Glock 20 G5 10mm First Shot Impressions – Update to send back.

Update: My 220g bear loads kick hard. And are hanging up. Many suggest a 24lb recoil spring or trigger spring.  May stay with 180g – 200g hard cast for bear backup. Stay tuned. Gen 4 and Gen 5 recoil springs hard to get. Gun no longer shoots 180g after 1st shot. Bought at KTP who will look at it and send back to Glock if needed. Yes, I’m disappointed

I just shot these 10 yard 180g Blaser groups below,  at my local range, for the first time with my new 10mm Glock for bear hunt backup. They will penetrate deeper than my 45ACP. Check your states laws on hunting with a hand gun vs carrying for protection. If hunting for deer in New Hampshire, with a handgun, current rules say no more than 6 shots in your pistol. 

Middle and Low right groups are 10mm 180g Blazers. Low left are 200g bear loads. Upper right is a single 180g shot. The trigger takes getting used to. You have to squeeze the trigger more to make it break. Not as hard though as a double action. It is a smooth firm pull. There is no quote “safety”, just the firm pull of the trigger.  I added new tritium sights for shooting in darkness on my bear hunt.

Recoil was perhaps a tad heavier than my 45ACP. Getting used to the trigger was perhaps the most difference.

I purchased more 200g Blazers and 220g hard cast lead bear loads to practice with this spring and summer. But I will likely need a stronger recoil spring with 220g… they kick and with a standard recoil spring they hung up. 

Getting more than one accurate shot off is key in choosing the 10mm if ever charged by a bear or a big game animal intent on attacking you. In fact, with practice you can perhaps get 3 to 4 accurate head shots in a charge. Then follow up with 11 or 12 more shots at 1200fps with each delivering 700 ft-lbs of penetrating energy to the heavily boned bear skull below. 

 

 

Hunt Safe! Be Prepared!

 

 

10mm Glock 20 Essentials for Bear Hunting Backup

 The use of a handgun to ward off a bear attack is proven. It is not uncommon for aggressive bears to climb up your bowhunting tree stand with you in it or perhaps follow you back to your truck at night or a wounded bear attacks during recovery. 

Below, find an article with documented incidents where handguns were 98% effective on all bear species black, brown, grizzly and polar. 

Handgun Defenses Against Bear Attacks – 170 Documented Incidents, 98% Effective

Unfortunately, my new 10mm Glock 20 has set of daylight sights which makes the Glock defense use in dim light or darkness difficult at best.  I swapped them out for cost effective Tritium sights so I can see them in darkness.

I purchased a simple set of TRUGLO tritium sights for around $55 bucks. Not a bad price. Take the top slide off, remove the spring and barrel to get to the front sight nut and prep to remove the rear sight. 

 

You will need to purchase a tool for the front sight nut. 

and at least a push tool or bench vise and a wood or brass punch as in the video above. 

Next, is a holster for my Glock. 

I need instant access for a possible aggressive bear attack, thus I purchased a heat molded chest holster called the Kenai from Gunfighters, Inc. Cost $160.00

firearm

The first time the holster gripped the pistol, hearing a click,  I wasn’t able to pull it out without using great force. The Kenai literature instructed to carefully use a heat gun on the click/grip area.  Luckily, I had a heat gun. It worked.  Now, after heat adjusting, I can readily pull the pistol yet keep it secure.

Some folks find that a chest held binocular case can interfere with the draw of the pistol.  However, the holster can be adjusted to allow fast access. Below is  my Vortex Bino’s case with my Glock 20.  The bino case is huge, perhaps too big to wear. The pistol draw needs both hands. One hand to hold the holster base, while my right hand draws the pistol.

I will holster and practice drawing and shooting it with my binoculars on and off. If I’m on a bear stand in a tree, I will likely not wear the bino case. 

Below this video pitts the 10mm against the 44 magnum. 

A few year back I also did a 44 mag video below. In that fishing scenario, the 44 mag already drawn on an approaching bear, worked for the first shot but the recoil raised the pistol losing fractions of seconds to get back on target. 

Good Hunting!

 

Backup Black Bear Medicine

I have hunted black bear in Ontario, Canada many years ago with my 68 pound recurve bow. Canada does not allow hunters to carry a backup pistol. My Outfitter said I probably would not need bear spray. Right? My experience with a very aggressive and very large boar instantly changed my mind. 

