Alaskan Guide Drops Charging Grizzly With 9 mm Pistol

posted on August 17, 2016

An Alaskan fishing guide from the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge has led expeditions for 33 years, and experienced several bear encounters. But until last week, he’d never taken one down to protect a client. 

On a recent outing, Phil Shoemaker was suddenly aware of a bear charging his husband-and-wife clients, and he knew the importance of shot placement—hitting a vital area of an enraged animal—is challenging. To make matters worse, all he had on hand was a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol—not considered good “grizzly medicine” by most gun and cartridge experts. 

Fortunately for his clients, Shoemaker and the 9 mm were up to the task. As the bear charged within feet of the couple, he fired. “My first shot was at its neck … I wanted to hit the head but the bear was moving so fast I simply began shooting each time I could hit a vital area. I hit it six times,” Shoemaker said. “It dropped within six feet of the last shot.”

Latest

48651170742_04f298edc4_k.jpg
48651170742_04f298edc4_k.jpg

More Than Half of State Attorneys General Demand Answers from Biden

The group submitted a formal comment letter addressing the ATF’s proposed rulemaking regarding the “Definition of ‘Engaged in Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms.”

Another Armed Californian Saves His Family

Robberies and burglaries are increasingly occurring in the Golden State.

This is What Empowering Women Really Looks Like

With gun ownership on the rise throughout the nation, women are one huge demographic that has seen noticeable growth in this area. Such is why one NRA firearms instructor built a self-defense training company that caters exclusively to women.

What’s Next for Oregon?

When a circuit court judge imposed a permanent injunction against Oregon’s anti-freedom measure last week, it was just the latest skirmish in a year-long, up-and-down battle against the sweeping, poorly conceived law.

The Armed Citizen® December 4, 2023

True stories of the right to keep and bear arms.

NRA 2023 Year In Review

None of this would be possible without the enduring support of NRA members.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.