If one wanted to carry a shotgun in bear country. What are the Regs/Laws about barrel lenght, stock lenght, number of shells in the weapon, type of shot/slugs. and any other relavant info on transportation.

Thank you.

Some provinces have different laws, but if you were in BC, you could have amanual repeating shotgun such as a pump with as many shells as you see fit. 100 or more is fine.

A autoloading shotgun will require you to have only a 5+1 capacity.

A shotgun with a 14" barrel is completely legal, but you couldn't put afolding stock on it, as it would make the shotgun too short over all. Which is 105cm I believe.

A 18" barrel shotgun you could have a folding stock on, since it meets overal length requirements with just the pistol grip.

Transportation requiremnts are not alot- It has to be unloaded in your vehicle, and if you are not in your vehicle, you need to keep it out of sight (in a pickup)and in the trunk (in a car) The compartment with the firearm must be locked.

Check out the CFC website for info regarding bringing a non restricted firearm into Canada. It's alot easier than a Canadain taking a gun to the USA.

There may be issues re. carrying a gun in provincial or national Parks as well. These are not gun control measures as much as they are conservation oriented.

Thank you...I was considering some spring Bear Bowhunt oppertunitys. Normally, I would carry my FA Casull. More for packing out meat than anything. Not bad peace of mind while sleeping in a bivy tent either.

By asking about a shot gun you seem aware of the fact there is no way to bring a handgun into canada with any type of self defence as the stated reason. Handguns can be brought in only for registered competitions etc. and such imports are closely monitored.

Murf - Exactly.

The best way to do this is to obtain a Canadian P.A.L. and just register your Bear defence gun(s). You can then legally carry it/them anywhere in Canada whenever you wish, subsequent to municipal ordinances, of course.

An 870 slug gun, a Benelli Nova slugger (my choice) or something like this, loadsed with hardened European Brenneke slugs is both effective and accepted by everyone here, w/o problem. Do not be foolish enough to bring a handgun into Canada as many Yanks do every year because the penalties are harsh and they are ruthlessly enforced....of course, if you are an East Indian drug dealer with an illegal handgun, that's different..........

Boss:

You'd better check with the BC government directly.

In Ontario, if you have a shotgun loaded with slugs while bowhunting, you could be "deemed" to be hunting the archery quarry with the shotgun. It's a tricky issue in archery seasons.

quote:

Do not be foolish enough to bring a handgun into Canada as many Yanks

One would think that the inguirey alone would show I intend to follow the regs/laws.

quote:

In Ontario, if you have a shotgun loaded with slugs while bowhunting, you could be "deemed" to be hunting the archery quarry with the shotgun. It's a tricky issue in archery seasons.

I was thinking about a BC coastal Black Bear hunt. My inital thought would be maybe steel ballshot & maybe a solid slug or two.

Boss, I carry a Winchester Model 12 in 12 with a mix of slugs and buck with a trap round under the hammer as a noise maker. This is done whilst prospecting here in the coastal area and southern interior of BC and to date I have never been hassled. Of course I Am a resident and that might make a bit of a difference.
Might I suggest that you take a look at www.huntingbc.ca for some ideas and insight into BC bear hunting? derf

do you realize that because you are a
nonresident that you have to hire a guide to hunt in B.C.? so he should be packing a gun

Mayby he's fishing, not hunting. As for the Cdn shotgun laws, a 14" barrel pump gun with extended mag, collapsible M16 style stock, works like jack the bear (little humour there), and is perfectly legal to carry. - dan

There is another potential problem here, it is that shooting a Bear without a guide, etc. and then stating that it was in self-defence might not be accepted by B.C. enforcement personnel. Based on what you have posted, I would agree with Claude and suggest that you phone the CO's office in the area that you want to hunt/camp/fish in and carefully check the situation with them.

Public attitudes towards the environment, non-resident hunting, non-residents with guns, Bears and so forth have changed in B.C. during the past two decades; an inexpensive phone call may well prevent you from making a well intentioned, but expensive, error.

Also call the Ministry of Air, Land and Water Protection in Victoria, B.C. and get an up-to-date synopsis of B.C. non-res. hunting/fishing regs. The trouble is worth it, just for your peace of mind as the enforcement here can be pretty harsh and the fines are substantial.

quote:

Originally posted by claudeb:
do you realize that because you are a
nonresident that you have to hire a guide to hunt in B.C.? so he should be packing a gun

Yes, I am also aware of that. I would be bowhunting with a guide. IMHO it is foolish to be unprepared to defend yourself guide or no guide.

quote:

The trouble is worth it, just for your peace of mind as the enforcement here can be pretty harsh and the fines are substantial.

Thank you, And you folks wonder why American hunters aren't coming up to Canada like they used to.

