While hiking in the Yukon Territory, should I pack a .44 magnum pistol in case a Grizzly Bear attacks us?

Question

My wife and I are changing directions in how we vacation. We are going to the wilderness now to get away from it all. We want to go to British Columbia and the Yukon Territories of Canada. These two places are one the top of our list due to the beauty of the nature there. However, we will not hike in Grizzly country without protection. So what are the laws up there in the way of carrying a gun on hiking trips?

Ok, let me add. I would not just start shooting at bears because I see them. I would only shoot if we were under attack.

So of all the people in Canada that were mauled by Grizzlys, I wonder how many wished they had a gun for protection?

Any questions?

Answer 1

It is actually not recommended that you carry any weapons while hiking. For most bears, they are more afraid of you. The best way to prevent bears from crossing your path is to make noise. If you're with someone, talk as much as possible. If you're by yourself, carry a bear bell or if you are annoyed by bear bells, just talk or sing out loud to yourself. Unless you go really remote into BC, you won't really find any bears near people. If you are going camping, you can find tips on line on how to protect food and whatnot while camping. Shooting a bear is just wrong my friend. You might actually get convicted for shooting a bear in some cases. If you do meet a bear, just stand tall and start shouting at it. DON'T RUN FROM THE BEAR. The bear is faster than you and will see you as prey if you start running. If you meet a bear, you have to pretend that you are the hunter. I would give you a .01% chance of actually meeting bears. Just don't shoot the bears, it is not beneficial for you or the bear.

Answer 2

If you are from Canada and have a registered firearm, you will need to check if the provincial park or laws in the Yukon allow you to carry it in a backpack in the park. It may have to be unloaded and with a gun lock on it until ready to use. This of course will be useless to you in case you are surprised by a grizzly!

If you are from another country, Canada is unlikely to allow you to bring the firearm into the country.

Besides, as someone else mentioned, I don't believe that a .44 magnum would necessarily stop an upset or angry grizzly.

In my opinion, the best solution is bear avoidance. Bears are smart and have a curious nature, and they can hear and smell really well. But in general, they try to avoid humans unless they are really hungry or they feel threatened.

If I were you, I would carry a whistle or harmonica with you and blow into it to alert the bears that you are in the area (to help them avoid you).

Carry bear deterrent, a chemical that when sprayed will in most cases cause an attacking bear to turn around and go away.

Try to keep your food away from the camp where you settle in, by hanging it from high tree branches in a sealed container. DO NOT bring snacks into the tent for later.

Although this may sound silly, it is a good idea to urinate around the far edges of your camp area. The scent of man will be present no matter what direction the bear or other wild animal approaches from and they are more likely to avoid that area.

If you see a dead animal carcass in the woods, avoid it and walk away from it quietly. This may be a bear's lunch and it thinks you want to steal it.

If you see bear cubs, do NOT approach! Mom is most likely not too far away and you need to vacate the area back the way you came into the area. Do so quietly.

Here are some interesting facts from the 1960-1997 study on bear attacks in British Columbia:

- There were an estimated 13,000 grizzlies in BC as of 1997, compared to as many as 160,000 black bears.

- Between 1960 and 1997, grizzlies accounted for 41 documented attacks on humans versus 14 for black bears. These resulted in 8 deaths from each species.

- 7 out of 10 cases involved people hiking alone or with one other person.

- 6 out of 10 grizzly incidents were determined to be caused by surprising or startling a bear at close range, and 2 out of 10 involved a dead animal carcass. Quite the opposite for black bears, as 8 out of 10 actually involved possible predation.

Answer 3

In Canada we have gun laws, instead of guns more effective product is the bear spray. You live and they live, we protect our animals here.

P.S.
Well, as everybody said it's not allowed unless you have a permit which is next to impossible to get since you are a tourist. And even if you get one, a bear attacks and you shoot it, within 5 mins Park Rangers will be there to question you and you have to prove that you had no other option but to shoot the bear.

Answer 4

Yukon Laws

Answer 5

I live in the country, in Northern Ontario, where black bears run rampant. I hike every other day along a no longer used railway, and only ever bring my dogs along, no weapons. Once the bear gets a whiff, or sight of the dogs, they take off. Now if my dogs were female, and not spayed, then I might have an issue.

Answer 6

.44 is the minnimum to carry. I prefer a short barreled 12 gauge shotgun with slugs. It will stop a grizz in it's tracks, (pun entended) wheras a .44 won't stop a charging Grizz quickly enough to prevent it reaching you. I've taken black bears with a .44 and had to put 6 or more in 'em sometimes. When I was baiting bears, I always carried a model 37 ithica 12 gauge. I had a pistol grip and an 181/4" barrel which made it nice and lite to sling over my shoulder, yet quick to get into action. Carry it with slugs up first, then the last round or two OO buckshot for close in work. You can even make a scabard to fit on the frame of your pack, but it is slow to get into action that way. Best bet would be, if you insist on a pistol, the new S&W 500 is built to stop a bear. But it is a "stout" round to shoot and not for the small handed person. BUt they offer it in a short barrel with compensator to help with recoil. Price starts about $800.00 whereas a good used shotgun can be had for 150.00 or new for around 225.00

Answer 7

You should check the gun laws before you come here - Canada is very strict on who and where you can carry a gun. Your first step it to check if you're even able to bring a gun over the boarder, or this may be a moot discussion.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Canada has very stringent gun laws. You can not carry a pistol except to and from a practise range if you are a firing club member. Sorry, but that's the way it is. You can carry a rifle, if you have a proper license for it.

Answer 9

Best advise yet and I do it all the time. Whizzing around the campfire is most effective as it is was animals understand. kind of indicates what your dealing with, doesn't it ?

you animal rights folks are a bunch of lunatics. there is nothing wrong with carrying a weapon in the back country to protect yourself from animals. mostly, of the 2 legged kind.

Answer 10

Your only hope is to shoot yourself.