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Can I shoot a bear in self-defense? Will I face fines and jail time if I do?

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@Mat Banik Say I had a Colt .45 on me. – wyocalboy Jan 28 '12 at 23:40
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Really, if a bear is about to kill you, do you care if stopping it gets you in trouble with the law. I want that to be my last thought when a bear is eating me "well at least I won't have to see a judge" – Russell Steen♦ Jan 29 '12 at 22:30
Ha! Good point. – jmusser May 4 '12 at 1:15

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For hunting bears you have to check with your local rangers for hunting season, permits and so on.

Self-defense is self-defense if your mental state does not allow you to think and you feel killing is the only way out than it the only way out.

BUT Bear Defense Spray is more effective and easier to obtain than .45

Also Noise will scare them off. So if you shoot don't shoot the bear just shoot in its direction to spook it away from you.

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+1 for bear spray. – Russell Steen♦ Jan 29 '12 at 22:31
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FYI - I'm not too familiar with different caliber's but have heard that many will just bounce off the skull of a Griz (which is what you will be presented with if one is charging you - not a nice broad-side heart/lung kill shot). To wit, when I worked in Griz country (Alaska) we were required to carry 12-gauge shot-guns loaded with slugs. +1 for bear spray. – LBell Feb 2 '12 at 3:05
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You can. Bear spray is a more humane option; however, you do ask about legal repercussions. You can shoot pretty much any animal in self defense in the USA. After you shoot the animal it is important what you do if you want to avoid fines. Once the fight is over and you know you are safe you need to call the forest service. If you don't know their number call 911 and they can and will help you.

Source: Last year a buddy of mine killed a Mountain Lion (cougar) in self Defense and didn't have a tag for one. A guy came out and looked at the Cougar, asked some basic questions like what weapon was used. Where was he standing. Where I was. What was the Mountain Lion doing that made him feel he had to kill it. When did it happen. The last question was "Will you help me carry it back to my truck?" He filled out a piece of paper with our info and that was it.

During the carry back we asked about what happens and he told us that depending on very technical qualifications such as if he wants to eat the animal or not and how far is is from his truck determines if he hands the hunters a tag and says have a nice day or takes it himself. Also, he said that if it was obviously not self defense or he had a bad feeling about it he could get the police involved but usually doesn't have to.

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Personal stories always make for good answers! – Keegan McCarthy Aug 20 '12 at 16:50
-1: If nobody is in immediate danger, do not call 911. Call a non-emergency number; if you don't know it, call 411 and try to find a number for the appropriate authorities. (It will only be the Forest Service if you shot the bear in a national forest.) – Nate Eldredge 13 hours ago

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