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Blain,
Do a search for Phil Shoemaker, or visit Wolfe Publishing's website for more about Phil's credentials. He knows bears, better than most I suspect. We all make our own conclusions based on our own personal experiences, but it never hurts to listen to those that make their living as professional hunters and spend most of their life in the bear's kitchen, more than not.

My own field experiences are along Alaska's gulf coast, though well east of Phil's area. Until recently, I was in the field more than at home during Alaska's spring, summer and fall. I'll take large caliber rifle firing heavy for caliber premium bullets any day over a slug loaded shotgun.

As I stated before, I do not know one single guide here in Alaska that chooses to carry a slug or buckshot loaded shotgun for backup of his clients. That should mean something. I've carried both, I've even carried a handgun. I've seen the effect of all three on ill-tempered bears at close range. A heavy rifle has been the most effective in all instances that I have observed.

There are some occasions where I still pack a handgun instead of a long gun, but there are no instances where I favor a shotgun over a rifle.

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