scouting

[jolly raj]

Hey guys new member here. I love this site! I have a question and need some advice. I am relatively new to turkey hunting, only hunted a few times(in jersey)and got a nice18lber:) so im addicted. Anyway i have a chance to hunt in PA and i know there are bears in the area. So my question is how do i defend myself from momma bear while pre-season scouting? or should i not be concerned? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[R & R]

So my question is how do i defend myself from momma bear while pre-season scouting? . Your mouth will be fine.

[robhunt]

Mace or pepper spray if your mouth does not work.

[jolly raj]

Thanks guy looking into pepper spray, my mouth gets me in enough trouble!:D

[ACEarcher]

I wouldn't worrie about the bears. You'll be fine.

[robhunt]

If you have a real prob with a sal and cubs you are armed! But don't carry buck shot!!! The wardens look for that every time!

[Big Game Cameraman]

when you are scouting for turkey this spring make sure that are not carrying any kind of food on you that can bring bear to you

[Steveo]

I have hunted PA most of my life and have run into my share of bears in the spring woods, you have nothing to worry about. If you want bring a can of spray with ya! all of the bears I have seen once they make eye contact are gone like a jet plus most hear or smell you long before you even get close........will say that when you bump one in the dark you may wet your pants:eek: !!!!! did that a few years back, it ran crashing brush and then stopped 50yrds away and started woofing at me. I just turned and went the other way fast !!!!! LOL

[robhunt]

It's never a bad thing to carry somes spray. Also if it comes to it shoot him. But you better have some good proof that you were being attacked!! On second thought you probably just make it made shooting it with turkey loads!!:D

Just take your time be carefull. Look very good at your surroundings. If you are walkin in make alot of comotion and talk just enough anything close will here you.

Remember shooting should be your last resort. Don't shoot unless you can show an officer so great evidence that you were attacked. If there is no proof I am sure there could be a big fine, gun taken, truck taken and most likely what ever else you had on you that day.

[robhunt]

Can somebody from pa add some info. I have been looking for a long time the regs of shooting bears out of protection and can not find anything.

Any body know the rules?

[Steveo]

Tooth marks !! just kidding, I would think you would have to prove without question it was in self defense:fight:.....I would sugest a call to a WCO officer or to the Game commision direct in Harrisburg for this one goggle PA game commision and call them.I saw a story this fall regarding this and a person had shot a bear that charged him.....I know that the GC checked everything but can not remember what happened to the person involved.

[Steveo]

Here is the story posted in Huntingpa.com........Newport, Pa. - Dustin and Mary Lauver live in the woods surrounding Newport, Perry County. Typically, they love the rural setting, but several nights ago a dark shadow was jostling with their chained dog, Tigger.

Dustin Lauver says he went to investigate and took his wife's .22 caliber rifle. "I could see my dog hopping on his back legs. I shot up in the air and away, two warning shots, and still seen it going on like I didn't bother either of them," he said.

Lauver says he walked to his truck and soon saw something coming at him. "I dIdn't even hesitate, I squeezed the trigger," he said. "I told my wife to get inside and she's freaking out." ABC 27 Talkback:


Lauver said he soon realized that he had shot and killed a black bear and called the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Officers hauled off a 222 pound female and left Lauver with a $500 fine for poaching a bear out of season.

"He didn't know what he was shooting at, so this is reckless behavior," said Jerry Feaser, a Game Commission spokesman. "There is no inherent right to automatically kill wildlife that enters your property."

The fine for the crime ranges from $500 to $1,500. The Game Commission says they kept the penalty on the low end because Lauver cooperated, but the couple is struggling financially and says even $500 is too much.

"I don't understand why I gotta get a fine and get penalized for protecting myself, that's what I don't understand," he said.

"It's wrong," Mary Lauver said. "It's like they can't catch a real poacher, they've gotta blame an innocent person. We called them."

The bear was probably going for the dog food left outside. The Game Commission reminds homeowners that bears are trying to fatten up at this time of year and they encourage them to bring in pet food or bird feeders and clean barbecue grills.
_________________________
Those that do nothing, do nothing wrong.

[robhunt]

Wow I am sure the dog was pretty messed up so why could they not say it was just out of self defense. Also it must of taken several shots at close range to kill it with a 22.

[lip ripper]

i done the same thing self defense