41 Mag or pepper spray for bears

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Fella's,
    Back in 2000 I bought myself a Taurus Ti 41 Mag, model 425.  I got it for carry'n in the mountians durin' fishin' trips for trout, and it meets CO's energy requirements for Big Game.
    OK.. Now I've used it?  once to dispatch a coyote that was sneak'n up behind me try'n to get at the rabbit call I was blowin'.  The dern thing is ported to be controllable (which it is).  My problem is that yote died 2 years ago but my ears still ring'n.
  SO.. I'm think'n to get rid of it and carry pepper spray, or keep my rifle handy instead (for tents rifle, for fishin' carry spray).  
Just figuired I'd get a second opinion...  
Spot

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Spot shooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Left BSB in Disgrace Banned Joined: 19 June 2003 Location: Bahrain Status: Offline Points: 0	Topic: 41 Mag or pepper spray for bears Posted: 16 August 2004 at 16:12
	Fella's, Back in 2000 I bought myself a Taurus Ti 41 Mag, model 425. I got it for carry'n in the mountians durin' fishin' trips for trout, and it meets CO's energy requirements for Big Game. OK.. Now I've used it? once to dispatch a coyote that was sneak'n up behind me try'n to get at the rabbit call I was blowin'. The dern thing is ported to be controllable (which it is). My problem is that yote died 2 years ago but my ears still ring'n. SO.. I'm think'n to get rid of it and carry pepper spray, or keep my rifle handy instead (for tents rifle, for fishin' carry spray). Just figuired I'd get a second opinion... Spot

SteelyEyes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 21 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 879	Posted: 16 August 2004 at 17:44
	Do they have grizz where you're hunting? I don't carry either a big heater or spray. I don't go where there's grizz and blackies aren't a problem to enough people to make me feel worried. When I'm hunting I have some kind of weapon around and I always have my little .22 in my saddle bag. It's not much for noise or killing power but like I said I'm not worried about bear..or anything else for that matter. However, if given the need and the same choice I'd take the spray. Most people that try to use a pistol during a surprise bear attack never get a round in the beast.

Spot shooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Left BSB in Disgrace Banned Joined: 19 June 2003 Location: Bahrain Status: Offline Points: 0	Posted: 16 August 2004 at 23:18
	Steely eyes, Nope not brown or Grizz to worry about. Maybe the way-word black try'n to pull the snickers from my pocket but that'd be about it. Which is in fact the reason' I'm most likely gonna get rid of it. I don't have another pistol"ie" for home defense so I've been holding on to this for a while. Guess I should start think'n about what 40 I should get. Although its' been years since I had a 22 and they sure do come in handy for dispatchin' critters that you've down'd in a humane way without the loss of hearing. Do bear's like their hikers rump roast with a cajun spice spray or a texas jalapeno mix? Spot

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Posted: 17 August 2004 at 02:04
	Black attacks are few and far between. Pepper spray in a nice belt holster will be comforting and a lot lighter than the SS 41 mag. It will probably work better as you can use it sooner upon an encounter, you don't need any legal waiting. Remember, You must spray down wind or keep the spray low to the ground so the dam stuff doesn't blow back at your eyes. Like the gun rules about being sure of your target and what is behind it. BEAR

saddlesore Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 16 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1345	Posted: 19 August 2004 at 08:47
	Unless it's an old boar, blacks will leave you alone. Most sows won't even defend her cubs too much. I don't carry hand gun when hunting. Just extra weight. When I'm packing in and out, I do, and keep a 44 in the tent at night. Most I used it on was raccoon that kept coming back. Damn, that 44 makes a lot of noise inside a tent, and sure wakes up the other hunters a little too fast. Unless you are extremely proficient in handgun use, a wounded bear might use it as as suppositry on you. I prefer to carry my .357 , 4" barrel Security Six, since it's lighter. I never had any pepper spray. My wife carries it for dogs around here.
	Saddlesore If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

2Bits Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 10 August 2004 Status: Offline Points: 186	Posted: 22 August 2004 at 01:13
	I only use pepper for my meat! Most Big Bears feel the same way about things come supper time. You have at least a 50/50 chance of the wind blowing in the proper direction when the bear approaches you. Who knows, you might get lucky. I do carry a 44mag pistol teathered to my belt like the Canadian Redcoats when in bear country and I sleep with it on me in a shoulder holster. However there is NO substitute for a .338 mag in a model 70 Winchester, unless it be a 12 gauge pump shotgun with premium slugs. Edited by 2Bits
	Thank A Vet For Your Freedom!