Ballistics are like statistics, and can be used for any armchair argument. In the real world the number of human fatalities attributed to bears in North America at best numbers perhaps 100 + since 1900. The number of bears slain is in the thousands. So, I support the right to arm bears. People need to read and learn about bears before even considering a firearm. The behavior of a grizz is completely different than the black. Attacks are RARE, and carrying a firearm as a placebo for woods savvy is no different than a cellphone for rescue. I saw a polar bear dropped with a single .303 military ball round in arctic Canada. I also witnessed the post mortem of a 'rogue' Kodiak with a nasty reputation. The poor animal had 14 recovered bullets, ranging from 220 grain .30s to the big .375 H & H. Any one of these rounds could have, should have killed this individual. That said, common wisdom says a 12 guage at close range, or a bullet with good sectional density, ie. 140 grain 6.5s, 200 grain .30s 250 grain .35s. UNCOMMON wisdom says keep food secured and avoid each other. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />