Shotgun for bear protection

[Itchytrigger]

Noobie question, are you allowed to carry a shotgun while hunting on archery season just in case you run into a bear?

[huntin]

Arrows kill bears dead every day of the season.

[timsesink]

yes, a 870 shortie loaded with slugs are great. However bear spray will work just fine 99.99 of the time. Do a thread search, tons on this.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Itchytrigger

Noobie question, are you allowed to carry a shotgun while hunting on archery season just in case you run into a bear?

Yes but you should have a bear tag in your pocket if/when you shoot one....leaves less things open to "interpret"

LC

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by Itchytrigger

Noobie question, are you allowed to carry a shotgun while hunting on archery season just in case you run into a bear?

yes but it sucks...did it for years....im just as confident with bear spray...and spray rides nicely in a hip holster....until i can fill that holster legally with a single action 44mag....ill stick to spray.

or a ranch hand LOL

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Jamie Black R/T

yes but it sucks...did it for years....im just as confident with bear spray...and spray rides nicely in a hip holster....until i can fill that holster legally with a single action 44mag....ill stick to spray.

or a ranch hand LOL

Yup...me too. PM inc on the RH.....I don't even want to mention I have one in case someone calls the Sol. Gen. on me....

LC

[V_1]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Yup...me too. PM inc on the RH.....I don't even want to mention I have one in case someone calls the Sol. Gen. on me....

LC

That's what I bought RH for.

[duffy4]

Two schools of thought on "defence shotgun".

A short pump or semi-auto with a lot of slugs (some like buck shot).

Or a short double with two fast shots.

Always a consideration with a "bear defence" gun is will it be in your hands (or really close to it) when you NEED it.

An 870 leaning against a tree ten yards away when a bear is ten yards away is not too useful.

For many years guys have wished they could have a powerful pistol on their hip at ALL times. Now there is the Rossi Ranch Hand available to fill that option.

[ishootbambi]

more bearanoia......i guess it HAS been a couple days.

[Itchytrigger]

Originally Posted by duffy4

Two schools of thought on "defence shotgun".

A short pump or semi-auto with a lot of slugs (some like buck shot).

Or a short double with two fast shots.

Always a consideration with a "bear defence" gun is will it be in your hands (or really close to it) when you NEED it.

An 870 leaning against a tree ten yards away when a bear is ten yards away is not too useful.

For many years guys have wished they could have a powerful pistol on their hip at ALL times. Now there is the Rossi Ranch Hand available to fill that option.

Isn't this consider a handgun? so that means can't bring hunting legally.

[Big Daddy Badger]

I think the main problem with a shotty is what guys load it with.

A bear scares you.. you pepper spray him...he buggers off.
A bear makes a dedicated effort to get you... you pepper spray him...maybe he changes his mind....maybe not.... but dedicated attacks are rare and pepper spray has a good track record.

A bear scares you...you blast him with buckshot....he buggers off...wounded and now you have two problems... a wounded bear and a poor choice of firearms to go finish him off with.
A bear makes a dedicated effort to get you... you blast him with buckshot and it is either close enough to kill but too close to stop him from getting some licks in before he dies....or it's too far to do more than wound and you once again have two problems.

I really wouldn't worry too much about bears...carry some spray just in case.

If you really are worried then a rifle would be best.
If you are going to carry a shotty load it with slugs.

[duffy4]

Originally Posted by Itchytrigger

Isn't this consider a handgun? so that means can't bring hunting legally.

Actually in Canada it is not considered a handgun by the Federal firearms people.

[CuttyChaser]

Carry Spray...it'll be quicker to access then a shotgun...if your bowhunting how many people would have the shotgun in their hand and their bow on their back?? you'd be better off firing an arrow at him if you really had too..

If you saw a bear at a distance far enough away to put your bow down and shoulder your shotgun, then you had time to walk away...if you sppok the bear at close range and it charges you were you fear for you life i doubt majority of people could get that gun off in time...when an 800lb grizz is charging you you'll panick with the gun, unless you've been practicing for that scenario.

