Shotgun for Polar Bear Defense?
Carl Martin
college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
to hunt any, but I want to be darn sure of stopping one if it's coming
at our group. Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
slugs against polar bears at close range? I can't imagine a polar
bear taking 5 slugs from my 12 GA Remington 870, but I don't have any
experience on the matter and I'd rather not find out when it's too
late.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
MIDN Carl Martin, USNR
-----------------------------------------------------------
Learn about rec.guns at http://www.recguns.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
Ken Pisichko
several links that you can use for contact. I noticed one at
www.watcheelodge.mb.ca - they don't have an e-mail, but a postal address
and telephone number is listed. Not sure what the conservation officers
carry at churchill, but you could do a www.canada411.com search for
churchill and "Manitoba Natural Resources" to then talk with one of the
conservation officers.
By the way, you must realize that if you are not a Canadian you won't be
able to protect yourself as planned. EVERYONE in Canada needs a "gun
license" to carry even a shotgun or .22 rimfire rifle. Then of course the
firearm HAS to be registered. OTOH, if you are a Canadian you probably
know the details of the "guv'ment's" gun control system and how expensive
it is and how useless it is, and...
Just looked at your signature line. I don't know if you are a canadian or
not - it doesn't matter - you still need that gun license (either PAL or
POL).
If you need other details please e-mail me directly and I can get you some
more web sites (especially the federal firearms center).
Ken in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Carl Martin wrote:
> ...
Fred B.
The problem with slugs on polar bears, as I see it, is one of
penetration. And if a polar bear charges you, then you can forget
getting off 5 shots -- you simply won't have time.
Fortunately for you, encounters are generally infrequent and many
can often be avoided. Usually just the blast from a centerfire gun is
enough to discourage bears. Though I wouldn't bet my life on it.
Ideally, you want a 375 H&H rifle if you're headed to that
country. But a .300 Win Mag with the proper bullets might also
suffice. Or a .338 Winchester. Perhaps the best safe-guard though is
to insist that all members of this expidition are armed. Then at least
there's someone to back you up if the bear encounter does occur. If
you all have slug-equipped 12-gauges, then you can probably at least
avoid being dinner.
In any case, remember to seal up your food and trash.
Fred
On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 01:40:50 +0000 (UTC), csma...@andrew.cmu.edu (Carl
Martin) wrote:
> ...
Mark Crispin
# I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip with some
# college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
# one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
# to hunt any,
You can't. Only Natives can hunt polar bears these days.
# Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
# slugs against polar bears at close range?
Polar bear medicine is the same as with griz. A 12 gauge with Brenneke
slugs is suitable. So is a .300 rifle Magnum or better (a .30-06 may be
insufficient).
Polar bears are maritime animals. They generally are out on the sea ice
hunting seals and not on land. If they're on land, it's probably because
of the garbage dumps or a carcass. In Barrow, after they've gotten
everything they can use, the Eskimos drag the remnants of the whale
carcasses they hunted way out on the spit between Point Barrow and Point
Plover about 15 miles away from town so the bears will go there instead of
town.
One thing to remember about polar bears is that they are one of the few
animals in the world that *likes* the taste of human flesh. This makes
them much more dangerous than griz. Polar bears typically stalk their
prey and then come at a rush at close distance. They're smart enough to
hide their black nose behind a paw. It's pretty amazing how well they are
camoflaged.
If you don't know about the bear before it charges you, it's probably too
late to think about using your gun. Since the attack is carnivorous,
playing dead isn't going to help; and since a polar bear is in the same
size class as a griz fighting back isn't going to help much either but
it's really your only option.
Good advice is not to go out alone, and *never* go out on the sea ice
unless you're with a Native. The Natives generally discourage non-Natives
from going out on the sea ice at all (it *is* quite dangerous), but you
may be able to persuade them to let you tag along when they go out for
whale hunting if they've had time to know you and believe that you won't
be too much of a pain.
