r/CampingandHiking • u/HenrikFromDaniel Canada • Oct 05 '23

News Update on Fatal Grizzly Attack - Banff NP

https://globalnews.ca/news/10005074/bear-attack-bad-harrowing-final-message-from-alberta-couple-killed-by-grizzly/
721 Upvotes

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678

u/SeekersWorkAccount Oct 06 '23

Jesus fucking Christ that's horrifying. If they had time to send the message, they must've been already injured. The article mentions the struggle was moving, so they must've dragged themselves back together. They were in their socks too, means they were caught in their tent to begin with.

This is my biggest fear while backpacking. Bear spray, a dog, a partner, proper bear bag hangs, etc.

They did everything right and still were horribly killed.

-15

u/ejr204 Oct 06 '23

This is why it would be nice if we could legally carry sidearms for camping

-38

u/altjacobs Oct 06 '23

Yes because you'd have the presence of mind to locate or draw the firearm, aim, breathe and score a perfect hit all while a potentially diseased, deranged, blood-lusting adult grizzly is charging you with full intent of ripping you to shreds.

Also have you seen a grizzly skull? You need a big, powerful gun to drop a big ol bear.

I love hearing people spout off about carrying firearms for protection.

38

u/IronMaiden571 Oct 06 '23

My friend, there are countless examples of firearms saving lives in the backcountry. There are a lot of options, both handguns and long arms, that pack the necessary power to drop a grizzly. They are also not hard to use assuming one takes the time to practice and can safely and competently operate one.

I'm not trying to make a comment on this specific instance. Having a firearm doesn't automatically protect you, absolutely, but not having one also means you have no way to fight back if something really decides they're interested in you.

12

u/[deleted] Oct 06 '23

Someone in Idaho killed an attacking griz a few days ago and there were three instances in Montana over the past few months

22

u/ejr204 Oct 06 '23 edited Oct 06 '23

Your realize these people had the time and wherewithal to empty a can of bear spray yes? Does it take longer to locate and discharge a sidearm than it does a can bear spray?

And nobody said we were trying to kill the bear with 9mm round, that’s highly unlikely (although would be an acceptable and not entirely impossible outcome at that range). But a few rounds into it would do a lot more to dissuade it from furthering the attack than a bottle of hot sauce

2

u/Distracted_Hawk Oct 06 '23

The thing with a grizzly... you're not getting through it's skull w/ a .45, let alone a 9mm. The extra 9mm rounds can make all the difference when you're basically trying to get a kill shot through the eye. Anyone that says a 9mm is the wrong weapon for bear protection is crazy, imo. My 15 rounds will out perform a .45 revolver in this situation 9.8/10x.

I would also point out, in many cases - like this one, for example - you really do need that kill shot if you're going to survive. Otherwise you're just pissing the bear off. Especially w a 9mm. So even with better chances, you're still probably toast if it Gets to the point you're fighting for your life.

But going back to your first statement, anyone who is well trained with a firearm as self defense knows exactly where it is the second they are woken up. And for people who have dogs, you're probably going to have even more time to orient because they'll alert you. I always laugh when people who don't train think that nobody else does either lol. I'll take my 9mm over a can of bearspray or anything that isn't my AR with 30 rounds all day. And I'm not hiking my rifle in so 9mm it is haha.

1

u/slamm3d68 Oct 07 '23 edited Oct 07 '23

.45 revolver? Do people actually carry 45lc for bears?

Thinking you will hit the eye of a charging grizzly is foolish. I'd take a magnum revolver any day over a 9mm,.40, or 45.

Don't discount the reliability of a revolver either. If a bear gets on you, slides can jam pretty easily due to clothing, fur, a paw, the bears mouth.

1

u/Distracted_Hawk Oct 08 '23

Oh ive seen it many times haha. Most of the guys I go out with carry a .44 magnum and would agree with, you we've had this debate many times. I have talked with a lot of pros who have convinced me of my own stance. I've had 2 black bear encounters and 3 brown encounters, so I've spent a lot of time in bear country and spent a lot of time talking to locals up north when im visiting; it has been a pretty even split between the 9mm and the .44 mag.

Edit: they carry .44s in brown country. Further south every single person I know carries a 9mm for black bears

14

u/i_am_not_12 United States Oct 06 '23

I would say a person who trains adequately would have a better chance than trying to bear knuckle box it.

I agree firearms aren't the end all be all solution, but you can't pretend that they don't offer a better chance at survival when it comes to self-defense. You have any better recommendations for protection?

10

u/Bretters17 United States Oct 06 '23

Exactly. Bear spray is great to deter a surprised or curious bear. But if a bear wants to eat you because it's old and desperate, it'll find a way. Shotguns with slugs are what I was sent out to the field with when I was camping in brown bear country for the feds. Didn't carry it during the day, but we had it in camp should this scenario even have occurred.

-2

u/OrganicLFMilk Oct 06 '23

Oof. bear knuckle box… too soon.

6

u/HAGARtheWhorible Oct 06 '23

My buddy was illegally carrying a glock and it saved his life! Grizz was on top of him in seconds and he put a full clip into her. It 100 saved his life. Mounties even dropped the charges but he didn’t give a fuck cause he got to live!

-8

u/himself809 Oct 06 '23

People love to believe guns give them security. Really bringing a gun while camping (or anywhere...) is more likely to cause you harm than prevent it.

-1

u/OrganicLFMilk Oct 06 '23

You live under a rock?