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View Full Version : Found a Bear Skull in Gatlinburg


WDW
10-06-2015, 08:31 PM
So I was hiking around in Gatlinburg, TN this weekend and happened across a partially intact black bear skeleton. The skull was terrifying. It is insainely thick & dense beyond the nasal cavity. I now fully understand why you need "enough" gun in bear country.

Not sure how old this bear was or how it died. The skull was pretty big though & looked like it came from an adult.
LittleLebowski
10-06-2015, 08:53 PM
Need pictures.
SLG
10-06-2015, 08:56 PM
A bear skull is one of the coolest Euro mounts there is. Pure predator.
BJJ
10-06-2015, 09:12 PM
Very cool find! Thanks for sharing. I love hiking in the Smokies. Never seen a bear there.

Would .40 cal FMJ be a reasonable load for black bear? Would a hot 9mm FMJ work?
WDW
10-06-2015, 09:14 PM
Need pictures.

Unfortunately I didn't have my phone with me...so no pics:(
WDW
10-06-2015, 09:16 PM
Very cool find! Thanks for sharing. I love hiking in the Smokies. Never seen a bear there.

Would .40 cal FMJ be a reasonable load for black bear? Would a hot 9mm FMJ work?
I have no idea. I'd lean more towards a hard cast .44 magnum
SJC3081
10-06-2015, 09:20 PM
Not to be a Dick but a Black bear skull is not impressive. Good accurate 22lr shot to the head will do the job. I kill blackies with 223, 75 gr PPU Match.
MickAK
10-06-2015, 10:59 PM
Very cool find! Thanks for sharing. I love hiking in the Smokies. Never seen a bear there.

Would .40 cal FMJ be a reasonable load for black bear? Would a hot 9mm FMJ work?

Think it's less if you shoot it in the face will it die and more if you shoot it in the face will it stop.
Generally speaking if you shoot a bear in the face it will stop. By all accounts, anyways.
Interesting video on how NOT to deploy bear spray.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5cMZymSr0
LittleLebowski
10-07-2015, 06:14 AM
Not to be a Dick but a Black bear skull is not impressive. Good accurate 22lr shot to the head will do the job. I kill blackies with 223, 75 gr PPU Match.

I'd be impressed to see one. My brother has one from a bear hunt in Idaho, I think it's pretty cool.
SLG
10-07-2015, 06:17 AM
A griz skull is much bigger and thicker, but still basically shaped the same. Either way, it is a very cool looking skull.
busykngt
10-09-2015, 02:38 AM
I Googled Images 'black bear skull' and that pic of one as a wine bottle holder is.... wrong.... that's jest WRONG!