Here in WI many hunters use elevated treestands and platforms for deer hunting. Deer do look up and will "make or bust you" alot easier than one might think. I've seen it enough to know this.

I'm not saying that every time they look up/at you that they know what you are.........this part is usually determined by you as far as are you moving around, etc. There are a number of variables here that contribute to being seen and/or ignored as you experienced whitetail hunters know.

Regards, Vic

Anyone have an opinion on the new Mossy 464? It looks sweet (always important to us girls) and the price isn't bad either. I've been pretty happy with my Mossy 500 12 ga for upland game but getting extra barrels for it up here in Canada suitable for deer and water fowl has been impossible. And anyway, I'd rather use a rifle for deer. Any and all feedback welcome.

I have seen a couple at gander mountain they are a lot like the 94 winchester with a stap across the reseaver for a mount.
I have yet to shoot one but they dont keep them in stock they sell rather fast here.
I would look at getting a slug barrel for that 500 some of the new sabots are delivering 45/70 energy it would make any of them griz think real hard.
Are you allowed to order barrels in the yukon?
Buy the way larry in my area deer have been pressured so much frome trees i have gave up on them.
I have had deer brush up against ground blinds dureing bow seasen.
Yukongirl how cold is it 15 deagrease here now supposed to be 5 tomarow

My first 'deer rifle' was a Winchester 94 in .30/30....got it for Christmas in 1976 from my folks. Took my first 3 deer with it....one five point and two does. While I don't take it afield much anymore (that will probably change), I don't have any plans to sell it.

wrenchman, if you think US gun laws are suffocating, don't even get me started on the restrictions up here in Canada... truly, that's a whole other thread.

My local gun stores can't take delivery of Mossberg barrels (not sure why because they can get the shotguns) and Mossberg won't ship them to me directly. I'll have to see if there's a legal way around this.

I own the Pursuader version of the 500, and it's just a straight barrel so it'll use slugs, but my understanding is that I can only expect about 25-30 yards' worth of accuracy no matter what I load it with. Of course, that short a distance isn't a problem with grouse-- you can practically shake hands with them before pulling the trigger and I've had plenty of luck with my 500. But I'd like to begin my deer hunting career with something that'll give me more wiggle room for newbie error. This is why I've started to look at Mossy's new .30-30. Plus, I love lever actions. The kick from the 12 gauge sends my shoulder back about 4". Don't know how I'll do with the .30-30 but I'm sure it would be fun to shoot.

I'm a bit disappointed (putting it lightly) that getting barrels for my 500 is such a problem. If anyone out there in Canada has some suitable 500 barrels for duck and deer and would like to make some cash, please let me know.

YukonGirl,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is only your 8th post.

I would like to hear what your gun control laws are like in the Yukon. We may get an unpleasant dose of the same here in the USA after January 20, 2009.

Again, welcome to this site.

Adam

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, You stated the Mossberg 500 in 12 gauge set your shoulder back about 5 inches. Does it have a recoil pad taht hasn't turned to wood? See if you can get a Pachmayr Decelerator (1'") installed. That should take most of the bite out of it.

Adam, I’ll be happy to answer your question, but there may be others on this forum more qualified than me. And they may end up jumping in to correct me on something, but I’ll do the best I can. Apologies in advance for the length of my reply.

Before I could buy my first gun in Canada, I had to take a training class in the safe use of firearms. I also had to pass a written and practical test. I had to complete additional training and pass a separate set of tests to purchase and possess handguns. Of course, you also have to pay money for each class and application… I now have the legal right to purchase and possess rifles, shotguns, and handguns, providing that each falls into approved categories—for example, not too short, not fully automatic, etc. There’s a whole other category for what they call Prohibited guns.

