Bears !!

In Ontario you're allowed to shoot wildlife that is damaging, or about to damage, your property. Officially bear shot in defence of property are supposed to be reported to the MNR, but unofficially, the local policy is to shoot, shovel, and shut up. I don't think this means you can shoot them for stealing the bird feeder.

As mentioned above, anything from a .30-30 to a 12 gauge is suitable. If I were using a shotgun I'd use Brenneke or Rottweil slugs rather than Forsters. Be aware that if you have to shoot a bear inside your house, the bullet is likely to pass through, and put a big, or very, very big hole in whatever is on the other side, depending on your choice of calibre.

Get a lockable bear-proof container to store garbage in ( an old freezer with a padlock works), don't leave dog or cat food outside and keep the bird feeders out of reach and most bear troubles will be avoided.

A lot of people on here pooh-pooh the idea that bears are dangerous, and I have to say that I've never felt threatened by a black bear. I've had more trouble with stray dogs. Even so, every year it seems someone is killed or mauled by a predatory black bear so I would never say it couldn't happen. Still you're going to feel silly walking around your property with a loaded rifle.
 
I carry my .44 Redhawk most days around my yard ( because yiu never know) but my rifle is never far away.A good dog is the best thing to have around all it needs to do is let you know that one is around,best not to be surprised by a bear.

stay safe
pounder

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A couple Marremas (or similar breed) and a reliable, short, pump or coach type shotgun with slugs or buckshot for back up. Dogs that are brave enough to stand their ground, but bright enough to not get themselves killed, are the best way to alert you and educate the bears to avoid the homestead.... If it was an option, I would choose a .44 Mag revolver for my firearm- bullets for bears and .44 shot shells to harvest dinner occassionally.
 
A good dog is your best friend,the Oldman lives for this (15 years old next month) he's been doing this for about 14 years. He's slowing down be he's still got it.

pounder


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well the MNR tells us that we should stand on our porch and bang our pots and pans together to drive off problem bears ! and don't bother with the cops and their useless bear bangers, both are a drain on the universe

I've called the MNR about a hundred times about bears.... 3 times the bears broke into my shop while i was working ( pushed open the locked door and came inside ! )

they are pests !! but at the same time, they all ran off when i chased them

black bears that is.... don't try that with the big browns or polar
 
Bland - That's what some hunters also advised me - that the skull is thick and the bullet may skip. Better aim (if time permits) for the shoulder or chest.
 
haha, I'm about as anti violence as the dalai lama !!

cept for bears that is... well, i was working on the final polish of a bowie knife when one bear came in the shop ( so naturally thats what i had when i charged the bear, and it ran -- was one of those moments where it was me or the bear .... its ON ! Jack ! )

last time, i was workin on the movie sword... so thats what i had on that occasion


so it wasn't really bare fisted me against the brute .... but still, when your in a corner in the shop... and the bear is in the only doorway out .... you make your mind up fast, or your chance at surprise is done quick


never thought i had it in me, till it happened
 
Thanks he is a great dog,it is very important to know when to call him off and when not to draw his attention away from what he is doing.At this point he was ok and I thought the poor bear had had enough. Most of them just leave after we call the dog off. This can be a daily occurance for weeks at a time.

pounder
 
Pounder - Interesting point about distracting the dog. Typically, what does the dog do when he finds a bear - nip and bark? What is the typical reaction of a bear to barking dog(s)?
 
smiley1 said:
This summer I was forced to use a whole can of bear spray on a German Sheppard that attacked me while walking my dogs (had NO idea neighbors had a new "pet"). I gotta say I got him right in the eyes and it bearly worked well enough for us to escape. I would NOT want to come across a bear with "politically correct spray"!!!! Use a 30 caliber or slugs....We really need to be able to carry sidearm in the bush around here, you just never know what's going to come out of the bushes at you.
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Try Hornet raid instead, you will be surprised how effective it is, and how far away it works.
 
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