Not your typical bear defense thread

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canuckjgc

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Hi all, great forum.

My family (wife, 2 young daughters) are planning a canoe trip to Bowron (BC) during hunting season (which permits firearms). This is black and grizz country. Considering we'll be far from anyone, a firearm seems like a good idea (along with bear spray, clean camp, etc etc). The firearm would actually be a back-up to spray, for that bear who continues to harass after being sprayed (recent horrifying story of this happening in a canoe forum).

However, my wife wants to be able to shoot it as well. But slightly heavier recoil will make her flinch and miss the target, so 30.06, 45-70, shotgun, etc., are all out. I could guarantee that if she were shooting (or even me for that matter) in a panic situation, a bolt or pump or even lever would jam, or take too long to operate for a follow-up shot. We are not seasoned dangerous game hunters by any stretch of the imagination.

Given this, I'm of a view that a well-maintained and clean semi-auto carbine in a smaller calibre is the way to go -- fast follow-up and little recoil. Would also give her confidence in practice.

Which leads me to the Ruger Mini-30 with a 154gr (little recoil, reliable, cheap to practise) or a Ruger .44mag semi-carbine (kicks a lot more, expensive to practise) or maybe even a Browning BAR in .243 (expensive to buy).

My question is this: is it even worth investing in such a gun for this purpose? I'm thinking that inside 50 yards a few shots from any of these will put down the avg bear (if we meet the 1000 pound monster, well that will suck).

The reality however is a 99.9% chance of not needing it. But there is the emotional side with 2 young girls and being miles from any sort of help.

Thoughts?
 
I would suggest that pump is something to get her to try. I know you said semi auto, but after teaching my girlfriend about bear situations, she really preferred it. If 12 gauge is too big a cartridge, what about slugs in a lighter gauge? They're still larger than your average large game bullet and will do the job just as well.

In the end it's going to make more of a difference to get her out to the range or bush to practice. If you don't, there's just too much to process, and for many people, shooting isn't intuitive and takes a lot of practice. If she's afraid, start her on a .22 to learn the basics and what to expect, then let her graduate to a larger caliber when she's ready.

Who knows, you may hook her into shooting!
 
Yes I thought about that, but the danger of short stroking is very real here. Range is so different than a panic, chaotic situation. At least a semi is a "no-brainer" compared to other actions, or am I misguided?
 
Take a lot of money for bail and lawyers.

If you get caught with a firearm on the canoe circuit you will be charged.

Firearms, crossbows and bear bangers are prohibited in Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
 
Bowron Lake Park IS open to firearms during hunting season with a license (recent addition to Schedule B of the Parks Act). So, no, I won't be charged.

Take a lot of money for bail and lawyers.

If you get caught with a firearm on the canoe circuit you will be charged.

Firearms, crossbows and bear bangers are prohibited in Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
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I don't think you could go wrong with a Norc M14S, I've had people mention the Ruger (I believe its Ruger) Deerfield in 44 mag, that seems to be a favorite for mag-fed semis against bears.
 
12 gauge pump for small folks

I think an effective bear stopping caliber is important. This gun must work right now in the worst of circumstances where life, or several lives are at a stake. Bears have been killed with 22s, but I would not choose that caliber for defense. Its not worth wondering whether you have enough gun in a bear defense situation. Grizzlies can take a lot of shooting before they are stopped, and it better be with an adequate caliber.

Even small people can learn to shoot a 12 gauge pump with slugs. The key is to have the stock fit them. I altered my 870 by taking a spare wooden butt stock, and cutting the pull (length) and pitch( angle of the butt), to fit my wife's physique. You can look up articles on fitting shotgun stocks- the goal is to have it point where the shooter is looking.

Don't have it too long, like when there is a mag extension. Standard length mag, and a 18 or 20 inch barrel balances well for folks with short arms. Those really short barrels discussed in this forum look even better for small folks.They look like they will fit very unobtrusively out of sight in a canoe box, where they are only needed in camp. That can be important. Sometimes mine only comes out into plain sight after darkhttp://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

Once my 870 stock was altered for her, my wife found it did not hurt to shoot, pointed and balanced easily and was easy to pump. Her ability and confidence improved, and she is now quite accurate and doesn't flinch. I can use the altered set up easily. It is easier for a big person to use a shortened stock than vice versa.

All this took was a spare wooden butt stock to fit to her, and removal of the mag extension. We use this set up for a camp gun on trips. When I am the only one using it, I put it back together to fit me. Takes 10 minutes.
 
SeamusMac said:
I don't think you could go wrong with a Norc M14S, I've had people mention the Ruger (I believe its Ruger) Deerfield in 44 mag, that seems to be a favorite for mag-fed semis against bears.
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Ok, I've never even heard of that Norc but I'll look into it...I don't think Ruger makes the Deerfield in semi-auto anymore but I can look for a used one if I go that route
 
canuckjgc said:
Bowron Lake Park IS open to firearms during hunting season with a license (recent addition to Schedule B of the Parks Act). So, no, I won't be charged.
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You referred to going to Bowron, BC on a canoe trip, so we assume you mean taking the Bowron, Isaac Lake, etc. canoe route. If this is your plan you better look at the BC hunting synopsis, page 59, before you take a firearm. Bowron Park has been closed for hunting for at least fifty years.
Maybe you are confusing us, or yourself, by planning to go on the Cariboo River Park, which is open for firearms in hunting season.
 
Why is Bowron listed in Schedule B of the Parks Act?

H4831 said:
You referred to going to Bowron, BC on a canoe trip, so we assume you mean taking the Bowron, Isaac Lake, etc. canoe route. If this is your plan you better look at the BC hunting synopsis, page 59, before you take a firearm. Bowron Park has been closed for hunting for at least fifty years.
Maybe you are confusing us, or yourself, by planning to go on the Cariboo River Park, which is open for firearms in hunting season.
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sjemac said:
Regardless of regs in the area, a shottie is the way to go with newbs to guns in bear territory.
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Would you say the same thing if you went for a walk in Banff Park? It would be just as stupid to try and take a firearm on the Bowron canoe route, as it would be to take a gun on a walk in Banff.
That canoe route is STRICTLY regulated. All of your supplies and equipment is inspected before you are allowed to start out. Park rangers constantly patrol the waterway. Nuff said.
 
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