Originally Posted By: MDinana

That being said, for my Alaska trip I'm contemplating bringing a Winchester 94, in 30-30. Not sure if I need it, but I'll certainly grab some bear spray from REI and send it on over. I wonder though, if 30-30 is big enough, and if a 12ga. in 00 Buck (with some slugs thrown in) would be a better choice!


Trails crews working for the US Forest Service in Alaska generally have a point person carrying a 12 GA. Not sure what load they use. They also carry spray. New members to the crews each year get bear and gun safety training. If you're riding in a USFS helo you also get dunk tank and immersion suit training.

Spray and noise seem to be the common practices among the Fish and Game folks as well. Though I do think that folks out at the isolated fish weirs also take a firearm. Usually 2 people stay out at a remote weir for 45-60 days monitoring the salmon runs, always bears near by. I'll follow up on that with the DD2 who has that job this summer.