I, too, am looking forward to a bear hunt this fall. After reading JJHack's post, I guess I don't feel bad about bringing either gun I had been thinking about. I've got a S&W 657 Classic Hunter II, topped with an UltraDot, sighted in for 250 grain CPBC WFNGC over about 20.6 grains of Li'l Gun, and I also have a Desert Eagle, .41 mag, with a JPoint optic, sighted in for 210 grain Hornady XTP over 21.5g of W-296. I havn't accurately chronied these loads, but they are not mild. The jacketed bullet I would only use on a broadside shot, I believe the cast bullet would shoot through the bear from tail to nose, but as long as the heart/lungs get hit, I'll be all set.
I will be hunting in the Catskills (NY). No dogs, no bait, no guide. Just the hunter, and the hunted. Who is who shall be determined later. :shock: