Bears !!
- Thread starter GunBlast
- Start date
+1 on this. I've lived, worked, hiked, camped, canoed in Northern Ontario for my entire life (first wilderness canoe trip was at 3 weeks old). I've met many bears in the woods, I've had one 'borrow' my fish and another my pack (I was careless), and I once opened the kitchen door at camp to let one in (thought it was the neighbor's lab).
I have never needed to shoot at a bear that I wasn't hunting and I have no reservations about being in remote areas without a gun (not bravado, just been there done that with no issues) My favourite form of bear defence - loud off key singing or two frying pans.
It's not impossible to run into a sick or predatory bear but I've never come across one. A nuisance garbage bear is more likely. I've had many bears come out of the woods for a look, but most bears you'll never know they're there. I've also had bear run at and me and my dog, make yourself big and loud, hold your ground and your dog - the bear doesn't want to fight if it doesn't have too.
Wyntera - That sounds like great advice from someone who is quite experienced. Your comments are good news as I shouldn't worry too much about bears attacking. Are your comments also true if it is a mother bear with cubs? If with dogs, is it important to hold the dogs or just leave them to do their thing or would they be in danger?
I second Wyntera's advice. I grew up in Northwestern Ontario 20 miles from the nearest town and we had bears in the yard constantly. They got run off a couple times and then if they were persistant (it was a tourist camp) got some lead medicine. Never shot a bear that I felt was threatening me in all those years- including working for the MNR relocating nuisance bears.
Keep a clean yard and you will be fine.
Keep a clean yard and you will be fine.
POUNDER - WOW!! Thanks for those awesome pictures!
When you say "bears" you must mean polar. You're really up there. No shortage of places to shoot there eh!
Where do the people come from who take the tours and where do they stay? Where do you get supplies there = looks like it would be from a bush plane and not the local mall!
AMAZING pics - Thank you !!!
When you say "bears" you must mean polar. You're really up there. No shortage of places to shoot there eh!
Where do the people come from who take the tours and where do they stay? Where do you get supplies there = looks like it would be from a bush plane and not the local mall!
AMAZING pics - Thank you !!!
You're talking to the wrong guy there, young fella... I have spent 50+ years in the northern bush and hunted and guided for bears for 35+ years... I have personally taken dozens and guided others to 150+ more... I have stalked and tracked bears both alive and healthy and wounded after the shot dozens of times... I have half a dozen hair raising stories (I won't bore anyone here)... for the most part black bears are shy and retiring... and for the most part, there is little concern... but the question by the OP was for one of those other times... just this past summer, in Northern Ontario, a blackie grabbed a guy sitting in and outhouse and dragged him off into the bush... he would not have survived if his friend had not had a gun handy and ran after the bear into the bush, shooting the bear dead... don't get arrogant and start treating bears with disrespect... they may be omnivores, but that means that part of the time they are predatory, and an agressive bear is an impressive sight to behold (grizzlies and polar bears even more so)... there has been plenty of documentation of predatory black bears taking down healthy adult caribou... if you happen to run into a bear in the bush, it is best to keep your distance, try not to surprise or startle them, make yourself appear larger, make some loud but calm noises and move away slowly... and if that fails, I hope you have that 870 with slugs.
SEE ABOVE...
HOYTCANON - I remember reading about that incident where the guy was dragged away. You mentioned an 870 with slugs. If you had the time and chance, at what part of the bear would you aim?
... GunBlast
I'm not young, and got over 50 years in the great outdoors. Each to they're own.
I learned a long time ago that to call your dog off at the wrong time can cost you a dog,he looks at you when he realy needs to be looking at the bear.The dog learn which end of the bear has the teeth in it. They will get the bear running then bite it in the butt or rear foot when the bear turns to bite or smack at him the dog already behind him again. We are talking about a good dog.Sometimes they will watch a bear ot the window and growl,if he comes into the yard the dogs will bark alot through the window,most bears turn and leave when they hear them.
This little guy jumped up on the green house roof and stayed there till I brought the dogs in the house as soon as they were in he left.
stay safe
pounder
This little guy jumped up on the green house roof and stayed there till I brought the dogs in the house as soon as they were in he left.
stay safe
pounder
Aim center mass... truth be told the blast will most likely do the trick, but any contact is better... when a bear charges they are very low to the ground with their head very low... it is likely that the only available target will be the snout/mouth, top of the head, neck and shoulders... aim somewhere in the middle of that... don't forget toilet paper and fresh underwear.
heres one smalley come in the yard
and this guy pushed in my shop door... and he ran like the dickens when he saw me and my sabre about to cut him in half
chased up my poplar tree
sat in the tree and made weird sounds... some snortin
I'll tell you something ... a bear is alot smarter than most people give them credit
and this guy pushed in my shop door... and he ran like the dickens when he saw me and my sabre about to cut him in half
chased up my poplar tree
sat in the tree and made weird sounds... some snortin
I'll tell you something ... a bear is alot smarter than most people give them credit
I've spent my fair share of time in the woods too, don't really a fit the definition of a young fella either.
After 50 years, I'm sure you know that tracking bears (particularly wounded animals) is a whole different ball game from a random encounter on the trail, or a bear passing through your yard. This post was from an OP who was concerned about moving to Northern Ontario and the risk of encountering a black bear. The vast majority of these encounters are as you say 'of little concern', particularly if you're cautious and respect their space. We have lots of black bears up here and there's lots of people out there doing alls sorts of things in the bush but we don't have large numbers of bear attacks.
If you've found that you need to be prepared to shoot a problem bear every time you go out, please let me know the area so I can avoid it.
Seriously though, if you feel you're more comfortable carrying your 870 and slugs for bear defence go to it, by all means - my point is that I've never needed or wanted one.