I’ll admit that though taking the classes was a pain, I learned stuff and I feel like I’m less likely to be a dork and shoot someone by accident. And if they hadn’t made me take the class I probably would never have gotten around to it on my own. But then they get a bit ridiculous. Take handguns for example. No wait, let’s start with ammunition. I can’t legally go into a store and just buy ammo. No, I have to have my firearms license on my person to buy even one shotgun shell. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at the local sporting goods store and remembered I need a brick of .22’s and nope, forget it. Go home, get your license, and then drive all the way back to the store.

Let’s get back to handguns now. Though I’m legally allowed to purchase and possess them—there are many restrictions. For one thing, in order to actually buy one, I have to be a registered member of a recognized gun club. I also have to be on a competitive shooting team. That sounds like fun, shooting competitively, but maybe I don’t feel like doing that. Maybe I just want to have a handgun. Not good enough. And in the Yukon, though there are a few gun clubs in the territory, most of us just go into the bush and shoot. (I take my truck down a deserted road and set up my targets and away I go. Quick note: total population in the Yukon is about 31,530 people. We’re spread out over 186,272 sq miles.) Basically, almost any road is deserted. :-)

I can’t take a handgun with me into the bush because it wouldn’t be for an official handgun competition. And each time you want to transport your handgun (which you’re only allowed to do to and from your home and the gun club at which the competition is being held, or else to the gun club for shooting practice) you have to get official government permission (which you can now do online) every time, and you must display a certificate to that effect on the dashboard of your vehicle when transporting your handgun.

I’m a woman who often travels through the bush on my own—hiking, kayaking, fishing, hunting, whatever. I live in country that’s thick with grizzlies but sometimes I don’t want to lug my heavy shotgun around or I don’t have the room. I’d like to have the option of carrying a .357 magnum for bear protection while I’m climbing up rock faces or just out fishing. Nope. Can’t do it. I guess they’re worried I might rob a bank while I’m out there in the middle of nowhere.

Another thing. You’re not legally allowed to own a gun for the purpose of home or self protection. You can’t use a gun to defend yourself unless you have done everything in your means to protect yourself and you’re likely to be killed if you don’t shoot them. So if a rapist barges down the door of my home, I can’t defend myself with old Bessie (my Mossy 500). And I’m five foot nothing. Am I supposed to sucker punch him? If I shot the guy, he’d probably go free or almost free (that’s yet another thread), and I’d go to prison. I have a problem with that. But them’s the rules.

I seriously don’t think it’ll get as bad as any of this in the States, regardless of who’s president. Two reasons why:

1. The NRA: they’re powerful and vocal and will do everything in their power to prevent more restrictive gun control such as a national handgun ban.

2. The average anti-gun American doesn’t care enough to flood the government with letters and protests if Obama doesn’t push the ban of handguns or similar legislation. Now picture what will happen if he does try to ban handguns across the country. He’ll have the wrath of the NRA and a lot of individual Americans who will be very angry and very, very vocal about how we feel. Obama is all about Can’t We All Get Along? For what it would cost him to pass more restrictive gun legislation, his return on investment would be in the negative. So instead, he’ll focus on things that won’t be so divisive and will make lots of people happy-- and give him a better chance at re-election. He’s got lots and lots of stuff to choose from that he can do that will make him look like a good guy to the majority of Americans. Gun control will be at the bottom of his list. During another time in our history, and under different circumstances, I’d be more worried than I am right now.

Just before I moved from Denver to Canada, I bought a handgun. Bad timing. I had the chance to take it to the range exactly once and then I had to leave it with a friend in Colorado. I wish I had it, but it’s way too difficult and expensive to import it into Canada. I’m left with the option of selling it. (Anyone in Colorado want to buy a barely-used .40 Ruger P94 with an extra clip? PM me! You can help fund my .30-30 purchase.)

If you’d like to get a sense of what it’s like to hunt and fish in the Yukon, check out my YouTube video. It might explain why I love the Yukon so much: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkWK80ZNqfM It’s really spoiled me for hunting and fishing.

