2025 is a record year for the number of people killed by bears in Japan. More people are killed by wild bears in Japan than are killed by wild bears in the United States.
Japan Records Deadliest Year for Bear Attacks
Bear Attacks
Bear Attacks: The Reality of Deterrents
AmmoLand News & Journalist Dean Weingarten have documented hundreds of bear attacks on humans, prompting a close look at deterrents. Contrary to popular media portrayal, bear spray isn’t reliable. Factors like wind direction and bear aggression can reduce its effectiveness, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes.
Conversely, firearms have shown a statistically higher success rate in deterring aggressive bears. This isn’t an endorsement for indiscriminate shooting of wildlife but an observation from real-life encounters.
While bear spray has limited benefits, it’s vital to understand its limitations. In Bear country, being informed, armed, and ready to use deadly force, if needed, will save your life.
Today is Saturday, November 01, 2025 
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Why Use a Handgun for Bear Defense — Because They Work
One of the significant advantages of using handguns to defend against bear attacks is that defense with a handgun is far more likely to result in a dead bear.
Two Fatal Bear Attacks in Arkansas for the First Time in Over a Century
There have been two fatal bear attacks in Arkansas in 2025. They are the first recorded fatal attacks in the state since 1892.
Handguns Proven 98% Effective in 205 Documented Bear Attacks
In this fourth update of the ongoing study of how effective handguns are when fired in defense against bears, the 98% effective rate persists. 15 more incidents have been documented where handguns were fired in defense against a bear or bears. This makes a total of 205 documented cases.
Bear Attack on 82-Year-Old Woman in Japan – Video
An attack by an Asiatic black bear on an 82-year-old woman walking in the city of Daisen in Japan, has been captured on surveillance video.
Bears, Bureaucrats, & Bad Policy: The Real Threat to Public Safety ~ VIDEO
An adult black bear wandered into a Dollar General store in Vernon, NJ, last month and promptly bit a woman. She had to be evacuated and hospitalized.
Fatal Bear Attack in Arkansas by 70lb Black Bear
A 72-year-old man was fatally attacked by a 70 lb black bear in Arkansas on September 3, 2025. He died on September 14, 2025.
26 Montana Grizzly Bear Deaths by September 2025, Multiple Defensive Shootings
17 grizzly bears have been killed in Montana as of August of 2025. About 77 grizzly bears are in the contiguous 48 states each year. About half the grizzly bears in the lower 48 live in Montana. Between 4 and 6 of the bears were killed in defensive shootings.
Homeowner Uses AR-15 to Defend Against Black Bear in Home – VIDEO
The video of a homeowner defending his home from a black bear intruder has gone viral. The Defender has added some details, explaining how the bear got in, and what firearm and ammunition was used.
Legal Standard for Self-Defense Against Grizzly Bear Attacks
The standard was established under the Wallen case, when Dan Calvert Wallen shot 3 grizzly bears on his property with a .22 rimfire rifle.
211 Documented Defensive Killings of Grizzly Bears Between 2002-2023
Information released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows the number of grizzly bears killed in defense of human life is 5-10 times greater than previously thought.
Florida Restored Right to Defend Against Bears: First 6 months, 4 Incidents
On July 1, 2024, the Florida law restoring the right of people to defend themselves, their pets, and their homes from black bears went into effect. In the first six months, the law was invoked four times.
Grizzly Bear Attack Ended by Two GLOCK 10mm Pistols
A successful defensive use of GLOCK 10mm pistols to stop a grizzly bear attack in the interior of Alaska on July 19, 2025 has been recorded.
Romanian Brown Bear Population, Bear Attacks, and Hunting
Romania has the highest brown (grizzly) bear population in the European Union, and the highest number of fatal bear attacks.
Study Shows Hunted Bears Fear Humans—And Kill Fewer People
Brown bears, also known as grizzly bears, and Kodiak bears, European brown bears and Hokkaido brown bears are all members of Ursas Arctos. They are all in the same species and are genetically the same with minor variations.
Update on First Recorded Fatal Bear Attack in Florida
The Florida Fish Wildlife and Conservation Commission has released it initial report on the investigation of the first recorded fatal bear attack in Florida. Perhaps some questions will be answered in a future report.
How Firearms and Horses Helped Settlers Survive Grizzly Bear Country
Horses and firearms in post-Columbian America made humans the masters of Grizzly bears.
The Sledge Patrol: How a 15 Men & Dogs Fought Nazis & Polar Bears in Greenland
One of the curious things about polar bears is that in nature, they never see any animal that does not run away from them; so if a man stands his ground in front of a bear…
Bears Don’t Care About Your Philosophy: Why Firearms Matter in Bear Country
Two Russian bear researchers appear to have similar desires to be at close range to large bears as did Timothy Treadwell. None of them carried firearms. Treadwell and one of the Russians were killed and eaten by large bears.
Man Uses Axe to Defend Against Brown Bear Attack – Video
A European brown bear attacked a man who was hiking with his dog. The man was carrying an axe, which he used to hit the bear.
Nunaga: Ten Years of Eskimo Life | Book Review (Polar Bear Defense)
Book Review of Nunaga Ten Years of Eskimo Life, published in 1971. The review mentions Duncan Pryde’s defensive shooting of a polar bear at six feet.
Update on Wisconsin Bear Attack/Home Invasion from 2022
Chad and Lacey Liske had their home invaded and were attacked by a 250 lb. black bear. They successfully fought off the bear with knives and a pistol.
Trump’s Greenland Plans and Polar Bear Hunting
What might an American administration of Greenland mean for the hunting of polar bears?
Black Bear Dead, Man Survives After Rabid Animal Was Shot DRT ~ VIDEO
The victim lived through it, but this animal attack would surely have been fatal had a neighbor not seen it, responded aggressively, and shot the bear (at close range) with a pistol.
The Year-Long Day: One Man’s Arctic by A.E. Maxwell & Ivar Ruud ~ Dangerous Polar Bears
At least five instances are documented of Ivar Ruud shooting polar bears as they charged him. Two of those were while hunting the bears. The other three were from bears hunting Ivar,
Grizzly Bear Charge Stopped with a .410 Shotgun in Montana
In 2003, James Beeman used a .410 shotgun to stop a charging grizzly bear at a distance of three feet, long before daylight.
Charging Black Bear Stopped with Rifle and Pistol in Montana 1989
In the fall of 1989, Alan Yates shot a black bear which charged him. It was bear season in Montana, near Bozeman. He used a .303 rifle and a .357 magnum pistol. This is his story.
Russian Experience with Bear Spray and Polar Bear
A Russian man’s use of bear spray with a polar bear makes an amusing story with serious lessons.
Recent Grizzly Bear Attacks Should Alarm Anti-gun Washington
Another incident involving a grizzly bear attack in Montana should serve as a cautionary warning to people advocating for reintroduction of grizzly bears into north-central Washington’s North Cascades.
Son Saves Father’s Life During Bear Attack in Wisconsin
A 12-year-old young man shoots a wounded bear which was mauling his father, stopping the attack. Northern Wisconsin, 6 September, 2024.