So my wife and I are coming up on our 10 year anniversary this fall. She got to choose the honeymoon trip which was a week in Hawaii. I got to choose the 10 year trip and that is going to be to Cordova Alaska. We have a distant relative that lives there. I talked to him about fishing the river there and he said sometimes they get bears that come into town or will be walking along the river catching fish. There has been some people who have been hurt late last year by bears but from what I understand the berry crop was bad last year and it forced the bears to be more aggressive for food, and they came into town more then what they normally do.

I know the chances of an encounter with a bear going bad is very low, but has anyone ever taken bear spray or maybe even a pistol along with them on a fishing trip to Alaska? Any recommendations on different sprays or calibers is appreciated. Or if you have been to Cordova, any recommendations for things to do other then fishing would be great too.

I did show my wife this sign that I saw somewhere once and asked if she still wanted to go to Alaska, she came back with "All I have to do is outrun you and I'll be fine" ... I told her that's why I'm going to carry the gun, i.e.

We took along a 12 ga pump with slugs, but left it behind on most of our days. There were a few places with few people and a lot of bear sign that we took it along. We never saw a bear while there for 10 days on the Kenai Peninsula. We were more threatened by the cow moose and calf that were running at us full steam before veering off into the brush about 50 yds away (thank god they didn't get close enough to feel the need to defend ourselves). When going into thicker areas with low visibility around rivers with salmon be sure to make some noise, talk loudly and let the bears know someone is coming.

 

The glock 10 mm was designed for pretty much this purpose. It’s a good excuse to add one to your collection.

 

Some of my fishing buddies traveled to Cordova for a handful of late summer trips. From what they told me, besides commonly seeing bear sign, they ran into the occasional bear on the slough, but more so on Clear Ck., across the Million Dollar Bridge.

It may be easier to pack a firearm in your checked luggage. Typically pressurized aerosol cans, like bear gas, is prohibited on flights, thus you'd have to either purchase it there, or purchase on the net (ie. STP) and have it shipped somewhere into Cordova. Other options I've seen is bear bangers (like flairs, but I think they have banger shells for 12 ga), and air horns (pressurized can flight issue again). I would recommend asking around on opinions on effectiveness, there are quite a few guides in the state that guide in AK during the summer and that might be another avenue for experienced based info.

 

I spent a week at a lodge in Katmai, some years back. Not one of our guides carried a gun, and we fished AT Brooks falls, and another place that had even more Bears, and fewer people. The guides did carry Bear Spray, but none used any while we were there. The lodge Owner told me that shooting Bears can have drastically different results, depending on what gun is used, where the Bear is shot, etc. He felt very strongly that guns mostly angered Bears (Brown Bears) and Bear Spray was more apt to blind them, and make them halt an attack.

I was within 12 feet of a 600# Brown Bear, with nothing between us, but air. I literally couldn't imagine what would happen if someone shot that thing, but didn't kill it. Nothing good would come of that. And there are tons of credible stories of Grizzlies taking multiple shots to the brain, and still charging.

When invading Bear's territory, it is best to respect them, and their territory, and understand that they belong there, and WE are their Invaders. Give them the room they deserve, so you don't force them to protect themselves, their cubs, or their territory.

A glock 10mm wouldn't make me feel all warm and safe, 10 feet from a large Brown Bear. Not at all.

 

I spent a week at a lodge in Katmai, some years back. Not one of our guides carried a gun, and we fished AT Brooks falls, and another place that had even more Bears, and fewer people. The guides did carry Bear Spray, but none used any while we were there. The lodge Owner told me that shooting Bears can have drastically different results, depending on what gun is used, where the Bear is shot, etc. He felt very strongly that guns mostly angered Bears (Brown Bears) and Bear Spray was more apt to blind them, and make them halt an attack.

I was within 12 feet of a 600# Brown Bear, with nothing between us, but air. I literally couldn't imagine what would happen if someone shot that thing, but didn't kill it. Nothing good would come of that. And there are tons of credible stories of Grizzlies taking multiple shots to the brain, and still charging.

When invading Bear's territory, it is best to respect them, and their territory, and understand that they belong there, and WE are their Invaders. Give them the room they deserve, so you don't force them to protect themselves, their cubs, or their territory.

A glock 10mm wouldn't make me feel all warm and safe, 10 feet from a large Brown Bear. Not at all.

If you haven’t pulled the trigger by the time it’s ten feet away, I agree with you. The 10 mm was designed to have more stopping power than a .45 but not lose the high magazine capacity like what happens when you go to the magnum cartridges in a revolver. If a bear is going to charge, you can start pulling the trigger at 20 or 25 yards (or further away as warning shots) and at least not worry about running out of rounds. There are plenty of other things to worry about in that kind of situation.

 

I honestly would rather have an air horn than a handgun around Alaska Brown Bears. If you haven't been up close, and personal with a Brown Bear, you wouldn't understand. Some of them are literally 10 feet tall when they stand up, and can bite me in half - and I am fat.

But take a gun, or guns, if it makes you feel better. As long as your wife can outrun you, she'll be fine.

 

I honestly would rather have an air horn than a handgun around Alaska Brown Bears. If you haven't been up close, and personal with a Brown Bear, you wouldn't understand. Some of them are literally 10 feet tall when they stand up, and can bite me in half - and I am fat.

But take a gun, or guns, if it makes you feel better. As long as your wife can outrun you, she'll be fine.

There was a guy on the Kenai pen. That killed a charging bear with a 9 mm.

