Light short 12 gauge? Best outdoor hiking defense

Alberta requires the magazine to be limited to 2 rounds for hunting game birds, 5 rounds for big game. if its manually operated action used for anything else there is no limit and it can be kept loaded in/on an occupied vehicle if it is for vicious animal defense. Dont carry a hunting license if youre not hunting. And dont lie, if its for animal defense, then say so. There is nothing illegal about it on crown land where bylaws dont prohibit it. Check your local regs, you should be able to grab a synopsis from most local hunting/fishing stores or call the cfc.
 
590 A1 with 20 inch barrel - holds 9 shells. Used to carry a 4+1 (lighter) but bigger margin of safety with the 590 when dealing with big unhappy clawed critters. It ain't that much heavier!
 
Can-down said:
590 A1 is long and heavy with 9 shells.
Nice gun but not light and short.
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Hopefully I can verify it this weekend but my buddies got the 590 A1 and I've got the 12.5" grizzly but I dont thing there is a huge weight difference.

Seriously, the grizzly is a full steel beast. Just like the Norinco handguns, very hard and heavy steel.



About the 'not looking like a hunter' thing: if you're actually hiking, you'll have a big ass backpack on and zero hunter accessories and very little ammo. It should be painfully obvious whos a hiker and whos a hunter.
 
I use a single shot Dominion Arms Backpacker. Theres lots of similar products out there. You won't find anything lighter.
 
Yeah there's no doubt that a break action gets 5 stars in price and weight. But my shotgun's more just for fun, I mean, you can't even bring a firearm to parks, which is where I do most my hiking.
 
The only realistic situation I'll bring a shotgun hiking is if it's outside a provicinal park and with my dog, because he's way more likely to get attcked than I am.
 
The grizzly's are heavy for sure and so are the Backpackers for what they are.
An older singles shot cut down to just over 18" with a full stock is lighter then the Canammo Backpackers.
A Single shot with a bayonet mount would be a good setup...:D

I'm really hoping the Ranch Hands will arrive soon. I like the thin profile and easy carry traits of lever actions and a .44 or even .357 would be plenty for my worries but then I usually go in the woods unarmed..:eek:
 
I dont think I've ever been in a provincial park I felt I needed a gun in. Well, for defense from wildlife that is.

I thought you were looking for back country stuff with your interest in ultralight gear.
 
BabySeal said:
I dont think I've ever been in a provincial park I felt I needed a gun in. Well, for defense from wildlife that is.

I thought you were looking for back country stuff with your interest in ultralight gear.
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Why is a provincial park any more safe than anywhere else? Are the bears more polite in the parks? I've been 10km up a pass in Kananaskis with not a soul around and I don't think I was any safer there than in Northern Alberta or BC.

I've invested in a PLB for the numerous troubles I could get in, but I'd probably be looking at a light shotgun if it was legal in the parks. I do carry spray, bear bangers and a knife, they will have to do the trick.
 
BabySeal said:
I dont think I've ever been in a provincial park I felt I needed a gun in. Well, for defense from wildlife that is.
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I bet the kid in '96, that got attacked by a wolf in Algonquin Park, could have used a gun. The wolf attacked the boy and chewed on his head and the family had to fend the wolf off with a shovel when it came back from the initial attack.
 
the whole carrying while hiking, is that a BC rule only, or can it be done across canada? i was under the impression that so long as the gun is out of sight (re: in a scabbard or pack), its fine to carry with you while hiking. Is this true, or was i misinformed?

dont regional bylaws affect this as well? i wanted to go camping this summer and bring my Mossberg 590A1 with me. based on what i am reading, i would think that i am allowed to.
 
Donster 125 said:
Is this true, or was i misinformed?
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Yeah as far as I know you are misinformed.


I emailed the people at the Grosse Morne Provincial Park last summer about bringing a shotgun on the trail and they basically told me

'no way in hell, this is a park and its prohibited to protect yourself here.'

My understanding is that in some parks, more in the west I believe, you are permitted to carry a non-restricted firearm; however, hunting is always prohibited so it's for self defence only.

This is rarely the case though, and the general rule of thumb is just leave it at home.
 
With that siad, if I REALLY wanted a firearm with me in a provincial park, I would remember it's against the law and leave it at home. Laws are there for a reason.
 
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Haagen_Dazs said:
With that siad, if I REALLY wanted a firearm with me in a provincial park, I would not be camping in a camp site. I'd be out in the middle of no where, and the only real human contact I'd have would be 90% hikers, 10% rangers.

Rangers who would never search your bags if you weren't causing trouble.

So if I was really determined to protect myself (or more like my dog), I'd buy a Taurus Judge or a .44 magnum and keep it out of sight.
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Though people may do such a thing, probably not a good idea to talk about it.
A maverick 88 security is a great gun for the money, completely legal, and packable. 12 g should plenty of stopping power for a charging bear, follow up shots should be more manageable, and it can be used as a club in a last ditch effort.;)
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
With that siad, if I REALLY wanted a firearm with me in a provincial park, I would not be camping in a camp site. I'd be out in the middle of no where, and the only real human contact I'd have would be 90% hikers, 10% rangers.

Rangers who would never search your bags if you weren't causing trouble.

So if I was really determined to protect myself (or more like my dog), I'd buy a Taurus Judge or a .44 magnum and keep it out of sight.
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You just suggested committing a crime, on a public forum! Probably not a good idea, and I imagine the mods will be along to slap your pee pee soon.
 
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