Is it normal to go hiking in Canada's wilderness armed with a .44 magnum pistol in case a grizzly bear attacks?

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Sweet P

The guy that use to go up and live with the grizzlies never had a gun and guess what happened to him

been there done that

That would be illegal.

Mathew H

In Western Canada... where grizzlies are native to. Not all of Canada.

If you go hiking here in Western Canada in the Rockies, Monoshees, Kootenays, or Coastal mountains, you may want to bring some bear mace. If you buy proper bear mace it'll stop a charging bull grizzly from 5 meters away.

tuppenybitz

ILLEGAL

no, it's pretty hard to get a permit for a handgun..

knh959

Contrary to previous answers carrying a handgun while in the bush is not necessarily illegal. It also makes more sense to have a heavy calibre handgun than a rifle as defence against bear attack as it would take longer to get the rifle off your shoulder, aim it and fire than it would to bring a handgun into action (assuming you know how to use it).

First of all the carrier must have a proper firearms licence and the handgun needs to be properly registered. In order to legally carry it in the bush you would need to have an "authorization to carry" permit. Many outfitters and wilderness guides have these permits for exactly the reason you've asked.

Randy B

Such actions (carrying the 44) are illegal unless you are an on duty law enforcement officer BUT stupid things like this could happen so I'd never say it never does.

*ajidamoon* the Eh team

I live in the country, in Northern Ontario, where black bears run rampant. I hike every other day along a no longer used railway, and only ever bring my dogs along, no weapons. Once the bear gets a whiff, or sight of the dogs, they take off. Now if my dogs were female, and not spayed, then I might have an issue.

michelwhite53

No you can't. Our bears only carry AK 47 ammo and weapons.

Dead Day Afternoon

A .44 magnum will not stop a grizzly.
You'll just annoy him.

North of 49

As you already know from the answers, it is illegal to carry a handgun in Canada for this purpose unless you have a special permit (I won't get into that, it's too complicated unless you are a prospector or hunting guide).
I suggest if you have a PAL (Possession and Acquisition Certificate) in other words a gun license to carry a shotgun loaded with slugs and/or SSG shot.
You have to remember not to have it loaded in your vehicle, transport it in your vehicle out of sight, store the gun with a trigger lock and out of sight. Carry it using all safety procedures.

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