The gun control laws in the Yukon are the same as the rest of Canada. There is no difference. So changing out a smooth shot gun barrel for a rifled one is not a problem. Getting that barrel might be a problem. Yukon Girl- check out Wholesale sports- they have a store in Edmonton- mail order is out ofCalgary- if it is availible they should be able to get it for you.

Hi Larry, I can't remember the stock pad that came with it-- it might be Mossberg's and I'm too lazy to get up and check, but the guy at the gun store talked me out of buying a pachy because he said the one on there is about as good. I think the real problem is that I'm five foot nothing. A 12 gauge (as you know) is more than you need for upland game, but I went with the 12 instead of a 20 or .410 because I'm in grizzly country. I cross their tracks all the time and so every third round is a slug. And if I'm lucky enough to be able to take a second shot (no shots have yet been necessary-- keeping my fingers crossed) I keep more slugs in my pocket.

But when you're aiming at something you hope to eat later for supper, for some reason you just don't mind the recoil, even if it's excessive, such as it is in my case. With that in mind, I never take my 12 gauge out for plinking purposes-- that's what my .22 rifles are for.

Scalerman, you're exactly right of course. That's why I'm interested in buying some used barrels from someone in Canada, or new if necessary. I'll check that place out. I called all over Alberta and BC but no one carried Mossy extra barrels. It's crazy.

I will check their catalogue to see if those barrels are listed.

Thanks, Scalerman. I appreciate it!

Model 500 barrels are listed separately in the Wholesale Sports catalogue. They are about $160.00 each. herew is the link right to the page. http://www.wholesalesports.com/onlin...egory=10120008

Scalerman-- a big thank you. I'll have to check my list but I don't think I've called them already. Can you suggest which barrel(s) might be best for me? Do you think one of the all-purpose barrels with the Accu Set choke would do well for waterfowl as well as for deer? I've never used chokes so I'm in unfamiliar territory here. Thanks again.

YukonGirl,

Many thanks for sharing your fine Video with us.

I am a Pennsylvanian who spent 4 great years in Denver in the service. My farm in rural PA is my "Yukon." To prove it, we will endure -5 and -10 degrees this week in Tioga County. All is well, we still have 2 cords of good hardwood on the woodpile for the woodstove in the living room.

Are you still an American citizen or have you become a Canadian? I would have gone to Alaska if I were to leave the Lower 48. That way I would have still been in the U.S. and nearer to Sarah Palin. LOL!

You did a fine job on your video. I would like to listen to you read a telephone book; you have a great voice. Be well.

Adam

Gee, Adam, you're making me blush!

Wow, -10 is colddddd!!! The only good side is it makes splitting wood easier. Other than that... Yeah, I'd say you've got your own personal Yukon going on there. What kind of wood stove do you have? I traded in my old Blaze King for a new one, and it uses a third less wood than the old one and it burns really clean.

To answer your question, I'm an American. You'd probably do well in Alaska. You're certainly getting some practice with colder temperatures!

Yukon Girl I am sorry I am of no use to you when it comes to deciding which barrel to purchase. i have absolutely no experience in that area. There must be someone on here that can help. Sorry about that.

No problem. I'll check the shotgun posts. Thanks for the tip on who to call though-- that was a big help!

One does what one can- that is what we are here for.

YukonGirl, welcome to HuntChat.
A Mossberg smoothbore barrel will come with 3 choke tubes- Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full. Those 3 will cover most things you'd want to do with shotshells.
As far as firing slugs, there are a few ways to go. The rifled barrels will fire sabot slugs quite accurately. However, the rifled barrel is a specialty item- it's really good only for slugs.
Another option is to shoot slugs out of the smoothbore barrel. Not as accurate as the rifled barrels, but you can use one smoothbore barrel for shot, slugs, and buckshot, too- more versatile.
Usually the Improved Cylinder choke tube will work best with slugs in a smoothbore. Use the Foster type, traditional slugs- they usually do as well or better than sabots in smoothbore barrels.
A third option is a rifled choke tube. Generally you have to buy that separately. Not as good as a rifled barrel, in terms of accuracy, but usually better than a smoothbore- kind of a compromise.
That should be enough to be confusing!
:D

YukonGirl,

I have a Fireview stove in the living room that heats the entire house.

