Feel free to check out the review of my new SOTA backpack!
KK4NQQ
In reply to KK4NQQ:
Thanks for the review, the summits you activate must be mighty dangerous!
Andrew
In reply to M0ONZ:
When I am packing firepower I never rest my weapon with the end of the barrel in the mud. I tend to favour either an XM8 or SA80 when activating in South Wales or the South East.
In reply to M0ONZ:
Thanks for the review, the summits you activate must be mighty
dangerous!
To be fair, I’ve never seen a grizzly bear on G/CE-002!
73
Brian G8ADD
In reply to G8ADD:
The US National Park Service advises:
Contrary to the belief of some, firearms are not needed for protection from bears, and studies have shown that pepper spray may actually be more effective in preventing a bear attack than firearms.
In reply to G8ADD:
To be fair, I’ve never seen a grizzly bear on G/CE-002!
We will be looking out for them today; our first visit so we will be ready for anything :-))
73,
Rod
In reply to G3CWI:
Well it’s a good job I’ve never seen any grizzly bears on G/CE-002, as carrying a pepper spray is as illegal in this country as an assault rifle! Mind you, some of the humans I’ve seen up there have been a little worrying…
73
Brian G8ADD
It isn’t the grizzly bears on the summit of Walton Hill you want to worry about, it’s the humans in the car park after dark.
Tom M1EYP
In reply to G3CWI:
I wouldn’t have credited the SA80 to have had enough stopping power being 5.56mm. I’d have thought an H&K MP5 or better still an H&K UMP (chambered in .45ACP) would be the “bear stopper” of choice.
John, in the UK guns of any kind are quite a rare sight. Yes, you may see people with shotguns in the some parts of the country, but real firearms are a rarity.
By the way is that an AR15 in your bag?
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to M1EYP:
Most of them are quite busy in their cars! I suppose the sudden appearance of walkers wearing headtorches may put them off their stroke.
73
Brian G8ADD
In reply to MM0FMF:
The L85a2 (small arms for the 80’s) has adequate stopping power Andy, it’s all about the muzzle velocity of course.
I’ve no proof though, I mean I’ve not shot any bears with one. So I really should say, it seems to have adequate stopping power.
Ian mm0gyx
In reply to MM0GYX:
it’s all about the muzzle velocity of course.
… and bullet energy delivery. One reason why the .223 became popular is the fact that most of its energy is dissipated at the point of impact as compared with the .3 variants, thereby doing more damage.
Jim G0CQK
KE = 1/2 m v^2
In reply to G3CWI:
In reply to M0ONZ:
I tend to favour either an XM8 or SA80 when
activating in South Wales or the South East.
Love it!
73
Gerald
MW0WML
In reply to G8ADD:
In reply to M1EYP:
Most of them are quite busy in their cars! I suppose the sudden
appearance of walkers wearing headtorches may put them off their
This is the best thread on here for ages!
73
Gerald
MW0WML
In reply to G8ADD:
To be fair, I’ve never seen a grizzly bear on G/CE-002!
You guys have it easy on your side of the pond, Brian. A few nights ago a bear broke into my vehicle, made quite a mess inside, and my vehicle was parked right outside my house:
http://www.grizzlyguy.com/Animals/Bear-Raided-My-Hummer
Of course this was entirely my fault for leaving food in the Hummer. You’re never supposed to do that here in bear country, but I’ve been breaking that rule successfully for so many years that I’d become quite lax.
As to stopping an attacking bear, I’d much prefer to use my Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun rather than pepper spray, no matter what our National Park Service says. Mr. Mossberg lives right next to my bed and I keep it loaded with 00-buckshot and slug shells in an alternating pattern (2 buckshot, 2 slugs, 2 more buckshot) for maximum effect. Our bears are Black Bears rather than Grizzlies so the chance of one actually attacking is extremely small, but better safe than sorry. Besides, 00-buckshot is quite effective in stopping an attacker of the 2-legged variety as well.
While out camping alone in the woods I prefer to bring my wife’s little .380 pistol. Although completely inadequate to stop even a Black Bear, the sound of the first warning shot should scare them away virtually every time. If not, I still have several more rounds available and I only need one to put ME out of my misery. 
73,
Eric KU6J
===========================================
Free SOTA Spot Monitor Software + RBNGate FAQ:
http://www.ku6j.com
In reply to KU6J:
You wouldn’t think it that easy over here if you had ever met up with the Scottish variety of midge, Eric! Small and harmless looking, trivial compared with a marauding bear - but they can drive you to and beyond desperation! But all joking aside, I’m sure my fellow Brits will agree that it is fascinating to hear about how things are over there.
73
Brian G8ADD
In reply to G8ADD:
Midges or Bears, hmmm, bring it on Yogi!
In reply to KU6J:
That will teach you to leave a “pic-a-nic basket” unattended. 
Sorry Eric, the nearest most of us in the UK have ever been to a bear is when Yogi is on the TV.
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
Sorry Eric, the nearest most of us in the UK have ever been to a bear
is when Yogi is on the TV.
Did you never have a Teddy Bear?