If it looked at me the wrong way, I wouldn't hesitate. I'd rather take him out versus the other option.

So how close would you let grizz get before you empty your 300wsm? I have bear spray too! Just dont want to kill an animal for nothi g if i didnt have too...

Depends on the situation, if I have an elk down and he is coming hard, I would do some noise tactics but if he is hell bent on coming in, I would probably wait until he is inside 10 yards.  At least that is what I say now, never know when it is actually happening.   

Would all depend on the situation and just how aggressive the bear is..

I'll tell yah all this though,, no one would ever know if I did !!

I'd say it depends on the situation too. I'd probably throw a shot of bear spray in his direction to see if it slows him down any. If he's in full atack mode and the bear spray doesn't hesitate him, I'll be shooting. The only thing I worry about is wounding the bear. A wounded bear can do alot of damage before he expires, if he expires.

A good shot of bear spray to the face will likely send him packing but then again you have to have the guts and nerve to let him get that close. (20-25 yds)

A good shot of bear spray to the face will likely send him packing but then again you have to have the guts and nerve to let him get that close. (20-25 yds)

I think it 6 metres or 20 feet that you have to let him get to for the bear spray - or at least the can I own.  LOL  You gotta be committed to the bear spray at that point.

No damn mad bear would be charging any where's close to even 30m of me I'll tell you.. I would be giving myself a little more room than that.. Just a damn bear,, SSS end of story..

Until youve been charged you have no idea how fast it all goes down fellas. Those of you talking about trying the bear spray first then using the rifle if the bear spray dont work should understand that you dont get the option. When a bear charges you and means business you have a second to react....two if your lucky. All the planning and discussion in the world (while entertaining & fun to discuss) isnt going to help.

In a hunting situation we are at a big disadvantage. We are trying to be as quiet as possible, usually we have done our best to conceal our scent & are usually slipping through the thick cover trying to stay invisible. Chances are if you bump into a bear its gonna be close & if something happens its gonna go down fast.

In a camp situation we can sway the odds more in our favor by running clean camps etc but still its impossible to totally eliminate the chance of attracting a bear.

The best weapon we as hunters have to defend ourselves against a charging bear are our brains and our wits. The best thing you can do is stay calm and use your head. Be extra alert in areas with lots of bear sign, pay attention to your surroundings and escape routes.

As silly as it may sound, often your nose will let you know if theres a bear ahead of you. Bears have a strong smell and if the winds in your face often you will smell them....seriously. LOTS of times we have got into a Black Bear bait and could smell a bear. A look at the trail cam confirmed the bear left just seconds before we got there.  Last year I was hunting Elk and swore I smelled a bear. I whispered it to my buddy and he looked at me like I was nuts. Not 2 mins later a young Grizzly came walking down the trail. We didnt see him until he was less than 30 yards from us. You might not always smell them but its one more thing to keep in the back of your mind.

Ever hear of a bluff charge?  Happens quite often.  If you shoot a grizzly that's over 30m from you, charging or not, I hope to hell someone sees you do it, and the judge hands you your ass big time.  If you're that scared to be in the bush, maybe you should just stay in the city.

Lol..

I've seen a few studies and accounts that show "bear spray" is very, very effective and probably more effective as bear defence that a firearm.

I reckon if two men stood 10 feet apart and had a shoot out  (fast draw competition), one with a 45/70 guide rifle (slung over his shoulder) and one with a can of bear spray on his hip, the gunman would not get a shot off while lying on the ground whimpering.

My life > bears life

I have no idea how close I would let a bear get before I pulled the trigger, I think it would not so much come down to distance but the circumstances and how threatened I felt such as having a moose or elk down in the vicinity.