I think you know this, but in case others didnt quite get the point, the warning shot when the bear wasnt acting aggresive, and in the specific situation you were in, wasnt helpful or appropriate.Ramblinman said:Warning Shots etc. : My first face to face (read up close - 10yds) did not go quite as planned. While I thought about what to do and how to handle my self for years - all the planning and prep went out the window. I consider my self very proficient with a firearm - and have been trained by some of he best on the continent. In terms of experience I have lots of LE/Military Experience. What is the most interesting is I did not know what I did not know when it came to being close up with bears.
Grizzly stumbled across us on a mountain side walked up to 10 yds - while I had my trusty guide gun with me it felt like an eternity before I actually picked up the rifle and shouldered it. We first spotted the bear at 30yds walking towards us - we were glassing for Bighorn Sheep and were not paying attention to our surroundings(First Lesson). Having lots of experience up close with Black Bears I did not feel that the Grizzly was aggressive - I believe she was curious (Second Lesson). As she moved closer it was our soft talking that turned her.
In our infinite wisdom we decided to fire a warning shot while she was broad side to us (Third Lesson). This made her angry/aggressive - ears down, head down, huffing, and jumping (front legs). She finally went on her way after some more soft talking. I consider myself aggressive when it comes to protecting myself - being that this bear was apparently more curious than aggressive I did not want to shoot her. If I had shot her I wonder if anything other than a brain/brain stem/spine shot would have stopped her. Cape Buffalo and Elephant are well know to be very hard to turn during a charge unless they are shot in the brain.
If I had to do it over again I would have had Bear Spray with me And a Firearm - We can't carry Pistols in Canada. I would have started talking a lot sooner with the hopes of spooking her.
Bear spray on my belt for when I am away from my pack/rifle - and the rifle just cause I like them and it is another tool in the tool box.
Just cause you have a firearm/spray it does not mean that you will be able to access it as the most dangerous encounters are usually unexpected.
... and I would carry a pistol if it was legal in my parts.
There is no perfect answer .....
There are many people that have fired warning shots, and they were quite effective at getting the bear to stop acting like a punk and go elsewhere. The bear you encountered seemed fairly confidant, and you challenged it needlessly. It sounds like it was simply curious more than anything, and the shot changed the relationship. In the end, it went away, which is good, and no bears or people were harmed in the production of the story.
I think bear spray is great, another tool to have. For many people, its a good alternative to firearms. For those capable enough with firearms, spray can be a good supplement. Some situations, it doesnt work well, like windy conditions, or wind in your face. Its also been discovered that on about 2% of bears, just like people, it simply doesnt work on them.
Something else many people dont get about bear spray, it IS NOT like bug repellant, you cant spray it ON things or around your camp to repel bears, IT DOESNT WORK like that. That actually attracts bears. Bears have been seen rolling in pepper spray used that way. The way it works is sprayed in their face, getting in their eyes and nose.