Close Encounter - Bear Attack Avoided

[ELMER J. FUDD]

I'll let the video speak for itself, but props to this guy for keeping it cool.

Bear Attack Easton Bowhunting TV

[burmjohn]

thats one fast reaction.

[Doc]

I wonder if he shot into the water in front of the bear because he only wanted to scare her, or was it because in the excitement he missed by that much....lol.

Also, as quick as that all happened, I am wondering if he didn't already have his gun drawn.

I'm not sure that yelling at the cubs prior to the charge was exactly the right thing to do. To the sow, that might have been interpreted as an aggressive act toward the cubs.

At any rate, it sure does make a pretty exciting video clip.

[Dave]

I wonder if he shot into the water in front of the bear because he only wanted to scare her, or was it because in the excitement he missed by that much....lol.

Also, as quick as that all happened, I am wondering if he didn't already have his gun drawn.

I'm not sure that yelling at the cubs prior to the charge was exactly the right thing to do. To the sow, that might have been interpreted as an aggressive act toward the cubs.

At any rate, it sure does make a pretty exciting video clip.

Having a side arm during archery season sure came in handy.

Dave

[Pygmy]

It looked like it may have taken place in Alaska . Most places in AK have no specific bow season as such, just an open season where any weapon is allowed.

Therefore it's common ( and prudent) for bowhunters to carry a large caliber handgun or even a short barreled shotgun while bowhunting for bear protection.

I've hunted AK a number of times and seen my share of grizzlies. We never had a minute's trouble with any of them, but I sure would not want to be in grizzly country without some kind of firearm , just in case.

[Pygmy]

Doc commented that the guy may have already drawn his gun.

I'm sure he had the gun in his hand as soon as he saw the cubs.

He'd be damned DUMB if he didn't, unless he had no previous experience with grizzlies.

That reminds me of a statement I read concerning old west gunfighters. The ones that survived quite a few gunfights, like Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin and others.

In most cases, these guys already had thier gun in  hand before thier opponent even knew there was a PROBLEM.... ...

When I was hunting in grizzly country, and was aproaching a situation where I even suspected there could be bear trouble ( like returning to a meat cache for another load to pack back to camp) I always had my rifle ( or at times a shotgun) at port arms, and we were talking LOUDLY to alert any bear of our approach.

[Geno C]

in any event he was spot on with that reaction! that could have been the difference between living to tell the story or not... She came in in a hurry and i am sure she was not coming in that fast to give a warning.