Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
New hunter from ontario here. I become a bc resident Jan 1 and want to scout some areas for next year's deer season. I figure I'll bring the 12 gauge for small game. Being from ontario we only see black and brown bears the size of a big German Sheppard maybe and they spook pretty easy. Even a sow with Cubs will bolt as soon as she sees or smells you. Never seen a grizz before. Talking to hunting buddies at work it seems like everyone has a grizzly story lol. Do you guys carry bear spray or just rely on your rifle?
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Personally I don’t carry bear spray well hunting with a firearm/bow, camping, or fishing. I have never seen the need to.
everyone has there own opinion
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I'd go rifle up the shoot, And on safety, in areas where your allowed to carry a rifle ,to shoot at bears etc -- the bear spray I never used -- :?:
Jel -- good luck hunter in BC with all of us together -- hunting and hiking and scouting -- jogging and walking the wilderness -- Good Luck Big Chris
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I would never rely on bear spray to stop a charging bear.
If using a shotgun make sure you have some good quality solid slugs along.And forget about buckshot-it simply lacks penetration.
A big caliber rifle is best. I personally use the 45/70 Guide Gun loaded with 540 gr. bullets, a 375H&H loaded with 300 gr. bullets & sometimes a Defender loaded with 3"mag Brenneke slugs when retrieving game.
We do have a couple cans of bear spray at camp in case a curious bear appears.
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I carry bear spray. I seem to carry it around quite a bit more than I thought I would. I throw it in my pack when I’m out on my bike with the kids or when I’m fishing. I have a 20 gauge backpacker I also carry around if I’m in the bush. I would prefer to have a nice big revolver like the 500 s&w, but that’s never going to happen.
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Nope. Short pump action when scouting out of season in grizz country.
In blacktail country I carry nothing
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
My bear spray is 250 grains and flies at 2800 FPS
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
I spent 20 years working in the bush and never carried bear spray. I had one or two occasion that it may have come in handy, but for the most part making noise keeps the bears away. While bow hunting and scouting on the other hand, I carry spray. One is way quieter while hunting and the chances of bumping into a bear is way more likely. My hunting partner and I ,while scouting both carry spray, one of us packs a shotgun and the other guy packs the spotting scope and tripod.
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Never carry bear spray just a rifle when scouting or hunting and a handgun when I’m working.( I have a permit to carry the handgun).
Re: Do you carry bear spray when hunting?
Bear spray in grizzly country especially when solo. On the hip as it doesn't so much good in the pack.