I don't wonder Boss. I know it is because of BOTH of our FUBAR govts. derf

Actually, the enforcement of our fish and wildlife laws that I mentioned is exactly the same for everyone who hunts/fishes here...unless you are an Aboriginal, of course. The problem lies in that many Americans seem to see Canada as some sort of adjunct to the USA and thus do not realize that laws/customs/attitudes are different here than at home. This has resulted in quite a number of confiscations of guns, etc., which knowledge of our laws might well have prevented and my comments on this thread have been intended to assist you with avoiding this sort of incident.

I am a former employee of two Provincial and a Federal resource managment agency, so, I do know a bit more about this than the average sportsman. Also, while I do not care one iota if American hunters decide to stop coming here; it is both a very sound idea to carry a Bear gun of your own instead of depending on a guide to save your ass AND equally wise to comply with the regs. governing the use of such a gun, for your own sake, regardless of whose governments fucked up what.

As I said, this information is intended to assist you and I suggest you take it as intended.

quote:

The problem lies in that many Americans seem to see Canada as some sort of adjunct to the USA and thus do not realize that laws/customs/attitudes are different here than at home.

Why would you post something like that? I'd think the very fact that I am trying to be sure to comply with your countrys regs would show that this American doesn't fit your sterotype.

I'm not sure what your government job was...But, I doupt it was Ambassador.

My government jobs involved dealing with a wide variety of people from all over the world, both in enforcement and in public relations work with tourists, as well as many other things. My points were made in response to your rather snotty comments and I still tried to assist you.

The fact is that many Americans are stopped at the border every year, bringing handguns into Canada, these are then consfiscated and lost to them. Your snide remark about American hunters not coming here due to our law enforcement makes it seem that you do not respect our right to administer our country as we see fit; I suggest that since you intend being a guest in MY country, the onus is on you to act in an appropriate fashion.

It is a privilege to be allowed to hunt here and your attitude is hardly likely to make me or any other Canadian want to extend that to you; perhaps you might re-consider your tone and comments in that light. If not, I won't waste any more time with this topic, something I have actually dealt with for more than forty years.

quote:

Your snide remark about American hunters not coming here due to our law enforcement makes it seem that you do not respect our right to administer our country as we see fit; I suggest that since you intend being a guest in MY country, the onus is on you to act in an appropriate fashion.

You seem to have a real problem with Americans don't you? It was a pretty simple straight forward question. Your motives are your business. However,I doupt your really care about helping another hunter as much as you do pontificating about politics.

You've got your nerve talking about my "tone" Pal. Do us both a favor save your anti-American BS for the pub.

I haven't hunted in Canada since '97. I had a great time, & meet wonderful people. I'm pretty confident that on my next visit I will too.

We do agree on one thing. Your not wasting any more time on this topic would be a good thing.

Actually, I only have a "problem" with arrogant jerks who are rude to people who try to help them.

Please don't turn this thread into another flaming session.

As one who is dealing with trying to get a gun from the states. I'd like to point out that it is harder to get a gun out of the US than it is to bring a gun to Canada. Heck you can even do the paper work at Canadian customs when you arrive. Try filling out your 4457 form with US costoms when your leaving at the airport. Not gonna happen.

Unfortunatly Kutenay's attitude is held by a great many civil servants. Please don't think that about all of us. Some of us are actually glad to see American's here.

While it is not important to me whether US hunters come ot Canada or not, I do like ANY tourist that comes to Canada and spends thier hard earned $$$ here.

handguns: Many US tourists coem to Canada for a visit/Camping holiday and bring a handgun wiht them.

While it is perfectly legal for Canadians to own handguns, the US tourists rarely have the proper permits, so htier handguns get confinscated at the border. It happens all the time.

Taking a long gun in to Canada: Pretty easy, an straightofrward. You just od what the CFC guys ell you to do, and fil out your paperwork beforehand. That someone is intending to bowhunt is of no consequence. You can bring your dhotgun here if you dod the proer paperwork.

TO avoid much customs hassle, I'd suggest bringing a 18" or 20" shotgun, rather than the 14" models. While perfectly legal, alot of cops think they are prohibited.

It' perfectly legal in BC to carry a shotgun for bear season, even in bow season (only 10 days long compared to the general 3 month season) You are allowed to protect yourself in BC, just don't shoot a bear in an archery season wiht your gun and try to make it ook like a arrrow. That's just common sense and ethics...

if you shoot a bear in the general seaosn, no need to get worried. A 12 or 20 guage slug gun is legal. So is a 16 guage, BTW....

quote:

Unfortunatly Kutenay's attitude is held by a great many civil servants. Please don't think that about all of us. Some of us are actually glad to see American's here.

Thank you, I have no intention of do so. As I posted I've enjoyed hunting & visting Canada.

quote:

You can bring your dhotgun here if you dod the proer paperwork.

TO avoid much customs hassle, I'd suggest bringing a 18" or 20" shotgun, rather than the 14" models. While perfectly legal, alot of cops think they are prohibited.

