Nighttime dog walking in BEAR Country!

[Adam Helmer]

Spring is here and so are the black bears. Three nights ago the bear (s) took down my front yard bird feeder under the yard light. My 50-pound dog wanted to go outdoors, but the birdfeeder was down on the ground. I hitched up her leash and we went outdoors. I had a .45 M1911 in my robe pocket and had a dog leash and flashlignt in the hands.

It occured to me that the chamber empty M1911 was not the best choice in case of bear conflict in my yard. Let us review: I would have needed to control a dog on a leash, rack the slide, hold the light and repel the Bruin, if hostile.

I now take my dog, on a leash, out for bidness at midnight with a .41 Ruger SA Magnum, loaded right,into the front yard. I have no Bruin hostility, but with the SA, either hand can bring a favorite "Cannon" to bear at close range in gravest extreme.

Adam