Eps. 354: Bear Advice With A Master Alaskan Guide

[@mikechartier-qf3fn]

you should have Phill on again love his stories!!!

[@nmelkhunter1]

I second that. 👍

[@Igryan8]

Do you mean a fairy tale? Bear, who can smell scents from far away, stands on a person, who he was targeting by the way, could not find them? Lol

[@johac7637]

You've obviously not been in a stand off with a bear. He's still thinking about the danger 12 feet away before lunch time. ​@@Igryan8

[@MusicLuv80]

In cold winter in Alaska can rifle and pistol freeze so badly it won't fire?

[@johac7637]

@@MusicLuv80 no, the use of the correct lubricant is important, actually in extreme cold it's like dry heat, snow doesn't clump.

[@YepTriedToTellYou]

45 years a hunting guide in Brown bear and grizzly country makes you the best guide in Alaska (still living). Respect to Phil.

[@kirkhowes5663]

I never met you Phil in person but I do know one of your old guides Mike the guy that you told me was mauled by a bear trying to get a hold of him cuz he's an awesome student in the world. God bless you never hunted brown bear but I did shoot a black bear in Alaska and I remember our float plane Guy saying you guys travel light. About 3 days into our bear hunt there was some guy that came around with a client and they were dressed in every kind of clothing you can imagine it look like a Cabela's commercial and I popped out from the spruce trees wearing long johns barefoot no shirt on and the first thing the guide said was when's the last time you ate! Right then and there I know I was a fucking hero! God bless you keep doing what you guys do up there

[@1quintanaroo]

Guide shit...

[@1quintanaroo]

@@kirkhowes5663 bears shoot back...

[@kirkhowes5663]

@@1quintanaroo what are you talking about?

[@iwantdog]

Nah that would be Roland Welker but sir here is a close second!

[@lawrencelewis1036]

Phil is definitely the real deal. Thank you Ron!

[@Wildwestwrangler]

Yep. He Philled that bear full of lead!!!

[@markyoung7470]

Ron this was great interview thanks Phil is the real deal

[@mtman2]

​@@kirkalley3469 That's the question I posed here earlier, will it break thru the skull plate & @what angle merely ricochet off- or not...!

[@kirkalley3469]

Yep, since he knew he was undergunned, he was smart to use his clients as bait and keep them between the bear and himself.

[@kirkalley3469]

You should always have at least a 7 1/2 inch barrel on your magnum pistol because... a friend of mine ​who lives in the mountains always kept a S&W revolver by the door since bears were often around the house getting into the garbage. Well, his wife saw a bear wrecking their garbage can, so she grabbed the hand cannon and went outside and chased the bear away by shouting at it. When her husband came home from work and heard the story, he advised her that he had the child proof lock engaged and so it would not fire, lol. But with a 7 1/2" barrel, at least it would be a good club also it prolly would be a Ruger since 7 1/2" barrels are a Ruger thing. @mtman2

[@billydrybread8317]

And for 45 years he came back home. I would take his advise all day long.

[@reo9673]

I was reluctant to share but thought others might be interested. We see the lesser and greater bears occasionally along with big cats and dogs. My wife and I run around our remote NW Montana yard with our 9's and Rimrock 147 gr hardcast handloads. When we venture into unfamiliar territory around here we carry heavy 357 magnum loads with Montana Bullet Works 180 grain NOE hanloads. Our selections are based on Phil's advice from old Handloader magazine articles I read. We shoot more often staying with these cartridges. Great interview. It doesn't get any better than this Wow, thank you!

[@tristantimothy1004]

Reo, Ive been to Montanas wilds many times. Your grizzlies are smaller but MEANER. Lots more aggressive than Alaskas are. Studied the Lewis & Clark expedition papers & THEY were surprised at the aggression levels of your grizzlies. Had our own run ins w them. Love Montana! May leave Alaska & move there instead. Are Obamas damned gates still up blocking off all the federal lands??

[@chipsawdust5816]

Is that the outfit in Bridger? Makes those hard cast bullets?

[@tristantimothy1004]

​@@chipsawdust5816, I used to get mine from Rimrock bullets in Ronan/ Polson Montana. Heard they moved but i dont know where. I got to tour their shop & they really know their stuff. I special ordered my 44 slugs cast 1/1000 over standard for my ruger. The difference was amazing. Ruger cuts their bores 1/1000 over & the right fitting bullet is everything. Came lubed w GC. I ran 320 WFNHC in my 44. You can look em up.

[@chipsawdust5816]

@@tristantimothy1004 Awesome thanks!

[@quinncolby]

I’m in MT too. I carry a 10MM everywhere now. You never know when you might need it.