It' perfectly legal in BC to carry a shotgun for bear season, even in bow season (only 10 days long compared to the general 3 month season) You are allowed to protect yourself in BC,

Thank you too. Really that's all I was looking for.

I'm NOT a American cowboy or Gangster or whatever "image" of Americans my friend thier may have. To me a firearm is just a tool to do a job with.

I'm a Bowhunter 1st & foremost. I'd rather NOT fill a tag than use a rifle (or any other firearm) just to make a kill. When Elk hunting here in Bear country, my carry concerns are mostly about packing out meat. I 've surrender meat to a black bear at a field dressing site once. But, I don't think I'd be as accomondating if the meat waas on my pack frame.

At home I always have a dog with me so I tend to sleep deeply. Unfortunaly, they don't make good bowhunting camp dogs. For what it's worth I much rathjer have one of the dogs with me than a firearm.

And thank you to all the real Canadain hunters that have or would ofter true help.

First of all, I am not a Civil Servant, I am a retired private citizen who happens to have more than 40 years experience in various bush matters, this includes hunting, fishing, forestry, mountaineering, emergency rescue and marine operations; my attitude is based on what I have actually seen. I am not opposed to tourists, but, I take extreme exception to the frequent snide remarks on this and the very few other forums that I participate in that we Canadians are somehow responsible for American hunters not coming here, in as great numbers as they once did. This is bullshit and it is precisely the attitude that tends to alienate an increasing number of Canadians from American consumers of our resources; it is, after all, OUR country and our right to manage as we, not foreigners, see fit.

The frequent problems with illegal guiding, attempts to subvert our gun laws and the attitude that anyone who can pay has a right to hunt here, whether a majority of Canadians agree or not have and are continuing to create a massive change in attitudes here in B.C. and that is demonstrated by reports in a wide variety of media outlets as well as by court decisions. My personal attitude is quite clearly shown by my consistent courteous assistance to American hunters on this section of AR, who ask questions with respect and do not make offensive comments about American hunters coming to B.C.; in short, this is NOT the USA and we do things differently here.

Kutenay - I've read your posts on another thread ie. I know I should let this go but, my Irish blood will not allow me to


"The concept that we hunters worldwide are a "happy band of brothers" is romantic, but, hardly realistic. When foreigners can gain access to game and hunting opportunities denied, by any means, to B.C. residents, fraternal feelings are not too likely. I have found that most B.C. hunters, except that very small minority that work in the Guide-Outfitter business, are quite strongly opposed to non-resident hunting and indications are that this will grow."

You are certainly intitled to your opinon, and your true colors come out on that other thread. Posting a commet like that you offer "consistantly courteous asstistance" is BS.

Between selfish men like you and hunter appithy the anti-hunters will win thier battle.

I think that blaming your ethnic heritage for your own behaviour is an ignorant and self-limiting way to live, but, from what I have seen of your misspelled rants, I am not surprised.

Your attempt to vilify me by using cut and paste techniques and posting comments from another thread out of context demonstrates EXACTLY the attitude that some Americans appear to have concerning Canadian resources and that is what has caused the anti non-resident feelings I meant. Actually, you reveal this in all of your posts on this thread and I noticed it from the very first, your attempts to pretend respect for our laws/customs are the real BS.

If, being concerned about the plight of resident hunters in my country and about foreign domination of our hunting makes me ...selfish..., too fucking bad, I am proud of my patriotic and ecologically correct attitude. It's really funny, a certain type of American brays about patriotism, but, anyone in the World who dares oppose their self-deluded ""right" to do as they please in other countries is ...selfish... rather than a patriot.

I think that you should re-consider your trip to B.C., you are not the kind of American who is welcome here and your attitudes are not acceptable. Maybe you should hunt your Bear in Alaska.

quote:

I think that you should re-consider your trip to B.C., you are not the kind of American who is welcome here and your attitudes are not acceptable

You don't really think the ramblings of a bitter, grumpy old man are going to stop me from a hunt do you?

I've been to Canada and have meet great people, so I know your are the exception.

I'm out of this thread.

Well, since you asked, I will just say that the activities of a dedicated middle-aged man are going to be part of the coming change here in B.C. Those who refuse to see that B.C. is now seriously restricting resident hunting by LEH and that non-resident aliens can buy animals and opportunities denied to most residents and thus do not recognize that this is causing we residents to question the current situation are only deluding themselves. Those who deliberately distort the comments of such a concerned resident exacerbate this even further and the final result will be to severely restrict and possibly eliminate all non-resident alien hunting here. So, suit yourself, you may find that your perceptions of B.C. are quite different from current reality.

kutenay's opionions are not rare but some of the
residents of b.c. have learned to live with
guiding maybe your best bet would be to contact
your guide he should have all the info about
bringing firearms into the country good luck on your hunt