Carry shotgun while filling feeders?

[Waftrudnir]

Interesting report out of the University of Calgary on this topic GW....

http://www.bearsmart.com/wp-content/...ro-Higgins.pdf

Great paper, thanks for digging it up. Despite the fact that the data is limited, the following shows already the pepper sprays' limitations:
“ In 38% (6 of 16) of the cases, the bear [brown bear] either continued to act aggressively (1 of 16) or briefly stopped but then resumed its aggressive behavior (5 of 16). In 3 of these cases, the bear attacked and injured the person using the spray….”
“in 3 of 4 cases black bear either charged (2 cases) or vocalized aggressively and then approached...In the fourth case, the bear exhibited predatory behavior … In 1 case the bear was shot and killed after being sprayed. In another case the bear left after a shotgun was fired…in the other the bear followed and the person was finally able to make it to camp, but only after firing a bear banger.”

[greatwhite]

It seems to spook browns but blacks seem to come back and at best it worked maybe 50% however the blacks did not always leave.

Great paper, thanks for digging it up. Despite the fact that the data is limited, the following shows already the pepper sprays' limitations:
“ In 38% (6 of 16) of the cases, the bear [brown bear] either continued to act aggressively (1 of 16) or briefly stopped but then resumed its aggressive behavior (5 of 16). In 3 of these cases, the bear attacked and injured the person using the spray….”
“in 3 of 4 cases black bear either charged (2 cases) or vocalized aggressively and then approached...In the fourth case, the bear exhibited predatory behavior … In 1 case the bear was shot and killed after being sprayed. In another case the bear left after a shotgun was fired…in the other the bear followed and the person was finally able to make it to camp, but only after firing a bear banger.”

[rev500ss]

Shotgun sounds like a much better option.

[grandman]

Shotgun sounds like a much better option.

People make bad shots with the bear at a barrel feeding.Now imagine making that shot at a bear in full charge.Most people would be still trying to get the safety off.

[rick_iles]

People make bad shots with the bear at a barrel feeding.Now imagine making that shot at a bear in full charge.Most people would be still trying to get the safety off.

OR, too busy shaking crap out of your pant leg !!!!!

[Shinerboy]

Ever consiider that you can carry both?? Hit them with the bear spray, step back as I think the bear will atleast stop or veer off to one side momentarily atleast!! Even clean water sprayed in your eyes will make them sting for a split second. And if bear is still looking kinda unfriendly then hit him with your rubber shot first! After you sting his eyes and essential kick him in the ribs, he won't stick around! And how many of those bear spray statistics showed how well aimed the bear spray was!! A half can sprayed on the bears butt cheeks might give him diaper rash but not emmidiately deter him!!! Needs to be in the eyes and nose!!

[nomad]

No prob nomad. I saw it on a tv program and also read a magazine article that I recall, so I don't have any links, but you could try a search. It was based on injury stats from encounters, and the deterrents were bear spray or firearms. Obviously used as a last resort. There were more injuries involving people with firearms.

Cheers

Great, thanks i'll try to find something. I figured out good source of papers for medical stuff, but not for the outdoorrs yet.

[canadaman30]

Hunting without a license or out of season? That might be illegal.
If you are going to try to convince him you are target shooting, you'd better be ready to show him where.
...and there's $500 fine for lying to a CO - even if you didn't do anything else wrong.

Nothing illegal about carrying a gun in the woods unless specified in hunting regs regarding types of guns and ammo during certain open seasons. Besides that there is nothing illegal. There is no laws saying you cannot carry a NR firearm in wilderness areas for personal protection or protection of property. BTW who said anything about hunting?

[Gun Nut]

So I have a couple feeders out for deer, but currently getting more bears eating then anything else.
I'm filling them weekly and just wondering if it's wise/legal to carry my shotgun with me while filling my feeders.
Can I carry for self defence?

This is really an area of concern, that the MNRF needs to re-evaluate. On the site ask A CO, a grouse hunter asked if he could carry slugs with him for bear while out grouse hunting. The CO's replied was yes, provided he wore hunter orange and had a bear licence. This miffed me for a bit until I checked out the bear season, and found it ran from the beginning of September until the end of November in most WMUs. Walking around with slugs in your pocket and not being dressed in hunter orange or having a bear licence, basically puts you in a position of violating the Fish and Game Conservation Act. Even if your primary concern is self defense and self preservation. However pg. 79 of the 2015 regulation under Firearms, appears to cut you some slack if you hunt south of the French and Mattawa Rivers during an open season for deer that is restricted to the use of bows. The Archery Season for deer in my WMU is October 1st. So from September 19 until October 1 I'm wondering if the MNRF is liable to provided me with a CO to ride shotgun with slugs, while I'm out grouse hunting with bird-shot , in the event that I come across an aggressive bear. I suspect this is a ploy to get you to buy a bear licence and wear hunter orange, or wait until the Archery Season for deer before you go grouse hunting.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

[rick_iles]

Nothing illegal about carrying a gun in the woods unless specified in hunting regs regarding types of guns and ammo during certain open seasons. Besides that there is nothing illegal. There is no laws saying you cannot carry a NR firearm in wilderness areas for personal protection or protection of property. BTW who said anything about hunting?

There is s presumption in the FWCA, if you are carrying a firearm where game is normally found, you are hunting, UNLESS you prove otherwise. Just be prepared to tell your story to a JP...