Survival Guru

I heard that moose were pretty dangerous too...

Most dangerous animal in the lower 48??? This must be a trick question. It's the same animal that is the most dangerous globally....HUMANS.

The white tail deer kills far more people than bears. And yes, moose too.

Average Number of Deaths per Year in the U.S Bee/Wasp 53 Dogs 31 Spider 6.5 Rattlesnake 5.5 Mountain lion 1 Shark 1 Alligator 0.3 Bear 0.5 Scorpion 0.5 Centipede 0.5 Elephant 0.25 Wolf 0.1 Horse 20 Bull 3

Average Number of Deaths per Year in the U.S Bee/Wasp 53 Dogs 31 Spider 6.5 Rattlesnake 5.5 Mountain lion 1 Shark 1 Alligator 0.3 Bear 0.5 Scorpion 0.5 Centipede 0.5 Elephant 0.25 Wolf 0.1 Horse 20 Bull 3

Define dangerous. By actual statistics and facts? ...or are you resorting to sensational fearmongering for hits on your website? I'm disappointed in you OUTSIDE. Far more people die annually do to slipping off a rock than die by bear attack.

"The effectiveness of pepper spray is undisputed," Cronenwett says. "Practice drawing and arming it regularly. This device isn't perfect, but it's far more effective and easier to use than firearms. Taking a snoutful of pepper spray is a powerful deterrant to a charge." Tell me, If the bear is not deterred by the pepper spray and he's chewing my arm off, should I reapply the spray or scream even louder in agony? Sorry, my life or the lives of my family and friends are worth more than the life of a bear. If bear spray (if there is even time) won't break his attack, I am going to shoot the Griz with a .44 magnum until I'm still alive and he's dead. You think that's cruel? Well, you do whatever you like with Mr. Griz., including providing him a tasty meal of yourself. Thanks for giving your readers misplaced confidence in a nonlethal weapon during a lethal encounter. Talk about filling peoples heads with mush.

Statistics have to be documented, so it's imortant to keep an open mind. There are many people who disapear while hiking, hunting, and fishing that are never found. Because of this, the cause of death can't be documented. As for myself, I'm not a "Rambo Tough Guy", but I do carry my .44 Magnum while hiking in the woods as protection from bear, mountain lion, or as anonymous says the most dangerous animals "humans". While carring, I'm very discreet so not to offend anyone. I grew up in the Oregon mountains, and know what its like to be so poor, you have to live off the land. Now living in California, I'm careful not to offend the City Slickers in the woods.

Statistics have to be documented, so it's imortant to keep an open mind. There are many people who disapear while hiking, hunting, and fishing that are never found. Because of this, the cause of death can't be documented. As for myself, I'm not a "Rambo Tough Guy", but I do carry my .44 Magnum while hiking in the woods as protection from bear, mountain lion, or as anonymous says the most dangerous animals "humans". While carring, I'm very discreet so not to offend anyone. I grew up in the Oregon mountains, and know what its like to be so poor, you have to live off the land. Now living in California, I'm careful not to offend the City Slickers in the woods.

If you are really interested in protecting yourself from a bear, a much better solution is a 12ga shotgun, loaded with first 3 rounds of birdshot, to hit them in the face to blind and take away sense of smell, then progressively larger rounds, double OO buckshot or slugs to take out the mobility of the animal. Most rounds, including 44 mag, will just bounce off the sloped forehead and really upset them. If you are lucky enough to even hit them there.

If you are really interested in protecting yourself from a bear, a much better solution is a 12ga shotgun, loaded with first 3 rounds of birdshot, to hit them in the face to blind and take away sense of smell, then progressively larger rounds, double OO buckshot or slugs to take out the mobility of the animal. Most rounds, including 44 mag, will just bounce off the sloped forehead and really upset them. If you are lucky enough to even hit them there.