Yes but you should have a bear tag in your pocket if/when you shoot one....leaves less things open to "interpret"

x2

[buckman]

If your scared of bears stay out of the woods.I have never felt threatened in all the 30+ years I have roamed from the Chinchaga to the Crow in AB.

I have over those years seen plenty of bears Grizz with young included.

Stay alert, be wary carry a gun if you must.

The way I look at is that there are far more dangerous things that can injure/kill you than bears.

A nervous guy with a gun scares me much more than any critter in the bush.

[nube]

No need to bother to carry a gun. How often does someone get mauled in North America. It doesn't happen that much. Your chances are almost as high as winning the lotto!! Even if you did get mauled chances are you won't be expecting it and your not going to have time to get the gun off your shoulder and shoot the thing. Best way to handle things is the pay attention when your hiking and make some noise to let the bears know your there

[duffy4]

Very few people get struck by lightning so you may as well go golfing or fishing in a thunder storm. Just watch out for lightning and avoid contact with it. I myself have been fishing and golfing and have never been stuck.

If you want to reduce your chance of being struck by lightning (however slim those chances are)you may want to take some reasonable precautions.

And if you want to reduce your chances of getting into trouble with a bear or cougar (however slim those chances are) you may want to take some reasonable precautions.

I think carrying pepper spray is the best option. However there is something "comforting" about having a firearm handy.

Having dead animals on the ground does increase your odds of a nasty bear encounter....that's a fact.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Having dead animals on the ground does increase your odds of a nasty bear encounter....that's a fact.

Kind of like ringing a dinner bell sometimes...isn't it?

[rosh]

3" slugs! Don't be scared just be alert, probably never need to use it. Aslong as your not hunting with it u can take out the plug for protection( was personally told this by a CO). Respect the animals and woods and enjoy.

[powder burner]

00 buckshot would be my choice.

[RapStaff]

3" slugs! Don't be scared just be alert,

Rosh you've never even seen a Bear. Cept at the zoo.

I hear your dog barking.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by rosh

3" slugs! Don't be scared just be alert, probably never need to use it. Aslong as your not hunting with it u can take out the plug for protection( was personally told this by a CO). Respect the animals and woods and enjoy.

You dont need to plug the gun if your hunting big game only birds.

You get off more than one shot in a self-defence kill.....it likely wasn't a self-defence kill. Throw a slug in and don't sweat it.

[twytter]

i really think that if a bear attack someone he deserve to get shot,so bring a gun nevermind the spray,cause he will probly end up attacking someone else in the near future

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

You get off more than one shot in a self-defence kill.....it likely wasn't a self-defence kill. Throw a slug in and don't sweat it.

Amen

Yup. You wont be thinking "oh, Im glad I have a slug, or Swift A frame, or Nosler E tip, etcetc"

You will just be happy that the gun went "Bang!".






Carry what you have, make sure its in working order and go huntin.

[Bear00]

Originally Posted by duffy4

Two schools of thought on "defence shotgun".

A short pump or semi-auto with a lot of slugs (some like buck shot).

Or a short double with two fast shots.

Always a consideration with a "bear defence" gun is will it be in your hands (or really close to it) when you NEED it.

An 870 leaning against a tree ten yards away when a bear is ten yards away is not too useful.

For many years guys have wished they could have a powerful pistol on their hip at ALL times. Now there is the Rossi Ranch Hand available to fill that option.

why is the lever handle so big on this gun?

Originally Posted by Bear00

why is the lever handle so big on this gun?

It's the Canadan edition so you can work the action with mitts on.

[rosh]

Originally Posted by RapStaff

Rosh you've never even seen a Bear. Cept at the zoo.

I hear your dog barking.

Lol, no idea where that came from but your a clown. I stated my opinion, if u don't like it move on. For your info I been in bear country my whole life, but I'm not getting into your high school crap. Thanx

[huntinstuff]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

It's the Canadan edition so you can work the action with mitts on.

Brilliant!!!