Well I'm one of those guys that never draws special permit hunts.... Until this year.
This year I drew 2 that are pretty tough to get
One is a local brown bear hunt. These are good size costal brownies (there are some around that are 10'+). 3 tags are given for an area that covers around 600-700 sq miles (30+ miles by 25ish miles). Problem is that much of it is near inaccessible since it's wilderness area. No float plane access, lots of swamps, almost no trails to make it backpack friendly, so I will be hunting the edges where therte is access. no mountains in the area so spot & stalk is going to be a matter of luck. BUT, I'm optomistic.

Tag 2 is a moose tag in a trophy area here(moose has to be over 50" or have 3 brow tines on one side), again in a wilderness area. Access will be by going about 18 miles up a large lake (there is float plane access to part of the high country but I can't afford it). The lake has a large glacier at it's head & is known to have some really nasty weather kick up (at times 10'plus waves I have been told), but I have access to a friends 24' boat so it should be fine. From there I'll backpack to an area to spike camp & hunt out of. Hopefully we'll have a cool (cold) fall & the bulls will start rutting up before the hunts over Sept 20. Not a OT of moose around, but the bulls in the area can be big.

Now the dilema (I know, no dilema for most of you...).
I REALLY like my Marlin Guide Gun in 450 with scout scope, etc.
I also really like my 480 Ruger Super Redhawk!! Hmmm....
Add to it that I may do most of this alone & may not get these opportunities again...
Brown bear I will not do alone with a handgun.
Lots of brown bear also in moose area...
May you each face the same charming dilemas where you hunt this year

Congrats on your tags, Vance! Those are two dreams of mine. Given the two choices of weapons, I would pick the Super Redhawk. In your situation, you could alway take both....using the guidegun as a back-up, of course.

Take 'em both. Problem solved.

Way cool Vance!!

Have fun!!!!!

buy a new 500 S&W hunt of a life time and you don't want to be bear snack.Or a good excuse to to get the cannon of your dreams.

oh how I wish I had your delima!Good luck with whatever you choose.

Being the dyed in the wool handgun hunter that I am, I would go with the SRH, but if it i a dilemma for you, bring 'em both.

Load that .480 right (400 + grain WFNs at 1,200 fps), and you won't be left wanting more.......JMHO.

Huh?? He's got a .480, he doesn't need a .500 Smith!

Agreed, Whitworth!!

I X2 the posts of KRal, 500WE and Whitworth.

Seriously, bring them both. You should always brinbg a back-up gun on ANY hunt; you never know when you might break a scope or ???

Even on my antelope hunts I preach to my hunters to bring a back-up gun!

Good to see you on line, Gregg!

Take both and have a good time
And good luck

Congrats, Vance. Hope you fill 'em both. I can easily picture a lever gun in your hands, alone in frontier country. Just like the old days. But, I also have a SRH 480 and would not feel undergunned with it. The only question would be confidence.

I think that all of us here are simply estatic that you drew the tags and that your choice in firearm use will be one that all of us stand behind, happily applauding!!

If it were MY dream, it would be with a traditional bow with that handgun back up!!! LOL!!

That said, I believe I can speak for a great many that we wish for you to have a great time, a great hunt, a SAFE hunt and that you remember to take lots and lots of photos of the area and game.....taken or otherwise.

Congrats! Regardless of the end result the biggest trophy will be the memories it provides you with. If ME, I'd take some kind of video equipment if at all possible but wouldnt let it interfere with the hunt. Just one more techy way to relive that hunt forever.

I would definitely stoke up the SRH with some heavy bullets, maybe something like the 375 or 425 gr Cast Performance bullets and then stoke up the guide gun and take both, especially on the bear hunt. If your going by yourself without someone on a back up gun I'd keep the SRH holstered until you have a situation where range is close the shot a text book broadside and he has no clue your there but i'd also have a round chambered in the guide gun with hammer back and safety off so if things get ugly you don't have to think to much.

The Moose I'd just go for it with the 480, if it gets to a point where it's use the rifle or go home empty handed pull out the rifle. Your like me in that moose represents alot of food for your family so try with pistol but don't feel pressure against picking up the rifle.

X2


Went to Alaska Caribou hunting in 2002 and took just my recurve. I came home empty handed, i did get a shot at a nice bull but missed. I could have shot a boat load with my handgun,won't make that mistake again.

To take both is good advice.

I'm so jealous that I can't even think of anything mean to say.

Congrats anyway! Hope you are successful and have a wonderful time!!!

Thanks for the input & well wishes guys.
There will be plenty of pictures whether I kill something or not.
Both guns will definetly be in camp, it's just a question of which one I will be packing.
My day pack generaly weighs between 25 & 30# (water, lightweight game bags, rope, knives, survival gear, etc), the terrain can be rough (even whats not steep) & distance covered in the day can be long so I don't generally want to carry an extra 10#. Since I'm a weeny probably only one gun will be with me at a time.
Hmmm.... Right now thinking SRH as primary gun for moose & Guide Gun as primary gun for brownies. Part of it will also depend on how well I'm shooting the SRH at the time. I don't have much range time with it yet.
No matter what, it will be fun & it will be an adventure!
There is also a good chance of picking up a black bear in the moose area.

Good luck and be safe, James
PS-knock em dead......

Man, I can say anything that hasn’t been said. LOL

Have fun, Congratulations, and take them both.

PS… WE WANT PICTURES