[@jamescomeaux3620]

I lived in Alaska for 14 years, most of that time in the bush and I personally answered the question that most people asked. Where do you shoot a charging bear? The answer is any friggin where you can hit him and you don’t stop shooting until you have run out of ammunition and thrown the gun at him.

[@MjV-jd2lo]

I mean, you can leave the last round for your self.

[@JerryReddy-z5u]

​@@MjV-jd2lo EXCELLENT POINT!😂

[@MjV-jd2lo]

@@JerryReddy-z5u Remember, that bear can eat your anus insides while you're still alive. Just saying.

[@peterh.1521]

​@@MjV-jd2loTo signal for help?

[@MjV-jd2lo]

@@peterh.1521 yea....to signal for help x)

[@markmakela7364]

Outstanding! Hunted with Phil 35 years ago. Glad to see he’s still at it and really looking about the same.

[@keithross4511]

What an amazing and great guest to have on your program!!! So much great information!! Thanks so much for having Mr. Shoemaker on your program! Love your programs Ron!!

[@languagesource355]

I just love Ron's face when listening to the story - like a little boy listening to his grandpa or uncle. Which tells me that no matter how experienced one gets, it never gets old or boring.

[@604cpr]

I don’t know if I’d trust 9mm, but 10mm penetrators have proven themselves against bears. The higher capacity of a semi auto also gives you more opportunities to connect shots under the stress of a bear charging

[@languagesource355]

@@604cpr I think with some modern autoloaders there's almost no sacrifice of portability or capacity with 10mm vs. 9mm, especially the particular 9mm used by the guide in this interview.

[@davedriscoll1652]

We want the Alaskan video, thanks

[@tcoopr2]

Ron IS an supermasculine wannabe.

[@IAmJaguarPaw.ThisIsMyForest.]

Yes. He looks like ai feel, listening to this old wise man.

[@NElj-yq9qi]

Thanks Ron and Phil for the great hunting stories. Reminded me of deer camp listening to old hunting stories of my Dad and Uncles.

[@DrCarleyandAssociates]

I’ve fished with Phil stayed with Phil and Rocky and had them over my house in Michigan they are wonderful people excellent hosts the best people they are dear friends

[@TedGoebel]

You are blessed!

[@lmbear]

Cool, you had Phil Shoemaker on your show. I had to watch this one. Mr. Shoemaker is a legend!!!! Thanks for the video Ron.

[@luciovidaurriiii9314]

Phil is a Vietnam Veteran...thank you ! I love his articles and his great advice!

[@rickb1387]

I caught that when he mentioned that it’s all about shot placement. Something war teaches people.

[@robcrissinger776]

Some jackhole on another guideline promotes no backup weapon and cussed at me for calling him a fool.. Nice to hear from a guide that knows the deal😅

[@robcrissinger776]

Shoot Bear, change underwear. Say a prayer Live another dayer...😊

[@maskcollector6949]

They all have the same look, goes without saying almost lol.

[@jk-kr8jt]

Ron, what an absolutely spectacular show tonight. I'm literally sitting on the edge of my seat. Phil, as you know, is a legend in Alaska. Even though I haven't hunted with him, yet, I have had the pleasure of meeting him and his family a few times. Phil and I had a mutual friend that we both hunted Zimbabwe with. He introduced us. You how sometimes you just get a good feeling about someone? Well that is Phil and his family. Now I must say, your show must be important, because Phil has trimmed his beard since I saw him last. Thanks for a great show. Cheers, Jeff P.S. Ron, you could pay for that bear hunt if you quit sending those emails giving away all those guns. That's got to get expensive. 😂

[@donnysanner342]

It’s really good to hear common sense about cartridges that make sense….30.06 is still KING…no super magnum needed. Great interview

[@jackdundon2261]

Good enough ONLY IF YOUR SKILLS ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

People these days terribly underestimate what the 30-06 is capable of.

[@user-rn6cy7ez2g]

Choice of bullet is key also,like using a Nosler partition 180-200 grain.

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

@@user-rn6cy7ez2g yes, absolutely. That’s more important than what cartridge.

[@williamfeldner9356]

Alaskan Game and Fish approves the 30-06 for bear hunting, it is on their website

[@jonbrewer413]

Hunted caribou with Phil and his family in 97/98 nicest people and true professional.

[@jeffglasman19]

So nice to watch that interview with Phil. You just cant ever get enough of the stories that a man like Phil can tell you, and so so much better than reading it from a book. I had a friend that was a real outdoors man and I just liked being around him , hoping that some of his smarts would rub off on me. If you need someone to go with you Ron to Phil's bear camp I would sure like to go too. I was all ears listening to the story about killing the bear with the 9mm. The story's Phil could tell with 45 years under his belt would be worth the trip aloan.

[@EZchzinpp]

I like this parts where dude says, "you'll get more hits with a gun you're familiar with." There's no pissing contest over caliber or style of gun, just straight facts.

[@samdeyton5449]

I’ve debated it a lot in my own mind, have 9’s and 10’s. Personally I currently opt for a G17 w/21 rnd stick and Buffalo Bore. Most familiar and most often trained with platform I have. On paper, by the ballistics etc etc, would suggest going with a 10, but the ability to just run a G17 like no other is there for me. I’ll take quantity on target with speed to boot, over terminal ballistic performance in this particular scenario.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

The legendary Phil!!!

[@johnisberg2699]

That man has great, intense eyes.The right disposition for a bear guide. More danger in surviving 45 years of flying in Alaska, than in dealing with bears.

[@tristantimothy1004]

Yep. We have a saying up here. " Theres Bold pilots & theres Old pilots but theres never been any Old Bold pilots. " You really gotta know your stuff to become an Old pilot. W Alaskas intense weather & changing conditions that come out of nowhere " luck" just dosent last very long.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

In this case they go together... It is as they say about flying: "The drive to the airport is more dangerous than the flight..." Great, now I feel better.

[@tristantimothy1004]

@@tacticalskiffs8134 , Maybe in the citys but not out here. We get a LOT of super cell weather & lil bush planes getting knocked out of the air is not uncommon. Damn storms come out of nowhere & disappear just as quickly w no warning. Its so common its illegal to lock your cabins doors w anything other than a bear bolt with an inside/ outside rope pully to lift the inside cross beam door lock. Rope hangs outside for easy access to any downed pilot. If a pilots found dead on your porch you go to prison for " criminal indifference." Froze hands cant operate latches & doorknobs & its customary to leave your cabin with the woodstove loaded & ready to light off easy w 1 wooden match. Life/death stuff when ones fingers arent working. Leaving quick, easy to prepare food also customary for lost or downed pilots. No 911 or cell towers out here. EVERY CABIN is considered a survival shelter for anyone that needs it @ anytime. Leaving a cabin well stocked with basic survival stuff is S.O.P.

[@pietskiet42-_]

How is the genetic health of the Brown bears there ,where you at .. ?

[@tristantimothy1004]

​@@pietskiet42-_, Wouldnt know. Been out of the F&G research loop awhile. Havent seen near as many lately either but my area is getting more people into it & many bears are getting killed or moving to other areas..AM seeing tracks but theyre getting smarter about hiding. Had 2 grown cubs still running together in our yard chasing our dogs couple years back but a pack of firecrackers thrown in their faces scared them off & theyve never returned that i know of. The tracks im finding are of unknown bears i havent seen yet. Mostly just passing through from winter dens to their fishing grounds. Since the area grew i cant run a bait station anymore & the multi generations of grizzlies that showed up every year have dispersed. The good ol days are gone when we were the ONLY people out here & the entire forest was just ours. California developers destroyed all that. Raped the land, made their $ & moved on. Left their stupid behind.

[@stevemarshall7689]

Best guest ever!

[@badideaman]

I'm a 70-year-old territorial Alaskan by birth. My advice is to leave bears alone unless they are a danger to you or your property, or a spring bear for food. Bears are fond of their lives and skins!

[@vtpatriot686]

Wow.. great story! So cool hearing from a guy who lives around bears every day. I could listen to him for hours :)

[@jansobieski7470]

Finally...! Someone who knows what they're talking about...!

[@donmiller2246]

This was one of the best videos on hunting I’ve ever seen

[@SteveEnke]

Phil gave years of advice on brown bear hunting. Very informative interview. This is the man you can learn from.

[@jefffultz3805]

Great video, I had a smile on my face the whole time!

[@jimwatts4901]

I could listen to this guy all day and then some. These older guys know their shit. 👍👍😁 Take care people.

[@pauldvorsky1969]

Phil is Awesome

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

This might be your best interview Ron. You asked all the right questions and succeeded in bringing out Phil's true character. As far as i'm concerned, Phil is probably the most experienced bear guide and bear behavior expert to ever live. When hunting season is over, he is guiding fishing expeditions in bear country (which can be more dangerous) or working around his homestead (which is also loaded with bears). From now on, when I recieve those "grizzly bear questions", i'm referring my viewers to this video. I've quoted Phil for many years, but to hear those things from his own mouth is a treasured resource for all hunters and anglers.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Treasured. So typical of a wildlife savager....I mean....hunter.

[@jasonshults368]

Seems like some of us define "compassion" differently from some others. If you don't like how Phil does things, go to Alaska and show them how it's done. You can campaign the predators to be compassionate toward you, their next meal.

[@jasonshults368]

I used to interact with Phil on one of the online outdoor forums. Great guy. Extremely knowledgeable. No tolerance for nonsense. Openly stated what works, and therefore what he recommends. I always appreciated his philosophy that way.

