I’ve been grouse hunting most of my life and never really thought about it. And, maybe I’ve read too many online reports lately about bears and wolves. But how many guys out there carry a side arm while in the woods?
I know a few people who carry a side arm while bow hunting. Would an encounter with a wolf or bear while hunting with a shotgun not be enough to deter them away if they approach?
I know my dad carries his with.
Yes. Though it doesnt feel that necessary to me since I have another firearm in my hands the whole time. If an animal attacked me I would much rather have my shotgun than a pistol.
If an animal attacked me I would much rather have my shotgun than a pistol.
My thoughts too. I like my chances much better if a brazen bear comes charging…using the shotgun rather than trying to aim with a pistol.
But there’s nothing wrong with having a pistol for a back up if you and your long gun get seperated.
I know a .22 will kill a bear, but I think I would rather have a 10mm or a .45. That’s just me.
My brother had some of his bear dogs shredded by wolves. I have heard the same about grouse hunting as well. I always have my .357 or 9mm on me when in the woods.
Mwal
The only time I feel confident protecting my dog is during training when I carry a rifle that is pinpoint accurate. I would hate to have to shoot at an aggressive animal attacking my dog past 10 feet with a pistol or shotgun.
The only time I feel confident protecting my dog is during training when I carry a rifle that is pinpoint accurate. I would hate to have to shoot at an aggressive animal attacking my dog past 10 feet with a pistol or shotgun.
You’re talking about protecting your dog, I was talking about protecting me…
thFHSHO9K0.jpg
FYI, If you are bow hunting, you cannot carry a side arm in MN unless you have a permit to carry.
Carry on… 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>suzuki wrote:</div>
The only time I feel confident protecting my dog is during training when I carry a rifle that is pinpoint accurate. I would hate to have to shoot at an aggressive animal attacking my dog past 10 feet with a pistol or shotgun.You’re talking about protecting your dog, I was talking about protecting me…
Shotgun for sure then. High power loads in any shot size are devastating at close range. Shoot a sapling or tree branch close and see first hand. Plus you can use a long gun as a pole for defense too. The only problem is they would have to be “poop your pants” close and it would happen so fast. Hope I never face that situation!
I do when grouse hunting because i dont think bird shot will do much more that tick off a bear. And i use a coach gun so only 2 shots anyway. So a 500 magnum is my backup. I did this before it was “legal ” i figured if the dnr or sheriff wasn’t there to give me a ticket he wasn’t there to save my a$$ either.
No sidearm for me but I do carry a couple buckshot shells in my upland vest just in case. If birdshot isn’t enough for whatever the situation may be, buckshot should get the job done.
FYI, If you are bow hunting, you cannot carry a side arm in MN unless you have a permit to carry.
Carry on…
You beat me to it. I was going to add this myself and the regulations are very clear about it.
FYI, wolves are federally protected and listed on the endangered species list. Shooting one to protect a dog is illegal. The only valid reason to shoot one is to protect human life (not saying I agree with it, I’m just reminding people what the law is, as I would probably try to protect my own dog in this situation).
I did not know that! But I would feel my life threatened if my dog was attacked by a wolf. I’m sure this doesn’t happen much? Wondering if a CO would prosecute that if your dog is mauled. I sure hope not
Mn slowly becoming little California
FYI wolves never attack people in north america, with ultra rare exceptions(as in damn near never). They will eat/kill dogs more often than not if they come in their territory.
I carry my 9 when I walk the dogs at the cabin when it’s dark.
I did not know that! But I would feel my life threatened if my dog was attacked by a wolf. I’m sure this doesn’t happen much? Wondering if a CO would prosecute that if your dog is mauled. I sure hope not
If my dog was attacked I would definitely not shoot a wolf and never tell anyone, that would be illegal. 
I don’t think it’s common given how many people and dogs are out there but it does happen. https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/4617056-wolves-attack-dog-near-observation-road-duluth mentions a case in Duluth and also a previous case near Isabella exactly where I usually go.
I’d worry more about a wolf or a few of them while hunting with a dog than a bear unless the bear feels cornered or trapped. Wolves view any other canine as an enemy and will have little issue with trying to kill it.
My bro and his bro-in-law were bow hunting in Montana last week. On their walk back in the dark, they noticed a pair of “headlights”. Then there was a second. This pic is of one of the mountain lions at 50 yards. It crept to within 25 yards of them and was clearly hunting them. It took two shots in his vicinity to scare it away. TWO. They were not trying to hit it, as they didn’t want to deal with G&F, but it was not afraid of them one bit, even after a tree shattering within 3 feet of it. Yah. Carry a side arm if you can.
output.jpg
Just to put the “risk” in context. You have a vastly greater chance of getting hit by lightning than you do of getting attacked by a bear in the upper midwest. On average between 20 and 30 people get killed by lightning each year and 2-300 are seriously injured. Far more people are run over by their own vehicles every year than are attacked by bears and wolves in the US in a decade.