Even in town, people have been attacked by polar bears. Out at Point Hope
a few years ago, a bear jumped an Eskimo couple in the middle of town.
The man only had a pocket knife with him, but he was able to get the bear
to concentrate on him so his girlfriend and their unborn child could get
away. By the time she was able to get to safety and summon help, he was
already mortally wounded. This was *in* town, and he was a fairly skilled
hunter. He probably knew that his goose was cooked, and cared only about
saving his girlfriend (which he succeeded in doing).
It's not bad in the summer time after the ice has gone out, but if there's
still visible sea ice I'd keep a close eye on what's out there before I'd
stray too far from a building outside. Also, if the dogs are yammering
and it isn't you they're yammering about, that's a heads-up. Eskimo dogs
are working dogs; they are *mean* and one of their jobs is to yammer if
there's any riff-raff about -- tourists or bear.
Don't let any of this scare you from visiting the Arctic. It's a
beautiful place. The people there are great; the Natives are a bit
taciturn and take a while to warm to visitors, but if you heard some of
the comments from clueless tourists you'd understand. Your personal
chances of encountering a polar bear are slim if you stay off the ice and
don't go off alone.
-- Mark --
http://staff.washington.edu/mrc
Science does not emerge from voting, party politics, or public debate.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Soars with Turkeys
"Carl Martin" <csma...@andrew.cmu.edu> wrote ...
# I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip
with some
# college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where
I'm told
# one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I
don't intend
# to hunt any, but I want to be darn sure of stopping one if
it's coming
# at our group. Does anyone know about the effectiveness of
shotgun
# slugs against polar bears at close range?
Snip
My only close encounter with a polar bear was at the zoo
where steel bars separated us, however, I new a guy who used
to be a bush pilot in Alaska. He carried a short barreled
shotgun loaded with shot that he intended to use to blind
the bear if attacked. He never had to use it, so I don't
know how effective this would be. In addition to your
shotgun you may also want to take along a big bottle of
pepper spray. (And hope the wind is at your back if you
have to use it.)
Lots of luck,
Al Phillips
SnipeUNblue
From: csma...@andrew.cmu.edu (Carl Martin)
Date: Sun, Nov 112,12 20032001 1:40 AM
Message-id: <bo1nb2$1io$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu>
I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip with some
college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
to hunt any, but I want to be darn sure of stopping one if it's coming
at our group. Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
slugs against polar bears at close range? I can't imagine a polar
bear taking 5 slugs from my 12 GA Remington 870, but I don't have any
experience on the matter and I'd rather not find out when it's too
late.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
MIDN Carl Martin, USNR
>>
Hey Buddy. This is your life your talking about. Take no chances. Better get a
50 cal :)
Since I never fired slugs in a shotgun I don't know how much damage they can
do. i do know Polor bears have a lot of thick fat for insulation. And you sure
don't wanna be muled by one.
Snipe
jfi...@webtv.net
Brown Bear defense
Carl Martin wrote
...
R.M.R.
~~~~~~
You just missed a similar thread on grizzly bears.The national consensus
was a 12ga shotgun but a "Polar Bear".You may be biting off more then
you can chew,or should I say the bear may be doing the chewing.
I'd suggest you make the same intelligent decision the poster made who
asked his grizzly question,Get a well trained guide. Grizzly's eat
rodents,fish,grubs,berries or an occasional wounded or sick animal plus
avoid humans if possible, polar bears eat mature healthy seals walrus or
what ever else they can sink those huge fangs into plus have no fear of
us common mortals,ask the good people of Churchill,Alaska.They will walk
right in your face or ambush you before you can rack a round.Ever see
the film clip of the guy in the cage filming polar bears in the Alaskan
tundra?.They had no fear of him at all as they pushed the cage and
sniffed him like food,fat chance you'll ever get a grizzly to do that.
They are the biggest land killing machine known to man and earned that
status from millions of years of evolution.They'll know your coming as
soon as you step off the plain.