Thanks Peter, the Shotgun is the best defense against bears. I carry the .44 magnum simply because of it's weight and portablitiy while fly-fishing. A shotgun is just too cumbersome for my activities while working. Also, as a pilot, I enjoy hiking while on trips to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Because the jets I fly are small, and because I fly single pilot I often hike alone, while my passengers are off doing something else. The .44 doesn't take up the room in a small Citation Jet, or King Air that a shotgun would consume. As for penetration against a bear head, I reload with a 240 grain jacketed soft point with Winchester 296 gunpowder at 1400 FPS. The bullet has a lead point surrounded by copper. It's not a hollow point, and is not made for expansion, but instead penetration. When I'm not working, I shoot competively both rifle and pistol, and hunt big game. I've never shot a Brown Bear in the head, and don't know if it would bounce off, but I bet that the 1044 ft lbs of energy would give him a headache.

Thanks Peter, the Shotgun is the best defense against bears. I carry the .44 magnum simply because of it's weight and portablitiy while fly-fishing. A shotgun is just too cumbersome for my activities while working. Also, as a pilot, I enjoy hiking while on trips to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Because the jets I fly are small, and because I fly single pilot I often hike alone, while my passengers are off doing something else. The .44 doesn't take up the room in a small Citation Jet, or King Air that a shotgun would consume. As for penetration against a bear head, I reload with a 240 grain jacketed soft point with Winchester 296 gunpowder at 1400 FPS. The bullet has a lead point surrounded by copper. It's not a hollow point, and is not made for expansion, but instead penetration. When I'm not working, I shoot competively both rifle and pistol, and hunt big game. I've never shot a Brown Bear in the head, and don't know if it would bounce off, but I bet that the 1044 ft lbs of energy would give him a headache.

Been hiking for over 50 years through bear, cougar and wolf country from Alaska to Jasper to Yellowstone. Most dangerous animal while hiking......the dreaded black fly.

The most dangerous animal is the so called human being

The most dangerous animal is the so called human being

Most places are safe to hike, even while hiking in areas with predators. After being hunted for decades, even the most aggresive predators associate man with being higher on the food chain, and avoid contact. However, some places like California where hunting Cougar isn't legal, conflicts with humans have occured, especially in rural Cederville, Ca.

Most places are safe to hike, even while hiking in areas with predators. After being hunted for decades, even the most aggresive predators associate man with being higher on the food chain, and avoid contact. However, some places like California where hunting Cougar isn't legal, conflicts with humans have occured, especially in rural Cederville, Ca.

I agree Josef, tomorrow I'm setting up my game cam in the Sierra's inorder to see whats on the menu. Bon Apatit.

I agree Josef, tomorrow I'm setting up my game cam in the Sierra's inorder to see whats on the menu. Bon Apatit.

All I have to say is thank god there are some people with common sense left. Hawker, RM, Peter M, Has a Brain…kudos on understanding that if presented with the threat of a predator such as a bear and attacked, that you guys are serious about your survival. No one wants to injure any animal in nature...but this is a Darwinian issue…the strongest will be the one to survive…nice load Hawker...preparation and awareness is the key to survival success. Does the author, Mr. Nester actually believe the ridiculous claim of the “wildlife expert” Cronenwett, when he states: "The effectiveness of pepper spray is undisputed," Cronenwett says. "Practice drawing and arming it regularly. This device isn't perfect, but it's far more effective and easier to use than firearms. “… So based on what Cronenwett states we should encourage law enforcement to shed their sidearms and double down on O.C….REALLY? Who at Outside allows incompetent articles to be printed? Chuck Georgia

All I have to say is thank god there are some people with common sense left. Hawker, RM, Peter M, Has a Brain…kudos on understanding that if presented with the threat of a predator such as a bear and attacked, that you guys are serious about your survival. No one wants to injure any animal in nature...but this is a Darwinian issue…the strongest will be the one to survive…nice load Hawker...preparation and awareness is the key to survival success. Does the author, Mr. Nester actually believe the ridiculous claim of the “wildlife expert” Cronenwett, when he states: "The effectiveness of pepper spray is undisputed," Cronenwett says. "Practice drawing and arming it regularly. This device isn't perfect, but it's far more effective and easier to use than firearms. “… So based on what Cronenwett states we should encourage law enforcement to shed their sidearms and double down on O.C….REALLY? Who at Outside allows incompetent articles to be printed? Chuck Georgia