Also, to be honest, unless you are a very, very, very practiced handgun marksman, it is doubtful that the average shooter would b able to bring down a bear or even hit a wolf during an actual attack. I’ve spent a lot of time at gun clubs and shooting ranges, and the average handgunner is basically a minute of barn door shooter and that’s at 30 feet on a stationary target. If you locked the average handgun shooter in a barn with a killer attack wolf, the only damage the wolf would likely sustain would be to its hearing.
I agree with the others, a shotgun is going to be far more useful in the extremely unlikely event of some kind of attack.
Grouse
Easy answer. Carry everywhere you legally are allowed to.
“Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!”
Hunting north of Duluth, we have at least two packs of wolves in the area that have little fear of humans and less of dogs. Everyone in my hunting party carries when bird hunting. Our flushers all work close enough that a wolf attack on a dog would be near enough to create a reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm for the human handler. I’ve shot coyotes with turkey loads in the past, it makes them very unhappy but doesn’t immediately put them down. A wolf is typically larger and 7 1/2 shot won’t do the job.
BTW, the standard applied to harming a wolf is that the person must have a reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm or death. An attacking wolf 10 yards away from seems to check that box.
Just to put the “risk” in context. You have a vastly greater chance of getting hit by lightning than you do of getting attacked by a bear in the upper midwest. On average between 20 and 30 people get killed by lightning each year and 2-300 are seriously injured. Far more people are run over by their own vehicles every year than are attacked by bears and wolves in the US in a decade.
Also, to be honest, unless you are a very, very, very practiced handgun marksman, it is doubtful that the average shooter would b able to bring down a bear or even hit a wolf during an actual attack. I’ve spent a lot of time at gun clubs and shooting ranges, and the average handgunner is basically a minute of barn door shooter and that’s at 30 feet on a stationary target. If you locked the average handgun shooter in a barn with a killer attack wolf, the only damage the wolf would likely sustain would be to its hearing.
I agree with the others, a shotgun is going to be far more useful in the extremely unlikely event of some kind of attack.
Grouse
Why not have both? It’s your right after all
Since we are fantasizing here (and its fun!) lets say you do shoot a wolf attacking your dog out in the woods. Why would anyone involve the law?
You simply walk away and that is the end of it. I always laugh when I hear about people turning themselves in for something that doesnt impact anyone else.
Let hear arguments the other way. Its fun to discuss.
There is no way in heck that I would call a warden in that scenario….. with no witnesses other than a still-alive dog, just continuing on with life seems to be the best option for all. Why needlessly complicate life?
How is that, Suz? 
I’d have no problem shooting a wolf if it was threatening or attacking my dog… Technically its only legal to shoot them if they are threatening human life… so my story would be, the wolf was attacking my dog.. I tried to step in to help my dog and the wolf was aggressive to me and started to make a move at me, so I shot it. Prove me wrong! I don’t think the pine trees are going to rat me out 
I’d have no problem shooting a wolf if it was threatening or attacking my dog… Technically its only legal to shoot them if they are threatening human life… so my story would be, the wolf was attacking my dog.. I tried to step in to help my dog and the wolf was aggressive to me and started to make a move at me, so I shot it. Prove me wrong! I don’t think the pine trees are going to rat me out
Hence the phrase: shoot, shovel and shut-up. Why, if its you and your dog, would you need a “story” in the first place?
And I agree with Grouse 100% in his last reply. There are a lot of people who might consider themselves aces at 12 yards in a defensive stance with a handgun on a paper target. Now add a little adrenalin and an unpredictable wild animal to the scenario and see how much of a dead-eye they are.
Hence the phrase: shoot, shovel and shut-up. Why, if its you and your dog, would you need a “story” in the first place?
And I agree with Grouse 100% in his last reply. There are a lot of people who might consider themselves aces at 12 yards in a defensive stance with a handgun on a paper target. Now add a little adrenalin and an unpredictable wild animal to the scenario and see how much of a dead-eye they are.
Well seeing how I don’t carry a shovel with me when I’m deep in the woods, I wouldn’t be burying it as you implied. In situations where I’d potentially be breaking federal law, I’m going to be prepared for any potential downstream ramifications.
No sidearm for me but I do carry buckshot in my upland vest. I’d be willing to bet that more times than not, anything shot out of a shotgun is going to be more accurate than a sidearm in that specific scenario.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
