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

we are not angry at you. you asked a question and we answered it. if you want to go to the Yukon, well you have every right to do so. what we're pointing out to you is that it's not legal for you to carry a gun even if it's for protection. ever heard of bear spray? it's a lot cheaper and totally legal. good luck on your trip!

Answer 2

I read your question from yesterday and didn't see any answers that seemed hateful to you. People seemed to be merely informing you that as a foreigner you won't likely be able to bring the gun into the country in the first place and were giving you alternative ways to handle bears or avoid them in the first place.
While bears are certainly an animal that needs to be respected I think sometimes people have an idea that they are going to come across one more often that what actually happens. I compare it to how many dangerous snakes I thought I would come across when I moved to the Southern US. Being from Canada where there aren't venomous snakes you hear stories of people being bitten etc. Well in the 8 years I've been here my life hasn't been threatened by a snake yet.

My suggestion is to get some of the bear spray and take the suggestions the people gave you to your original question. Living in the US I know most Americans are fond of their right to carry a gun but most Canadians don't feel the need for one. If you are visiting another country then you need to respect their rules and cultures or simply not visit but then you'll be missing out on some wonderful, perhaps eye-opening, experiences.
I hope you have a great time in the Yukon. I myself am likely going to the Rocky Mountains to do some camping, hiking, etc this summer so I will certainly heed the suggestions about avoiding bears but I gotta say it never once crossed my mind to take a gun with me.

Answer 3

Hi James,

I answered you yesterday, and thought I gave an objective answer. I also read all the answers that are attached to your Grizzly .44 Magnum question and the only one I saw that was angry or hateful was the one guy who suggested you shoot yourself instead. The rest of us appeared to give you well thought out answers, which is what I thought you wanted in the first place.

Feel free to go on your hiking trip, as it really won't affect me one way or the other unless your bullet from the Yukon can reach Calgary where my nearest relatives are.

The only comments I have for you (again these are not said angrily):

1) If you do bring the gun and don't declare it at the border, make sure you have a good lawyer.

2) If you manage to get the gun into the country, when you are in the Yukon late at night and hear footsteps coming toward your camp, make sure that it is a bear you are shooting at and not some poor other lost hiker who saw your campfire.

Have a good trip.

Answer 4

I think what people are trying to tell you is that you are going to have problems bringing a gun across an international border. It is a BIG deal. There are a lot of restrictions, and it will not be an easy thing for you to do. The Canada customs website has information regarding the requirements you will need to meet in order to bring a gun across the border.

Bear spray (or pepper spray) is a better option, however your behaviour in the woods can keep you much safer than a gun. I suggest you do some reading on how to camp safely in Grizzly country and what you should do if you see a bear. A grizzly really does not want to eat you! In the middle of summer there are lots of things to eat, however if threatened... watch out. Buy a bear bell and strap it to your belt or backpack. As long as the bear hears you coming, it will likely avoid you. If you aren't experienced in the wilderness, you might want to consider hiring a guide. Not only will you feel safer, but you may learn more about the area from a local than you would on your own.

Answer 5

On a site like this, there are always going to be hateful things, just because nameless, faceless people will say anything they can get away with...Personally, it's the assumption that you can do in Canada what you do at home that I find a bit annoying. If you visit a friend's house, you follow their rules. Just because you do something at home, doesn't mean you do it elsewhere. For example, If you smoke a cigar at home, it doesnt mean you do it at a friend's house if they have a rule against it. You are obviously free to carry handguns in the US, but when you come to Canada, the rules are different. Please do go hiking in the Yukon, but realise the rules are different and respect them. And don't have a hissy fit if they confiscate your gun at the border; it's not like you didn't know the rules.

Answer 6

I'm one of those who answered you, and I'm glad you are still going to go on your Yukon hike. But what I, and many others, tried to convey, was that it is illegal to carry a handgun in Canada and if you do so, you could end up spending your vacation in jail, which is not likely what you had in mind.

Answer 7

none of us are mad at you, personall i liked the Yukon when I was there last, its very peaceful and amazing!
anyway, its what are laws are, you can't carry a weapon like a gun with you where ever you go, unlike in the States we don't have that right. Its not that we are saying you need to stay away, its just you have to respect our laws or you will end up in more trouble then you want.
there are lots of ways to protect yourself when you go hicking... such as bear spray and a guide (i believe i said that yesterday), but guns are not the answer

have fun on your trip though

Answer 8

Well, the people that were mad at you were mad because you were hiking with what they thought was an "illegal weapon". It might be registered in the USA but in Canada it is illegal to carry a consealed weapon, even though you were just hiking in the Yukon and using it for protection. Oh, and by the way, I'm Canadian and am not mad at you.

Answer 9

Well, James - I'd like to ask you a question - because I'm interested in knowing why you've deleted the original question you asked - to which I offered useful information about the use of rifles, in answer to your asking about renting one.

While deleting your original question, you also cleverly removed your own abrasive additional remarks about coming to "Canada and bringing a gun anyway".

Could it be that you're not a victim, but in fact a Troll?

Answer 10

I am Canadian, and I would bring a gun too. Grizzlies can be nasty, and sometimes they do not understand that you are just out for a hike. You gotta protect yourself.