Keeping bears away in Yellowstone

I would choose a .357 over a .500 for a bear. A .357 isn't nearly the handful that a .500 is. And will be just as effective.

Just got my Amazon package of Bear Spray and an holster.

Dean

TragedyTrousers wrote:
Since this will be our first time to Yellowstone my wife was trying to decide which firearm would be best protection against bears. .454, 44mag, or 50cal?

I'm thinking of a bear gun the the .500 range with the muzzle brake on the end of the barrel. That keeps it from flying up to brain you with the recoil. At $1.50 a bullet, the .500 isn't a plinking gun. I don't camp ion Grizzly country but I do see black bears. Idiots try to lure them with food and then wonder why the bears tear into thier vehicles.

Putting peanut butter, anchovy paste or bacon grease o0n another campers equipment will not only put them at risk, it can get you arrested. I'm talking major charges here. Wanton endangerment and so on.

Tips if you face a bear are, DO NOT turn and run. That engages prey reflex. Make yourself as big as possible. Use an umbrella if nothing else. The sudden appearance of the round thing in front of them will often startle them. Never, ever try to pet the cuddly little cub. Momma is around somewhere and will have a bad attitude.

I like to smear bitter apple on anything that may attract wild life. You get it at a pet food store.

I'd offer my advise, by my experience is limited by two factors.

1) My only visit to Yellowstone was in my pre-RV days.
2) That specific visit was in early October 2013 and the whole National Park Service was closed to visitors thanks to some of my elected representatives.

Yeah, I'm bitter. It was our 25th anniversary and I have no clue when we'll be able to go back up there.

If you shoot a bear (or even shoot at a bear) inside the park your first conversation will be with the rangers and your second with a Federal Judge.

Shoot a buffalo and they don't bother with conversations; just send you away for a long time. (Don't even honk at a buffalo blocking the road. True story.)

PS.. During several trips to YNP we have never seen a bear in or around the campgrounds.

I recommend reviewing the bear scenes in the movie Great Outdoors. Sometimes they can be repelled by saying "shoo" and waving your hand from back to front. If they are on your vehicle, start your vehicle and drive off-they may fly off at speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VZzulIl0DI

In a worst case scenario you can always shoot the bear in the rump with a shotgun-forever branding it as a problem bear!

TragedyTrousers wrote:
Since this will be our first time to Yellowstone my wife was trying to decide which firearm would be best protection against bears. .454, 44mag, or 50cal?

A .38 revolver is as good as anything. 5 at the bear and the last one for yourself. a Bear charging and you armed with any handgun made, I am betting on the bear.

Then there's the story of how a smaller type lady stopped a bear from attacking her with merely a.380 semi automatic.... She shot her husband in the knee and ran..lmao :B

TragedyTrousers wrote:
Since this will be our first time to Yellowstone my wife was trying to decide which firearm would be best protection against bears. .454, 44mag, or 50cal?

50 cal

The bigger the hole, the better the hole!

If you're going to be packing those cans of bear spray, make sure they are in a sealed box, not in the vehicle glove compartment or anywhere else they can get excessively heated. There are a few stories of the spray cans discharging inside a vehicle and you probably won't be using it to drive home.

Follow Ranger instructions and the printed stuff you get when entering and posted at each campground. You should not have any problems.

FWIW, many years ago at one of Yosemite's high campgrounds, I awoke with a cold wet nose on my face. I don't know who was more surprised, me or the bear.