bear necessities

[hafwit]

dillemma is this: prairie boy who has sister & family who just moved to B.C. I do not like bears.when hunting hungarian partridge the only injury might be twisted ankle in gopher hole. Now would like to take pup and hunt God's country, but He put big grizzly bears there! Do I trade in my 20 gauge which I love for a 12? keep my 7mm slung on my back? is 20 gauge big enough to stop bad bear? Or don't worry about it because if it happens it will be all over before I know it? Just want to hunt grouse and bunnies and little creatures with pointing dog, but am a little nervous about it.just me and pup. no partner.any advice appreciated.

[BearSniper]

Sure, why not get a 12 guage?

That way you can use slugs for Bears and smaller shot for grouse

[moosecaller]

Happens so rare you are talking yourself into a problem that may taint your pleasure times, be aware but don't get paranoid. Lots of people go out every year with no protection and enjoy the bush and never have any issues with bears. You can and will see mean nasties behind/under every tree and shadow if you think youself into it.
PS. former stubble jumper here.

[switchback]

There are lots of bears in B.C. and lots of peaple as well. You are far more likely to have peaple trouble than bear trouble. Do they have peaple were you live? You can pick up a brochure from the M.O.E. that will guide you on what to do in bear country. My biggest advice is stay away from spawing salmon streams, away from mamma bears with cubs and keep your campsite clean of food stuff by burning or burying (away from camp) left overs. Sounds like you will have your dog with you so that will help. I go bird hunting with my dog and I enjoy it very much and I was mulled by a grizzly years ago.

[Mr. Dean]

Happens so rare you are talking yourself into a problem that may taint your pleasure times, be aware but don't get paranoid. Lots of people go out every year with no protection and enjoy the bush and never have any issues with bears. You can and will see mean nasties behind/under every tree and shadow if you think youself into it.
PS. former stubble jumper here.

X2.

I wouldn't get to worked up about it. Keep some slugs @ hand for your 20,,, go git some birds.

[Gateholio]

Carry a few 20 guage slugs in your ammo belt. It's what Iused to do when I hunted grouse alot.

[ruger#1]

Keep your 20g and get some slugs for it. i also hunt birds and do the same thing, I also have a pointer who is bear wary and has treed a few bears for me. Some dogs are amazing.

[ElectricDyck]

Pepper spray is also said to have a 70% rate of success in close quarters. I always carry some after reading Gary Shelton's book.

PS for a more enjoyable time in the bush, don't read the book.

[Marmo+]

Pepper spray all the way. It will work on the grouse too! You can get one of those rem. 870express 12guages for about 400 bucks and change...very versatile.

[Wolfman]

I'd trade up to a 12 gauge if you can swing it.

You will likely have fewer difficulties with bears than with humans, though I too have had run-ins with bears and as a result ain't the biggest fan of 'em. Most bears like us even less than we like them though...

When I'm out in country where there are lots of bears I keep the 'ol 870 nearby

Best way to go, in my opinion, is to be prepared buy don't get overly worked up about bears, otherwise you might just be so worried about Yogi and his pals that you will have a crappy time out.