Bear Defense By Choice Ammunition

[vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]In 2023, bear encounters in North America surged by 25%, with 40% of attacks occurring due to unprepared hikers. Fatalities rose by 15% among those venturing into bear country alone. According to the North American Bear Center, bear encounters are most likely in areas where human activity intersects with bear habitats, such as hiking trails, campsites, and rural communities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”55610″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Black bears are responsible for a significant number of bear encounters because they are more widely distributed across North America. However, they are less likely to be aggressive compared to grizzlies. Black bears are responsible for around 30% of fatal bear attacks in North America, despite being more numerous.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Grizzly bears are less common but are more aggressive and more likely to attack if they feel threatened. Grizzly bears account for approximately 70% of fatal bear attacks in North America. Their more aggressive nature and larger size contribute to this higher percentage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”55609″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Summary

  • Grizzly Bears: Responsible for about 70% of fatal bear attacks.
  • Black Bears: Responsible for about 30% of fatal bear attacks.

These figures indicate that while black bears are involved in more encounters overall, grizzly bears are more likely to result in serious or fatal outcomes. As more people seek solace and adventure in the outdoors combining with hunters, fishermen and women, and shedhorn hunters, the risks of bear encounters are rising even further. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” type=”full_page_width” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”55597″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1723562856724{padding-bottom: 1px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Our Response at Choice Ammunition

Choice Ammunition has recognized this alarming trend and tasked ourselves with creating a product line designed to be the most effective lethal means of defense for self protection in bear country.

With our acquisition of Chey-Cast Bullets, we asked our development team to come up with a blend of alloys, (mixes with antimony, silver, tin, etc.) to create a true Bear Defense bullet, with a level of hardness that would create the most powerful, bone crushing, deeply penetrating round of Bear Defense ammunition we could load. This was ultimately accomplished with a projectile that is a true 22-23 Brinell hardness. Our bullet is unlike anything on the market, with this hardness and our Hi-Tek Coating, which allows for very little lead fouling and increased velocities. 

Our load team and ballisticians then went to work on the ammunition, developing a 100% hand-loaded product line for Bear Defense Ammunition in multiple calibers for handguns, including:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””]9mm 

.357 Magnum

10mm[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””].41 Mag 

.44 Mag 

.45 Colt +P[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=””].454 Casull 

.460 S&W[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]

Supporting Data:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Black Bear Populations in US:

Eastern U.S.

  • Maine: Approximately 35,000 black bears, one of the largest populations in the eastern U.S.
  • New York: Around 6,000–8,000 black bears.
  • Pennsylvania: Estimated 16,000–20,000 black bears.
  • West Virginia: Approximately 10,000–12,000 black bears.
  • North Carolina: Roughly 20,000 black bears.
  • Virginia: About 18,000 black bears.
  • New Jersey: Around 3,000 black bears.

Southeastern U.S.

  • Florida: Approximately 4,000 black bears.
  • Georgia: Around 5,100 black bears.
  • Tennessee: Estimated 7,000 black bears, mostly in the Great Smoky Mountains region.
  • Alabama: Approximately 300–500 black bears, mostly in the northern part of the state.
  • South Carolina: Roughly 1,000 black bears.

Midwestern U.S.

  • Michigan: Estimated 10,000–12,000 black bears, mostly in the Upper Peninsula.
  • Minnesota: Around 12,000–15,000 black bears.
  • Wisconsin: Approximately 24,000 black bears, one of the largest populations in the Midwest.

Western U.S.

  • California: Estimated 30,000–40,000 black bears, the largest population in the western U.S.
  • Oregon: Approximately 25,000–30,000 black bears.
  • Washington: Around 25,000–30,000 black bears.
  • Colorado: Estimated 17,000–20,000 black bears.
  • Montana: Approximately 13,000–15,000 black bears.
  • Idaho: Around 20,000–25,000 black bears.
  • Nevada: About 300–400 black bears, primarily in the western part of the state.
  • Alaska: Estimated 100,000 black bears, the largest population in the U.S.

Southwestern U.S.

  • New Mexico: Approximately 5,000–6,000 black bears.
  • Arizona: Around 2,500–3,000 black bears.
  • Utah: Estimated 4,000 black bears.

Northern Rockies & Plains

  • Wyoming: Approximately 6,000 black bears.
  • Montana: Around 13,000–15,000 black bears.
  • Idaho: Estimated 20,000–25,000 black bears.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]

Conservative Grizzly Bear Population Estimates:

United States (Lower 48 States)

  • Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: The grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, has increased significantly since they were listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. The population has grown from around 136 bears in 1975 to over 1,000 bears in recent years, representing an increase of more than 400%.
  • Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem: In this region of northwestern Montana, the grizzly bear population has also increased. Current estimates suggest there are more than 1,000 grizzly bears as well, up from fewer than 300 in the 1970s.

Alaska

  • Stable Population: In Alaska, grizzly bear populations have remained relatively stable, with an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 grizzly bears. Alaska has one of the healthiest grizzly bear populations in the world.

[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”55640,55642,55643″ img_size=”full” onclick=”” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”container” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=””][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[]