Different sort of problem while hunting

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Daryl

New member
Ok, to start off, I hunt bears in southern Arizona. While that may sound strange to some, there are some pretty decent bear populations in most moutain ranges in my area.

I hunt by glassing and calling, mostly. When calling, I like to have a fairly powerful handgun as a back-up, since calling usually involves agressive bears at close range.

My problem is, the same mountain ranges that hold bears are also prefered travel corridors for illegal drug/human smuggling cartels that have taken up residence in northern Sonora, Mexico. The area where I usually hunt is about 20 miles northwest of the Krentz ranch, where Rob Krentz was murdered while checking fences and water holes last March by two suspects that fled back into Mexico and were never caught.

My hunting rifle this year will be a lever action .45 Colt that's loaded to push a 300 gr bullet to around 1650 fps, which puts it about equal to a .454 Casull from a handgun. It holds 10 shots.

My normal side-arm is chanbered the same, and pushes the same bullet to around 1250-1300 fps. I'm considering leaving this handgun home this year, and instead taking a Glock 23 with a couple of spare 13 round magazines.

If I had any sense, I'd probably just stay home. I didn't bother applying for a deer tag this year, but I really enjoy bear hunting.

My two hunting partners are border patrol officers, BTW.

What would you do?

Daryl
 
I would carry my Glock with the spare Mags, loaded with some good 180 grain rounds, better safe than sorry. Also I would check with your friends that are border Patrol Officers and see what they think also they will have a better understanding on what your situation down there is.
 
Man I really hate that, I never though about the men trying to hunt out there
thing is you know those A holes have AK'S & AR'S and they dont care about you or your family.I dont think I would stop My bear hunting,Just make one more thing to watch out for. I dont know but I heard they taste just like Buffalo.Go with the Glock dont let them dictate or keep you from doin what you want to do be careful & good luck
 
And one dissenting vote, it's a nice gun but I don't think I would trade a 44 mag for a 40 cal if its primary function is for bear. You still have the carbine and two hunting partners. If you are good with the 44 mag I would prefer the power to shake things up if bothered by human trash. If I were to downgrade from the 44 mag I would want at least a 10 MM for the power and the range. You still get the extra rounds and the quick change ability of a magazine fed gun. Just dos centavos from an old dinosaur who thinks bigger is almost always better and quality beats quantity. That being said I won't be walking those mountains with you and you have to go with what is comfortable for you.
 
thing is you know those A holes have AK'S & AR'S and they dont care about you or your family.I dont think I would stop My bear hunting,Just make one more thing to watch out for.
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Yep, and that's the way I feel about it right now. I just want to be as prepared as I can for whatever threat I may come across.

Daryl
 
And one dissenting vote, it's a nice gun but I don't think I would trade a 44 mag for a 40 cal if its primary function is for bear. You still have the carbine and two hunting partners.
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The handgun's primary purpose is as a close range self defense tool, whether for man or beast . The carbine is what I'll actually use as a primary hunting gun.

I'm torn, but as much as I'd love to carry the revolver, it's likely gonna have to stay in the truck as an alternate. I could carry them both, I supppose, but that's a lot of hardware to pack around a rough mountain range.

Maybe in my pack?

:)

Daryl
 
I wouldn't hunt there. It sounds harsh, but your life is worth much more than a few days hunting. If there are Mexicano bad guys out there, they won't give you a chance to defend yourself. You will be ambushed and buried in a hole before you could realize it. You will be focussed on glassing bear, they will be on you like flies on crap. DON'T TAKE CHANCES.
 
I was out at Ft. Huachuca for several months. We went hiking in the mountains a few times and came across water jugs that someone left out for the border crossers. We would just dump it out and move on. No water when they get there. Too bad.

Be careful cause like you said they don't care about your life. They likely wont waste the time digging a hole for you though.
 
If I were you, I'd look for an alternative long rifle. I'd want a 308 or 30-06 with a good scope just in case I needed to reach out a bit more. And, I'd definately carry a hi cap handgun too and plenty of ammo. What other alternative choices do you currently have?

