Self Defence in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

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Take two Boy Scout's,...they usually smell bad enuff after the third day to keep anything away. Only kidding,...sort of,...But we have Scout's go up there all season long without issue. I do agree with Neo-Luddite though,...you may wind up in Canadian territory and not know it. If you simply must,...make it a pump.
 
Funny this comes up. I'm going to Boundary Waters next weekend with a few buddies. I don't have a handgun big enough for really big animals so I was going to bring my Mossberg 500 12ga. I'll probably strap it across the top of my pack during portages and wrap it in one of those dry bags. Are long guns legal in Canada? I didn't consider that we might be crossing the border inadvertently.
 
Are long guns legal in Canada? I didn't consider that we might be crossing the border inadvertently.
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Certain long guns are legal,have to have at least an 18" barrel to start with,but it's hard to do that paperwork when you're out in the middle of that lake!Just kidding.
I'll try to find the Canadian website for the info_Or perhaps some forum member has it bookmarked.

This appears to be it.

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/default_e.asp
 
make sure that long guns are legal for you to own and carry in Canada. Firearms ownership in the USA is a lot more strict if you're not a citizen and I'd imagine Canada has its own laws with foreigners bringing guns into their territory...especially without declaring them.
 
If only for self defense a center fire handgun would be best. Perhaps a .44 Mag. The biggest animal you will possibly encounter that will hurt you is the Moose , followed by the Black bear. Both rarely a problem in that area though. Then of course the two legged kind that can be anywhere.

Just stay the hell out of Canada no matter what your packing for a gun.
 
Here is another way of putting it. If you bring a firearm into Mexico, you could find yourself in a Mexican prison until after the start of the next decade depending on what kind of gun it is.
While Canada may be a little easier about it, its better not to risk it.

http://www.canadianhunting.ca/Canadian_federal_gun_control_law.htm

Here is a site that might help get you started. If you're only going for recreation, just carry a knife you don't mind dumping in the water if need be.
 
my humble .02$

cheap nickel plated rossi 357. goes bang every time and won't break your heart if you ditch it. New england firearms single shot 10 or 12 ga. cheap and again goes bang every time and wont break your heart or bank.
maybe even a khurkri knife -vegetation/ multipurpose / self defense blade.
take your pick or take them all. the total weight isn't terrible for all. the long gun may get in the way during portage though. unless maybesecured in the boat.
 
I got this from a BWCA site :
Some small fireworks are now legal in Minnesota. How about carrying a few of those instead for the bears, etcetera?

If you have a problem bear, just light off a couple of those, the bear doesn't know the difference and is scared off.
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Can you imagine seeing a black bear that has been surprised by you on a portage and charging you? You dig in your pocket for the firecrackers and a ligther (hopefully, in a different pocket for safety) and yell, "Wait a second for me to light this and for this fuse to burn down a bit!" Bear appetizer. Num-num.

By all means bring something with some power to it like a .45ACP or .357Mag

Do you have a carry permit? You can still carry it even if you don't - just carry it exposed.
 
I'm with Mooney and also the bear would probably come out of the brush right in front or behind you in my mind that would be enough time to drop the canoe as a barrier and fire
 
It wasn't to long ago that some locals up there were convicted of terrorizing campers and canoers with late night rifle fire...
 
This whole border thing may not really be an issue...it depends on where you are going. You could canoe the "Boundary Waters" and still be tens of miles from the boundary.
 
Is it legal to carry a loaded gun up there if you're not a MN resident? I'm not sure if it's classified as a national forest or what.
 
Hi, I am Canadian, I live in Quebec city (you should know what i'm talking about, lol) and I can tell you some about Canadian laws.
First, here in Canada hunting rifles are not "restricted", just a "fully auto 12 gauge megagun" would be.
So any kind of hunting rifle, but don't bring an AR-15 with you or you take the rish to stay here for a while (you know what I mean), here in Canada we aren't kidding with abroad stuff coming in.
Since you know that, you should know that handguns are not prohibited in Canada. I mean by that that we have gun ranges in every city, handgun shooting included. BUT, you aren't allowed to carry a handgun wether you are in great danger in front of a grizzly or not. We aren't kidding with that stuff too.
So, anyway with a GPS you shouldn't brake in here, or maybe yes, cause we well know that there is not a Great Yellow Line in the middle of a lake, it's more like a territory.
Here we are more likely to spot you, pass close to you (check if there is no Ziplocks filled with white stuff, things like that... you know what I mean), say have a nice day! or if you are in french speaking territory say Bonne journée à vous! and let you continue enjoying your day.
 
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