Mr Shoemaker,

What would be the most common caliber you see for hunting bears?
Would it be the .30-06?
What would be the smallest caliber you would let someone hunt bears with? Do you ever guide bow hunters?
What would be the largest you recommend? (I'm assuming that there is no such thing as over-kill for big bears??)
Would you rate big bears in the same league as lions etc.. as far as being dangerous to hunt?
And finally, on average how hard are big bears to kill with an adequate caliber? Some animals are just notorious in how hard they are to put down and I was wondering if bears are in this category?

Thanks so much for your time mate and I'll know that I'll get factual answers (not BS) if I ask you.

Thanks again,

You'll probably never NEED a gun. In fact I hope you never do. BUT IF you do, you will probably need it worse than anything you've ever needed before in your life...