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Grew up in Alberta, but spent a lot of time as a kid in the Kootenays in British Columbia, so no stranger to grizzlies. I've seen a few while hiking as well, very scary.

I think the idea that a handgun cannot penetrate a Grizzly's skull is a myth anyways. Plenty of accounts of people shooting attacking grizzlies dead with a large calibre handgun. Bear-spray can work but what if it doesn't or what if there's wind working against you?

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Sure, it is not _literally_ impossible to kill a grizzly with a handgun. But, to quote yourself:

> Handgun can work, but what if it doesn't?

The point is not that it should be forbidden to bring guns when you hike in grizzly territory, but that by experience, many people who do are also the least knowledgeable about bears (and I say it that way to stay polite). Who cares if I let meat leftovers next to the campsite, I have a gun! Who cares if I go down a trail rangers explicitly told me not to because of the bear presence, I have a gun!

A large caliber handgun isn't easy to control and aim for most people. Imagine having an infant with you (even in a snugi/backpack). I'm a large man, and unless I had frequently trained with a 44 Mag or larger, I think the bear would win easily.

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