[@mike36dc]

Phil is so full of knowledge and experience, and he’s easy to listen to. Great podcast.

[@B.C.wheeling]

Awesome interview! No situation is EVER the same! The psychology of the bear OR it's prey

[@LindaTaylor-s1g]

I could listen to Phil all day!

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Great content as usual. Thank You!

[@davidcorcoran7634]

If you can't shoot it it won't protect you. So refreshing to listen to his logic. He knows his shit.

[@timjones8184]

9 mil. Phil.

[@Paladin1873]

"It's easier to feel brave when you've got a gun". Truer worlds were seldom spoken.

[@richardcranium5048]

It can increase your nut mass by up to 100%

[@PatrickThreewit]

I didn't feel brave as a 22-year old with my 30-30 and an Alaska brown mother standing up a hundred yards away.

[@Paladin1873]

@@PatrickThreewit I read a story years ago about a hunter who had just acquired a powerful new rifle and used it to kill a massive Grizzly. The rifle turned out to be a Winchester 30-30 and the time period was the late 1890s. In those days most folks were still using black powder loads, so the smokeless "high velocity" 30-30 was considered big medicine.

[@PatrickThreewit]

@@Paladin1873 I've read about natives killing a bear with a .22LR and a 9mm, but I'm just reading about those. I can still see in my mind after almost 60 years that brown bear, and I can remember how scared I was, and I had already experienced some real fear having been working as part of a 5-man crew on a 44-foot wooden commercial fishing boat. The day before I encountered the bear, our boat was 50 miles off shore in the Gulf of Alaska in a 70 knot gale wind where waves went clear over the boat, so it wasn't like I had some fear for the first time. You would have had to have been there to know what it felt like, and I was several hundred yards from my skiff and knew I couldn't outrun the bear.

[@Paladin1873]

@@PatrickThreewit The only ones I've encountered have not been aggressive, but within 50 miles of me we've had several people attacked and a couple more killed by Grizzlies in the last ten years.

[@DF4Trap]

Truly enjoyable, thanks for sharing.

[@vfonte218]

I could listen to them all day. Love hearing that shot placement and the type of bullet is more important then the caliber.

[@thefluffchucker1424]

Great show!!!

[@joereidoutdoorsman.3136]

now these are the type of men i grew up admiring just like my grandpa

[@dexternorman6283]

Awesome Show

[@GClark-dv4vz]

He nailed it….shot placement and penetration are everything !! Glad he mentioned the fine motor skills going out the window…very true. Thanks brother, great vid !!

[@SamuraiAkechi]

Ron, I think it would be cool if you could arrange a stream or an interview with Mikhail Krechmar, the current chief editor of Russian Hunting Magazine. He spent large share of his life hunting and studying bears in Ex-USSR and abroad - back in the 90s he was studying grizzly population management in University of Alaska Fairbanks.

[@indivisible885]

Shot placement is EVERYTHING! If you actually listen to what he says, and most people with the experience and knowledge will say the same thing

[@NelsLundJr]

Yep most common rounds will kill a brown bear. You have to place your shot correct no matter what you're shooting. Uncle of mine hunted everything from coyote to moose and bear with an SKS. Always said it doesn't matter what you're shooting if you don't hit the vitals.

[@RickHorejsi]

Best comment said , SHOT PLACEMENT IS EVERYTHING

[@MarkBarnes-o2m]

Not only everything, it is pretty much the ONLY thing that will save your butt in a 'situation '.

[@tacticalskiffs8134]

There is no question that shot placement is the number one thing, but it is kinda trite to keep saying it. How much does the average person actually think a more powerful cartridge will make up for in a fight. Totally missing the bear it doesn't mater what you shot, and the more you shoot a heavy recoiling rifle the more likely you are to miss, by a large margin, and the same goes for guides. The data shows that when the client misses the guides are more likely to miss. Which is hardly surprising since they haven't got a relaxed, unaware, bear to deal with at that point. The client isn't doing cleanup. He just needs to kill the bear from a distance, normally. But there are situations where you need more gun. Bear aren't particularly large, Maybe a 338 is more gun. A large elephant is in the 13-24 000 pound range. And you can kill any of them with a 9.3x62. The guy who did that for a living, had one elephant take that extra step, and fall on him, and he later decided he would need to go up to a 500 Jefferey to actually have a hope of stunning one. That is almost 3 times the recoil, and the cost goes through the roof also. Anything less than that he didn't believe would be functioning other than as a hole punch, so why bother with all the costs.

