Bear attack during Turkey Hunting

[Mateo]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been asked before already. I wasn't able to find much by doing my search on the forum.

I should have all of my paperwork ready to go in time for the Turkey season. It will be me first hunting experience ever. The gun I'm purchasing once my PAL comes through will be Mossberg 535 with the Turkey barrel. I will be going with my dad as a company but he doesn't have gun license or the outdoors card. He will just be there for the company. Not going to be touching the harvest or shooting any guns.

My question now is, how do you make sure you dont have a run in with a bear? How do you prepare for a possibility of it happening? Can I have my dad carrying a side by side with smooth bore and slug shells ready? From what I understand he can carry it if unloaded. Should I have a bear spray with me? Are there areas where I can hunt Turkey but will never come across a bear?

What do you guys think? Thank you guys in advance.

Happy hunting

[B Wilson]

Where are you turkey hunting?

dont think I would be too worried about bears in the Burlington area.

and no your dad can't have a gun loaded for big game, especially since he doesn't have a PAL or a hunting license.

[MikePal]

Chances of encountering a beer are slim....chances of being attacked by an aggressive Black bear are even slimmer. They tend to avoid humans.

I have encountered a few beasts while I was enjoying a sunrise while Turkey hunting, a Wolf once, but again, as soon he saw me he took off.

I used to carry a 12 ga slug shell in my breast pocket just in case I might 'need' it. I figured if the ratchet sound of the slide didn't scare off the attacker, then the slug shell would be loaded. Never used it.

[finsfurfeathers]

If your worried about a bear attack while hunting turkey stay out of the bush. Such an irrational fear may be more dangerous for someone else walking in the bush than a bear actually attacking you. Besides you would have a better chance at being attacked by a pack of coyotes.

[trimmer21]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been asked before already. I wasn't able to find much by doing my search on the forum.

I should have all of my paperwork ready to go in time for the Turkey season. It will be me first hunting experience ever. The gun I'm purchasing once my PAL comes through will be Mossberg 535 with the Turkey barrel. I will be going with my dad as a company but he doesn't have gun license or the outdoors card. He will just be there for the company. Not going to be touching the harvest or shooting any guns.

My question now is, how do you make sure you dont have a run in with a bear? How do you prepare for a possibility of it happening? Can I have my dad carrying a side by side with smooth bore and slug shells ready? From what I understand he can carry it if unloaded. Should I have a bear spray with me? Are there areas where I can hunt Turkey but will never come across a bear?

What do you guys think? Thank you guys in advance.

Happy hunting

Your Dad can't carry any firearm without a PAL. To do so is a criminal offense. Maybe,he should take the OHEP and PAL courses,too. Then,you can be a family tag team which would be pretty frickin' awesome.

[JMatthews]

Not sure why you are worried about a bear attack. Have you taken your turkey course yet? Do that and listen to what the instructors have to say. You Dad cannot carry any firearm and if you recently took your firearms & hunting courses ( and paid attention) , you should know this.
As Trimmer suggested, have you Dad take all of the required courses and then you can hunt together.

[Mateo]

Where are you turkey hunting?

dont think I would be too worried about bears in the Burlington area.

and no your dad can't have a gun loaded for big game, especially since he doesn't have a PAL or a hunting license.

Thank you B Wilson,

I realize that my dad can't carry the gun now. Am I allowed to carry two guns though? It seems like something I will need to do.

I haven't picked a spot for Turkey Hunting yet. I'm thinking of going up north rather than staying here in Burlington to be honest? Could you recommend an area that I could take a look at?

Thank you

[Mateo]

Chances of encountering a beer are slim....chances of being attacked by an aggressive Black bear are even slimmer. They tend to avoid humans.

I have encountered a few beasts while I was enjoying a sunrise while Turkey hunting, a Wolf once, but again, as soon he saw me he took off.

I used to carry a 12 ga slug shell in my breast pocket just in case I might 'need' it. I figured if the ratchet sound of the slide didn't scare off the attacker, then the slug shell would be loaded. Never used it.

Thank you Mike,

I will do something similar. I will probably take a smooth bore shot gun with me with slugs as well as a last resort. I will give it every chance to just run away of course.

Thanks for the input

[Mateo]

If your worried about a bear attack while hunting turkey stay out of the bush. Such an irrational fear may be more dangerous for someone else walking in the bush than a bear actually attacking you. Besides you would have a better chance at being attacked by a pack of coyotes.

Hi Fins Fur Feathers,

Could you please elaborate? I normally see people hunting Turkey setting up their blind on the edge of the bush and set up decoys 40 yards away in the field. How do you personally approach it? I would of course never try to shoot at anything without knowing exactly what is in the bush to make sure I never shoot at other hunters accidentally

Thank you

[Mateo]

Your Dad can't carry any firearm without a PAL. To do so is a criminal offense. Maybe,he should take the OHEP and PAL courses,too. Then,you can be a family tag team which would be pretty frickin' awesome.

Thanks Trimmer,

My dad will be taking these courses as soon as he learns to speak the language in the nearest future. I can't wait for that time to happen. It looks like for now I might need to join other hunters who would be willing to take a new hunter out to learn the ropes.

Thank you