Today, with a bear hunt in September, I reviewed my 45ACP as a backup pistol. Yes, it can work but it is considered marginal. I have always liked the 44 magnum as a brown or black bear backup. But you will likely only get one good headshot, if it charges. I tested a 44 mag for a moving head shot. It wasn’t easy and I had only 5 more shots left. The 44 mag with 250g or 300g or 454 Casull are very powerful but many can’t handle the recoil. If you can handle the recoil and shoot it straight, go for it. Many are true believers. 

Enter the 10mm Glock 20 Gen 5 semi-auto pistol (Retail $620)

Glock 20 Gen5 MOS Pistol

It is a better option for a semi-auto, throwing 15 hard cast 220g bullet at 1200 fps delivering nearly 700 ft-lbs on each shot. 

Underwood Ammunition 10mm Auto 220 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose Box of 20

Underwood Ammo says “Hard cast flat nose bullets are non-expanding, powerfully penetrative bullets that are designed with your woods defense needs in mind; whether fending off wild hogs or black bears, the hard cast flat nose bullets are consistently effective in taking down any wild animals that you may encounter. In contrast to the round nose non-expanding bullets, the flat nose bullets are able to pierce through dense bodies of mass while maintaining their nose forward position, which is optimal for maximum penetration. ­Underwood Ammo’s hard cast featuring a “Black Cherry” coating. Equipped with enhancements from the previous Hi-Tek coating. “Black Cherry” coating is a polymer-based compound; its thermal stability allows it to handle more than any other coating today. The coating will protect against gas cutting with a high degree of wear and abrasion resistance. The “Black Cherry” coating prevents lead to bore contact, thus virtually eliminating lead fouling. All Underwood Ammo rounds utilize flash suppressed powder so that your vision will not be compromised if it becomes necessary to use your firearm in low light.”

The 10mm  is increasingly used as a hunting firearm for thin skin big game and a reasonable bear backup that allows faster follow-up shots. 

This 10mm 15 shot pistol is apparently taking the Outdoor Industry by storm say many reviews. Like the 44 magnum, the 10mm really does not have enough energy to penetrate a bear skull but most shooters can handle its recoil.  We shall see… I just purchased one. Yes, I needed a good reason to add it to my hunt options. 

 

Below is a comparison article from Meateater of 10mm vs 45acp

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/caliber-battle-10mm-vs-45-auto

How you carry the pistol will also be discussed. How handy is it?

More Soon. 

7mm Remington Magnum for Black Bear

Is the 7mm Rem Mag overkill for black bear? Not hardly.  Below this large bear is likely a boar and didn’t get this big by being stupid. 

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Ursus Americanus Photo Courtesy Wikipedia – Photo taken in Quebec

Many bring the venerable 300 Winchester Magnum with 180g bullets. Yes, you can kill bear with most deer rifle calibers, but I only have three rifles to choose from, (6.5Creedmoor, 7 Rem Mag, .375 Ruger).  On the other hand, my .375 Ruger is my anything rifle and has already taken 2 large moose. 

I have plenty of 7mm 175g AccuBond LR’s left from my moose hunt four-plus months ago, as Canadian Customs would not let me take it. What? Yes,they said, “if you are not going directly to the hunt, you can’t cross the border with it”.

Well, I’m hunting black bear over bait in the USA-Maine and I may use my Browning X-Bolt in 7mm Rem Mag with those 175g ABLR’s, though Crossbow is possible. Rifle distance to bait is about 75 yards. Crossbow distance to bait is 20 yards. 

They are chronoing around 3000 fps at the muzzle. The ABLR is softer thus it will mushroom very well under 100 yards and make a big exit hole for blood trailing. My Browning 7mm below has a Leupold VX-6 on it with optional lighted crosshairs.

X-Bolt Speed

I tried shooting black crosshairs on a black target, and in fading light, it was next to impossible to see. I just replaced the battery on the red crosshair light to make sure it was ready for the bear hunt.  The trigger is a crisp Timney set at 3 pounds. 

On my 2024 September bear hunt, the state reports bear numbers are nearly 24,000 to 36,000 bears. My hunt area has about 1 bear per square mile.  I do not know the ratio of boar to sow but am aiming for a sizable representative of the species. 