[@Memovox]

@@tacticalskiffs8134 Karamojo Bell took down 800 elephants with a lightweight Rigby rifle chambered in cal. 275 Rigby. Also, the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol in N/E Greenland uses a 10mm Glock 20 as close protection against polar bears. They used to carry a 9mm SIG P210 but found it insufficient.

[@raleighthomas3079]

Awesome! Phil is a legend to us as old guys who have known of his reputation for decades. Solid gold guide, I’d love to hunt with him His stories are just amazing. Bravo Ron!

[@1001CP]

A great guide with a modest demeanor and good story . We moved to Alaska in the early 70s from our farm in MI . We lived between two glaciers in the Chugach range We had a lot of experience with moose/bear through the years. We always carried 18" 12 ga shotguns, a good sling, with slugs and then hardened slugs when they came out. i was with the Troopers and had to put many animals down- always using the 12 ga and .357 mag pistols we carried for smaller moose, wolves, etc. My brother still lives there. We always recommended a good rifle or shotgun you can put on a moving target better. Something you would trust your life on..

[@dannygannon6804]

I meet a guide at a trappers convention who swore by the 12ga

[@apistosig4173]

I have been to Alaska, seen the bears and the remarkable wilderness but this conversation is nothing short of facinating - thanks to you both💯

[@stevefowler2112]

As a now old U.S. Recon Marine who has been in a couple close quarter gun fights, I completely concur with Phil...when the adrenaline is up and you are fighting for your life it is best to have a sidearm that you are super comfortable with. For me, going back to the early 70's it has been the Colt .45 ACP Model 1911. It fits my hand and though I don't know what kind of brown bear gun it would be I know if you hit a bad guy who is planning to due you harm, center mass they drop where they stand.

[@georgezink8256]

Amen 45 acp in the Thomson was a lifesaver in our cats ( Rome Plows ) Vietnam 67/69 wia retired from army

[@Tyler-vw9bh]

A .45 ACP on target is a lot more effective than a SW.500 miss! I was just thinking the other day as a not-so-old Marine infantryman, my next gun will be a Colt M4 with the Trijicon RCO. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but nothing can replace practice and I've had more rounds through one of those than I could count (not that Marines are renowned for their counting skills lol). Thank you for helping build the Marine Corps reputation I benefit from every day - Semper Fi!

[@LakeLivingTN]

I was thinking the same thing with my Ruger 1911 .45 since Buffalo Bore is also making rounds for them as well. I think it would be even better than a 9mm...

[@timothyreilly8394]

I think it would be as good as any other handgun as long as you are using the right ammo. Hard cast penetration rounds.

[@userer4579]

Two World Wars, by cracky! 👴

[@brianhoxworth3881]

I moved to Alaska one year before Phil, 1979. Sure did love it there. All i have now is memories.

[@pulldeauxduck2480]

45+ years in the bush ,and never worked no more ,l envy this guy !!

[@SteveLewan]

Dear Sir, I have been watching your presentations for sometime. I appreciate your teaching abilities and candor in any subject relating to firearms and hunting. You are truly knowledgeable and practices of courtesy and humility are evident. Thank You Sir.

[@johnclark5695]

As a long time Alaska resident, I agree 100% with everything Mr.. Shoemaker said. Back in the days when I taught hunter ed in Alaska, he would have a great guest speaker. For my self my rifle of choice was a .30-06 and my side arm an "N" frame S&W .357 with the old standard Keith hard cast 173 gr. SWC and 13.5 gr. of 2400.. At the same velocities, the .357 will usually give better penetration than a .44 mag., and is easier to get quick follow up shots. Great presentation..thanks..j

[@johnconklin5180]

Great discussion Ron. Thank you for sharing. I’ll bet Phil has a bunch more stories he could tell.

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

One of the best videos on this subject I have ever seen...Counter to what many "think they know" this video reflects the reality of real world application...Well done...!!!

[@davejohnston3636]

Love this conversation. I have Black Bear hunted never Grizzly. Have had a couple of encounters them but not hunted. BC Government has banned the hunt. Stupid decision. Problems for humans coming down the pipe from this decision. At my age 71 , after 52 years of hunting it’s just a dream. Videos like this just make me smile and dream. Thanks for the video. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@indivisible885]

The most practical and honest, real world advice i think ive ever heard! Super appreciated!

[@andrewbrewer7702]

An old Alaskan guide telling one of his best stories, and you fall for it every time. People have shot bears with shot gun slugs only to have them return again. Don't be shooting bears to begin with and you'll be better off.

[@operationNOBO]

Its refreshing to hear someone talk about the "old calibers" Makes me laugh when Elk guys say a .270 isnt a great elk cartridge and here his clients have killed brown bears with them. This guy is the real deal and has the proof to back it up.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

He killed a boar grizzly with a 9mm!!! He was using buffalo bore ammo.

