[mrsocks]

Originally Posted by cowgirlup

Did someone the other site you posted on suggest that you had an irrational fear of bears? JMO

Yes. basically half made some comments on 'you're being irrational. maybe you should stay out of the woods.... ' blah, blah, blah.

I'm not afraid of the woods and I dont spend my day looking over my shoulder or have anxiety but there are bear there.. I actually just found another site where a few people were talking about being charged or cornered by bear while hunting here in NJ.
I just didnt see any safety reason to not bring them if i could.

As for Dick's comment about location being part of the equation as to the statical chance of something happening, i agree. I guess as you see bear attacks as a 1% chance, I see flood and earthquake (even though we did have a small one a few months ago here) as 1%. Either way, it's still a chance, but good point.

[Rayzerm]

Oh Man, reading this thread makes me aware how lucky I am to live in a country where there is no large predators.

I don't think there is anything wrong with going out "prepared". Doesn't indicate fear to me - just common sense.

[AlpineZone]

It's always a good idea to know what kind of bear, what there habits are, how aggresive, how you can keep yourself/the bear safe from conflict in anyones outting areas.

That being said though, since your from NJ, it's extremly "unlikely" your going to run into a bear that is really intent on making you course 4 of the day. As others have pointed out you could carry spray with you or a couple bells as a FYI to the bear your coming but I don't see where carrying a shotgun is really warranted for your location. But if it makes you feel better and you don't mind the extra weight by all means friend.

[Screaming Eagle]

I suppose there could be bears in the Pine Barrens of NJ but I've never spent any time there. I'd settle for a large caliber sidearm with heavy load just for an awkward unusual situation. Good to have with you anyhow.

[Celticwarrior]

I have bears in my neck of the woods, along with wolves. I have never felt threatened or the need to bring any additional armament into the equation. My chances of running into a bear are considerably higher than 1% around here and I am still convinced that they are not enough of a threat that whatever standard hunting weapon I am carrying wouldn't be enough to scare it away. I don't like the odds about shooting a charging bear, since I have heard a lot of stories about getting a dead-on head shot and having the thing die right at the feet of the shooter, having covered dozens of feet in the meantime. I'd rather try a near miss at a distance first and hope that it puts a fire under his furry butt to head in the other direction. If you have to shoot to kill, it might not go quite as planned, no matter what ammo you have loaded. It's a tough call.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by gkckak

I and the mother bear looked at me for 1 second and took off the other direction. I do not think I am that ugly

maybe not, but how bad do you smell?

[Omegaman]

I don't see any problem with it, I know guys who while hunting ptarmigan in alaska who do the same thing. By loading up like that you don't have to go for a back up pistol some where else on your body, you already have your shot gun in hand. I think your plan shows thinking a head for the what if and by doing that, some ranger will not be poking bear poo to find your watch to give to your family. I find it funny that preppers would say don't worry about it because it does not happen that often or in my neck of the woods. The sh*T does not hit the fan that often in the USA but most of us on here seem prepared for that.

[cosmic cowboy]

My uncle went to Alaska to go fishing at a remote lake. The only way to get to the lake was by a bush pilot. He had to have a 44 magnum and a high powered rifle, or they wouldn't let him go up there by himself. When Lewis and Clark encountered a Grizzly thier group shot it no less than 10 times and it still wanted to come after them. The only reason it died was bacause it finally blead to death. After that they hated the Grizzly,they said they would rather fight Indians than 1 Grizzly.

[gkckak]

Originally Posted by kevin

maybe not, but how bad do you smell?

Maybe the old spice aint working?

[snowshoe67]

mrsocks,I carry a Hawk with Me too(with my Gun) great back up! A hand gun would be great if you can.