Carrying a Shotgun for Bear Protection While Researching Bigfoot in Ontario
Can Bigfoot researchers legally carry a shotgun for bear protection while investigating Ontario's remote wilderness? We examine the rules for licensed firearm owners, Crown land research and the important restrictions that apply after dark.
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Carrying a Shotgun for Bear Protection While Researching Bigfoot in Ontario
Can a Bigfoot researcher legally carry a shotgun into Ontario's wilderness for protection against bears, even when they're not hunting? The answer may surprise some people.
When you're spending time in the remote wilderness of Northern Ontario, personal safety is something you need to take seriously.
Bigfoot research often takes us miles from the nearest road, sometimes into areas with healthy black bear populations and the occasional moose that doesn't particularly appreciate company.
Bear spray is an important part of my field equipment. But I've often wondered about the legalities of carrying a shotgun strictly for protection while investigating remote locations.
Not for hunting. Not for shooting Bigfoot. Simply as a precaution against a potentially dangerous wildlife encounter.
So what does Ontario law actually say?
Yes, But There Are Rules
In Ontario, a person with a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) can generally carry a legally owned, non-restricted shotgun in appropriate wilderness areas, including much ordinary Crown land, for protection against dangerous wildlife.
The RCMP recognizes non-restricted shotguns and rifles as firearms that may be used for wilderness protection.
A hunting licence is not automatically required simply because you're carrying a firearm for protection rather than hunting.
However, this doesn't mean you can carry a loaded shotgun anywhere you please. Local firearm restrictions, transportation regulations and Ontario's wildlife laws still apply.
The Nighttime Problem
Here is where things get particularly interesting for Bigfoot researchers.
Under Section 20 of Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, a firearm possessed in an area usually inhabited by wildlife must generally be unloaded and encased.
There are limited exceptions, but simply claiming the shotgun is for bear protection does not automatically exempt you.
This presents an obvious problem for researchers conducting nighttime investigations.
Many of us spend considerable time in the woods after dark, recording audio, monitoring equipment or investigating unusual activity.
Unfortunately, that's precisely when the law generally prevents us from carrying an accessible shotgun for immediate protection.
During those hours, bear spray becomes an especially important defensive option.
Common Sense in the Wilderness
Personally, I believe anyone entering remote wilderness should understand the risks and prepare accordingly.
A firearm is not a substitute for wilderness experience, situational awareness or understanding wildlife behaviour.
Most black bears want nothing to do with people, and avoiding an encounter is always preferable to dealing with one.
For researchers carrying firearms legally during daylight hours, safe handling and familiarity with the applicable laws are essential.
And remember, transporting a non-restricted shotgun in a vehicle requires it to be unloaded.
One Final Thought
Bigfoot research is not hunting. We're investigating reports, documenting evidence and trying to better understand the activity occurring in Ontario's wilderness.
But the animals we already know inhabit those forests can present genuine hazards.
Carrying a legal shotgun for bear protection during daytime research may be permitted, but conducting nighttime investigations with that same firearm presents a different legal situation.
It's an important distinction, particularly for researchers who spend considerable time in remote Crown land areas.
Before carrying a firearm, I would recommend checking the specific area's restrictions and confirming any uncertainty with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources or the Chief Firearms Officer.
The objective of a successful expedition is to return home with useful observations, good recordings and perhaps an interesting story.
Not an unpleasant encounter with a conservation officer.
And as much as I'd like to discover Bigfoot, I'd prefer not to have to explain to a bear that I'm only there for research.
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This article provides general information about Ontario firearm and wildlife laws, not legal advice. Always verify current regulations before heading into the field.
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