going to alaska... do i really NEED a gun?

[hrd2fnd]

Better to have a gun and never need it
than need a gun and not have it.

True that

[bowelkin]

remember that if your travels take you through Canada the handgun will be an issue.  bear spay does work and is a close range deterant.  if you take a gun be very proficiant with it at close range!

[TeacherMan]

Live here, I don't carry one 90% of the time. The other 10% I'm in remote areas. Most areas in AK are covered with people if there are fish there. If it makes you feel better to have a gun on you, defense shotgun with a good sling. Better yet, do what 99% of fisherman in AK do, trip there partner, JK, have bear spray.

[Karl Blanchard]

If you are working on a fishing vessel up there you won't have to worry about it because you won't have any free time!   My first year, the very first thing my skipper told me was "we fish from sun up to sun down."  I was thinking ya ok no big deal!  Well sun up to sundown in alaska during the summer is about 21 hrs!  Except for a halibut pole baited,dropped to the bottom and  tied off at night to see what was for dinner the next night I did very little pole fishing until the season was all over and I would get a week in before it was time to fly back.  Whatever you decide to get make sure it is stainless steel, synthetic stock and oil the crap out of it all the time because salt water will make short work of even the best stainless out there!

[washelkhunter]

Get a shotgun. So much versatility, so little price. Forget the bear spray, use wasp killer. Concentrated delivery stream, 10X the product, and only $3.00 on sale.

[FC]

I'm at a loss when reading this thread, what a silly question! OF COURSE you need a new gun! This sounds like a great excuse to buy one!

[jeepster]

Forget the bear spray, use wasp killer. Concentrated delivery stream, 10X the product, and only $3.00 on sale.

thats funny chit!

im really considering just bring my benelli nova, it has a long barrel, but... i am very very familiar and comfortable with it and there isnt any 12ga ammo it wont shoot but it only holds 4+1. marlin makes a nice lever action 45-70 that im also thinking about if i go the long gun route

that smith 629 44mag i was looking at isnt made for the heavy loads a ruger redhawk can shoot, and the smith 500 is about the same price as the ruger redhawk...

im thinking i will get a good deal when the new cabelas opens up next week...

 decisions decisions redhawk in 44mag, smith 500 or 45-70 lever gun....

[jeepster]

If you are working on a fishing vessel up there you won't have to worry about it because you won't have any free time!

im going to be on a tender, so, i was told there is a decent ammount of downtime... at times... who knows most boats have a gun onboard anyway

[Chase 1]

The best defense for a charging Griz is having a huntin buddy that runs the 40 in 7 flat. All you have to do is run a 6.9 40 and you will get off all the rounds you want... when your 50 yards ahead of the ruckas.   

[rock]

Forget the bear spray, use wasp killer. Concentrated delivery stream, 10X the product, and only $3.00 on sale.

thats funny chit!

im really considering just bring my benelli nova, it has a long barrel, but... i am very very familiar and comfortable with it and there isnt any 12ga ammo it wont shoot but it only holds 4+1. marlin makes a nice lever action 45-70 that im also thinking about if i go the long gun route

that smith 629 44mag i was looking at isnt made for the heavy loads a ruger redhawk can shoot, and the smith 500 is about the same price as the ruger redhawk...

im thinking i will get a good deal when the new cabelas opens up next week...

 decisions decisions redhawk in 44mag, smith 500 or 45-70 lever gun....

4+1 is more than enough, ever seen what a slug will do to an animal? And you won't have time to fire more than 3 shots if that.

[boneaddict]

THe more money you spend on a gun, the more you have to worry about it being STOLEN.  Where are you going to keep it while you are out at sea?  Bear spray is much cheaper. 

[high country]

I know this, when I worked at umiat camp the rule was that nobody goes outside without a gun and a radio in the group.

[BLKBEARKLR]

I know this, when I worked at umiat camp the rule was that nobody goes outside without a gun and a radio in the group.

When did you work there? My buddy used to own it, Jay Smith.

Joe

[BLKBEARKLR]

I spent 6 years in Alaska hunting and fishing it every remote area I could find. The frist two years I was so happy to wear my 44 Mag after a moose hunt that I went on and the moose was down but not dead. I used the 44 magnum on it. After I seen the lack of stopping power I went to a 12ga, 5 slugs in it. And I never looked back. If it was me and the hunting and fishing that I did solo there is no way I would be packing a 44 magnum. Just get a friend who has one go to the range shoot 6 rounds as fast as you can at 20 feet and see how effective you truly are. Then do the same with a 12 gauge fired from the hip and see where you are at.

I know we talk about safety and hey I would do this or that. I have only been bluffed charged by a grizz twice. At 30 feet or less it truly does not matter what you have, if they want you they are going to get you. If you see one out at 35 - 40 yards and acting aggressive put that theory into effect you want a pistol or a shotgun to defend yourself if it charges.

Go with the 12GA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe

[high country]

Joe, Neil and jay were there when I was there. It tripped me out because I was friends with their cousin Brian, I saw Neil and thought it was Brian and started talking to him like we were old friends.....twas funny.

I forget, it was 01 or so....on the petroleum reserve cleanup. I was the welder.