Yesterday, I was being facious when I said I would like to take a bear with my .17HMR. You know guys were touting how they have killed big game with .243s, and 6MMs. So I just had to add my $0.02 worth. Any way this morning I took my .17HMR out before daylite to try doing some calling. Since I was walking the pipeline behind the house I only expected to see foxes or cayotes, if anything. Since we have had two days of snow and temps are down below freezing, figured the bears are sleeping. They're not! Had a small to med Blacky come in to the call, and there I sat with a .17 in my hands. It did not seem too disturbed when I started opening zippers and searching through my pack for the can of pepperspray. Once I had the can in my hands I yelled and it ran off.
Turned around and there stood an elderly couple that I see often. They were out for their morning strole, and laughing at how fast I was tearing through my pack to get the can of pepper spray. Why did you not just shoot it, they asked. I told them I was carrying a .17 cal gun. They told me I had better get a bigger gun. The old man then opened his coat and showed me his .44.
