Animal Attacks

[Blkram]

I have only been charged by a black bear once, and I did shoot him at about 15 feet, where he spun and tried to run off. I shot him again on about his second jump as he was headed away and he made about 10 more yards. A third shot put him down for good. Gotta love a leveraction for this type of work! Marlin in 375 Win with factory 200gr ammo.

There was no time to yell "Hey Bear" and I was glad that I had the rifle in my hands at that moment.

There is one northern Territory where you had better have teeth or claw marks on your body if you have to dispatch an attacking grizzly bear. Personally, I am not going to wait that long!

The specialized training that I have taken does teach you to do everything to use non-lethal methods and means to deter problem animal incidents first, but does also trains in lethal deterrant methods as well. The test includes time trials, charging scenarios as well as for accuracy. And you must also pass tests where you must reload during the time trials. Great training!

As far as a wolverine vs a bear, I think that I too would be more worried about it than a bear! Like a leopard, it would be low, fast and determined (perhaps not as fast as a leopard, but I don't think I would want to experience it first hand to find out!) I took out after a wolverine indeep snow once. Didn't take long for me to rethink that chase...even the dog (1/2 wolf) decided it wasn't a good idea.

I have heard accounts from experienced world wide hunters about the difference in hunting grizzly bears and lions; seems to be varied opinions...it would appear that everyone has animals they fear more than others, and I am sure that personal and family experience has a part to play in this.

 

[Europe]

Jamila

I am not Hodgeman, but in my experience, I agree with Gil in reference to your wolverine question. I too would rather not have a wolverine on a mission against me. Like the mountain lion and leopard they are an elusive animal and not easy to locate in the wild, but they are a vicious animal.

So which would I prefer to stare down, the wolverine, leopard, or mountain lion

None of the above!

 

[Anonymous]

Hodgeman, the Wolverine--like a Leopard, Mountain Lion, or ??? as far as tenacious ?

Jamilla- I'm not very familiar with mountain lion and not at all with leopards...but my impression of wolverine was that they are opportunistic and probably not very bright.

As we were face to face, I could imagine the wheels turning in his tiny brain wondering if he could take two of us. Pretty sure if I'd have been solo...one of us would have gotten hurt. They have a reputation for doubling back and ambushing things that are following them so perhaps they aren't as slow as I imagine. They certainly don't seem nearly as thoughtful as wolves or bears though.

 

[Elkman]

I have been very close to one bear and two cougars. The black bear had two cubs and came upon me in the dark timber at very close range. I was armed with my trusty 300 and while she was on her hind legs, chomping and snorting, I explained to her about the ballistics of a 300 mag at nearly point blank range, as well as my desire not to harm her or he cubs in any way. She finally saw my point of view and wandered away. Cougar one was a huge cat about 10 or 12 yards away from me near a dead elk calf. I was also armed with the same rifle, and was seriously considering the danger, when I saw the cat shift its weight downhill and away from me, and it bounded away. Cougar number two was standing in the near darkness, under 10 yards away on an old logging road very early in the morning. As I was trying to determine what exactly it was, it crouched and let off a scream, and I shot it with a 223, which encouraged it to run off. I looked for it for several days and could not find any sign of it. I do believe that one was going to attack.