Adivce on Preditor Defense in Northern BC

FLHTCUI said:
A 300 Wby Mag seemed to work well for a CQB with a Grizzly Bear in a kitchen recently.
Anyone know anything about that story?
Rob
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Heard the family dog went nuts the owner who was a Hunter came out of the bedroom and shot the bear 3 times. Lucky no one was hurt.
 
Capp said:
Verrrry Nice ! That grizzly will most definitely be my next purchase, just gotta see if i can squeeze another gun in my safe lol
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Thanks, my biggest challenge is I am out of space too so now my wife said how many guns do you need? I just say how many shoes do you need?
 
In this neck of the woods, a shotgun tends to be the preferred option since its less costly than a suitable rifle. In addition to the cost factor, less lethal ammo, like cracker shells and rubber slugs, are available for the smooth bore, where only lethal ammo is available to the rifleman.

Buying a gun though is not the end of the story. Should you find yourself in circumstances where you need to shoot, you need to acquire several other skill sets, including practical field marksmanship, which differs from shooting at the range, gun handling under stress, and a working knowledge of bear behavior and physiology. A lack of knowledge or ability in any of the forementioned areas will result in a potential disaster the first time you think you have a problem. You might kill, or worse, wound a bear that didn't pose any danger to you, in your excitement, you might not be able to run the gun, or if you shoot, you might choose a killing shot, rather than a stopping shot. So the first step is education.

Pick up the books on bear attacks by Garry Shelton (3) and Stephen Herrero (1). Purchase a repeating shotgun that has sights you can see, an action you can manipulate, and a trigger you can manage. The gun should be robust, fast handling, and light enough that you don't find it a chore to carry even when fatigued. Practice loading, unloading without running the ammo through the chamber, practice she'll select drills, and work on fast target acquisition. These can be done at home with snap caps, while at the range you can hone your marksmanship skills with attention to rapid target acquisition, and rapidly firing a pair of shots without taking the gun off your shoulder. If you intend to carry cracker shells, shoot them enough so that you are sure not to launch them past the bear and drive it towards you. Be aware that these things pose a significant fire hazard.

Edited to add . . .
One of Shelton's books has an excellent section on how to use pepper spray. IMHO, pepper spray can be useful in some circumstances, but it does not replace a firearm. You would ot want to use pepper spray in an enclosed space like a tent or a cabin if a bear intruded. If you drive off a bear with pepper spray and it returns, you can't reload the cannister, but you can reload your gun.

This will get you started.
 
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Boomer said:
In this neck of the woods, a shotgun tends to be the preferred option since its less costly than a suitable rifle. In addition to the cost factor, less lethal ammo, like cracker shells and rubber slugs, are available for the smooth bore, where only lethal ammo is available to the rifleman.

Buying a gun though is not the end of the story. Should you find yourself in circumstances where you need to shoot, you need to acquire several other skill sets, including practical field marksmanship, which differs from shooting at the range, gun handling under stress, and a working knowledge of bear behavior and physiology. A lack of knowledge or ability in any of the forementioned areas will result in a potential disaster the first time you think you have a problem. You might kill, or worse, wound a bear that didn't pose any danger to you, in your excitement, you might not be able to run the gun, or if you shoot, you might choose a killing shot, rather than a stopping shot. So the first step is education.

Pick up the books on bear attacks by Garry Shelton (3) and Stephen Herrero (1). Purchase a repeating shotgun that has sights you can see, an action you can manipulate, and a trigger you can manage. The gun should be robust, fast handling, and light enough that you don't find it a chore to carry even when fatigued. Practice loading, unloading without running the ammo through the chamber, practice she'll select drills, and work on fast target acquisition. These can be done at home with snap caps, while at the range you can hone your marksmanship skills with attention to rapid target acquisition, and rapidly firing a pair of shots without taking the gun off your shoulder. If you intend to carry cracker shells, shoot them enough so that you are sure not to launch them past the bear and drive it towards you. Be aware that these things pose a significant fire hazard.

Edited to add . . .
One of Shelton's books has an excellent section on how to use pepper spray. IMHO, pepper spray can be useful in some circumstances, but it does not replace a firearm. You would ot want to use pepper spray in an enclosed space like a tent or a cabin if a bear intruded. If you drive off a bear with pepper spray and it returns, you can't reload the cannister, but you can reload your gun.

