Luckily, the scariest thing I have ever ran into in the woods is a naked fat chick. Don't get me wrong, I was startled at first, but I also managed to escape without incident.

I have also seen other naked chicks skinny dipping at a distance. These were not fat, I was not tramatized in any why by the much thinner and attractive chicks. I know they are probably faster than the fat variety, but I think I would have a better chance of survival if the encounter did become physical.

So, regardless of where you live, you will be well advised to keep an eye out for the native wildlife.

Greg

 

Keithb, I've heard of a solution in theory, and I hope I never get that close to use it.

It's an old indian trick squaws used when they used to gather berries in the woods. If confronted by a bear that begins to chase, they'd tear off little pieces of clothing or drop items while running away. When the bear saw the item dropped or thrown in the path, they will stop and smell whatever you drop and thus you gain distance between you and the bear. Again, I hope I don't have to use it, but a few rags around the handle bars may be all you need to gain distance. Like yourself and the other posts, I carry protection in the woods. Hope this helps or gives you something to laugh about.

 

I lived in Northern Canada for awhile is a very small wilderness town. One day they had to close the school and for several months after there were no outside recess or lunch breaks due to 7 adult grizzlies in the area.

The bear repellant was mentioned as an alternative. I have also heard of wearing bells to warn bears of your approach so you don't surprise them. This kind of thing was all the talk of the town while bear scare was on. Then a local radio station provided the following tips, after describing using the bells and bear repellent

"One of the most important things about Bear safety is learning to distinguish between the more timid black Bear and the aggressive grizzly" They mentioned the physical differences and then they mentioned the diff in the bear droppings so you could tell what kind of bears were in the area and I quote "black bear dropping are smaller and consists of berries and roots and smell woodsy, while grizzly droppings are larger consists of small bells and smells like bear repellent."

I thought that was funny especially considering all the people in town with bells and bear repellent with them!

As for real protection I was gonna get one of those shorty 12 gauge shotguns like the Winchester Defender and use slugs for ammo. At least that is legal in Canada.

SP500 in NS

 

I always carry a 44 magnum, only trouble is the first shot is the only accurate one. The next shot your to busy trying to cover your ears and keeping your wrist from being broken! Greg, if you have your own wench the fat chicks will leave you alone.

 

Mike Chero is right about handguns against grizzly's. There is too much fur, fat, and large bones for the bullet to go through to penetrate too vital organs. A 44 mag has been know to bounce off a bears skull. You need at least a 300 mag or better to change a bear's mind. This all comes form hunting magazine's that I read.

 

I seem to the think the weapon of choice for bear protection is a 12 gage with a short 18 or 20" barrel. No choke with at least a 5 or more round magazine. Change the stock to a pistol grip and this becomes quite small and only weighs about 7 lbs. Slam the magazine full off slugs and one in the barrel ready. This is fine however I really don't want a gun scabbord mounted on my Sport 400 if ya know what I mean. It would look kinda stupid on there. It would better suit the Trailboss that my wife rides but she doesn't want anything to do with it. She says she would probably shoot me! (Maybe I should change the beneficiary on my life insurance...Hmm...).

Anyone got any comments on the 12 gage?

Keith