I work in forestry in northern BC. Every year, myself and my work mates take a bear defence course, not bear awareness or bear avoidance. We go to a range with the fire arm of our choice and the range master has a course of fire that involves life size targets on a mobile trolley that can be rigged to provide stationary shots, moving L-R or R-L shots and straight on frontal charge.
The training is as much to get all of us comfortable with handling our firearms in stressful situations as it is to teach us about bear defence. The course of fire often involves reloading your firearm while moving to a different shooting position. By far this is the one day of work I look forward to more than any other.
We are trained to SHOOT TILL THE MAG IS EMPTY in the frontal charge situation. We are scored based on hits to vital areas on the target.
2 of my workmates were bushwhacked by a grizz on an elk hunt a few years back. They survived the encounter because of this training.
As for the various firearms that make their way onto the range, I have seen M94 win in 30-30, Marlin 1895 in 444, M88 Win in 308, Yugo M48A in 8x57, Lee Enfield 303Brit and MANY pump 12 ga shotguns with the Rem 870 being king of the heap. The pump 12 ga shotguns really shine in this situation. Ease of loading, rapid rate of fire, devastating short range hitting power and decent mag capacity. Hoytcanyon hit the nail on the head. Get an 870 and a couple boxes of slugs.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I've shot a bear at a handful of yards with a 12ga slug right through the vitals, tore the backside of the heart to shreds. It still was alive, and moved at full speed, for likely 30 seconds; that's a long time in my opinion and a lot of hurt if it were intent upon it. I actually trust spray more for bears in most situations, that said, you won't find me in Northern BC, Alberta, or the Territories bush without a gun. None of it is for sure, they can just help.
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
If they are damaging your property, affecting your lively-hood, or get really comfortable around you or your house where they are not afraid of you and your safety is in question.
Take em out.
30-06
As stated before - you should call MNR right after you shoot it. The bear line. If you shot it for the right reasons you are good to go. If you don't call and a rat calls them you are labelled a poacher. Johnny Law doesn't like them poachers.
Take em out.
30-06
As stated before - you should call MNR right after you shoot it. The bear line. If you shot it for the right reasons you are good to go. If you don't call and a rat calls them you are labelled a poacher. Johnny Law doesn't like them poachers.
heres one smalley come in the yard
and this guy pushed in my shop door... and he ran like the dickens when he saw me and my sabre about to cut him in half
chased up my poplar tree
sat in the tree and made weird sounds... some snortin
I'll tell you something ... a bear is alot smarter than most people give them credit
WOW - Great pics! The biggest visitor I have in my backyard are black squirrels!!
After 50 years, I'm sure you know that tracking bears (particularly wounded animals) is a whole different ball game from a random encounter on the trail, or a bear passing through your yard... This post was from an OP who was concerned about moving to Northern Ontario and the risk of encountering a black bear. The vast majority of these encounters are as you say 'of little concern', particularly if you're cautious and respect their space. We have lots of black bears up here and there's lots of people out there doing alls sorts of things in the bush but we don't have large numbers of bear attacks.
If you've found that you need to be prepared to shoot a problem bear every time you go out, please let me know the area so I can avoid it.
Seriously though, if you feel you're more comfortable carrying your 870 and slugs for bear defence go to it, by all means - my point is that I've never needed or wanted one.
When did I say that "I" carry a bear defense gun??? I never have and never will... I just go with the odds on this one, even though I have experienced some crazy moments with bears (and the two craziest were not wounded bears, but healthy bears encountered randomly in the bush), I was able to use avoidance tatics and stay calm... but I have an aweful lot of experience with bears, many would have gone to pieces or reacted like "prey-in-flight." The OP asked a question because of concern, if a shotgun makes someone feel "safer" it is worth carrying... if it makes them feel "cocky" they are better off leaving it at home (see below).
Ardent, I have seen many bears hit by slugs and keep moving... one frontal shot, that took heart and lungs went 100 yards after being hit... and a whitetail buck with two slugs through the center lungs went 92 yards (paced) after the shot... nothing is a sure thing... but a 12 gauge with slugs is about the best (common) defensive weapon.
yep... i'm in a small town between sudbury n the Sault, and the bears are a bigtime problem
- as i took the pic of the bear causually walking in my backyard, about 7 preschool kids were on the rd in front of my house playing tag ...... i can't tell you how many times i've told the authorities that this is a potential nightmare problem and that they've got to get the goddam bears out of town. Opp, Mnr, Mpp are all Morons for dropping the ball
- however they all affirmed that if you even dare to pull out a firearm, they'll clap you in irons ( so over here its not an option )
but.... off the record, if your lucky to have a Native friend.... he can take care of that bear and enjoy some nice bear steaks no matter the time or location ! and you can have some peace n quiet from the bears
simple solutions are usually the best
well, that being said... i've never needed a bear defense gun, but then i'd never dream of going anywhere without a hunting knife on my belt
- as i took the pic of the bear causually walking in my backyard, about 7 preschool kids were on the rd in front of my house playing tag ...... i can't tell you how many times i've told the authorities that this is a potential nightmare problem and that they've got to get the goddam bears out of town. Opp, Mnr, Mpp are all Morons for dropping the ball
- however they all affirmed that if you even dare to pull out a firearm, they'll clap you in irons ( so over here its not an option )
but.... off the record, if your lucky to have a Native friend.... he can take care of that bear and enjoy some nice bear steaks no matter the time or location ! and you can have some peace n quiet from the bears
simple solutions are usually the best
well, that being said... i've never needed a bear defense gun, but then i'd never dream of going anywhere without a hunting knife on my belt
