Price must have gone up. I paid only $12.oo for the basic holster out of the three separate ones made specifically for the Bear Spray. Honestly, not a fan of the chest rig holster. Basic one works better, for me.
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Upgraded the bear defense.
- Thread starter Woods Walker
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Price must have gone up. I paid only $12.oo for the basic holster out of the three separate ones made specifically for the Bear Spray. Honestly, not a fan of the chest rig holster. Basic one works better, for me.
Woods Walker
The Wood is cut, The Bacon is cooked, Now it’s tim
Funny thing I hardly think about cost with lights and knives but stuff like this I do. Another flashlight won't help if I get my head chewed off yet under 20 for a holster made me cringe. LOL!
Woods Walker,
Thanks for bringing this subject up for discussion.
Each time, I go to REI (which isn't often) I consider getting a bear defense, and have yet to do so. Next time out, I will.
Do you happen to know what the shelf life is? I'd hate to pick one up, that is already 2/3rds of the way to its expiration date, because I didn't know. To clarify, if they have a 5 year shelf life, I wouldn't want to pick one up that expires in a year.
Thanks for bringing this subject up for discussion.
Each time, I go to REI (which isn't often) I consider getting a bear defense, and have yet to do so. Next time out, I will.
Do you happen to know what the shelf life is? I'd hate to pick one up, that is already 2/3rds of the way to its expiration date, because I didn't know. To clarify, if they have a 5 year shelf life, I wouldn't want to pick one up that expires in a year.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
Am reminded of what the motorcyclists say; "Buy a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head" lol.
Hooked on Fenix
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There has got to be better options than a dinner bell and seasoning for keeping the bears from eating you. I'd take a big knife for starters. Add on something with a bright camera flash or a strobe for nighttime. Maybe some stink bombs to throw around you to make you less appetizing. A bear has a sense of smell a thousand times stronger than a dog. I bet the skunk defense would be pretty effective. If that doesn't do it, a large knife or a lit road flare taped to the end of a trekking pole should keep it away. Of course, if allowed, bring a gun or at least a flare gun. If you have nothing else, you can throw rocks if attacked.
Hooked on Fenix
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When people bring up using pepper spray and bells as a defense against bears, it always reminds me of this alaska bear warning sign: https://www.google.com/search?q=ala...hUCY6wKHQDJBgoQ9QEIKTAA#imgrc=EWMkRTy9nc6VVM:
I'm sorry but the only way you'd stand a chance against a bear, with a knife, is to mount/lash it at the top of a long sturdy pole before heading into the woods. The truth is, Bear spray is 2nd best to a proper firearm. And by proper, I mean a .45-70 lever-action carbine if compactness is important. If you can't take a gun, better not to go into bear territory.
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
The .44 Mag, .454 Casull and .460 S&W are pretty widely carried. The only one I've had with me at times of encounters has been the .44 Mag. Too many stories of long guns sitting in boats, trucks or up against trees. Sidearm is always there on you no matter what you're doing.
markr6
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If it starts to eat you!!!!!! LOL!!
I don't mind lugging around a long-gun, in carbine length. But I get it that that's just me. To be honest, for bear defense, I'd only rely on a .44 Magnum if it was loaded Hot. Such as the highest loading found in many reloading manuals. Typically with the warning: "Use in Ruger Blackhawk only."
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
You're not alone, lots of guys don't mind lugging a long gun, and I've been one of them, but the only piece that stays with you all the time is the one you can wear and a .44 Mag in a shoulder holster is way better than the .375 H&H over by the tree.
As for whether the .44 Mag is good for bear or not, there are many kinds and sizes of bears, and for most black bears (not Prince of Wales Island), not a problem. That said, most everyone in Alaska has a .454 Casull, .460 S&W or .500 S&W.
Nice if you're loading your own rounds, but most places will have something along the line of heavy cast 300gr. rounds available right on the shelf.
Have to be honest, a carbine length long-gun can stay with you all the time. Just need a good sling. Main reason I prefer a .45-70. In carbine length, you're only getting four rounds. But that should be good enough. Only time it rests up against a tree is if you're depositing some useful human fertilizer to said tree. Even then, less than an arm-length away.
In the woods, it's not an EDC situation where your handgun is all you'll realistically have if the brown stuff hits the fan. Each journey into the woods is like a special trip where a light-weight carbine can be always carried.
In the woods, it's not an EDC situation where your handgun is all you'll realistically have if the brown stuff hits the fan. Each journey into the woods is like a special trip where a light-weight carbine can be always carried.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
I think we've strayed a bit from the original topic, thx.
kaichu dento
Flashaholic
I can run around in the woods much easier wearing a shoulder holster than a sling rifle but if walking is all you do then it's a great option.
Your option is perfect for you but it really sounds like you haven't worked in Alaska clearing trails and hauling stuff or jumping on and off a four-wheeler while carrying. I've carried rifles on a sling and it's not something that is very conducive to getting work done. Friend and I took a huge black bear on Prince of Wales some years back and the first thing we did was get rid of the rifles on their slings so we could carry the thing down the logging road to the jeep. Shoulder holsters were not in the way but the rifles would have been very awkward in that situation.
