Long arm for bear protection in Canada?

[bigbore442001]

I was thinking of one day taking a long camping/fishing trip in some place like Labrador or Quebec. I had an old professor who went there for a month. He took with him a .303 Brit as bear protection.

I was wondering if with the new law changes, would there be a problem with carrying a short rifle like a lever action carbine or a shotgun in the wilds for bear repellent, so to speak?

I did some searching but could not really find anything to answer this question. Thanks.

[Snowshoe]

There are no special restrictions concerning the trapper length lever rifles. If we get lucky enough for the dreaded Liberals to get the boot in this election, we will see some relaxing of the gun laws.

[Rick Teal]

You really don't need a gun for protection from black bear, and besides, I doubt that bringing one would be legal, unless the bear season is open and you're licenced to hunt them in whichever province you decide to visit.  There's also the hassle of a background check, and paying a federal fee for temporary registration.  We're hoping that if the Liberals are defeated some of this federal BS will disappear, but in most provinces, the p[ossession of a firearm in areas that game normally inhabits is prima facia evidence of hunting.

If you're willing to put all your ducks in a row, almost any rifle calibre that's OK for deer will kill a black bear.  I'm a little skeptical of pistol cartridges in rifles, but that is only me.  If I were doing this (and it were legal), I'd probably be looking at a Marlin in .35 Rem.

[Win94]

You really don't need a gun for protection from black bear, and besides, I doubt that bringing one would be legal,

............bringing a second gun into Canada maybe a hassle for an american hunter.  But Mr. Teal's comments of not needing anything for black bear defence maybe true for where he is from but here in the rockies that kind of lack of respect of black bears could get one killed and is an utterly stupid statement.  The black bear population is up, here in Alberta as well as black bear attacks and confrontations.  For this reason i do not go unarmed in the bush whether i am hunting, fishing or just strolling in the outdoors with my family.

[John Y Cannuck]

I've spent many weeks canoe/portage camping near Gogama, Ontario  in some of the heaviest black bear densities around. I was visited by blackie after dark a couple of times, but had no problems. Ontario law would not allow me to carry a gun.
Play by the rules, keep your camp clean, and you should be OK unarmed. I say should, because like people, there are nasties out there.

[bud340]

Come to Alberta, we are a little more relaxed here.  Oh yes and bring your rifle (Marlin 45/70  :lol: ) along I am sure the border cops will let you.  Be sure to bring proof of ownership and something from the border so you can buy ammo.

We have great rivers here you could spend months exploring.  The Peace, Athabaska north of Fort McMurray and the tar sands, Clearwater, and Lake Athabaska with a record of 103 lbs lake trout cought in a net.  I personally hunt 2 weels a year on the Athabaska, Firebag and the Embaras rivers for Moose and real "wild buffalo".

Most of our bears do not have a local dump or garbage left behind by hoards of hikers to feed on at meal time.  They know what wild meat (moose calves) tastes like, and I am sure the lack of hair on people may be an attraction.  Yes, and another very dangerous place to be is between a cow moose and her calf. They have been known to kill horses and their riders.

I never go anyplace without the rifle in the canoe.

Horses are also legal in Alberta, you can even carry a rifle with the mag full.  "Alberta is a savage country" Fed Gov't quote but I love Alberta.

Bigbore, send me a private message, I would love to help you plan a trip in Alberta.  If you do go to Lab, go by way of Newfoundland, stay away from Ontario and Quebec.

Born in Belleville Ontario.
Paid land taxes in: Frankford, Kaladar, Hull, Embrum, Ottawa, and still have my name on a construction company in Ottawa.

P.S. Look on the net for some of the rivers I mentioned. Great history, Fort McMurray is 200+ years old. and  oil oil oil

[Demonical]

You really don't need a gun for protection from black bear, and besides, I doubt that bringing one would be legal, unless the bear season is open and you're licenced to hunt them in whichever province you decide to visit.  There's also the hassle of a background check, and paying a federal fee for temporary registration.  We're hoping that if the Liberals are defeated some of this federal BS will disappear, but in most provinces, the p[ossession of a firearm in areas that game normally inhabits is prima facia evidence of hunting.
If you're willing to put all your ducks in a row, almost any rifle calibre that's OK for deer will kill a black bear.  I'm a little skeptical of pistol cartridges in rifles, but that is only me.  If I were doing this (and it were legal), I'd probably be looking at a Marlin in .35 Rem.

Rick Teal, I was born at Kemptville Ontario, so I know the Manotick area. There are actually some pretty darn big black bears in Eastern Ontario, from the Smiths Falls/Franktown on up. But you are probably right to feel secure wandering the bush in that part of the country, without needing a firearm.


I live in central Alberta and the area is heavily forested, foothills wilderness. There is a large black bear population here and grizzlies as well. I do not, would not, go in the bush without a firearm for protection! No way, not around here!

Wildlife officers in Alberta are not concerned about a man carrying a long gun for self protection from bears; handguns are prohibited unless you have special status. It is possible to get an ATC (Authorization To Carry) to carry a handgun for self defense in Canada. I know because I have one. I qualify as a licensed trapper, but the stupid law says I can only legally carry while involved with my trapping.


Edit:
Oh yea, the perfect bear defense is probably a 12ga. defender, alternately loaded up with OO-Buckshot and slugs. I've got a Win 1300, it holds 8 2-3/4" rounds. I need to get one of those back style sheaths for it, ala' Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior.

[Sean V]

Edit:
Oh yea, the perfect bear defense is probably a 12ga. defender, alternately loaded up with OO-Buckshot and slugs. I've got a Win 1300, it holds 8 2-3/4" rounds. I need to get one of those back style sheaths for it, ala' Mel Gibson in the Road Warrior.

I couldn't agree more.

[WaitsLong]

Come to Alberta, we are a little more relaxed here.  Oh yes and bring your rifle (Marlin 45/70  :lol: ) along I am sure the border cops will let you.  Be sure to bring proof of ownership and something from the border so you can buy ammo.

What does this mean?
"something from the border so you can buy ammo"
Canadian Customs document authorizing an ammo dealer to sell ammo to a Yank.

Can you bring in 2 boxes?

I saw lotsa bears when I was in Alberta 15 years ago. One was real close-up, but he
was fully occupied in looking for and eating berries. No problems, luckily.
Elk, Moose, foxes, coyotes, beavers,  etc. Love the geology in Jasper.

Some place I got a free map of Alberta with all water routes color-coded as to degree
of difficulty 1-5. Lake Athabaska was red, as I remember, very dangerous, but the
Athabaska River was coded for 1 or 2, i.e. easy.

As I remember, from the map, the Peace River had no resupply points for many miles.
This would not be suitable for the casual canoeist. I am guessing that the water was
good enough to drink with normal precautions i.e. not chemically polluted.

[upnorth]

non residents may bring in up to 200 rounds for personal, sporting use...... non residents should make arrangements with someone here to buy ammo for them if need be, but if you go through more than  200 rds, that's one hell of a bear!!!