In the March 1991 issue of National Geographic magazine is a story of how three Norwegian adventurers reached the North Pole using only their ski`s. When they reached latitude 88 degrees, 19 minutes they ran into a polar bear. From the picture you can see its a S&W 629 in 44 Mag and after firing a warning shot and closing to 9 yards they put 2 shots into the chest that put the bear down with a final shot to the head. Quoting the shooter
[A smaller caliber gun would have been useless. You need a weapon with stopping power.

Nice, that is one critter I've always wanted to go after but from what I've heard the cost is as much or more than elephant.

Thanks for sharing that James!

That's pretty impressive. Polar bear hunting would be great, but I think the closest I will ever get to doing it will be dreaming while I stare at the Polar bear mounts at cabela's.

I may be wrong but Robert Perterson is possibly the last person to take a polar bear on American soil with a handgun....

Where are the pictures?? Never mind, they're there now......

Whit, Sorry `bout that............

Hope these pictures stay up....

James, I remember reading Bob's story those many years ago. And he used a .44 magnum as I remember!

How are polar bears doing in Alaska? I believe that they were erroneously included in the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If they weren't I wonder if there would be enough of a population for a controlled hunt? I suspect so.

Yup, the bear is in the lobby of the NRA as is the nickel plated Model 29 used to take the bear. Bob P. used 240 grain Norma Triclads.

No polar bear hunting in Alaska anymore, and hasn't been for years. Still legal in some indian controlled areas of Canada, but the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has been doing its best for several years to prohibit import of trophies to the U.S. John Jackson of Conservation Force has successfully sued on behalf of several hunters to get their trophies in. I believe the USF&WS is again prohibiting import.
Useless ratbastards.

The tree huggers keep saying they are dying off but the numbers were up something like 300% last I saw but until we rid ourselves of the plague of liberals that seem to run this country in every way whether in the minority or not we are doomed to put up with crap like this. The wolf reintroduction is a perfect example of just how smart these people are.

Exactly.....

X2 IDIOTS! I wonder if it was posible to wash out his undies after such a close in your face shot as that? Thanks for sharing!

Very cool. A 4 inch 629 and an in your face polar bear incounter?? I have seen a full polar bear mount and I can tell you that is one BIG bear. Im pretty sure I would have left a brown stain on the snow if it was me. Handy little thing the 4 inch 44 mag.

A clean pass through!

Good thing that wasnt a Kaliforia polar bear. Becuase it might of cost them 200k to defend there selves. Another 50k if they use a lead bullet.

I hate this state

If you can find a polar bear in California, I will pay the fines.

Zoos don't count!

This reminds me of Fred Bears polar bear. The first two bears charged and had to be shot with a rifle. Here is the story of his third attempt.

Click on the Special Report One of Fread Bears Polar Bears Stolen. The story is about halfway down the page.
http://www.fredbear-online.com/

I was stationed at Ft. Irwin in the 90s and the laws there in the People's Republic of Kalifornia (backwards R backwards K) were more than crazy then. I cant imagin it has gotten any better since. That states government should just come out and tell everyone the truth. They dont want any hunting or fishing or any sporting equipment more dangerous than a soccer ball in the whole state. As a matter of fact they dont mind if you dont own guns at all....for any reason.....PERIOD!!!