I cannot disagree with AKMike. When a bear has a full adrenaline dump, like after you shoot one with a 44 Mag, it takes a junkyard of iron and lead to get them dissuaded or stopped. As I said in an earlier post, I haven't shot one. I did see one take 7 hard hits in the chest and spine before it was truly down. I have seen their feats of strength and am awed. Most of the time they will want nothing to do with you. Again...most of the time. I wish you could ask Timothy Treadwell as he became very expert in their attacks.

Their speed is nothing to be messed with and if you think you need a pistol, you'd do better not to fool yourself and think a 44 will do it. Yes, lots of folks get lucky and knock one down with a shot or two. You will want to carry a 454 Casull with double the Ft/lbs of energy. Many times it will still not be enough to keep you safe. Again, if you haven't seen one close the distance, then you will NOT be ready when they come for you. Like taking a pistol class and thinking you are ready to take on an intruder in your home at 3:00 in the morning.

So, when I go through the woods up here I look for bear scat. One day I am sure I will find a pile of doodoo with Capilene, bear bells, and a GPS in it. It could smell of pepper spray and maybe, just maybe I'll be the proud owner of an unfired stainless 44 that needs to be disinfected!

Cheers!