In 2003, James Beeman used a .410 shotgun to stop a charging grizzly bear at a distance of three feet, long before daylight.
Grizzly Bear Charge Stopped with a .410 Shotgun in Montana
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 Friday, February 06, 2026 
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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.
Details of .22 Pistol Defense Failure Against Polar Bear in Norway
A polar bear attacked crew members of an expedition ship near Svalbard Island. Defense with a .22 pistol proved to be inadequate.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber – Beyond .44 Magnum
Seven documented incidents where handguns were fired in defense against bears. These seven incident are of handguns in calibers more powerful then the .44 Magnum.
Father and Son Survive Grizzly Bear Attack in Alaska
Tyler Johnson was attacked by a grizzly bear, in Alaska, without provocation. He used his 10mm pistol to stop the attack.
Many Successful Defenses Against Bear Attacks are Recorded as Harvested During Legal Hunting
Many successful defenses against attacks by bears on people are not recorded/reported as attacks because the bear is killed and reported as a legal hunting harvest.
Six Black Bear Attacks this Summer, None of the Victims were Armed
Six separate attacks. Three at campgrounds, three on people running on trails. None of the people had weapons to fight with.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .44 Magnum
All the documented cases where a .44 magnum handgun was fired in defense against a bear or bears.
Hunt Ends in Ambush: Hunter Uses 10mm Pistol to Stop Bear Attack
In the last week of May 2024, Bowhunter Tyce Erickson used his 10mm S&W 2.0 handgun to defend against a large Kodiak brown bear.
Romanian Government Concedes Bear Relocation Does Not Work
Romania increased the number of European brown bears to be culled next year. The number was increased as another tourist was killed and partially eaten by a bear.
Lucky Gunner Uses AmmoLand Data in Handguns for Bear Defense Video
Chris Baker at Lucky Gunner has produced a high quality video summation of the data published at AmmoLand about the use of handguns in defense against bears.
Five Year Old Granddaughter’s View of Defense Against Bears
Five year old Elizabeth presented a picture of people using handguns to defend themselves against a bear.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | 10mm, .41 Magnum, and .45 Super
12 incidents have been documented where 10mm, .41 magnum, and .45 Super handguns have been fired in defense against bears. Those incidents are detailed in this article.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .45 ACP
All documented incidents where a .45 acp handgun was fired to defend against bears.
Why Firing a Handgun or Spraying Bear Spray Matters
In determining the efficacy of firearms, in particular handguns, only those incidents where the firearm was fired should be considered.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .40 cal, .44-40, .45 Colt
13 incidents where .40 caliber, .44-40 revolvers and .45 Colt revolvers were fired in defense against bears. All were successful. These are all the incidents we have been able to document, with diligent research over several years.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .357 Magnum
There have been 14 documented cases where a .357 Magnum revolver has been fired in defense against bears. One of those cases was a failure.
Floridians Can Once Again Defend People, Pets, and Homes from Bears
Florida Governor DeSantis has signed HB87, a bill to restore the right of people to defend themselves, their pets, and their homes from destructive, rogue black bears.
DeSantis Receives Bill to Restore the Ability to Shoot Bears in Defense
The bill to restore the ability of people in Florida to defend themselves, their pets and their dwellings from black bears has been sent to Governor DeSantis.
California Woman Killed in Her Home by Black Bear
A cinnamon phase black bear killed a 71 year old woman in her home in Downieville, California. Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher had to struggle with California Fish & Game bureaucracy to trap and euthanize the bear.
Black Bear Shot with .22 Rifle Inside California Home
On Monday, May 27, a cinnamon color phase of the common black bear entered the home of a long-time resident of Lake Tahoe, California.
Wisconsin Bear Attack in the 1960s Stopped with .22 Magnum
A story heard by a young boy in 1960’s Wisconsin, has a ring of veracity, but not enough information to consider it documented for the database of handguns fired in defense against bears.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | 9mm, 11 incidents
This is a compendium off all documented cases which have been found, with diligent searching over the past several years, where a 9mm handgun has been fired in defense against bears.
Bear Attack Stopped by Armed Colorado Shed Antler Hunter
A bear attack in Northern Colorado was stopped by Ethan Daubs after he had to shoot the black bear in self defense with a 9mm pistol.
Is WA Grizzly Reintroduction Setting Up Inevitable Confrontation?
Are concerns about grizzlies in the North Cascades justified, or are critics overreacting? Bear attacks are rare events, but it will only take one for the finger-pointing to begin.
Handguns in Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .380, 9.3×18, .38 Revolvers
An update of the incidents where use of .380, 9.3×18 Makarov, and .38 caliber revolvers which were fired in defense against bears. All documented incidents are included.
Handgun Defense Against Bears by Caliber | .22 Rimfire, 11 Incidents
Here are all the documented cases where .22 rimfire handguns were fired in defense against bears, from several years of diligent searching. We welcome additions to the list, especially of incidents where firing the handgun failed to deter the bear.