[@operationNOBO]

@@Wildwestwrangler Yes

[@PassivePortfolios]

@@Wildwestwrangler the bear would not have known the difference if it was plain old 147 grain FMJ.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

@@PassivePortfolios well it definitely would have taken longer to die. Plain 147 fmj is quite a bit slower, and the round nose of plain fmj would have done much less damage. Penetration would have been sporadic as well, especially since the flat nose and sharp shoulder from the meplat to the ogive give better damage and cutting characteristics. The outcome for the bear would have been the same, but might not have been for the people.

[@PassivePortfolios]

@@Wildwestwrangler FMJ round nose would have better penetration than flat nose which has more resistance and deformation. The BB is a +P load so it has a bit more velocity but an extra 100 fps is not a big deal. Bullet placement and penetration saved the day. He was able to get multiple shots on target because he was familiar with the gun and shot it accurately, which was a big deal.

[@clarkkiser1223]

This is THE best interview you have ever done! Great info from a great outfitter and guide, with years of wisdom and experience behind him. Great stuff!

[@r1299]

Phil Shoemaker is THE man! Great guest Ron, awesome interview!

[@tcoopr2]

But Ron is not the Man. Pandering to Little Boys with Toys.

[@jasonshults368]

Quiet down, Sally.

[@jcd3869]

I love the point that he knows how to keep on loving his work---by focusing only the parts that he likes and then delegates all the rest to others. think this is the key to live a happy life.

[@travisthompson1485]

Guided moose hunts in Maine for years. Always loved the 30-06. Seen many moose die quick. Totally agree about being comfortable makes the difference

[@PassivePortfolios]

I sold a 45-70 Marlin to a guy from Alaska. He worked for an oil company but his brother was a hunting guide. He said his brother used a 30-06 for everything and it worked fine. For guided bear hunts he used his 30-06 with the 220 grain bullets.

[@rickelpers1820]

In the spring of ‘73 , a friend and I hitch hiked to Yosemite on a Saturday morning pretty early. We headed east from the Bay Area , and sat around most of the day, till a car with two occupants picked us up in Dublin ca, and drove all the way to Yosemite all evening, and we arrived at midnight. We set off to where? I had remembered a campground that we could afford the price for a week or so. That campground was full. We started walking up an average slope and a hundred yards above that campground.,we found an outcropping of the low point of a granite mountain, which was big enough to handle our backpacks and anything else we needed with even room for sleeping bags. Someone at a time before we showed up, built a nice rock wall enclosing the cave securely. It was a great find. Having gone hiking each day to some adventurous slightly dangerous excursions by day and by night we settled in our cave and subsequently bought alcoholic beverages and proceeded to get fairly drunk. We weren’t noisy , since we didn’t want the rangers to visit us and evict us. One night after enough activity and drink, the dishes weren’t washed along with the pots and other items. All were caked with chili and whatever, and without a thought went to climb into our sleeping bags. It was quiet and peaceful, and while waiting to fall asleep we heard what sounded like several rangers coming up for a visit. I said lay perfectly still and not make a sound. Twigs breaking and other plant matter was being walked through with some gusto, I’m thinking I hope they treat us reasonably well, and not arrest us. Turns out it wasn’t rangers. It was 3 or 4 bears checking out the fragrant chili fixin’s , and had some. They briefly sniffed our food mess and started rummaging around us sniffing at everything including us. I slightly turned my head to the left as I heard a bear paw stepping next to me . Our sleeping bags separated for moving around this space easier. So the bear came and sat next to me , when l turned my head I saw the bears paw right next to my head ,at which point this one bear sniffed all over my face and head , then moved on to something else. Right away I felt the weight and the girth of another bear as it sat down on my legs to relax while licking the chili pot clean. My thoughts were , that if my friend flinched too much and startling one of them and was being attacked, would I lay quietly, so I might survive this get together. I know that sounds awful but what could I do except become desert. Thank God nothing happened. The bears just all of a sudden together exited our cave and moseyed up the hill away from us. We lay still there for a while before we said anything. Just in case the bears really didn’t leave. Then we we broke out in laughter. With huge sighs of relief. Next day we hit the road from Yosemite valley all the way. Back to Walnut Creek. Not far from where we started. There were other things that we did that shows either we were just smart enough to avoid be killed or stupid enough to get into situations that were very risky. The bears though were the highlight of our week in Yosemite in ‘73.

[@themadhatter444]

What an awesome story, man. Loved reading that.

[@js2702]

Great story 😊😊

[@sylviajones3355]

Phil seems like a cool dude.

[@carlhammill5774]

I don't hunt but I could listen to Phil all day. Even though he has that white beard you can tell he never stops learning something about wilderness.

[@M14armorer]

Phil is without a doubt one of the best in the business. A true expert & an absolute wealth of knowledge. Wonderful interview sir!

