{"id":1010,"date":"2023-04-24T16:03:11","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T16:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1010"},"modified":"2023-04-24T16:03:11","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T16:03:11","slug":"close-calls-bridgets-dangerous-grizzly-encounters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1010","title":{"rendered":"Close Calls: Bridget\u2019s Dangerous Grizzly Encounters"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Bridget Fabel<\/a><\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0If you are in grizzly bear country, please do everything you can to avoid coming in contact with this animal as they are extremely dangerous.<\/em><\/p>\n

G<\/span>rizzly bears are incredible predators that not everyone gets to witness firsthand. I spend a good portion of every year in Alaska, and during those trips, I\u2019ve had a few grizzly encounters \u2014 and that\u2019s a few too many!<\/p>\n

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The author spends a lot of time in areas where brown bears are common. You can learn a little about how to handle a grizzly encounter though her\u00a0experiences.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To give you an idea of how many grizzly bears live in Alaska: the lower 48 totals around 3,000 wild grizzly bears, whereas Alaska has nearly 40,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve lived in Utah for nine years now, and I\u2019m delighted to live in a state with no grizzly bears. We have black bears, mountain lions and more, but for the most part, they mind their own business. They aren\u2019t interested in approaching or hurting people.<\/p>\n

A Considerable Threat?<\/h2>\n

Before my first experience in grizzly country, I did some research. Like most people, I could say I was scared for the first time based on what I read. Grizzly bears are large, aggressive, and unpredictable. We hear brutal and tragic grizzly stories all too often on the news and there\u2019s a reason for that.<\/p>\n

\"bridget\n<\/picture>
While a handgun is not ideal for taking down a large predator, if capably powerful and effectively used, it can make a\u00a0difference.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grizzlies are top predators. They are potentially a significant threat lurking in the bushes on your favorite hike. Most people that get attacked by a grizzly don\u2019t survive to tell the tale. If they do survive, they are scarred for life by the giant claws and teeth of the beast.<\/p>\n

I grew up around tons of black bears, and I can truly say from experience that grizzly bears are more unpredictable and aggressive than black bears. Grizzly bears are not afraid to attack and fight nearly anything.<\/p>\n

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You can encounter a grizzly bear anytime you are in their territory. It doesn\u2019t matter if you are hiking, scouting or\u00a0hunting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a result, I feel it\u2019s extremely important to carry a proper sidearm in grizzly country. I have some friends who guided hunts for giant Kodiak bears on Kodiak Island, and they said that they carried loaded .454 Casull sidearms at all times. I have other guide friends that have told stories about grizzly charges and attacks that would make it hard to sleep at night.<\/p>\n

Grizzly country is not a place to be underprepared. Some of the things that you read on the internet about grizzly protection can be accurate. For example, I believe that most grizzlies don\u2019t want to approach a hiking person playing music or carrying a bear bell. I believe having something to make sounds as you\u2019re moving through the woods helps let a grizzly bear know that you\u2019re there, which reduces the possibility of surprising them.<\/p>\n

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Compare the size of the bear to the author. Bears are large predators and you need practical tools with which to defend\u00a0yourself.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most grizzly attacks of which I am aware happen when a person hiking a trail surprises the grizzly. Another common occurrence is a person accidentally approaching a grizzly kill in which the grizz will protect its meal at all costs. Lastly, one of the most common attacks that we hear about is when a sow has cubs. Sows with cubs are extremely aggressive and unpredictable.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is, do everything you can to avoid coming into direct contact with a grizzly.<\/p>\n

Armed with a Plan<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re hunting moose or caribou in Alaska, you likely won\u2019t want to wear a bear bell or play music because you\u2019d spook off the game you\u2019re hunting. If at all possible, hunt with a buddy for safety.<\/p>\n

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Riding a horse can give you a better view of the surroundings. However, you have to remain very aware and cautious whenever you are in bear\u00a0land.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have hunted alone in grizzly country, but only while being extremely prepared and aware. When I hunted caribou alone in Alaska<\/a> last year, I had a Springfield Armory 1911 chambered in 10mm on my hip at all times. I had spare magazines nearby as well.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on hunting in grizzly country alone or in a group, I highly recommend the following based on my personal experience:<\/p>\n