Advice on Bear Protection - NY

[flg2010]

 

 

Just curious, I have several rifles which I have only used at the range.  They stay in a locked cabinet.  We recently moved to a wooded area with some riverfront.  I would love to start fishing in my woods however I ran into coyotes and black bears twice over the last year and quietly ran away, I stick to fishing parks because of this.  Getting a handgun carry permit will be impossible in the county I am in (Orange County NY), and I am not in any way advocating or intending to hurt/kill a bear or Coyote.  That said am I correct in thinking it would be illegal to use either of my long guns as protection while I fish.  I am only on 1.26 acres, on one side of me is a wildlands preserve, heavily wooded and the other a neighbor who is also heavily wooded.  

 

I am also considering bear mace.

 

I suspect the answer is stay away from the woods... lol... but I thought I would see what people think.

 

 

[slonezp]

You carry on your own property correct? .454 casull

[Dtrombly]

As long as you are legally able to carry your rifles on you,  I see no scenario in which it would be illegal to defend yourself with them. But I do believe Bear Spray would be your best bet, I would also keep a firearm on me in those situations though, just in case that mace fails

[gim]

1 hour ago, flg2010 said:

Getting a handgun carry permit will be impossible in the county I am in (Orange County NY),

 

Why is it impossible?

[Russ E]

do you need a permit to carry a handgun on your own property in New York?

 

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, slonezp said:

 .454 casull

 Good Call ~

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/08/31/man-kills-charging-bear-with-454-casull/

A-Jay

[NHBull]

I too live in bear country......got them in my back yard and have never witnessed aggressive behavior, that said, when I don't have my shield on my hip, the 1911 is under my arm.

 

If you think bear spray, it's usually to late.

 

Side Note: Troopers carry "bear" loads for shotguns......just big noise makers.....can't recall a Trooper having to shoot anything after that

[flg2010]

Well this has given me some things to think about.  Not sure what I am going to do.  One option is to simply go to the fishing parks like I have been.  There are ticks back in thew woods so maybe thats a sign.. just stay the hell away.

 

Thanks for the perspectives.

 

While I am sure my bolt action Winchester .270 cal can do the trick it also has a range that would make me worried about using it near my house or other homes.  Now I understand why the previous owner fenced in the deck with 7 foot high chain link, it at least would delay a bear.

 

 

[fishballer06]

You should be able to carry on your own property. If so, I'd get at least a 357 magnum wheel gun. 

[Gundog]

16 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

Why is it impossible?

The answer is in the sentence. Orange County, NY. Some of the most repressive gun laws in the nation. I have a sister in NY state who's husband was a undersheriff of the county she lives in and she, after he passed away, couldn't get a CC permit. Sad but true. 

[senile1]

As I'm sure you are aware, it is quite rare for a black bear or coyotes to attack, though there are those rare occasions where someone has encountered a bear that has been fed, or a female's cubs and was attacked.  A few years ago a female hiker was attacked and killed by a pack of coyotes in Nova Scotia which is really rare.  A large bore handgun is your best choice especially in a close encounter.  Talking a lot is one way to avoid encounters with bears as the normal bear will stay away from humans, but it is the abnormal bears that you have to worry about.  My wife and I hike a lot in the mountains and we carry bear spray always.  In grizzly country, which you don't have to worry about in New York, I feel a lot more comfortable with a good weapon handy and even then I would hate to ever encounter one of these beasts.  

[slonezp]

Thread reminded me of this

 

[bigbill]

I'm at this point right now. I seen my local 400lb black bear I named yogie three times now on my land. My land abuts the water shed property. The other morning at 7am my yellow lab was bouncing off the furniture barking reall bad. I never seen him so upset. I got up intime to see yogie leaving my bird feeder and going across my driveway into my neighbors yard to get to my other neighbors fruit trees. He's a big bruin.

i seen him at my bird feeder at 10am too. Another time it was at 6:30 pm. My dog went after him. The wife went after the dog and got about 25' from the bear when she grabbed the dog. She was screaming at the dog the whole time. The bear stood there thinking who's this crazy lady?

well I'm thinking it's time to breakout the old shoulder holster to carry a 6" barreled magnum again when I'm outside. He seems afraid of me s far. At the 10am sighting I was 20 feet from him in the car, I opened the door up and he started to stand up to go up a tree. I closed the door figuring he could out run me since I use a walker now. My walker is the sport model with four wheels. Ok I have my ccw license.  I figure a 357mg should be enough but I have a 41 & 44 mag too. I really don't want to shoot him. I live with bears at my camp in vt. Just have to beaware when there around. Staying alert and watching my cats and dog reading their body english can save your life. The cats crouch low to the ground and there heads and ears are going 360 degrees looking and listening. The dog growls, barks so that's him warning us.  I put up a trail cam too. I got pics of the bear and found out the coyotes and foxes go through my land every 30 to 45 minutes every night. One awesome thing that happened I heard a barn owl as I laid in bed one night, he says "who cooks for you" it's neat to have wild animals. We have deer and a gaggle of turkeys here too. Bobcats and Lynx too.   Bill

[Gundog]

On ‎9‎/‎6‎/‎2017 at 2:53 PM, slonezp said:

Thread reminded me of this

 

Whiny hippie.  That'll teach her for not carrying a gun. 

[IndianaFinesse]

On 9/6/2017 at 2:53 PM, slonezp said:

Thread reminded me of this

 

Either that's a fake video, or that woman has serious issues.

[clayton86]

Most state parks in NY won't allow any guns. State land for hunting yes obviously but a state park all the ones here say no firearms or weapons allowed. 

 

Those asking about owning a pistol on your property here in NY that's a big nope. Most places won't even sell you ammo in pistol calibers without a permit. My exs Dad had that issue trying to buy 357 ammo for lever gun he bought. Couldn't buy ammo at the local shops because he didn't have a pistol permit even though he needed it for a long gun. 

[Michaelangelo]

On ‎9‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 9:02 PM, gimruis said:

 

Why is it impossible?

NY is the CA of the East Coast

[Neil McCauley]

You don't need to worry much about black bears. Make noise so you don't surprise them and avoid places where they're habituated/attracted to humans (popular campgrounds like those in Old Forge or the Eastern High Peaks). I take a 12ga sg back country camping occasionally but it's when I'm hours from the nearest help and it's for all types or predators, including 2-legged ones. Carrying a firearm just for bear protection while fishing in NY is a little nutty imo.

[CroakHunter]

Your 357,41, and 44 mag are fine and dandy. But nothing says hello or goodbye to a large animal like a full power 10mm. And you'll have more ammo and quicker reloads. Whether it's legal or not in a state park, if there's bears I'd probably be carrying

[flg2010]

Great advice.  What we will be doing once fall is done and before first snow is making a clear trail through woods and marsh to a shoreline on the river I can fish.  I will clear the path and keep it clear.

 

i will simply continue to carry bear mace.

 

Park is too close for me to safely carry a long arm.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Black Bears? 

http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10152_10753_2003189_-1_2000366_2000365_2000355_ProductDisplayErrorView

 

Don't try that with a grizz.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Here in S FL I run into black bears, coyotes and even the occasional panther. I've never had an issue with them but just in case I carry my Glock 20 10mm with jhp rounds. 

[burrows]

Run