Saskatchewan bear

[jimbo1972]

Is this a baited or spot and stalk hunt? Will you have a guide to help ID a shooter?

Baited. Too thick to spot and stalk

 

[jimbo1972]

I'd take the 257 instead of 375. Black bears aren't terribly tough animals, and as long as you make a good shot with an expanding bullet, 257 is more than plenty of gun. When I was in camp a couple years back, 3 of us took our bears with bow, 1 other guy used a 308 with Terminal Ascent bullets. No bear went more than 100 yards after being hit.

I know there's no such thing as overkill... but 375 is overkill. Haha

More importantly, take whatever weapon you most want to use and know you shoot well. It's your hunt, a bunch of online opinions don't much matter.

Bought the 375 for Buffalo but haven’t gotten to take it yet. I shoot it very well but at the under 50 yards that I understand the shots will be I don’t have to be Quigley. The great thing about the R8 is I can add the 1lb recoil reducer in the stock in about 30 seconds and a 375 recoil becomes more like a 30-06. Take it out and it’s a great stalking rifle as with a 25.75 inch barrel it’s shorter than a 22 inch conventional bolt action because it doesn’t have a normal receiver making it 4 inches shorter. Also makes it handy for blinds and other tight spots

 

[jimbo1972]

Here

Separate note, make sure your ammo is NOT in the same case as the rifle(s). It needs to be in a separate checked bag.

Here is the rules from the TSA on ammunition. Must be carried in the locked hard sided case with the unloaded firearm.

 

[Green Chile]

May be transported in gun case…not must be. I separate mine in a locked ammo box in the other checked bag.

 

[Tbitty]

Here

Here is the rules from the TSA on ammunition. Must be carried in the locked hard sided case with the unloaded firearm.View attachment 685645

The issue is on the Canadian customs side, not the airlines (or US TSA). My buddy did the same thing with his 308, putting ammo in same case as the rifle, and they scolded him at the Edmonton airport where we got off (there we rented car and drove to Safari River). Returning the other way he kept it separate and had no issues. Supposedly their idea is that if someone steals the gun/case only, they won't have ammo also there for it, at least that's what the person we talked to said.

I know I've seen it as you posted for airline regulations, but wanted to save you some effort for when you meet Canadian customs. Depending on who you get and if they're in a bad mood, it can get your hunt off to a bad start before you even leave the airport... or worse.

 

[Field28]

Good luck Jimbo! You should have had Rhys come film it for you!

 

[wyosteve]

I always put my ammo in a separate checked bag. Never been an issue. I also used to take my bolt out of the rifle and in my carry on bag but that’s a ‘no-no’ anymore.

 

[MontanaPat]

Good luck on your hunt, look forward to a report and pics

 

[CamoManJ]

Good luck on your adventure, hope you a have great time & no problems.

Also…I’m wondering if a .458 caliber rifle would be allowed into Canada. (?)

 

[jimbo1972]

Good luck on your adventure, hope you a have great time & no problems.

Also…I’m wondering if a .458 caliber rifle would be allowed into Canada. (?)

Not sure. Only way to be sure is call their 800 number. I bet some would some wouldn’t

 

[jimbo1972]

The issue is on the Canadian customs side, not the airlines (or US TSA). My buddy did the same thing with his 308, putting ammo in same case as the rifle, and they scolded him at the Edmonton airport where we got off (there we rented car and drove to Safari River). Returning the other way he kept it separate and had no issues. Supposedly their idea is that if someone steals the gun/case only, they won't have ammo also there for it, at least that's what the person we talked to said.

I know I've seen it as you posted for airline regulations, but wanted to save you some effort for when you meet Canadian customs. Depending on who you get and if they're in a bad mood, it can get your hunt off to a bad start before you even leave the airport... or worse.

May put in my checked luggage just to be extra cautious. Thanks for the heads up. Probably do the same thing I did when I left Africa and “shoot it up” otherwise known as leave it for a future hunter who may have lost their ammo on the way. Only taking one box of each caliber as I can’t imagine needing more than that

 

[Tbitty]

May put in my checked luggage just to be extra cautious. Thanks for the heads up. Probably do the same thing I did when I left Africa and “shoot it up” otherwise known as leave it for a future hunter who may have lost their ammo on the way. Only taking one box of each caliber as I can’t imagine needing more than that

Keeping it in the factory box in your other checked luggage was no issue, IIRC. It didn't even have to be locked, but probably would still be a good idea to lock your suitcase if you can.

I also don't know Canada's ammo purchase laws, but in Edmonton there is a Cabela's we stopped at to get the Thermacell fuel cartridges that are not supposed to fly. You could potentially do a purchase there or order for in-store or pickup, especially if you planned to "shoot it up". I left my extra thermacell fuel with them

Any Canadians on the forum here able to weigh in on that option?

 

[jimbo1972]

Keeping it in the factory box in your other checked luggage was no issue, IIRC. It didn't even have to be locked, but probably would still be a good idea to lock your suitcase if you can.

I also don't know Canada's ammo purchase laws, but in Edmonton there is a Cabela's we stopped at to get the Thermacell fuel cartridges that are not supposed to fly. You could potentially do a purchase there or order for in-store or pickup, especially if you planned to "shoot it up". I left my extra thermacell fuel with them

Any Canadians on the forum here able to weigh in on that option?

I'm staying the Thursday night at a hotel right around the corner from the Bass Pro Shop. Taking two Thermacells but like you said can't take the fuel with me. Need to pick up a couple of other odds and ends too.