Personally, out of my inventory, I'd carry my 300 WSM and my XDm 45 and my SP101 in a pocket. Or, maybe I'd carry my Ruger M77 Mark II 25-06 and my S&W 28-2?

But, your current choice is also very good - soooo... I wish you good luck.

:eek:
 
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Don't bring a pistol to a rifle fight. If the drug cartels are carrying M16s, AR15s, and AK47 then your Glock is no match.

I would trade the lever action for a scoped .308 semi-auto like an M1A. A .308 is plenty for bear with a quality bullet. And it would be much better against armed cartel thugs in vehicles.

I just read a news article not long ago in which a police officer I believe killed a rogue, though smallish, grizzly with several shots from his .40S&W pistol. That may be pushing you luck on grizzly may be do for close quarters encounter with a black bear. I carry a .40 while hiking in bear country and load it with high velocity 200 gr. ammo from DoubleTap (or similar). Otherwise upgrade to a Glock 20 in 10mm for a little more oomph.
 
My experience in hunting critters is that I've always seen other hunters long before they ever see me--if they do, at all. Seems to me that if you're sitting and glassing, you'll see any people as well as any game.

I think I'd worry more if I were camping out. I sure wouldn't be sleeping anywhere near where I'd had any sort of campfire or lights...
 
If I had any sense, I'd probably just stay home. I didn't bother applying for a deer tag this year,
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I wouldn't hunt there. It sounds harsh, but your life is worth much more than a few days hunting.
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Life isn't Life if you have to hide to enjoy it.

I'll not let some illegal alian drug dude keep me from enjoying MY COUNTRY.

Bear taste more like pork, buffalo taste like lean beef.
 
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I wouldn't hunt there. It sounds harsh, but your life is worth much more than a few days hunting. If there are Mexicano bad guys out there, they won't give you a chance to defend yourself. You will be ambushed and buried in a hole before you could realize it. You will be focussed on glassing bear, they will be on you like flies on crap. DON'T TAKE CHANCES.
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Like the bears, the cartels mostly want to avoid being noticed. It's when they're noticed that trouble might start.

But you have to realize that I live here, and there's certain risks involved with many things I do. The San Pedro River is a main smuggling area; good cover, low ground, and it's easy to follow to a destination.

It also runs less than 1/4 mile from my mom's house at that point.

My wife works in close proximity to the border in an area that is also used for smuggling.

You learn to watch for things to avoid trouble.

Hunting here is little different than hiking, and I hike the same mountains that one of the above posters mentions (Huachuca Mtns).

You can't just stop enjoying life because of a threat. You learn to deal with it, and choose when and where the best options lie.

Daryl
 
I agree with Old Grump. I am more comfortable with a revolver anyway.

I most definately disagree with HunterGirl. It will be a cold day in hades before I let a criminal disrupt an activity I enjoy. Also, you will have two others with you, to assist in watching for criminals AND bears.
 
If I were you, I'd look for an alternative long rifle. I'd want a 308 or 30-06 with a good scope just in case I needed to reach out a bit more. And, I'd definately carry a hi cap handgun too and plenty of ammo. What other alternative choices do you currently have?

Personally, out of my inventory, I'd carry my 300 WSM and my XDm 45 and my SP101 in a pocket. Or, maybe I'd carry my Ruger M77 Mark II 25-06 and my S&W 28-2?

But, your current choice is also very good - soooo... I wish you good luck.
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I have options, no doubt.

The canyon I intend to hunt has really tight cover, and it's difficult to use a 'scope. Oak brush mixed with manzanita makes for some pretty close quarters. For that type of hunting, I like a short barrel and open sights.

I'm not going to fight a war; I'm just going hunting. With all things considered, it makes sense to me to be prepared for whatever may happen, but I don't forsee any long range battles. If I happen across the wrong people, it'd be at close distances.

Daryl
 
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