[@sammylacks4937]

I' ve heard you can't tell a book by its cover but this fellow looks just like what I'd picture an old guide from Alaska would look like. Spot on.

[@scottmcley5111]

Nothing beats first hand experience. Books and videos have their place for learning, but I'd take a lifetime of experience over that any day. The shame is guys like him, with a lifetime of experience, aren't around forever.

[@applesbighatranch6906]

I share your sentiment. It's a good thing his progeny seem more than capable of carrying on the tradition. Besides, Phil's not going anywhere soon. He's in fine shape!

[@tomsd8656]

Which is why he would teach youngsters. He was once inexperienced and young.

[@barrypate4203]

Words of wisdom from a man who lived to tell, teach.

[@MehulKamdar]

Wow! A chat between two legends! Thank you, Mr Spomer! Phil is, as you point out, a gentleman and a genius as far as Alaskan hunting is concerned! Thank you, sir!

[@kauboy9816]

This guy's experience and life saving stories solidify my confidence in choosing a 10mm with Grizzly 220gr@1200fps hard cast. Sounds like penetration is the name of the game and follow-up shot speed is extremely important.

[@Summitclym]

That’ll do it! This is my choice as well.

[@Versul1]

That is the same exact phrase I said on my wedding night.

[@nicolasmoreno9442]

​@@Versul1 Bear in mind from now on you're domesticated and your hunting skills will be lost

[@Versul1]

@@nicolasmoreno9442 yes but penetration IS the name of the game.

[@showtime1235]

@@Versul1i agree it’s good to hear some people say 10mm is enough i can’t stand this “inches” talk

[@johnnyhighwoods1780]

Ron,... you reminded me of a youngster listening in awe to the old timers back in the day. The laughing and giggling made this a great listen. Phil is a wealth of knowledge ,thank you for bringing him on.

[@charlesmeyers4774]

What a great interview. I've been reading both your written articles for 30+ years, great stuff and real world experience

[@ROBERTHOCKER]

I sat and wrote notes on everything that man said. He is an excellent source of information

[@59MackB61]

Thanks for sharing! I have read Phil’s articles for years, neat to hear the voice that goes along with the words. Love the picture of Phil with a sheep in the Sierra reloading manual. Thanks for your service to our country as well.

[@calebmack7652]

Phil, you are such an amazing teacher and a wonderful human being. The world needs more souls like you brother❤

[@SimonHergott]

Wish this was 3 hours long. Thank you for the great podcast and thanks to Mr Shoemaker for stories and wisdom. This was a gem of an episode.

[@getoffmylawn8986]

Jeez, Ron, just this story got my heart rate up! This guy has colossal brass ones.

[@A7Dave777]

Glad you are here online, Ron, and interviewing a legend like Phil. The print magazines used to be full of this kind of discussion, but the proliferation of "black rifles" seemed to have killed them off. Wonderful interview!

[@ericrumpel3105]

.....true that !! - proliferation of junk nowdays is all the punks live for......POS junk.

[@ZONIAN955]

Love listening to a pro. Always have. Many thanks.

[@davidclark3194]

Its nice to hear people who have actual experience talking about bullet/ caliber effectiveness.

[@davidneal6920]

And his daughter totes a 416 bolt action. Like her style!

[@RickHorejsi]

Ol Annie Oakley herself 😂😂😂😂hilarious absolutely hilarious

[@deankruse4491]

Rigby?

[@robertjones-iv7wq]

Ron been lurking for a couple years... This was absolutely your best.

[@glockparaastra]

The article with pictures of Phil's bear are on Buffalo Bore's website under 9mm +p Outdoorsman ammo.

[@squarefour1]

That was an amazing account from a very Qualified Man. Phil knows those animals. They scare me and like he said no gun will seem big enough when it is happening. Great Interview Ron

[@larryvollmar8763]

This has been one of the best interviews. I have seen in a very, very long time. Thank you, Ron!

[@michaelwilson9986]

This was Cooooooooool Be nice if you can get him back n talk more about Caribou Sheep n his Ruger 375 n 416

[@000pu000]

What a great interview. Too cool dudes just talking about hunting.

[@arthurshingler2025]

That was a very informative but most importantly, a VERY fun interview! My only critique is that it wasn't long enough!!! I just loved it! A special thanks to both of you! ALS

[@billjue1753]

I enjoyed this interview very much. A no BS hunting guide and level headed thinker. Thank you for having him on. And I hope you get to hunt with him.

[@Bensonhurstbabyboomer]

Ron GREAT informative interview. Really enjoyed and learned a lot. This gentleman knows from actual experience not hearsay. He shot down some myths. Thank you very much!!