This will get you started.
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Never put thought to what you suggested. I also was unaware of the non-lethal options. I will take a look at those reading materials. Smart advice on your part, education on such matters can only be beneficial.

Really appreciate your time,
Thanks
 
Boomer said:
In this neck of the woods, a shotgun tends to be the preferred option since its less costly than a suitable rifle. In addition to the cost factor, less lethal ammo, like cracker shells and rubber slugs, are available for the smooth bore, where only lethal ammo is available to the rifleman.

Buying a gun though is not the end of the story. Should you find yourself in circumstances where you need to shoot, you need to acquire several other skill sets, including practical field marksmanship, which differs from shooting at the range, gun handling under stress, and a working knowledge of bear behavior and physiology. A lack of knowledge or ability in any of the forementioned areas will result in a potential disaster the first time you think you have a problem. You might kill, or worse, wound a bear that didn't pose any danger to you, in your excitement, you might not be able to run the gun, or if you shoot, you might choose a killing shot, rather than a stopping shot. So the first step is education.

Pick up the books on bear attacks by Garry Shelton (3) and Stephen Herrero (1). Purchase a repeating shotgun that has sights you can see, an action you can manipulate, and a trigger you can manage. The gun should be robust, fast handling, and light enough that you don't find it a chore to carry even when fatigued. Practice loading, unloading without running the ammo through the chamber, practice she'll select drills, and work on fast target acquisition. These can be done at home with snap caps, while at the range you can hone your marksmanship skills with attention to rapid target acquisition, and rapidly firing a pair of shots without taking the gun off your shoulder. If you intend to carry cracker shells, shoot them enough so that you are sure not to launch them past the bear and drive it towards you. Be aware that these things pose a significant fire hazard.

Edited to add . . .
One of Shelton's books has an excellent section on how to use pepper spray. IMHO, pepper spray can be useful in some circumstances, but it does not replace a firearm. You would ot want to use pepper spray in an enclosed space like a tent or a cabin if a bear intruded. If you drive off a bear with pepper spray and it returns, you can't reload the cannister, but you can reload your gun.

This will get you started.
Click to expand...

The above is all good points. Also remember that if deploying pepper spray in a situation where you are downwind at all you are also going to be exposed to it too, how does pepper spray effect you, do you know? I've witnessed people incapacitated just being in the area when pepper spray is deployed. Less lethal options are great.
Also some slugs are on the soft side to provide reliable penetration on a large predator that objects to your presence.
 
Jim870 said:
The above is all good points. Also remember that if deploying pepper spray in a situation where you are downwind at all you are also going to be exposed to it too, how does pepper spray effect you, do you know? I've witnessed people incapacitated just being in the area when pepper spray is deployed. Less lethal options are great.
Also some slugs are on the soft side to provide reliable penetration on a large predator that objects to your presence.
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I used a can of bear spray a while back. Not in defense but to get some experience with how to deploy it and how the spray pattern looks. You're absolutely right with the downwind point. A little bit caught me and it wasn't pleasant at all. Definitely looking into materials recommended by "boomer" as well as the less lethal options you and a few others recommended.

Really appreciate your input,

Goose
 
I would try out a pump 12 gauge, 45-70 lever and whatever else you think appropriate and see which one works best for you in this style of shooting.

Then buy one with lots of ammo and practice.

If we can coordinate schedules I can take you out to Ridgedale and you can try 12 ga pumps, 12 ga SxS, 45-70 lever , 30-06 bolt, .375 H&H bolt long guns.
 
geologist said:
I would try out a pump 12 gauge, 45-70 lever and whatever else you think appropriate and see which one works best for you in this style of shooting.

Then buy one with lots of ammo and practice.

If we can coordinate schedules I can take you out to Ridgedale and you can try 12 ga pumps, 12 ga SxS, 45-70 lever , 30-06 bolt, .375 H&H bolt long guns.
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Geologist, good stuff for offering assistance to a new shooter, cheers
 
geologist said:
I would try out a pump 12 gauge, 45-70 lever and whatever else you think appropriate and see which one works best for you in this style of shooting.

Then buy one with lots of ammo and practice.

If we can coordinate schedules I can take you out to Ridgedale and you can try 12 ga pumps, 12 ga SxS, 45-70 lever , 30-06 bolt, .375 H&H bolt long guns.
Click to expand...

That's very respectable of you. You're doing a great thing for the gun community! Thank you very much for your offer, I will let you know if anything.

Best Wishes!!!
 
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