Your handgun laws about "being a member of a gun club," "target only," and "being a handgun competition shooter" and such are identical to the handgun restrictions in Massachusetts.

The Yukon is 4 times+ larger that Pennsylvania with far fewer people. You advise you cannot carry your handgun into that remote area, unless you are headed for a pistol match. It seems the laws are anti-gun and not anti-criminal. I always carry a pistol afield on treks about my farm and nobody gives a hoot.

Be well.

Adam

Hi Jack,

My Mossberg 500 has a smoothbore barrel, but it didn't come with any chokes. If I'm following you, I may not need any other barrels for shooting deer-- I can just get an improved cylinder choke and some Foster slugs. (Without the choke I'm thinking I won't get much accuracy at any real distance.)

Is that right?

Thanks for your help.

Adam, I think that's a fair summary-- Canada's gun laws are "anti-gun and not anti-criminal."

Even if the gun laws are the same across Canada, people's opinions and attitudes toward guns and hunting is much more relaxed in the Yukon than say, Vancouver in British Columbia. When I've purchased guns in Vancouver, they've wrapped them up in brown paper so nobody knows what you have. People treat owning guns like it's something to be ashamed of.

I'll never forget the first time I bought a rifle in the Yukon. The guy just handed it to me over the counter with the receipt. I stared at him waiting for him to wrap it up and he looked at me like I was from Mars. By the way, if you're *not* a gun owner up there, they think that's strange.

I'm sure there are people up north with larger properties who do the same as you and carry their handgun if they own one. It's just sensible and I wish others would see it that way. But then, I don't have to convince anyone here of that.

Mossybergs
 

YG..

the easiest thing to do is acquire a 26inch vent rib bbl with screw in chokes. You really don't need a rifled bore gun to shoot slugs. I have shot over 250 deer with smooth bore guns..mostly 1100's with a skeet or improved cylinder choked bbl. You should attempt to keep the ranges under 100 yds if possible. Have a fellow here that carries a Mossy 590 on horseback with 9 slugs ready to rock and roll. If you need the gun to shoot them big deer up there you're gonna do it under 50 yds or so I'd say and the 12 ga foster slug is a formidable chunk of lead when it comes to griz. It is the gun and load of choice for the outfitters taking people fishing and hunting here in Wy. The griz here really isn't afraid of people. A fellow I know was mauled by one this year while calling elk for his father. Dad killed it with a bow.. yep a bow. They had a shotgun but not close enough to get to in the short time they had. 12 ga barrel with screw chokes will do all you will ever need it for...from grouse and ducks to moose and griz. If you were in the US I'd send ya one.

Another big fan of the Marlin 336 in 30-30, for all the previous listed reasons. It was also the first weapon I bought for myself.

re smooth bore and slugs.

I've an 870 w/ a vented rib smooth bore. Back in the day I used rifled slugs and a modified choke, putting holes in milk jugs at a hundred yards was a regular thing.

Skeet and VaRedneck-- I guess the good news is I can get by with my Mossy 500 to do the things I want to do most: take grouse, deer, and keep myself safe from bears. The bad news is I don't have a good excuse to get myself a .30-30, though I'm sure I'll come up with one eventually.

Here's another stupid question, and I appreciate your patience. Being fairly short, can I get by with a shorter barrel length, say a 24", or do I need a 26" to ensure more accuracy?

And wow, a bow? I believe you because you can't make that stuff up. Your friend is a lucky guy. And I'll bet his dad is just as grateful.

