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Thread: Rifle in sheep country

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    197

    Rifle in sheep country

    I am just wondering what the lowest caliber rifle someone would bring into sheep country. Still pretty new to hunting and just want to be smart. I have a 270 Winchester and feel like that might not help if a G bear decides to try ruin my plans. Hiking in off the highway and covering a lot of ground on foot through g bear country.

    Any thoughts or advice on this?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Smithers
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    176

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    What do archery hunters, fishermen, hikers and other outdoor people do? I go into grizzly bear country with no gun all the time. I think any gun is a bonus.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    3,082

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    Your fine with the 270. I’d go down to the 6.5 creedmoor as my lightest even though a 6mm cartridge will do the job. Use a good tough bullet if your worried about it. I wouldn’t worry about bears although they are everywhere up there. Seen a lot last season off the highway
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  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Prince George
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    1,087

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    I’ve been hunting sheep every year starting in 2003 and the last thing I would be worried about is having enough gun for grizzlies. I’ve seen maybe a half dozen in all those trips and so far no bad encounters. I think you’d have a better chance of getting in a car accident on your way there. I also think that in reality, if sh*t really hits the fan, your chances are poor whether you have a 270 win or a 338 win.
    I would recommend taking the rifle that you are the most comfortable and practiced with.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
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    BC
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    2,291

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    My choice....300win tuned with 180gr Nosler AB for sheep/goat shots and 3 rounds of 180gr TTSX for hiking in/out.
    Last edited by northof49; 03-20-2019 at 08:42 AM.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
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    4,995

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    A little bit off topic, but who uses a bear fence or warning system when they’re in bear country? I’m also planning a sheep hunt this year and my partner wants one but I don’t really care. I think the best defence is not having any kind of food or smelly scents in your tent.
    If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    14,706

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    Quote Originally Posted by AllDay View Post
    I am just wondering what the lowest caliber rifle someone would bring into sheep country. Still pretty new to hunting and just want to be smart. I have a 270 Winchester and feel like that might not help if a G bear decides to try ruin my plans. Hiking in off the highway and covering a lot of ground on foot through g bear country.

    Any thoughts or advice on this?
    FINE with a 270 WINNY ! Nosler Accubond or a Barnes TTSX Bullet - Your Golden ! jmo RJ

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
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    region 3
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    3,290

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    Quote Originally Posted by Bustercluck View Post
    A little bit off topic, but who uses a bear fence or warning system when they’re in bear country? I’m also planning a sheep hunt this year and my partner wants one but I don’t really care. I think the best defence is not having any kind of food or smelly scents in your tent.
    I would put the bacon in your buddys pack.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    197

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    Thanks for the replies. Still new to this. Just looking for some input on the topic. It's different getting dropped off in the mountains vs. hiking 30 km on foot through old horse trails to get into the mountains. Still dumb enough to hike in off the highway. I feel like a fly in trip will happen after this year.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Prince George
    Posts
    1,087

    Re: Rifle in sheep country

    Quote Originally Posted by Bustercluck View Post
    A little bit off topic, but who uses a bear fence or warning system when they’re in bear country? I’m also planning a sheep hunt this year and my partner wants one but I don’t really care. I think the best defence is not having any kind of food or smelly scents in your tent.

    I agree with you on a clean camp. But there’s definitely some luck involved in not having bear problems. On a two week trip it’s very tough to not have food smells, dead animal smells in your clothes and gear.

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