Polar bear

T

TomFetter

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Dec 6, 2004
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A friend on another forum is going up into the Northwest Territories for a fishing trip (Sutton river). A rather fierce dispute has broken out on that forum, about what kind of firearm to take for protection. This is Canada, so no handguns please.

12 gauge with slug? High powered rifle? If anyone would have informed opinions, it's likely to be some of you gents. Bear in mind (no pun intended) that polar bears are about 1500 pounds, and have about 4-5" of blubber over their more vulnerable bits.

t.
 
A magazine-fed rifle

that you are familair and accurate with

in rapid fire,

30.06 (.308) or more powerful

with solid bullets

kept loaded

and within reach.
 
And I'd try something with a sabot. Those things really penetrate.
With big, dangerous game charging you, you want straight line, maximum penetration with little or no bullet deformation. On a charging bruin you should aim directly for the mouth as their brains tend to be set lower in their skull than most people think. A pump will give you fast action and dead certain reliability in more conditions than an auto provides.

Only expert handgunners should think they have a chance against the larger bears when armed with only a handgun in bear country. Even then, you will need enough gun and heavy, cast bullets for defence.
 
I have a feeling my areas of expertice on this issue are the oposit of most people here. I dont know to much about guns but I do know a fare bit about polar bears. If this were any other type of bear I would no bring a gun, all other types of bear understand that humans are dangerous and are to be avoided. Polar bears understand that humans are soft and meaty. Depending on the time of year he is going and his distance from the ocean his odds of encountering a Polar bear are not something to be worried about. Out on the ice is in the winter and on land in the summer is where most Polar bears go.

When I was up there we carried 30-30 and I think it was plenty. Bear in mind that if you cant scare it off by firing into the air (the first thing you should do) you need to hit it in the head unless you are carrying an elephant gun loaded with depleted uranium rounds. Its hard to truely apreciat the size of thoes things untill you see one in person. The best comparison is: imagin the difference between a grizly and a black bear, that is about the differnce between a Polar bear and a grizly.

I hope your freind does see one from a decent distance, a polar bear is one of the most noble, beautiful, powerful things I have ever seen. I also hope your freind isnt trigger happy enough to shoot such an amazing animal out of fear when it is not nessisary.

Gord
 
Thanks Gord.

Yeah, the tenor of discussion over at the other place has been:

"They're amazing animals, which are the top carnivores on the planet. They don't seem to think that people taste very good, but they definitely view you as meat. Be wary, but don't be trigger-happy. Only fire if there's really no choice."

For the not-practiced shooter, rec'd a 12 gauge with heavy sabots. For the practiced shooter, a high powered rifle with heavy, solid bullets. From the front, aim for the mouth - as the brain's lower than one would think. From the side, aim to break the shoulder.

How does that summary sound to folks who know more about guns than me (wouldn't be hard!)?
 
I saw a tv program of the Inuit hunting Polar Bear. They used dogs to harass and tire it out before finishing it with a rifle. Bring lotsa dogs (and a snowmobile :D)
 
from what I've seen and read, but not experienced personally, the defensive (sweetlordIhopeIdon'tneedthis) tool(s) of choice are:

1. A slower companion.

2. 12 gauge with slugs, open cylinder or rifled barrel choke.
 
I had a friend in Alaska that swore by the 450 Marlin lever gun. He didn't deal with white bears but the brown ones are pretty bad.

Dick
 
The 12 gauge is a good idea. Everyone has one, or can get one. A lever in 450 Marlin or 45/70 and properly loaded would be good. A 375 H and H would be good.

A 30/30 is better than a lot of folks think it is, but I would not take one as insurance against a Polar bear.

A semi auto in 308 or 06 aint a bad idea.

munk
 
TomFetter said:
A friend on another forum is going up into the Northwest Territories for a fishing trip (Sutton river). A rather fierce dispute has broken out on that forum, about what kind of firearm to take for protection. This is Canada, so no handguns please.

12 gauge with slug? High powered rifle? If anyone would have informed opinions, it's likely to be some of you gents. Bear in mind (no pun intended) that polar bears are about 1500 pounds, and have about 4-5" of blubber over their more vulnerable bits.

t.
Click to expand...

Hi Tom:

I don't think you can hurt a Polar Bear. They might be protected. You have to let them eat you by law.
 
Steve Poll said:
Hi Tom:

I don't think you can hurt a Polar Bear. They might be protected. You have to let them eat you by law.
Click to expand...

Now that is funny.
 
Apparently you can legally kill them, but you've got to convince some pretty practiced Mounties that he was hunting you, not simply the reverse. You're not allowed to keep any part of the carcass, unless you're a native.

Thanks all.

t.
 
Overheard out on the trail.....:

"Geez Dave them are funny lookin huntin boots...they look more like runnin' shoes...":D
 
Dave Rishar said:
"I don't need to outrun the bear...I just need to outrun you."

Words to live by in bear country.
Click to expand...


And let me tell you, a motivated Polar Bear can move REALLY fast...:D
 
22 caliber revolver and a hand grenade . The 22 is for you if you miss with the hand grenade . L:O:L

While I respect the 30-30 I,d be carrying a semi-auto 30-06 or better . Its also not so much the rifle as being able to use it . I,d rather put a 22 in its heart than a magnum 2 inches over its back . Practice , practice practice .Sorry for going off the topic a bit .
 
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