Why were the Canadians angry at me for wanting to hike in the Yukon with a gun for Grizzly protection?

Question

Some of you Canadians were downright hateful to me yesterday.

Guess what, I am still going hiking in the Yukon whether you like it or not.

Answer 1

I'm sorry if you were offended by the responses you received to your first question. If you survey these pages carefully, you'll see that many people respond to many questions with rude, sarcastic, or just plain nasty answers.

The good news is that most Canadians are much nicer than that. Having said which....

If you are going to the Yukon, you are going to a true wilderness such as no longer exists in most parts of this continent. It's the grizzly bear's home turf, and you are intruding on the bear, not the people! Consider: if you try to defend yourself with a gun and miss the only shot you will get to take, you are likely to find yourself critically injured and many, many miles from the nearest road -- let alone the nearest hospital.

All the advice the other writers gave you is absolutely on target. A handgun will NOT protect your from a big, angry grizzly.

The way to survive in this kind of wilderness setting is not to try to force YOUR will on it, but to go with the flow of nature's rules. Canada's history is full of stories of people who died trying to show the northern wilderness that they were tougher than it is. Brute force in such a setting is a prescription for disaster.

I hope you come to Canada, and enjoy your time in the Yukon. But, for your own protection, please follow all the good advice given by the people who answered this question. It's in your own interest to do so.

Answer 2

I have no idea where your original question went...I know I answered it...but I can't find it. I can only speak for my own answer, which I don't think you were referring to.

Using the type of gun you have mentioned is bad idea. First and foremost, it is illegal to bring that gun into Canada. (I did some checking after my last answer) Get caught with that gun and you will never be able to visit Canada again; or for a long time. It will be confiscated at the border and may NOT be returned to you. If you do not believe me or the other people who answered you, check out this site:
http://www.amcits.com/weapons.asp
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

You do have to declare the gun when you come to Canada no matter what you bring. There are forms on that same site.

As the person above me mentioned, using a gun on a grizzly isnt the wisest of ideas. As he correctly stated, it can turn a defensive attack into an offensive one...a fight you will not win; gun or no gun.

Pepper spray is not permitted to be brought into Canada without a permit. Also, be the wrong way in the wind with pepper spray and it can be used AGAINST you.

I think the people that were hateful to you yesterday were maybe a bit defensive of our country. You see, you are coming to OUR country and are already planning on not following OUR rules regarding wildlife and guns. That makes you not as popular as you could be. Look at in reverse...I come to the USA and totally disregard all American rules. It's respect-and it goes both ways.

Hiking comes with its risks. Pay attention to things like where you keep your food, avoid areas that have had previous attacks etc. Talk to the Natural Resource officers in the area and they can tell you first hand that grizzly attacks are RARE unless they are provoked or hungry. They can also tell you what to do if you do get attacked.

My advice....enjoy your trip and don't go looking for trouble. Follow the rules of the country you want to visit and enjoy the scenery rather than destroy it. :)

Answer 3

If you are talking about using a handgun to defend yourself against a grizzly, that is sheer suicide.

A gun will do you very little good against a grizzly. Griz are extremely fast and you would have a few seconds to fire off a shot at it, which you would have to place almost perfectly, with a high caliber gun. Sometimes it would take several hits to take one down. If a grizzly charges you, it is most likely going to be a bluff charge, or just wants to knock you down so you are not a threat to it anymore. It may claw you a few times after and then leave. You may get wounded, but it will not be serious, especially if you are curled up and protecting your vitals. If you shoot, you are most likely to wound the bear which will turn a non-violent charge, into a full blown killing attack. You are much safer with bear pepper spray or playing dead than firing at a bear. Only an expert marksman with a high caliber gun should even consider that kind of protection. Many people have been killed or seriously injured trying to kill a grizzly with a gun even at close range. Your best protection is bear spray, and possibly electric fencing around your tent while you sleep.

Answer 4

Yes you did get a bit of a feeding frenzy didn't you? Partly people were trying to prevent you from getting yourself into trouble since our gun laws are very different from yours. Partly it just seemed astonishing to people that someone would have so casual an attitude to carrying a pistol around with them. And yes partly it is because of anti-Americanism which, I completely agree, is the same sort of bigotry as is resenting anyone based on their national origin.
Have a nice time in the Yukon, but check out Territorial gun laws first. Also be ready for a major, major hassle if you are bringing what we call a restricted firearm across the border.

Answer 5

They are just jealous that you can buy and carry a gun.