Drew the first season here in Michigan this year. I will be hunting somewhere in the upper peninsula. Now I just need to decide what gun to use.

Congrat's. What guns are you considering?

It will be baited hunt from a tree stand between 20 and 30 yard shot.

Probably between my Ruger Super Redhawk .480 or S&W PC .460.

But I could also go with a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .45LC or a Ruger Blackhawk .44. The again I have a S&W PC .500 on layaway that I will have by next month.

Not sure which one to use.

Congrats! Did you have 6 points accumulated or just get lucky?
I've been building points for Cadillac area. My uncle has place out that way, and they are tearing up his bird feeder. I hope to help him out in 3 or 4 more years!

I did have 6 points going into the drawing. I drew 1st season in the Amasa Unit. Looks like you had to have at least 6 point to have a chance at the 1st season this year.

Awesome! Congratulations for drawing!

Congrats on the tag. I'll be trying to draw a 2nd season Gwinn unit tag next year.

Congrats, Ty! I vote for the 44 mag MP Predator. Good luck!

I like big holes so I vote for the 480 although the 460 and 500 give you added horsepower which is never a bad thing if you run into the monster of a lifetime. What are you going to use for sights on the 500? A good red dot on the 500 definitely wouldn't be a bad set up for a late evening shot on one of those legendary monsters.

I'm thinking of going that route. What round would you recommend? I don't re-load.

I have already ordered a Delta Point for it. I think it will be a good combo.

I don't shoot factory ammo, but I would think any quality ammo with a 240 gr and up would work fine at the distances you'll be shoot'n. I've never hunted bear, but have a hunted scheduled for the fall of 2014. I will be using my FA 97 in 45 colt. The load will be a 250 gr XTP over 20.5 gr of H110. I've used that load on whitetail and, as of earlier this week, a hog. After seeing the results on the hog, I have full confidence in using it on a black bear. At a 45 yards broad side shot, it entered the front of the shoulder, broke the spine, and exited the front of opposite shoulder. Oh...the hog was approximately 150 lbs; that's a guesstimation, I did not weigh it.

I've had good luck with Buffalo Bore ammo before I started reloading. They offer ammo using both Cast Performance bullets, and heavy jacketed flat points in .44 Mag. Plus, you can find it at Cabelas in Dundee. I've heard good things about Garrett's .44 Mag ammo as well, but have never used it.

Hornady makes some nice rounds for the 480, I reload but I know you can buy 325 gr XTP or 400 grain XTP ammo. I load mine with either 400 grain speer or 400 grain hornadys both work well. Got a 6 point last year with it.

I vote 480 but all your choices will work. Congrats on the drawing.