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2024

 

 

Maine Black Bear on Bait – Crossbow or Rifle Thoughts

I will be taking both Rifle and Crossbow on my Maine bear hunt.

I believe bears that have been hunted over bait before are more wary than say a bear that has never been baited ever. Experts agree. Sure, I’d like to harvest a big bear with my crossbow but maybe a bigger bear with my favorite rifle. In years gone by I hunted with recurve bow, without success. 

I will take both rifle and crossbow on the hunt this September. 

Accordingly, these baited bears are smart. They come into view at your bait site in the last hour of light or in the dark.

Larger bears, like trophy whitetails, did not get large by being stupid. Outsmarting big bruins to get them to show themselves in daylight is the name of the game. No human smells near bait, no strange noises are the name of the game.

In some cases, just clicking the safety off can make previously hunted bears jump or drawing your arrow as it slides rearward will make them jump. Having a stand near a gurgling brook provides cover sounds for a bowhunter at say 15 or 20 yards from bait.

  1. I believe rifle hunters often have an edge where stands are 50 to 75 yards from bait.
  2. That said, wary big bears may show in daylight with the hunter at 75 yards because the bear did its homework just out of sight of the bait listening and smelling and circling.
  3. The angle of the bear is not quite as critical with rifle as it is with bow, thus more shot opportunities are favored with a rifle such as my Browning Speed 7mm Remington Magnum. 

Add up the 1,2, 3 above and I lean toward a rifle setup. We shall see as setups are revealed in September. 

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2024

Setting My Sights On An Adventure Filled Maine Bear Hunt – Updated

An Adventure filled Solo Maine Black Bear hunt is in my plans for September 2024. Come on along as I film some video clips too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_bear

 I have not hunted black bear for quite some time, but it can be very exciting with a good outfitter and remote land access. I estimate the weight of this bear in the above image near 400 pounds. 

What is even better is that very often you will see more than one bear or two or more on a 6 day hunt.

Most hunting is done in afternoon and evening on ground blinds or tree stands over bait. 

Baiting is a great way to hunt bear, in particular, because you can be selective; e.g., to pass or shoot a smaller or larger adult bear.

The tough part is to gage the size of a bear coming to bait. Often, bears, particularly big ones, come to bait just minutes before dark, making judging size, and fur color even harder.

I am very pleased with my 10 Point Turbo Crossbow (390 – 400 fps) and my NAP Killzone Cut-on-Contact 100 grain mechanical broadheads.  Bears often hit with a razor sharp broadhead in the heart/lung area, will run flat out for 10 seconds and then collapse deader-than-a-door-nail… never knowing what bit them. Too far forward may result in the arrow hitting the scapula bone and tough tracking so the shot must be true. 

My Equipment, a 10 Point 400 fps Turbo S1 Crossbow Arrow Flight with Killzone Broadhead or my Browning 7mm Rem Mag.

Killzone provides a practice blade. It isn’t easy to assemble the practice blade but once done, it works. Note; that the there is a pencil point type head that you can get as well for this broadhead but i prefer a cut-on- contact point.

Haven’t killed a bear with the Killzone head yet, but we shall see. Many experts suggest fixed blade broadheads on bear. I have some to experiment with as well.

I will have my backup Kimber 45 ACP and my Browning Speed 7mm Rem Mag Rifle along with me as well.

X-Bolt Speed

I called to further discuss rifle at 75 yards vs bow at 20 yds and will decide when I get there. Rifle setups are further away from bait thus allowing less human odor at dusk near bait. Big bruins didn’t get big by being stupid. They use their nose and minor noise to determine when it is safe to approach bait, often after dark. Take away noise and smells at the bait site and maybe enough to to make a show. 

What will I do with the hide, skull and meat? If the bear is large, I will make a rug and have the skull cleaned. I am a meat-eater and home-made butcher and self- trained chef. Bear fat can be rendered for lubricating/rust protection and also the lard makes a great ingredient for pie crust. Bear meat and fat was a real commodity in early America for its versatility in cooking/frying and for both lubrication and rust prevention and even lamp oil.  

My Outfitter “Foggy Mountain Guide Service” hunts deep in the wild woods of Maine. Driving from southern New Hampshire to my Maine hunt location will take me about 5 hours, where I’ll spend up to six days hunting.