While doing a geochemical survey in Northern Idaho, I walked around a corner of a small country road, and there 50 to 75 feet away was a humped back bear scratching his back on a free. Upon seeing me, He dropped to all fours and walked in a complete circle. While he was venturing on the 270 degree mark of his turn, I turn 180 degrees and causually walked away, wondering what I would feel to be hit by the power that I knew that bear had. He let me go and I have oft wondered what was the meaning of his complete circle. Any one have a bright idea?

While doing a geochemical survey in Northern Idaho, I walked around a corner of a small country road, and there 50 to 75 feet away was a humped back bear scratching his back on a free. Upon seeing me, He dropped to all fours and walked in a complete circle. While he was venturing on the 270 degree mark of his turn, I turn 180 degrees and causually walked away, wondering what I would feel to be hit by the power that I knew that bear had. He let me go and I have oft wondered what was the meaning of his complete circle. Any one have a bright idea?

Pretty remarkable how some folks get upset about bears and guns. I work as a professional naturalist every day in the Bob Marshall country of Montana and have observed more grizzly bears in wild, non-National Park settings than most people will in a lifetime. I am also a hunter, trapper, gun enthusiast and survival instructor and have little patience for people with no practical understanding or experience with bear behavior making statements of ignorance. I like guns and own several, but the effectiveness of them in real situations prove they are not as realiable as pepper spray. How often to you practice shooting under great duress at an animal charging at you at 35 mph at close range? Most people will be unable to fire a killing shot under such circumstances, I can assure you. An excellent paper is "The Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska" which examines bear encounters from 1987-2006 and is extensively cited and sourced. What this is all really about is fear; fear of the natural world and fear that someone is going to tell you what you can and can't do with your sacred guns. You want to try to kill a charging grizzly at 50 feet with your .357? Good luck with that bro; I'll stick with what's simple and what works, a good can of pepper spray, an awareness of my surroundings and an understanding of bear behavior. See you in the bush.

Pretty remarkable how some folks get upset about bears and guns. I work as a professional naturalist every day in the Bob Marshall country of Montana and have observed more grizzly bears in wild, non-National Park settings than most people will in a lifetime. I am also a hunter, trapper, gun enthusiast and survival instructor and have little patience for people with no practical understanding or experience with bear behavior making statements of ignorance. I like guns and own several, but the effectiveness of them in real situations prove they are not as realiable as pepper spray. How often to you practice shooting under great duress at an animal charging at you at 35 mph at close range? Most people will be unable to fire a killing shot under such circumstances, I can assure you. An excellent paper is "The Efficacy of Bear Deterrent Spray in Alaska" which examines bear encounters from 1987-2006 and is extensively cited and sourced. What this is all really about is fear; fear of the natural world and fear that someone is going to tell you what you can and can't do with your sacred guns. You want to try to kill a charging grizzly at 50 feet with your .357? Good luck with that bro; I'll stick with what's simple and what works, a good can of pepper spray, an awareness of my surroundings and an understanding of bear behavior. See you in the bush.

@Cronenwett: there are many documented instances of humans using firearms, usually handguns in cal 357 or larger, to kill bears, charging or not. If someone regularly carries, shoots, handles a firearm they will have no more difficulty using one to defend themselves against a bear charge than using pepper spray, many of which have different and varying activation methods from one mfgr to another. Sounds like you have more familiarity with using pepper spray than firearms, so keep using it. I think carrying and being competent with both is the best plan.

hay is there bears in the shore

hay any guido out there call me

hay any guido out there call me

you guys are all idiots

How did I get to a thread about bears??????