Shorter bbl
 

Sure if you want a shorter bbl. Don't go much shorter than 24 though. What you loose is the sighting plane...which makes hitting..say..a flying bird just a little more difficult. I had a Benelli with a 24 incher..I didn't particularly like it. But you may. Contrary to conventional wisdom I used 26 in bbls for waterfowl. It worked fine for me. Do get a screw in choke barrel though

I think what might be even harder for me than finding an extra barrel for my shotgun is waiting for hunting season to start... At least now I know what to look for. Thanks to you guys.

I really appreciate the help. And my apologies for turning a thread about .30-30's into one about shotguns...

YG thats perfectly alright, although if you want alot of shotgun interest you might take it over to the scatterguns forum. Myself I was raised on shotguns, owned one at age 6, didn't own a rifle until I was 14.

GoodOlBoy

GoodOlBoy, will do. And in the meantime, if anyone is lucky enough to try out Mossberg's 464, I'd love to hear about it.

You and me both. I have been eyeballing it ever since it came out, but don't have a good enough excuse with my wife to try to acquire one.

GoodOlBoy

I picked up a sweet-looking Henry lever action .22 this summer. Had a lot of fun plinking and shooting grouse with it in the fall.

But now I'm getting greedy. I want that 464.

Maybe you can borrow one to put in your wife's hands. Then she might just see it the way we do.

Except then you'd probably have to buy two of them.

yukongirl i have many guns and most are not about a need they are about wants.
Some guys drink there money some guys have hobbys i fall in the
second part i collect guns.
I have seen the gun you are talking about and dont feal you could go wrong with with it and the thing about the 30/30 is most the ladys i no like the levar guns becouse they tend to fit them well.
Henry makes a 30/30 also but it is heavyer then the other guns.

Actually the wife currently is looking at a levergun in 357 to match her 1871 outlaw. If I could talk her into 30-30 I would already have one on order, but she hates how bad my marlin kicks her (I really don't notice it.)

GoodOlBoy

Wrenchman, I think the Henry is also a bit more costly if I remember right. I'd definitely prefer something a little lighter to lug around and the Mossberg 464 seems just about right to me. Of course, I won't know until I try it. I wish they had ranges inside gun stores.

The Henry .22 lever action I bought is the youth model. I wanted to know what it was like to shoot something that actually fits my size for once. Most guns are designed for average sized men. I don't fit into either category. It's like I'm wearing clothes three sizes too big for me because either the grip is too large or the kick is brutal. (Or both.)

GoodOlBoy, did your wife get the 357?

Yukon Girl
 

Explain what a Mossberg 464 is> I was looking through a newly arrived wholesale catalog and in the Mossberg section I couldn't find any reference to a 464! First, what type of gun - shotgun or rifle. Then is it pump, bolt?
I am trying to figure out why I can't find it.

Larry, the 464 is Mossberg's new .30-30 lever action rifle.

Check it out here: http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=31

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, I answered my own question. I got on Google and entered the Mossberg site and the rifles and see that I am looking at a Mossberg 464 that is the new lever action 30-30 from the guys at Mossberg. I am guessing that is why I couldn't find it in the wholesale catalog. The gun has been announced, but it is not yet available. That happens quite often and is a standard practice with Ruger, and is what I am suffering from in attempting to get two new Winchester Model 70 Supergrades in 30-06. I have had them ordered since December of 2007. They are in the new catalog and I will call my saleman tomorrow to see if they actually have them.
But now I know what the Mossberg 464 is.

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, You might consider looking at the Marlin 336 in its various forms. It comes both in 30-30 (which you can find anywhere) and 35 Remington (which may be an ammo supply problem). I have heard that the 35 Remington is popular among guides in the Canadian territories and they cartainly are a reliable and proven design. They have been around a long time.
The 30-30 is very versatile but the 35 would be better for savings your buns in bear country. If bears were the only consideration, get a Marlin in 45-70.