Polar Bears

[dan belisle]

Kurgan you a field biologist?

Seems we have all the “ists” posting on here pretty regularly.

Should found a consulting company

I'm an "eer" not an "ist", does that count? - dan

 

[conor_90]

Nah but judging by the attitude and spreadsheets we have a lot of those too

 

[pounder]

Mitch did finish his masters and is/was working in NWT and Nunavut as their caribo biologist. I don't know if he is still up there. He worked at The Polar Bear Project that became are you ready The Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology which was run by Paul Watts. My company was Adventure Walking Tours / Nature 1st.

 

[The Kurgan]

Mitch did finish his masters and is/was working in NWT and Nunavut as their caribo biologist. I don't know if he is still up there. He worked at The Polar Bear Project that became are you ready The Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology which was run by Paul Watts. My company was Adventure Walking Tours / Nature 1st.

Thanks for the update. It would be nice to visit Churchill again. My wife and I planned to go in 2019 just after ice break-up, but Covid got in the way. I see there's lots of change in Churchill! I miss the good old days.

 

[dan belisle]

Nah but judging by the attitude and spreadsheets we have a lot of those too

Ah well, guess I'm out of the club. Who was it who said he didnt want to be a member of any cub that would have him? - dan

 

[conor_90]

I can’t speak for all the ‘ists but I think you’re one of the best ‘eers we’ve got

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Ah well, guess I'm out of the club. Who was it who said he didnt want to be a member of any cub that would have him? - dan

Groucho Marx https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/groucho_marx_122546

 

[dan belisle]

Groucho Marx https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/groucho_marx_122546

Thx. I knew it was some great "philosopher", lol. - dan

 

[dan belisle]

I can’t speak for all the ‘ists but I think you’re one of the best ‘eers we’ve got

LOL, thank you. Certainly the crankiest, these days. - dan

 

[Thomas D'Arcy McGee]

For your interest

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2331650-On-the-ground-in-Churchill-Polar-bears-fight-for-survival-as-ice-disappears?p=19299287#post19299287

 

[Rob]

https://ia600204.us.archive.org/18/items/arcticsafariwith002729mbp/arcticsafariwith002729mbp.pdf

 

[TT1900]

The Rangers I’ve spoken with, though a relatively small sample size, seem quite happy/confident with the new .308. I think that speaks volumes.

 

[Thomas D'Arcy McGee]

The Rangers I’ve spoken with, though a relatively small sample size, seem quite happy/confident with the new .308. I think that speaks volumes.

The Arctic Rangers were consulted by the CAF armourers before the rifle was acquired to ensure it was what they wanted. You could make the argument that it is currently the best survival rifle for Canadians.

 

[dan belisle]

The Arctic Rangers were consulted by the CAF armourers before the rifle was acquired to ensure it was what they wanted. You could make the argument that it is currently the best survival rifle for Canadians.

Agree, it is eminently suitable for that purpose. Though a folder version would be handy for mobile purposes. - dan

 

[vpsalin]

I've seen guides use 243 for polar bear defense, no joke.

 

[9.3mauser]

I've seen guides use 243 for polar bear defense, no joke.

When Les Stroud was doing his Survivorman thing in the Arctic for the first time, the guides there wouldn't let him go out on the land without a rifle for protection against polar bears. They gave him a .243.

 

[Big Bad]

The nice thing about the .30-06 and the .308 both is that you can easily buy a range of loads and bullet weights to suit the animal you're concerned about, from medium to extra large. And when I say 'easily' I mean widely across the USA and Canada, including rural and far northern regions. Most other large calibre bullets are ones you're likely going to have to take with you and hope they don't need replacing.

 

[geologist]

The nice thing about the .30-06 and the .308 both is that you can easily buy a range of loads and bullet weights to suit the animal you're concerned about, from medium to extra large. And when I say 'easily' I mean widely across the USA and Canada, including rural and far northern regions. Most other large calibre bullets are ones you're likely going to have to take with you and hope they don't need replacing.

Plus in a normal weight rifle, most people with proper training can handle the recoil of the 30-06.

 

[dan belisle]

Just saw a video on FB of a polar bear wandering around on the Gillam road. Thats pretty far south for a polar bear. - dan

 

[Grouse Man]

I would have guessed that .303Br killed most polar bears, followed by .30-30, .308, .30-06.