[PoleCat]

I concur about shotguns and bears.....just make him mad. A six shot .44 magnum would be a better choice for bear defense.

 

[Crossrodes]

A 12 gauge slug will stop a bear.... But I have to ask, what kind of shotgun are you going to carry on a bike? I'm assuming it will be broken down and my question would then be is your friend going to ask the bear to stand by while you put it together and get it loaded? I suspect there will be a lot of questions at the border and he might as well leave the shotgun at home.

I live in an area where we find bears frequently (black bears...grizzles are further north on the mainland in more wilderness areas where you probably will not go on a bike). I have had two close proximity black bear encounters this year and have just not bothered them and they didn't bother me. This is not unusual.

Cougar sightings are much more rare and usually will not attack a group of men. They will attack children or small men though. If you see one keep well clear. If attacked or stalked fight like hell make yourself look as big as possible and make lots of noise...they will run off.

I don't have any firearms now...I don't need them. The animals don't bother me and I don't bother them. Just read up on how to just not tease them with food and don't annoy them or get near their young.

 

[jstephensca]

Relax !!

You guys have all watched too many Disney movies. The bears are there . . but they don't line up at the border looking for tasty Americans. They are more afraid of you then you of them.
Four trips to Alaska and Yukon on a Motorcycle and at least 8 bear sitings and they always run AWAY from me. Never towards me. There is a definite pattern.
So, forget the gun routine. Camp in campgrounds, store food up high. Enjoy the place !!

 

[1Percent]

i feel plenty safe with just a good bear resistant tent

:shock: Is there such a thing...ever seen the claws on a "Griz"?

I think the only bear-safe tent is called a hotel! :lol: (just kidding)


I lived in Alaska for 3 years and from my experience, bears don't want anything to do with humans. The only 2 bears I saw (outside a zoo) were black bears and they were trying to get AWAY from people, not go after them. Unless you take your bikes and go off-roading, I don't think you'll have a problem with bears. People who live in those areas are usually very good at having bear-proof trash bins, etc.

Remember, you cannot outrun a Grizzly, so always travel with someone who runs slower than you do! :lol:

 

[HIghway-J]

Went to Alaska in July, one of the guys in the group took a shotgun. He had already pre-registered the gun and had the papers with him. The customs officer checked to see if the serial number on the gun matched the registration, took the $50 fee and sent us on our way.

 

[loren]

Went to Alaska in July, one of the guys in the group took a shotgun. He had already pre-registered the gun and had the papers with him. The customs officer checked to see if the serial number on the gun matched the registration, took the $50 fee and sent us on our way.

sounds like canada is learnimg frok the us gov

if theres a fee involved, then almost anything is all good

i have read numerous accounts of folks riding to alaska, and about 1 in 10 had a shotgum along

 

[Texan]

Crossrodes is giving good sound advise. Hand guns--no way. Taking a shotgun to a bear fight is kinda like taking a knife to a gun fight, here in Texas it doesn't work. I have taken rifles in Canada with no problems, just get the proper paper work done and pay a small fee. George

 

[Mike (Michigan)]

PoleCat wrote:

A six shot .44 magnum would be a better choice for bear defense.

If that's the only weapon you have handy when you disturb a Griz and it charges you, by all means use it. I have a customized "trail gun" in .44 mag I will carry if/when I finally make it to Griz country. But before I go, I intend to file off the front sight . . . so when the bear rams the barrel up my rear, it won't hurt so much. :lol: :lol: :lol:

From the Alaska Dept of Fish & Game web site: "Firearms should never be used as an alternative to common-sense approaches to bear encounters. If you are inexperienced with a firearm in emergency situations, you are more likely to be injured by a gun than a bear. However, a .300-Magnum rifle or a 12-gauge shotgun with rifled slugs is an appropriate weapon if you have to shoot a bear. Heavy handguns such as a .44-Magnum may be inadequate in emergency situations, especially in untrained hands."

They failed to mention filing off the front sight. :lol:

 

[RRIXX]

What the Heck do you need a shotgun in Canada for?? We sure don't want you here with that thing!!!

Sigh… Are you afraid of ladders, lawnmowers and Chainsaws too? More people are hurt by everyday household and Lawn equipment than by hand-guns.

Don’t even get me started about cell phones use by dolts in cars.

