Carrying shotgun with 6 shells -- CO problems?

[canuckjgc]

Hi all,

I plan to carry a shotgun with 6 shells in the bush for the first time solely for bear defense when fly fishing or canoeing in known bear habitat.

My question is this: will a conservation officer give me a hard time? I'll have a hunting license but will have more shells than permitted. Without a hunting license I might look like a poacher to a CO. I may or may not have fishing gear with me at any particular time.

Any thoughts? If this will be a headache for me I'll just take my .44mag rifle.

Thanks!

[oldtimer]

You can't be serious !!!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Just make sure they're slugs.

SSS

[canuckjgc]

I don't understand your response at all -- you don't think firearms are every necessary for bear defense, or bringing a shotgun with 6 shells is not a good idea, or ?

You can't be serious !!!

[boxhitch]

The answers to this and other ??'s are in the Regulations.

You can't be serious !!!

[canuckjgc]

The point is I won't be hunting, which technically means I can have as many shells as I wish. The problem I think is convincing a CO of that...

The answers to this and other ??'s are in the Regulations.

[FLHTCUI]

Dude, any way you slice it , your asking for trouble.
A gun for self defence is just another excuse to whine to the judge when you have to explain your actions.
Dead bear in season no tag??? Hmmm sounds fishy to me.
Dead bear out of season with a tag ???? Again sounds fishy to me?
But then again what do I know.

[Legi0n]

Where the use of a shotgun is allowed for hunting or trapping big game, an unplugged shotgun holding more than 2 shells and firing single projectiles only (slugs) may be used.

So, get a bear tag and be on your way.

[canuckjgc]

Yup, I guess this is the answer then, so long as shotgun hunting is allowed wherever I'll be.

So, get a bear tag and be on your way.

[Gateholio]

You can load your shotgun with as many single projectiles (slugs) as your firearm holds, for defense or hunting purposes.

You can only hunt with 2+1 shells of shot variety.

There doesn't seem to be a clear regulation regarding shot shells and defense, out of hunting season, but I would imagine that if you are not hunting, the hunting regulations don't apply to you.

You certainly have the right to defend yourself from animal attack in the bush, and you are certainly legal to target practice in the bush, too.