 

I was there in 1995 to fly out to the Tsiu river. They had a typhoon the day before with 14" of rain. My trip was delayed a day. I asked a local guide about river fishing. He said the rain had pushed many bears into the areas he would normally recommend & said not to go. I did drive to tour a glacier and was the only one there. The path had high brush on both sides. Made me nervous and I talked loudly on the way in. I did have bear spray but was glad to leave.
On the Tsiu the guides had 12 ga slug guns. They said there were 8 bears around. We saw fresh tracks most mornings. My size 10 wader boots fit inside of them. Camp was about 1/2 mile away.

 

A 12 gauge would be a great fit for this purpose if you had a way to always have it ready, like a guide carrying it. If my main purpose up there was fishing, having a handgun of sufficient caliber in an easily accessible holster that I’ve practiced with would be the only thing I would consider. With a full sized shotgun, it would spend more time leaning against a tree on the bank than on a sling around my shoulder, and at that point, why even bother?

 

I always carry a 12 gauge slug gun, but it is a pain the ass. In August I will be taking a 12 ga. and my 10mm also will have bear spray. The best defense against bears is your brain though. Don't cook in a tent, don't bring food or clothing with fish odors in a tent. When walking through brush make noise, give fishing bears plenty of leeway, don't run from a bear. Don't get between a sow and cubs. I've been going to Alaska since 1978 and have never had a bear charge or act aggressive.

 

My slug gun is short barreled with a pistol grip. I always sling it over my back and shoulder, with the pistol grip on my left side at the ready. My 10mm will be on my chest, loaded with 15 rnds of 230 gr hard cast, and I'll hip holster a can of bear spray. I doubt i will carry the slug gun much but it will be handy at camp.

 

I talked to him about fishing the river there and he said sometimes they get bears that come into town or will be walking along the river catching fish. There has been some people who have been hurt late last year by bears but from what I understand the berry crop was bad last year and it forced the bears to be more aggressive for food, and they came into town more then what they normally do.

You may also want to contact a guide in that area and ask this question. You could also hire a guide even if it is only for the first day.

 

I use to camp on clear creek in talkeetna , there was a camp near by me that use to fire off fire works and horns, I would watch the browns bears reactions, never phased them. They would grab a fish and slink off in the brush and eat it then come back for more.

 

I worked doing timber inventories and natural resource surveys through out costal Alaska for six years. My partner carried a 375 H&H mag and I carried an 18 inch 12 gage pump loaded with slugs. Used slings most of the time. We both carried 44mag revolvers loaded with FMJ rounds because occasionally we had to put the long guns down to take measurements and such.

When you walk down a trail and smell wet dog and see a fresh salmon on the ground the pucker factor is very high. Never had to fire, but on three different occasions we did bring the guns to port arms and take the safety off.

We always figured it was better to err on the side of self protection.

 

This photo is my buddy on the Russian river. Using your head will keep you out of trouble 99% of the time don’t leave a pack with food in it on the bank. If you have a fish on and the bear see’s it break it off. Splashing fish are a magnet to bears. Tie some bells on your jacket to make noise as you are walking. Bear spray is probably your best bet I usually carry it with me when I’m up there. Most outdoor shops carry it up there. Give the bears room your in there neighborhood

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I would love to add another gun to the collection, if I could find a 10mm for cheap enough, I don't see me using it for anything else afterwards is my issue. I do have a couple of 12 gauge 870s that I could swap out hardware on that would work. Bear spray is something that I will look into also. Keeping ourselves out of the way of the bears is the best choice of course.

My In-laws have been going up there for the last 10 years or so and they haven't had too many issues with the bears. I know that they have seen them in the river too, but never had a real run in. They said just give them a wide berth and you should be good.

I think I like the idea of having something tangible in my hand like a firearm or even spray, rather then just hoping that a bear isn't having a bad day and an empty stomach.

 

Just put a pistol grip on your slug barrel 870, more than enough gun

 

FWIW, while watching a program yesterday, an Alaskan guide discussed using marine flairs. Said he never had a bear that didn't run away from them. Cheap, packable and easily carried. Interesting.

 

If he had encountered one that didn’t run away he probably wouldn’t have been available for that program.

 

FWIW, I worked for the US Forest Service throughout SE Alaska. I carried a 1964 Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H Magnum caliber and my partner carried bear spray. We had issues with brown and black bears. False charges, woofing and snapping teeth from the brownies caused the safety to be turned off more than a few times. The most chilling was having a black bear circle us in typical predaceous black bear behavior. Wanted to use bear spray when he came out of brush 15 feet away but the wind was in our faces. Wound up sliding down a talus slope with the bear following us down. He finally ran off when the chopper approached. Remember to fight like the devil against a black bear attack. They don't usually give up after a couple chomps like a grizzly.

 

I absolutely love Cordova. Been there 5 times. I always had spray. Its light and easy to carry. I keep it on my fishing vest strap or on my backpack front strap when hiking. I've had 5 bear encounters. Once our group locked arms and pushed the bear out.(it was fly in) I've come across bear on the Ibeck and eyak rivers. Both times they were mowing down some dead silvers and could care less about us. A side arm is nice but a pain on waders or wading deep holes. I would always get the spray from orca lodge. One time we were not even staying there and they let me barrow it.(stayed out in a federal cabin) People are so freaking nice up there I don't think you will have a problem(especially with a friend there) to find someone you can barrow a can from. I'm sure your friend has a million good spots but if you ever have any questions shoot me a pm. Can't wait to take my wife up there.