Going to the Yukon: do I have enough gun?

Do you need a bigger gun? probably not.
But if you WANT a bigger gun, then you have a good excuse to buy one.

I wouldn't get rid of the .308, just get another rifle in a larger caliber. Or if you need to get rid of the .308 to buy a bigger gun you could go to a .338 federal or a .338-06 A-square.
 
or you could load these... :cool:

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If I was moving to the Yukon, I would take a .338WM, not because I had to, but because I'd want to.

No harm in having 2 rifles, and it would be a "congrats on the new job" present to myself. :)
 
Camp Cook said:
I'm curious how many of you guys that are pushing the 308 as sufficient for everything have ever shot a grizzly or been on the receiving end of a charge?

and yes I have shot grizzlies and been on the receiving end of several black bear charges...
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I have. The reason that I say that the .308 is adequate is that with the grizzlies that have been shot in camp, some have taken several shots from a .444 Marlin, .45-70, and 12ga slugs to end the fight if the CNS wasn't hit and bones broken. IMO it almost doesn't matter how big your rifle is if you don't hit these two parts of the bear's anatomy (assuming the bear is full of adrenaline and wants to tear into your flesh).

As long as the bullet has enough momentum to reach and break parts of the CNS and some of the bone structure, then putting the bullet in that spot is what really counts. Phil Shoemaker, the famous Alaskan Brown bear guide and outfitter, often uses his .30-06 when he needs to deal with a problem bear. That speaks volumes to me, since the man has used some of the most powerful shoulder-fired rifles in existence on the beasts. To my recollection, he said that one of the reasons that he likes to use his .30-06 is because he's most comfortable and confident in his ability to place the bullet with that rifle.
 
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Congrats on the new job... Have you looked into the hunting regs for the Yukon yet.
My brother is moving up there in a few weeks. I had tried to find the regs but only found a synopsis for birds.
Just wondering if I can go visit him and go for a hunting trip at the same time.
Thanks for any help,

Congrats on the new job again.
 
Locals can guide a canadian resident every 3 years,in certain zones with the exception of sheep. You have to live here a yr to be a resident.
 
koop said:
Do you need a bigger gun? probably not.
But if you WANT a bigger gun, then you have a good excuse to buy one.

I wouldn't get rid of the .308, just get another rifle in a larger caliber. Or if you need to get rid of the .308 to buy a bigger gun you could go to a .338 federal or a .338-06 A-square.
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Well said. I will add that near Cam Bay NU just about all the hunting by locals was done with 243s - Cariboo, Musk Ox. The guides were always amused when clients carrying large calibre rifles showed up to shoot this game. Cariboo tend to fall over if you look at them.
 
Concerning the licensing, I dunno about right now, but I lived up there and did four years of school...Kindergarden through gr.3. Later in life, I moved my family up there...the year was 1989.

All I needed to do was show them my records from the elementary school, and lo and behold, I was still considered a resident....only after having resided in Whitehorse for two months (the second time). It was a beauty to behold, since I knew some one whom relocated from the NWT 6 or 8 months prior and he was NOT considered a resident.
 
That is funny, but what can you hunt in Manitoba, Sask, and Alberta that you can't in Ontario, that requires a .375?
 
I don't have any personal experience with grizzlies and moose, but lots or people say a 30-06 will kill anything in north america, and even more people say a 308 is a near twin of the 06. In that regard I think you have enough gun. I know that the RCMP in Hay River go through 30-06 in 150, 180 and 220 grains as well as 12 gauge slugs and 00/000 buck.

If this were a question of do you have enough guns (plural) then no! I'd say its an opportunity to buy some new guns!

If it were me I'd probably add a 45-70 and/or a 375 of some flavour launching some hefty and reputable rounds...
 
Nice Map Ardent.

I have read the Regs so I don't know if I wil be able to claim myself as a resident until a year from Sept. I can get a guy to be my special guide though. I have a hard time seeing myself hunting up in the Tundra; probably sticking more to the south.

Might be an excuse to get a Marlin with or another BLR with more thump. Found a receipt for my original BLR purchase and it was only $399 + tax. I can sell it for that almost for sure. I do practice about once a month but I wouldn't say I am an expert hunter so I prefer to have some umph which the308 has provided on AB Deer. There was a sweet Ruger No 1 for sale used around here in 375H&H. the Gun Show is this weekend. Did savage 99s come with some umph? I got an irrational thing against bolt actions for soem reason: don't own one in any caliber.

I noticed Sportslodge had 2 or 3 double Barrel Baikals/Spartans too. Seemed to be quite a few for such a small store.
 
Ardent said:
Woods Bison (after them this winter), Elk, Polar Bear (see Boomer), and bigger Moose. Grizzly if the hunt comes back here. :) Northern Ontario was included in .375 country.
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I'll give you your Bison, but the rest I would hunt with a .35 Whelen, .338WM or .300WM and not be skeered.:)

Svejk said:
I noticed Sportslodge had 2 or 3 double Barrel Baikals/Spartans too. Seemed to be quite a few for such a small store.
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I'd take a nice Marlin .444 over a baikal double any day...;)
 
Svejk said:
Nice Map Ardent.

I have read the Regs so I don't know if I wil be able to claim myself as a resident until a year from Sept. I can get a guy to be my special guide though. I have a hard time seeing myself hunting up in the Tundra; probably sticking more to the south.

Might be an excuse to get a Marlin with or another BLR with more thump. Found a receipt for my original BLR purchase and it was only $399 + tax. I can sell it for that almost for sure. I do practice about once a month but I wouldn't say I am an expert hunter so I prefer to have some umph which the308 has provided on AB Deer. There was a sweet Ruger No 1 for sale used around here in 375H&H. the Gun Show is this weekend. Did savage 99s come with some umph? I got an irrational thing against bolt actions for soem reason: don't own one in any caliber.

I noticed Sportslodge had 2 or 3 double Barrel Baikals/Spartans too. Seemed to be quite a few for such a small store.
Click to expand...

a special guide license better moving up fast they re only 100 a year.
 
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