tripod ok. maybe .45 better. prolly 12ga best. very lucky family.

[biglakejake]

Toby Burke grabbed the first thing in sight: his scope attached to a 6-foot-long tripod.

"I put the scope sideways into the bear's mouth, keeping it away, and it swatted at the scope and severed it," he said.

The severed metal tripod left a sharp shaft, which Burke used to hit the bear in the face to scare it away. Yet it still didn't seem to budge and smacked the tripod out of Burke's hands.

"It was just me between my family and the bear," he said. "At that point, I made physical contact. All I could do was put my left arm up. Then its mouth clamped down on my forearm. So I remember hitting it in the face with my right arm."

After several minutes of scuffling, the bear gave up and ran away, and Burke managed to walk away with minor bruises and scratches.

 

 

 

 

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/alaska-man-fights-off-bear-walks-away-minor-100049041.html

[Big Browns]

They are really, really lucky! I'm suprised he was not armed.

[PRDATR]

I read about it on an Alaska Forum a few days ago. Apparently the old girl was practically blind. They are however extremely lucky and will probably be better prepared in the future.

If you want to go out unarmed by yourself, more power to you. But a least be a little better prepared to protect you family.

[elkslare]

Very lucky family, If not a side arm ay least some Bear Mace.

[pwrguy]

I know it's rare to have encounters, but there is alway's a chance. I feel neked without at least a sidearm.