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/laws-rules/licenses-permits.html

Fishing during morning and mid-day will be my pass-time before the hunt. 

Stay posted for more on this Adventure filled hunt.

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved.

 

Focus on Young Hunters

I am very excited to introduce my grandson Thomas Hale the hunter (age 11). 

Above, Thomas holds his first youth single shot shotgun intended for hunting snowshoe hares up in New Hampshire’s North Country.

He has graduated from .22LR and .223 Winchester to 20 gauge shotgun and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Together pictured below with his Dad Jason Hale, Thomas holds a scoped Howa 1500 rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, which he shoots well. The 6.5 CM has less recoil than the 20 gauge.

It gives me great pleasure to see three generations of Hales’ who hunt.  Below left is my son Jason who hunted Africa with me and to the right of me is young grandson Thomas.

We believe hunting and fishing are essential for boys and girls to understand the natural beauty and responsibility gained in the circle of life.  Unfortunately, hunting and outdoor skills are so starkly absent in our government run K to 12 schools.  We as a family, love the outdoors and choose to develop survival and hunting skills that aid in maturing young male and female minds. 

Most importantly, where our meat and fish come from, along with the life and ethical death and respect of the game hunted. Importantly, we revel in the bounty of the food harvest, care of the meat, the cooking, and presentation of wild game around the family dinner table. Just imagine a warm venison or rabbit stew in the cold of winter. It put a big smile on my face! Yours too!

Additionally, safety was our utmost concern with Thomas. Accordingly, we spent time training and demonstrating how to shoot hold his rifle/shotgun around other hunters. Thus we created walking and turning drills to always carry and point the barrel in a safe direction. And it was fun too.

In this recent hunt we did not harvest any game but had great comradery on the hunt, told some tales of the hunt, and had some man time with father and grandfather. Hope you can get some too!

Good Hunting!

Close Encounter of the Moose Kind

Many years ago, before I hunted moose, I was bird hunting with my youngest son Jason,not far from Lake Francis in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. It was early October. We entered the woods off a dirt road. Jason carried a 22 rifle and I had a pump shotgun with birdshot. The sun was shining and the north wood smells of fir trees and falling colored leaves gave us a great feeling to be alive and hunting in the Northwoods. 

Ahead of us, we saw some movement, a cow moose and calf appear. “How cool”, I whispered to Jason, who was 11 years old at the time.

I had learned some moose calls with my mouth by pinching my nose, a cupping my hands around my mouth. So, I thought perhaps the cow would hang around.

I pinched my nose and let out an “arr” sound. The cow and calf didn’t like my sounds and melted into the trees ahead. 

Suddenly, the boggy ground underneath us began to shake. “Did you feel that? I asked Jason. “Ya dad, what is happening.”

In the next moment, we heard tree limbs breaking from where the cow and calf came from.

A very large bull moose appeared. He was headed straight for us with his head tipping side to side displaying his a huge palmated antlers as he continued his approach.  I pulled Jason to a dense group of large fir trees and stood very still. The bull had not spotted us yet but still approaching. I kept large trees in front of us as a barrier.

I realized that we were in trouble.

I chose to move closer to the large group of trees as the bull was advancing.

He spotted us!

Head tipping, he began to step around the trees to get to us.

Jason, tugged on my jacket whispering. “I want to go to the truck now, Dad!”  “Shhh, I said as we began to move around the large group of trees as the bull circled. The guns we had with us would be useless, I thought in case of a charge. 

Keeping those larger trees in front of us and between the bull was our best defense.

Undaunted, the bull changed direction and circled in the opposite direction to get at us. Jason whispered, “I can see the white of his eyes.”

The bull widened his distance and circled ever widening till he decided to turn and walk away.  Whew!

The bull crossed the dirt road, near my truck, when two fishermen campers near the lake appeared with camera in hand.

They followed the bull.

I shouted, “be careful, he is dangerous.” They snapped a photo of the bull and came over to us where we shared our encounter.  I asked if they would be so kind to send us a copy of the photo. Here is the bull below.

 

Safe in our truck, it was clear, after some thought, that my moose call drew in the bull.  He thought I was competition for mating the cow.

The lesson here is calling in moose can be dangerous unless you are hunting them, and even then, they are still dangerous.