Perhaps this is only the sappy conservationist coming out in me, but I do not think 00 buckshot would kill the bear if it were shot in the face. Hmmm...If I am going to shoot him, I don't want to just severly wound him. Sure, he probably will leave, but the poor thing now has 12 holes in his face! Even in this situation of protection of life, I still believe in a quick, humane kill should I have to shoot. Just my opinion though....
Hueco
Wanted to add a few things. If a bear attacks me on a trail or in woods, then I was in HIS territory. He attacks out of instinct (most of the time, no doubt there have been some bears that were like the Tsavo lions). So really, I have no right to charge into his area (knowing that I am or not), then wound him (maybe mortally, maybe not), and have him live for who knows how long in pain and suffereing. No, if I were to intrude on a bear, and he were to attack...I really think I should put him down quickly and with as little pain as possible. Just because he attacks me doesn't mean he is automatically signed up for terrible suffering -- only death. In the criminal justice system, convicted criminals are punished through suffering (to some extent). But that is because we humans are moral, ethical creatures responsible for our actions. Bears are not -- they are simply another piece of nature. Now, what I have said in this post will probably bring some disagreements. Understand, I mean no disrespect to anyone. This is just how I see it.
[This message has been edited by Hueco (edited March 13, 2000).]
But definately, noise is an excellent "early warning system" as you said.