[@PassivePortfolios]

Yeah, aside from quick follow up shots, try carrying a 454 Casull around all day, and get lots of practice with it.

[@knife_knut]

I could listen to this man all day! Fascinating! Thanks for the video 👍😎👍

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

A lot of plain facts and wisdom, great video.

[@Martin-b5t9p]

Solld gold interview with a legend. Thank you Ron for the fabulous discussion. ... I've read about Phil's use of 9mm on big Alaskan bear. What an adventure for all involved.

[@Brian-qg9bm]

When I was just 17, a young 7 foot bear came after me from over 200 yards away at a place called Kekur Point on Kodiak Island. Moving up above the brush line to hunt deer, I spotted the bear coming toward me from down-wind on my right. I hollered and waved at him with the idea that we shouldn't cross paths too closely. Instead of deviating or turning around, the bear stood up, then dropped and came running right at me at full speed. Long and the short of it, I tried to put the wind in my favor by running up the hill. That lead me into a dense patch of stunted Sitka Spruce. If I got in there and the bear pursued me I wouldn't have a shot until he was right on top of me, so I shoved my back into the trees and turned to see what the bear would do. He skidded to a stop where I had been standing and was looking around for me. Soon as he scented me and figured out where I went, he came straight at me on a dead run from about 40 yards away. Totally unprovoked and he knew I was a human. 4 rounds of 300 WM, 200 gr. Swift A-frames did him in at a range of 50 - 60 feet or so. Another incident happened in my late 20's when I was out trout fishing on Afognak and ran into a guide I knew, and his client. I was moving away from a bear that the two of them were after. The guide asked me to tag along so he'd have me and my gun as additional backup, since the shot would probably be taken at relatively close range. We managed to get the client into a good position in a shallow, dried up run-off creek bed with brush cover around us. The bear, a nice coffee colored boar, was directly up wind, about 40 yards away when it came into view, grazing along in knee high grass. After a long, intense, forehead sweating minute, the client took the shot with his 338 WM. At the shot, the bear jumped up, roaring, spinning in circles and then, almost immediately, it spotted us. The guide was hollering "Shoot it again! Hit it again!" and trying to get a line of sight for himself. I moved right, away from behind the client and also tried to draw a bead. The bear sprinted down the hill into the brush with us, angling to our left. We spent the next two minutes or so with the bear roaring and furiously ripping up the brush and ground in a big semi circle around us. The client lost his frikken mind, shouting "Shoot it! Shoot it! Shoot it!" over and over again for the first 30 seconds or so. The whole time the bear never presented itself for another shot. It was right there with us, but we couldn't see it in the brush and grass. Seemed like forever but it couldn't have been more than two minutes and the bear finally started quieting down and then went silent. After locating the downed bear from the slope above it and putting a round of 460 Wby Mag into it, to make sure, the three of us sat down and drank a flask of Wild Turkey I had on me, laughing ourselves to tears. It turned out that, after the shot, the client hadn't ejected the spent case. The whole time he had been pointing his rifle into the brush with an empty chamber. After that first round, he had been yanking hard on the trigger, trying to shoot a second round, but completely forgot about operating the bolt on his gun. I love bears. My life just wouldn't be the same without them. 🙂

[@nancytrekker]

@brian-qg9bm, I'm thinking these are grizzly experiences, pun intended.

[@TucoDog-ho6fw]

What a memory to have. Wow! 👍🏻

[@papat7435]

People like that client should not be hunting.

[@jerryaaronson7061]

An empty gun with a bear? not good....my Dad was a doctor and a good one at that, but when he got excited during hunting adrenaline would get the best of him. He actually had a large buck run by him and instead of shooting it dad got so excited he ejected all three rounds out of his gun forgetting the in-between parts like pulling the trigger. He truly was like the Barney Fife of hunting....loved him to death...

[@TucoDog-ho6fw]

@@jerryaaronson7061 That’s hilarious. 😂

[@itllkeal]

I have a friend from Canada that came down to Tennessee and always told me that his favorite gun to have was a 45-70 or a 45-90 but he gave me his 338 winmag m77 ruger rear tang safety. I always preached 30-06 but I know in his old age he knows more about hunting than me and he helped understand the difference in areas because I was always hunting local

[@TheJustinJ]

30-06 > 45-70 in almost every case. But 45-70 is adequate for anything in N.Merica.

[@Richard-wz9uh]

Amazing! I read about this guy years ago, so it’s cool to see his interview on video. Thanks for bringing us this interview Ron!

[@sway696]

This is the guy i wanna learn from. Appreciate it. A lot!🙏

[@fragelicious]

One of the best bear stories.

[@garysummerville4227]

It's nice listening to an old Alaskan. I always enjoy the stories of these guys. George Palmer had some good stories .