Forget the 870 and unless your a trained big game hunter / tracker
forget any other firearm when it comes to stopping an
intelligent,cunning,stalking or charging polar bear that kills big
things for a living who's hell bent on doing you in and invest good
sense in a professional guide.
Sorry,that's probably not what you wanted to hear but that's my
recommendation to survive a polar bear attack...
Ray,
(Si vis pacem,
para bellum) U.S.A.
Thomas M. Reynolds
# I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip with some
# college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
# one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
# to hunt any, but I want to be darn sure of stopping one if it's coming
# at our group. Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
# slugs against polar bears at close range? I can't imagine a polar
# bear taking 5 slugs from my 12 GA Remington 870, but I don't have any
# experience on the matter and I'd rather not find out when it's too
# late.
#
# Any suggestions?
#
# Thanks,
#
# MIDN Carl Martin, USNR
#
It should be more than enough and a pump is the way to go since simiautos
can freeze up in very cold temps. The State of Alaska arms its employees
with 12 gauge for defense against Browns. The Polar bear is huge but they
do not seem to expect a fight and just amble on up to eat you like a
seal. Being shot is a big surprise. Read up on what the indigineous
peoples of Siberia and No. America used to hunt them and I bet you will
find some military rounds...pretty small rounds after all.
Urban Fredriksson
R.M.R. <Par...@webtv.net> wrote:
#They are the biggest land killing machine known to man and earned that
#status from millions of years of evolution.
Sort of, but the polar bear itself is a recent species or
subspecies, oldest known fossil is less than 100 thousand
years old.
On Svalbard, it seems like .30-06 and .338 Win is what's
used, at least among the Norwegians. Met a couple of
policemen who had one revolver each, didn't ask which
kind, but that's not what they usually rent to tourists
nor what guides carry.
There, the most dangerous ones are those you find far from
the sea, as they're lost and hungry.
--
Urban Fredriksson http://www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
J. Del Col
# I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip with some
# college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
# one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
# to hunt any, but I want to be darn sure of stopping one if it's coming
# at our group. Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
# slugs against polar bears at close range? I can't imagine a polar
# bear taking 5 slugs from my 12 GA Remington 870, but I don't have any
# experience on the matter and I'd rather not find out when it's too
# late.
At really close range the bear will probably get you before you get
the bear.
Polar bears are big, fast, immensely strong and unafraid. They think
of humans as potential prey and are known to stalk and kill people.
A rifle in .338 Win. magnum or the new .450 Marlin would be a really
good choice.
The 12 gauge is a last ditch stopper--far better than -any- handgun
against
bears.
Best advice is to keep a sharp lookout for bears and fire a warning
shot if
any start to move in your direction. If the bear persists in heading
toward you, get the hell out, preferably in a sturdy vehicle.
If you do have to shoot, go for the shoulders to break it
down and keep shooting until the bear is down for good.
Have a nice time.
J. Del Col
Bob
"Mark Crispin" <m...@CAC.Washington.EDU> wrote in message
news:bo2s6i$kr2$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu...
# On Sun, 2 Nov 2003, Carl Martin wrote:
# # I'm a new member to this board, and I'm planning a trip with some
# # college buddies to the Northeast Canadian shore area where I'm told
# # one should be armed in case of polar bear encounters. I don't intend
# # to hunt any,
#
# You can't. Only Natives can hunt polar bears these days.
#
Uummm...
Not quit true. This belief was fostered by the fact that some of the
Provinces did halt hunting for Polar Bears, such as Quebec. And also by the
fact that for many years the US government would not issue an import license
for any part of a Polar Bear. This did not mean that a hunter could not
travel to Canada and legally hunt while there, just that he/she could not
bring any part of the trophy back into the US (assuming hunter is a resident
of the US).
Northwest Territory charges Non-resident Aliens $800.00 (BTW, this means
someone from another country)
Nunavut Province - Non-resident Aliens $800.00 (Nunavut is fairly new and
was carved out of the NE section of the Northwest Territory)
I believe that both Provinces also require the use of a registered guide to
hunt the big bears.
