Ask a CO: Can I carry a firearm outside of hunting seasons?

[BDH]

Like the GUN NUT, I too purchase a BEAR license. I run bird dogs, and the remote possibility of one of them running into a female bear with a cub may be slight, it can occur. The bear in defense of the cub will chase the dog, the dog in defense will likely come running back to me. The only issue will be ,which pocket has the heavy loads.

[FishHog]

Agreed, the chance of getting killed or seriously hurt in a car wreck on the way to your spot is far greater than having a problem with a bear.

Absolutely and 99.9% of the time black bears go the other way. But sometimes not and why shouldn’t we be able to carry a gun just in case.
I often carry in bear country. Usually when I’m with others. Alone I’m not so concerned but if I feel like carrying a gun I do. I’ll deal with the consequences either way when needed. But defending yourself should never be an issue and preventing someone from having a defense when out in the wilds is ridiculous in my opinion

[finsfurfeathers]

Absolutely and 99.9% of the time black bears go the other way. But sometimes not and why shouldn’t we be able to carry a gun just in case.
I often carry in bear country. Usually when I’m with others. Alone I’m not so concerned but if I feel like carrying a gun I do. I’ll deal with the consequences either way when needed. But defending yourself should never be an issue and preventing someone from having a defense when out in the wilds is ridiculous in my opinion

There is a difference being in Grizzly country and dealing with Ont Black bears. I be more scared of the person so afraid of black bears they need a gun to feel safe, that's how unintentional shooting happens. Bell up, carry spray but the gun is overkill.

[finsfurfeathers]

Like the GUN NUT, I too purchase a BEAR license. I run bird dogs, and the remote possibility of one of them running into a female bear with a cub may be slight, it can occur. The bear in defense of the cub will chase the dog, the dog in defense will likely come running back to me. The only issue will be ,which pocket has the heavy loads.

I know you said a slight possibility but in reality has it ever happened to you? In all my years of hunting have had only 2 bear encounters both in the same Simcoe county forest. I know of a location of several bait stations never active in the fall so figure they are spring hunters. The first encounter happened on a spring turkey hunt. It was in the predawn darkness with me sitting at the base of a tree had a bear come down the trail that looked as big a a VW beetle. Ya to say I was a little nervous would be an understatement sure I had a shotgun loaded with 3" #5 ready for turkey there would be no way to unload and reload with slugs or buckshot for defense. In the end all it too was a few stern F' you's and the bear shot off into the darkness without a second thought. The second incident was bird hunting with the dog Dad decided to take a seat and wait for me to circle back around. When I got back to him he told me a small bear a little bit bigger than a large German shepherd was push out infront of me and ran past dad sitting on the log. Never noticed dad as it was looking over its shoulder keeping tabs on me and the dog. I my experience having a hard time with understanding the need.

. The only issue will be ,which pocket has the heavy loads.

And there lies the problem but I guess like insurance better to have it and not need it than the other way around. With all the stuff I carry for me that can be culled from the pack

[overyonder]

Black bears are pretty easily scared unless it's a female and the cubs are on the opposite side of you. Males maybe if their starving or are use to eating campers food. I have encountered 2 bears and once I did have my 20 gauge but it was 10 yards from me and the bear about 50 yards, I just yelled and it moved on. The second was Saturday night like two days ago and did not have a gun with me, again I just yelled and it moved on.

However you are allowed in Ontario to take your guns and shoot in many pits on crown land and usually I do camp with a gun at minimum a 22.
I actually just bought a new 22 Ruger 10/22 having retired my old 22 Lakefield, I picked it up on Monday but forgot to bring it with me, so didn't get to sight it in.

But I have often brought my 270 or 303 just to do some target shooting in the gravel pits on crown land and have even had the CO drop by nothing illegal about it.

In the fall I generally carry the the 20 for grouse but if I am thinking ducks I bring the 12 and keep some #1 shells with me.

[Sam Menard]

Some of the recent black bear attacks in Ontario were mature predatory boars. 99% of the time a bear will avoid you but there is the odd chance that they will stalk you. Animals can be unpredictable.

[trimmer21]

I agree that most of the time,Blackies will bugger off when they realize the thing tossing rocks and yelling is human. Having said that,I recall a bit of a harrowing experience after a big Blackie snuck up behind me in the pouring rain and stole my back pack with my lunch in it that I'd left sitting against a tree with me sitting on the other side. It's funny ,then,but,when you realize that something real bad could have happened with one well-aimed swat from a huge paw with three inch claws,in hindsight, it's not so funny. It's not as important in the southern part of the province (so far),but,we need to be cognizant that in the north,scat analyses indicates that Grizzlies are now present in the north from Lake of the Woods to Churchill. That's kind of chilling,so,it might behove everyone to take nothing for granted.

[Species8472]

I agree that most of the time,Blackies will bugger off when they realize the thing tossing rocks and yelling is human. Having said that,I recall a bit of a harrowing experience after a big Blackie snuck up behind me in the pouring rain and stole my back pack with my lunch in it that I'd left sitting against a tree with me sitting on the other side. It's funny ,then,but,when you realize that something real bad could have happened with one well-aimed swat from a huge paw with three inch claws,in hindsight, it's not so funny. It's not as important in the southern part of the province (so far),but,we need to be cognizant that in the north,scat analyses indicates that Grizzlies are now present in the north from Lake of the Woods to Churchill. That's kind of chilling,so,it might behove everyone to take nothing for granted.

Agreed in 40 years of hunting them only ever felt threatened once and that guy ended up in my freezer when he closed to 6 feet. No harm no foul as I had a tag and season was open.

Regarding grizzly I know they have been documented Churchill way but have never heard of anything LOTW way. Do you have a source for that?

[FishHog]

There is a difference being in Grizzly country and dealing with Ont Black bears. I be more scared of the person so afraid of black bears they need a gun to feel safe, that's how unintentional shooting happens. Bell up, carry spray but the gun is overkill.

Sorry but being afraid of someone carrying a gun in the woods is way to much of the gun grabber way of thinking.
There is no reason we (trained hunters and PAL owners) should not be able to have a gun in the woods for whatever reason we choose.

Being afraid of that person is ridiculous in my opinion

I’m not afraid of black bears or gun owners while in the woods and have no issues with either being there whether I have a gun at the time or not. We should be free to choose which ever way we want

[gbk]

Bear attacks in Ontario are not that rare(eventhough they do not happen frequently either).Just look back at the last 30 years...
Granted black bears can be shooed away-but not all of them. .Especiallly if one is a vicinity of a bear which identifies himself/herself as a predator.

Carrying a gun is one of those things our MNR could have a broader "inclusive "approach.

I -for myself am always lot more concerned of a night attack out in the bear country. While sleeping,one is defenceless to a great degree.
And then -and there,no gun can help.