>>941165>What do you people do for bear safety? Mace? Guns? No need?>Have you ever had an encounter with a bear or other wild animal?>I usually go/out/ on private land that has no bears but I've been thinking about going on crown land which may have bears. Do I need to be worried and do I need to bring bear mace or a gun? I have no firearm license so getting a gun would be a big hassle but if I should get one, what kind of gun? Keep in mind that all I know about guns is what I learned from video games as a kid.I always hike/camp with a firearm. Usually a 12ga shotgun or .22LR. Not really for bear safety though (only black bears here, and not very heavily populated here). It's just nice to have. There's no place worse to need a gun and not have one than in the wilderness imo.
If I was in real bear country though main concerns would be increasing scent control and noise production. Have a dry bag and paracord to hang your food, cook/eat >1/4 mi away from camp. And wear a bear bell while hiking. This should cover about 99% of risk.
For the last 1% and actual defense though I think a firearm is essential. A larger caliber handgun like .357 magnum or Glock 20. Or a 12 gauge shotgun with 000 buckshot. Bear spray is great but can freeze, get damaged and depressurize, the plastic trigger can break. It's vulnerable to wind and obstruction by brush. Bears have fought through spray when they're pissed enough, which is usually what it takes for an attack. And if a bear is charging and within range of the spray you are probably fucked and going to get mauled. I'd rather hit it from 15 yards than 15 feet. AND if you spray into the wind you get a face full of it yourself. Nothing like being blinded and delerious on top of just having been mauled. I would carry both if you are concerned enough about encountering bears.
