Originally Posted By: msinc
Quote:If that was my guide I would have to disagree. With bears there is always the risk of needing a quick follow up shot. I have never seen a safety situation with deer follow ups.
That's a good point with bears...not just because one might get up and come after you {safety}, the chances of that are not too much to worry about.
Not trying to start a pissing match but, I'm pretty sure there are at least a few bear hunters in the world would disagree with you... This one happened right up the road from me about 30 miles or so, 2 years ago. While no one ever got hurt back when I was hunting them down here, there were a few iffy situations. Had it not been for the dogs a time or two, things might have been different.
Quote:
Updated: 4:11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 | Posted: 10:56 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2011
Bear attacks hunter in south Georgia
By Mike Morris
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Florida man has been released from the hospital after being severely bitten by a 350-pound black bear while hunting in south Georgia, authorities said.
Mitch Canady was among a group of hunters "actively pursuing the bear with hounds" when the incident occurred Saturday near Suwannoochee Creek in Clinch County, Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman Rick Lavender told the AJC.
"One hunter shot the bear twice with buckshot, striking the animal," Lavender said.
"The shooter and victim approached the bear and it was shot again," Lavender said. "As they approached even closer, a hound flushed the bear in the direction of the hunters and the bear knocked the victim to the ground."
Lavender said that the bear then bit Canady, "causing the most serious damage to the wrist area." Canady also sustained puncture wounds to his chest and pelvic area, Lavender said.
"While the victim was on the ground with the bear on top of him, the other hunter pulled and kicked the 350-pound animal off of the victim and was able to shoot the bear a fourth time, killing it," according to Lavender.
Canady was airlifted to Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla., for treatment. A hospital spokesman said Friday morning that Canady had been released overnight.
The south Georgia bear hunting season opened on Sept. 29 and runs on weekends through Oct. 15.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/bear-attacks-hunter-in-south-georgia/nQMWT/
Black powder might be OK if he was carrying a 44 mag for backup, which is probably only illegal in a few respects with him only being 13. However, if you are on the stand with him, with a backup, it wouldn't be an all bad deal. Not every 13 year old can say he killed a bear, and fewer yet can say they killed one with a muzzleloader.
Setting him on a stand, all alone, first time shooting a bear, I'd say.... Absolutely NOT! The andrenaline is going to be pumping, he's going to be shaking a little, he's only got one shot, the knowledge of which might make for more adrenaline and shaking; that's just not cool. Knowing he has backup, and that 'he' only has one shot, might make him focus better trying to make it count.