The perfect bush gun while clearing northern cabin land?

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fiveonenine

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Going to be heading up to northern ontario to a pretty remote location clearing some old family land and thinking about bringing along a shotgun to be on the safe side with the bears.

Hearing too many stories about them having no fear of people anymore, and hoping to be able to use a smaller tactical shotgun as a big bang stick that will hopefully scare them away, but also serve as a last option means of ensuring myself and my dog don't consider the trip our last..

So far the thoughts seem to be a 12.5" grizzly or a 14" 870. I'm assuming i'd put an AR style pistol grip stock on either option.

What does my overall length need to be to remain non-restricted? 26"?

Any thoughts/suggestions or photos of guns/slings/setups you guys have when working on remote hunting camps/cabins etc?
 
fiveonenine said:
What does my overall length need to be to remain non-restricted? 26"?
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Yes, 26" in its shortest form (i.e. - with stock collapsed or folded, if it will do that). Personally, I would just take a standard stocked 870 with a 14" barrel, but that is just me. I'm not a big fan of pistol grip stocks on shotguns.

Mark
 
When working in the bush like this, if a game warden or police officer was to run into you, would the 5 round mag capacity of the grizzly be a problem? Will they try and enforce hunting magazine restrictions (3?) because you have the non-restricted firearm in wilderness?

What about when you are on crown land? I'm guessing having a hunting license is a must when traveling with a shotgun on you on crown land?

Is a person best to say they have it for bear protection? or best to lie and say its for hunting (something in season) or for target shooting? Thoughts?
 
betasite said:
When working in the bush like this, if a game warden or police officer was to run into you, would the 5 round mag capacity of the grizzly be a problem? Will they try and enforce hunting magazine restrictions (3?) because you have the non-restricted firearm in wilderness?

What about when you are on crown land? I'm guessing having a hunting license is a must when traveling with a shotgun on you on crown land?

Is a person best to say they have it for bear protection? or best to lie and say its for hunting (something in season) or for target shooting? Thoughts?
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In Alberta it is generally a non-issue unless you are in a wildlife sanctuary or similar gun-free zone. A short shotgun with 5 slugs up the mag isn't going to be mistaken for a hunting gun by any CO I have run across so far. Other provinces, YMMV.

Mark
 
Thanks for the info Mark, I've found this pretty helpful.


As far as running into the authorities, it seems that its all situational when it comes to carrying non-restricted firearms.

Its too bad my 12.5" grizzly is conisdered restricted as soon as I put the pistol grip on it. If it was not, it would be so much nicer to take hiking with me. I guess Ill have to deal with the high profile stock hanging off my pack.
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
Its too bad my 12.5" grizzly is conisdered restricted as soon as I put the pistol grip on it. If it was not, it would be so much nicer to take hiking with me. I guess Ill have to deal with the high profile stock hanging off my pack.
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Why did it become restricted? shorter than 26" overall? I was under the impression that a 12.5 with a knoxx 6position stock would still keep the overall above 26" and keep the gun non-restricted?
 
fiveonenine, the "perfect" gun is the one you are most comfortable with. There have been some great suggestions but if you can, head out to your local gun store and try a few out. Shoulder, cycle and work the controls to find one you like best. And by all means try a .45/70 like Ben suggested. The marlin guide gun is lighter than my Benelli, and packs a vicious punch. Let us know what you decide
 
Going to a short barrel and thereby reducing the magazine capacity is an unacceptable trade-off. A 5 shot magazine is a good balance between weight, handling, and fire-power. You will probably solve your problem with one or two shots, but more ammo is more comforting. When you chamber that last shell, you know its your last chance.
 
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When are you going? I assume in the near future by reading the post. If so, the bears are asleep. Don't need a gun.

Plus in Northern Ontario the bears should not be habituated to humans. They will be scared of you. A gun will be more of a hinderance than anything else.
 
GGSmith said:
When are you going? I assume in the near future by reading the post. If so, the bears are asleep. Don't need a gun.

Plus in Northern Ontario the bears should not be habituated to humans. They will be scared of you. A gun will be more of a hinderance than anything else.
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Packing a gun is just a hindrance 999 times out of 1000, until the one time you need it. If its there and ready to go, and winds up saving your life, then it has payed for itself. The comfort factor outweighs steel and plastic for me.
 
I am starting to think of the mindset that if I can pack a couple pound survival type rifle folded/broken down in my pack, and at least know it's around, why not.

As far as the break down survival rifle list goes, seems my main options are:

- M6 Scout (cant seem to find one, PM me if you are selling one)
- AR-7

Anyone else have another gun that is of this same break down/military survival concept?

Did the military ever build something newer than the M6 or AR7?
 
GGSmith said:
When are you going? I assume in the near future by reading the post. If so, the bears are asleep. Don't need a gun.

Plus in Northern Ontario the bears should not be habituated to humans. They will be scared of you. A gun will be more of a hinderance than anything else.
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no disrespect but iam 2 hours north of northbay ontario and ill tell you straight up that the bears are not scared of people we shoot them off of our porch in town and as of writing this i saw a bear 4 days ago if there still hungrey they stay out of there dens late in the year
 
supernova said:
Packing a gun is just a hindrance 999 times out of 1000, until the one time you need it. If its there and ready to go, and winds up saving your life, then it has payed for itself. The comfort factor outweighs steel and plastic for me.
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Yes it has, many, many times over I would say. :)

Regards,

Chizzy
 
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