Shotgun for Black Bear?

[teddy12b]

Congrats on your great hunt! 

How about a story to go along with the pictures you tease! 

How big where the bears?  I didn't know you could take two bears in Alberta.

[Redhawk1]

Great looking bears you got there Robert. 
I see that Tikka did the trick, now how about a story to go along with them pic's.

I am going to Ontario in August for black bear. I am still trying to decide what to take. I have the 45-70 guide gun I have been think about taking.

[Robert Baggett]

I will post some stories tomorrow.  (Running out of time here at work, LOL).  The first bear rolled about 10 feet and died.  The second took two steps and died.  My bunk mate used a 45/70 to take his two bears.  He had to shoot each one three different times, lol.  It's all about shot placement!

[teddy12b]

Hey Redhawk1,
          We may be passing one another on the road to Ontario this August.  I will be taking two family members along with me on their first bear hunt.  This will be my second bear hunt, but hopefully the first time I actually get to see and harvest a bear.  I too am debating on what to take.  For me I'm thinking either my encore 30-06, marlin 30/30, or my savage 210F 12 ga.  All kind of depends on what the family members are going to end up borrowing.

[Redhawk1]

teddy12b, what outfitter are you going with?  I am using Zaverucha Outfitters out of Cochrane Ontario.  We will be there opening week. Right now I think I am going to take my Marlin 45-70.  But I have so many other guns I would like to take also. But I guess I will make that decision when the time comes. 

[teddy12b]

Redhawk1,
       I'll be going to Auld Reekie Lodge.  I've heard a lot of good things about them and there is supposed to be some good fishing right there too.  I think I'll end up using my 30-06 and letting my cousin borrow my 30/30.  If he buys his own rifle for the hunt I may end using my 30/30.  I don't a problem with either one, I just can't decide what one to use.  I still haven't taken anything with my 30/30 yet.

[teddy12b]

While I was on my last bear hunting trip I ran across a nice married couple.  They had hunted bear many many times, especially the husband.  They hunted exclusively with shotguns.  I asked him why and he said he'd used everything in the past but up close you can't find anything more powerful that leaves a bigger hole.  I don't know exactly what the guns they were using were, but I know he liked his rifled barrel and winchester sabots and she liked her smooth bore with Challenger slugs.  They both took some very nice bears with their shotguns.