it was bear/lion country.

Not being a native to a state that has this type of wildlife in it, I don't really know too much about such a situation. But I do plan on getting out in the mountains a lot more this year, and would like to be adequately prepared.

So, can you all educate me on this? Is a pistol the best to carry for such a situation? If so, what type of pistol? My experience with pistols is the 9mm Beretta, military issue while I was in the Army.

Mountain Lion - .357 or .44 works nicely.
Bear - .454 or .500 unless you're a great shot.

Pepper spray works better to deter bears.

[~Barn~]

I haven't read this thread yet, but after reading the title, the first thing that popped into...

IT'S COMING RIGHT FOR US!!!!
http://freespace.virgin.net/m.nash/Toons/Southpark/msf1.gif

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

If I was seriously camping in the back woods I'd probably bring a .45, AND my 8" hunting knife (Buckmaster).

[TFOGGuys]

I usually have my .45-70 loaded up around camp, but for hiking I'm partial to the .357, as the rifle is too damn heavy.

[rapparee]

Not being a native to a state that has this type of wildlife in it, I don't really know too much about such a situation. But I do plan on getting out in the mountains a lot more this year, and would like to be adequately prepared.

So, can you all educate me on this? Is a pistol the best to carry for such a situation? If so, what type of pistol? My experience with pistols is the 9mm Beretta, military issue while I was in the Army.
Being a loud clumsy human is more than enough for most mountain lions and bears to stay away from you. If you would feel better carrying then everyone has you covered above.
If you do encounter a bear or lion make yourself big and loud. If you run into a moose then you had better think fast and either find a tree to play ring around the rosy or find a rock or boulder field, they are unable to walk on rock very well, it is actually very funny to witness. Remember a bull moose in rut or a cow with a calf is the most dangerous animal will can run into in the mountains here, neither situation is fun and will have your heart rate into the 200's instantly. They are unbelievably quit and stealthy in there environment considering there size, I am in constant amazement and awe every time I have an encounter with one. Have fun in the hills and don't worry so much:)

[Sortarican]

Being a loud clumsy human is more than enough for most mountain lions and bears to stay away from you. ..... Remember a bull moose in rut or a cow with a calf is the most dangerous animal will can run into in the mountains here,

True and True!


BTW,
There are a few Grizzly bears in Colorado.
Some say they are holdouts from the old days, some say they've come up from NM and down from WY.

The DOW doesn't want to make it public to avoid ranchers complaints and hearings and they don't want to deal with the endangered species act issues.
Wolves should be down from WY and up form NM in the next couple year too.

[salsashark]

I haven't read this thread yet, but after reading the title, the first thing that popped into...

IT'S COMING RIGHT FOR US!!!!
http://freespace.virgin.net/m.nash/Toons/Southpark/msf1.gif

This was mine...

http://bestpicever.com/pics/pic_387813001187285388.jpg

[Sortarican]

This was mine...

You do not have the right to arm bears!

[salsashark]

But the other way around isn't much fun...

http://www.demopolislive.com/gallery/images/1/large/1_the_right_to_bear_arms.jpg

[Sortarican]

http://scottfredrickson.com/wp-content/uploads/160_bears/colbert.jpg

[Snowman]

Ah, all you wimps with your guns. Sheessh
Give me one of these and I’ll walk up to any Grizzly and bitch slap him.

http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol4/no20/suit.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Grizzly)

[DavidofColorado]

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3986/poster68232271go4.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=poster68232271go4.jpg)

[*GSXR~SNAIL*]

.45 ACP 230 grain FMJ.

From what I've been told, stay away from hollow point type rounds and go ball ammo for this application.

[Sortarican]

From what I've been told, stay away from hollow point type rounds and go ball ammo for this application.

True.
HP on thick hides/bones doesn't work well.

[The Black Knight]

I would say a minimum in our mountains would be a .44 Magnum. .357's are nice but depending on what animal is in front of you, it might not do the trick. Plus a .44 magnum is a great gun to use for hunting should you get stranded.

If you really want some peace of mind just step up to a .454 Casull. It's more then plenty for just about anything you'll ever encounter sans a Elephant. With muzzle energies in the 2200ft.lbs to 2500ft.lbs range it's got enough punch to split anything like a canoe.

Or if you just want to make a good mess just opt for the S&W .500 magnum. I actually owned a .500 for a time and it was in the 8 3/8 barrel model. Surprisingly it didn't have as much of a kick as my .44 mag did. I suppose the guns overall weight and length of barrel had something to do with it. However, you did know when you were shooting it as it would let off a super low end boom!! when you pulled the trigger.

Honestly when it comes to guns, do ever really have enough gun?? NO!! you can always have more gun, so just buy the thing that gets you as close to it as possible :up:

[Sortarican]

I Honestly when it comes to guns, do ever really have enough gun?? NO!!

Well once I shot a Blue Grouse with a .30-06...that was a little bit of overkill.
(Unless you're only after feathers, then it's perfect.)

[RCStylin']

I've been looking at a Colt .45 Redhawk. You can shoot anything from plinkers up to bear loads through it. Beautiful gun. That being said, I only carry a pistol when I'm hunting and dragging a carcass back to camp, which is about 6 days a year. I ride mtn bikes prolly upwards of 75 days a year and don't carry anything and have not ever seen anything. You are more likely to get struck by lightening than attacked in the wilderness.

However, it does feel good to carry a gun :-)

[puckstr]

Shoot'em then Grill'em
SW 500 Magnum
http://faisca.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/500sw.jpg
http://billstclair.com/blog/images/sw500-grill-600x383.jpg

[~Barn~]

So what in the world did David o' Denver do, to get (I'm assuming) Melanie, to ban him?
:think:

[RyNo24]

+1 on at least .357. My Dad has his .357 revolver at our cabin for animal protection. When we were building the cabin, a bear broke into our motor home that were using to sleep in during construction. Luckily we were in Littleton when the bear got in there. The bear just pealed the door like a tuna fish can and rampaged the inside for food. Scary part was, it knew how to open the cabinets with the button latches. It isn't a bad idea at all to armed against Mountain Lions and Bears.

Also, do not shoot a bear directly between the eyes, even a .357 round will just bounce off its skull right there and really piss it off. Bear have very thick skulls and its ramped just right that most round will not penetrate. Your best bet is to shoot the chest when they stand.

Just my $.02