RE: [Paddlewise] Polar bears along Nunavik (E coast Hudson Bay, Hudson Str) & Labrador?

> I'm planing a trip up there and I'm struggling with the decision of
> whether
> to take a gun as protection against a possible polar bear attack. A
few
> locals have said to take one but I know of two paddling groups that
did
> not
> see any bears between Inukjuak and Kuujjuarapik. Seems likelihood of
even
> seeing one is pretty low.

Mike, need more info...  How familiar are you with guns?  Are you highly
experienced with them, or just slightly experienced?  What about the
people you will be traveling with - how much firearms experience do they
have?  Will everyone have a gun, or just "a" gun for the group?  What
kind of gun - handgun, rifle, shotgun, etc.  I imagine that it will take
a hell of a gun to stop a polar bear.  Don't shoot one with a gun that
will just make it angrier - be sure you'll drop the bear quickly.  All
those things need to be considered, because depending on the answers,
the gun could be a piece of safety equipment, or a hazard and liability.
For example, if you are with a group of ex Marine Force Recon types, you
may want to take a gun that can easily stop a bear (although those types
would probably do just as well and prefer fighting the bear hand-to-hand
:-)).  But, if you are with folks who have never handled guns, leave
them at home for your own safety.

Couple other comments. There is no substitute for local knowledge.  The
locals who live there said take a gun.... OTOH, paddling groups who were
in and out quickly reported no bear sightings.  Who has the better
understanding of the environment and the probability of a bear
situation?  My money is on the locals, and they think you need to take a
gun. With that said, if you aren't comfortable taking a gun, consider
changing your trip to something else.

Can you take an experienced local with you, who has encountered polar
bears, learned to spot them, handle them, avoid them, killed them and so
forth?  That may be better protection than a gun.  

Now a comment about the likelihood of seeing a bear.  The likelihood of
my getting in a car accident is pretty low too, but I buckle up every
time I get behind the wheel.  Accidents and bears don't have to be
"common" - they just have to happen once. If you are in bear country,
expect to encounter a bear and be prepared (and prepared doesn't mean
shoot it the minute you see it - that's an absolute last resort).

With that said, I'm not saying "take a gun", nor am I saying "don't take
a gun".  I'm saying that it's a highly debatable topic, with lots of
issues to consider, and it's my feeling that with the info you gave us
in your original question, it's too hard a question to answer.  But
remember... if the locals wouldn't take your trip without taking a gun,
that has to weigh heavily in your decision.  Again, you can't beat local
knowledge.  There are limits to that, though.  So, can you elaborate
some more, please, particularly on the gun "experience" topic?

Rick

BTW - nice trip!  I'll be jealous if you take it!
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