So, read where he’s going add some common sense and a big critter (Bear) and maybe, just maybe, you will receive an epiphany.

Good luck, sounds like you'll need it with all those scarry guns up there.

Van

Hell yes!! I hope that our borders stop all Americans carrying ladders, lawnmowers and chainsaws on motorcycles. Wait. Just a minute, I am having an epiphany. Americans carrying scarry guns in Canada. No forget it, it was just a vision of Americans carrying scary guns up in Canada. Jury will disregard all previous statements. My Bad!!

 

[JWScott]

What the Heck do you need a shotgun in Canada for?? We sure don't want you here with that thing!!!

Now that he knows your opinion, maybe you can help answer his question! :shock: :roll:

 

[pearlblue1800A]

As a Canadian, this type of question absolutely bewilders me.
WHY WHY WHY would you even attempt to enter into a foreign country with a firearm? Any foreign country for that matter!
Your reasoning to have it protect you from bear attacts is born from Walt Disney movies!
I live in area's where bears are seen, VERY regularly, and NEVER would anyone even think of shooting a bear.
Let alone the fine, and SEIZURE of your vehicle, that a person would receive (for hunting either out of season,without a proper "firearms aquisition certificate") then to be a foreigner doing such!!
Once you got out of jail ( vehicle is seized till conviction, then permanently forefeited to the Crown upon conviction)
I would suggest that if you are fearful of such a trip that perhaps this is not the correct venue for you!
Moreso there is NOT, I repeat NOT any reason for anyone to cross into Canada with any type of firearm. That Canada Customs WILL seize any firearm!
Do not bve fooled as EVERY vehicle crossing into Canada/United States undergoes a density X-Ray, which is geared for this type of smuggling.

 

[ElBando]

The Canadians must miss a lot at the border because their drug problem rivals ours in the U.S. When I go to Canada I take a shotgun, never a problem with Customs there. The shotgun is not for protection from bears, it's to protect me from the drug crazed Canadians.

 

[RRIXX]

The Canadians must miss a lot at the border because their drug problem rivals ours in the U.S. When I go to Canada I take a shotgun, never a problem with Customs there. The shotgun is not for protection from bears, it's to protect me from the drug crazed Canadians.

Now that comment is just plain stupid!!

 

[pearlblue1800A]

Dear "el bando"
I sincerely hope that you do try to get into Canada, or even better get caught in Canada with the smuggled firearm. I would enjoy you explaining your arrest to the judge, that you voluntarily came to Canada believing you needed a shot gun to protect you from "drug crazed Canadians".
I am sure he will consider that comment upon sentencing you.
But even better, just smuggle your weapon(s) into another country. And stay out of Canada.

 

[ElBando]

I would never smuggle a firearm into Canada. Re read my post.

 

[Chiefxs]

next summer we are doing a trip to Alaska and am wondering what's required to cross the Canadian border with a shotgun ? thanks for any help

Here's a link that tells all... http://panda.com/canadaguns/#pal

Someone mentioned pepper spray - read about that as well.

Even folks not going to Canada should read this... scary.

Cheers.

 

[poleman]

Re: Relax !!

but they don't line up at the border looking for tasty Americans.

Yes they do! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So this next spring, come on up, our bears will be hungry. :twisted:

As for bear spray, you cannot bring it across the border, but once across it is easy to find in any outdoors store.
And it does work, I've used it. Just don't point it into the wind.

 

[John in YVR]

sounds like canada is learnimg frok the us gov

if theres a fee involved, then almost anything is all good

Loren, that is the most insightful response so far on this thread.

Plus, I'm sad to say, our gouverment is a very quick learner and pretty soon we'll have fees on the fees. (We already have some taxes on taxes.)

 

[Van Dyer]

No forget it, it was just a vision of Americans carrying scary guns up in Canada.

Far out! I guess I'll bring my Para-Ordnance 1911 45 ACP.
After all, it was built in Canada.

 

[ElBando]

No forget it, it was just a vision of Americans carrying scary guns up in Canada.

Far out! I guess I'll bring my Para-Ordnance 1911 45 ACP.
After all, it was built in Canada.

I saw a Canadian with a Para-Ordnance .45 ACP, nice weapon. He was on his way to Florida with his family for a vacation. Said he wanted it for protection from armadillos.