Shooting distances in the Sherman unit

[Rob]

Good intel, and a great rifle!

[bobcat]

For me I think it would depend on how much time I had to hunt. That's a long drive for you, will you be making multiple trips? Or just going over once for a weekend? If it were me and time wasn't an issue I'd definitely use the Marlin. That would be way cool. But if I had limited time I'd probably want to have the ability to shoot 3 to 400 yards.

[Bob33]

It's the last day of the season, a monster boar is 200 yards away and you let it walk because you hunted with the Marlin. If you're OK with that take the Marlin.

Personally I'd want the rifle that give me the best odds. Those tags don't come along very often.

[Okanagan]

Rob, the biggest factor in the decision is yours:  Do you want a bear as your primary “want” or do you want a bear with your Marlin?

Limiting yourself to the shorter range rifle will reduce the odds of getting a bear.  Bow hunters, re-curve hunters and muzzle folks make that kind of choice all the time.  So do fly fishermen, etc.  At times, for some of us, using the tool is more important than the harvest.

IMO using the Marlin does not have to reduce your odds by much.  Distance of shot is more a factor of personal hunting style than of terrain and vegetation.  Bow hunters kill the same kinds of game in the same terrain as long rangers.  Do you learn and do what it takes to get close or are you content with or maybe even prefer long shots?  You gotta know you, and if you do, you won't have regrets after the hunt no matter how it turns out.

If you have never killed a bear, I'd probably recommend taking the 7, and make getting that first one a priority over the tool, but if your mind is clear on the Marlin, you can be easy with your choice.

[bearpaw]

I'd bring them both.

Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.

[buckfvr]

I'd bring them both.

Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.

Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....

[MtnMuley]

I'd bring them both.

Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.

Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....

It's been mentioned by the author and now again about leaving something of value in a rig in Ferry County. I've done so literally a hundred times with zero worries and issues. I can't imagine it's changed that much over the last couple of years? Okanogan County had a *censored*tard trailhead vandal that was caught and apprehended immediately.   

[Tracker0721]

I’ve always got a couple guns in the truck. Same with fishing poles. Heck my snow shoes have been stuck in the snow in the back of my truck for a month or 2 now. I’ve never had an issue with locals. Once with some Canadians/meth heads that pulled a Hancock gate open and I caught em looking in my cooler. But during hunting season I usually keep everything covered up and locked. Still have the guns and fishing poles but under a blanket or bag or just in general out of sight out of mind. Most of the guys I’ve seen around town do the same, have a weapons rack in the window, or have a bed loaded with tools and such.

[Rob]

I'd bring them both.

Best advice I've seen here. There are places that you can't see 100 yards and a 1000 yard gun would be a handicap, at the same time there are places where you may see bear further than 1000 yards. I would definitely bring both guns and carry the gun that fits each area you hunt.

Im all for that too, except for the part of me not comfortable leaving anything of value in the rig in these parts.....

It's been mentioned by the author and now again about leaving something of value in a rig in Ferry County. I've done so literally a hundred times with zero worries and issues. I can't imagine it's changed that much over the last couple of years? Okanogan County had a *censored*tard trailhead vandal that was caught and apprehended immediately.   

No offence intended to Ferry county on my part.  It has been drilled into my operating procedures since I was a kid that you never leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle if at all possible.  Location is irrelevant.  With the exception of areas that house meth heads, I would trust things of value out in the country 10x more than Bellevue or Redmond!

[Rob]

Rob, the biggest factor in the decision is yours:  Do you want a bear as your primary “want” or do you want a bear with your Marlin?

Limiting yourself to the shorter range rifle will reduce the odds of getting a bear.  Bow hunters, re-curve hunters and muzzle folks make that kind of choice all the time.  So do fly fishermen, etc.  At times, for some of us, using the tool is more important than the harvest.

IMO using the Marlin does not have to reduce your odds by much.  Distance of shot is more a factor of personal hunting style than of terrain and vegetation.  Bow hunters kill the same kinds of game in the same terrain as long rangers.  Do you learn and do what it takes to get close or are you content with or maybe even prefer long shots?  You gotta know you, and if you do, you won't have regrets after the hunt no matter how it turns out.

If you have never killed a bear, I'd probably recommend taking the 7, and make getting that first one a priority over the tool, but if your mind is clear on the Marlin, you can be easy with your choice.

Thanks for this and all the other similar thoughtful replies.  I fully understand and agree that bringing the Marlin will limit some potential shots.  The main question was more along the lines of, are there significant shot opportunities in this area for a shorter range firearm.  As an example, I have hunted the Selkirk's and the Blues - I would consider a short range firearm for the Selkirk's, but not the Blues!

I think I will bring both and figure out a way to lock up one of them while in the field - I have some ideas.

This has been a very helpful set of replies, thanks!

[Jimmy33]

I drew a spring Sherman tag and I am thinking about what rifle to bring.

I normally shoot a 7mm Rem Mag and I am comfortable to 200-300 yards with that gun (the gun can shoot much better than I do...)

I would really like to use my Marlin 1895 45/70 Gvt. Lever gun - for me that is a 100 yard gun. 

I don't know too much about the unit, but will being limited to 100 yards be a severe handicap?  I feel like that should be plenty based on the research I have done so far.

Really?


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[Rob]

Yep

[Skyvalhunter]

yep

[boneaddict]

Its called hunting, use the 100 yard gun and enjoy yourself.    The stalk is where the endorphins kick in. 

Sidenote, Ive spent A LOT of time in Ferry, and my rig has never been tampered with.   Different kind of people.  That and I suppose those that tamper with rigs and get caught dont show up for work the next day. 

[Rob]

  That and I suppose those that tamper with rigs and get caught dont show up for work the next day.

Ha!  I like that!