As far as I know, these are the only two Provinces where it is legal to hunt
Polar Bear.
Now, on to the original question, which was about "self-defense" in case of
bear attack (which has nothing to do with hunting).
I believe that a rifle in .300 magnum or larger is best for hunting, but for
self defense a 12 gauge with slugs, or a rifle in the .308 Win/.30-06 class
will be more than sufficient for protection of life and limb from the remote
possibility of bear attack. The best defense against bears of any species is
using "bear country" common sense;
No food in tents
No open garbage
Hang or otherwise bear proof your food supplies.
More can be learned from sites such as Alaska's Bear page at
http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/wildlife/geninfo/game/harmony.htm which includes
the following links http://www.audubon.org/chapter/ak/ak/bearbook/ and
http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/wildlife/geninfo/game/bearfax.htm . There are
many sites around the web that will also give good info on traveling in bear
country.
The last point to be made is that you should contact the Province that you
are going to be in and get the info (ahead of time) on YOUR requirements of
what you HAVE TO DO in the event that you have to shoot a bear. In general,
you are required to report the incident as soon as possible, even if this
means going out of your way to do so. You may also be required to turn over
the meat and hide, this will require you to gut, skin, and preserve both
hide and meat. Failure to do so will result in a fine and may result in jail
time. And remember that you are not in the US at this time, but traveling in
a foreign country with slightly different ideas on what is the law.
Good luck and don't worry, there are very few bear attacks in any given
area. Just follow the common sense info.
Bob
Sar727
and the rest slugs. You will have so much adrenaline pumping if a bear attacks
that your aim may be lacking a great deal. With the buckshot out 1st you will
have a greater chance of hitting it on the first round. It will not penetrate
as much as a slug but may slow him down. The pepper spray in the large size
made for bear defense is a good idea. I also agree with the post to hire a
qualified gude as your best bet. If you are not an outdoorsman and profeicint
hunter consider a will.
SAR
Ken Pisichko
# Ever see the film clip of the guy in the cage filming polar bears in the
# Alaskan
# tundra?.They had no fear of him at all as they pushed the cage and
# sniffed him like food,fat chance you'll ever get a grizzly to do that.
I did see the film (National Geographic, I think) regarding bears and a
fellow on one side of a "screen door" with a Polar Bear on the other trying
to get in. It was filed in Churchill sometimes after the spring of 1980. How
do I know? Read on.
In March school break of 1980 I was in Churchill and saw the fellow's home
built about 5 or was it 10 miles out of town on the road to the missile test
site. Later when I saw the film I recognised his A-frame house as i had been
in it. He took me there to see the rifle he was selling. I was interested,
but didn't buy it. His "screen door" was mesh about 3/8" thick. He had his
entire home built of materiel salvaged from the former military base (CFS
Churchill) that was shut down the previous year. As an aside, the pink
fiberglass insulation in his walls, floor was 18" thick.
He didn't have anything as powerful as a 300 Win Mag. It was either a .308
Win or a .303 British. Don't laugh off the British as the Canadian Rangers
(local Innu and Indians scattered through Canada's Arctic) are issued a No 4
Lee Enfield and also receive 100 rds of "ball ammo" every year. They can and
do use that rifle against bears etc. The LE works really well in the severe
arctic conditions so there is no point in developing something "better" that
might not work. When their life is on the line the reliable bolt gun works
well. As for a pump shotgun, what would happen if you were caught in a
sudden snow storm and it wouldn't "rack"? I'll leave that to your
imagination. Besides. it is a myth that Polar Bears "maul" humans! They just
swat them and kill them so they can be eaten like every other beast in the
arctic "hunted" by that huge bear.
A trip to Churchill to see the bears is an incredible thing to do. You don't
have to go out on the tundra buggies either because they are usually packed
with city slickers who with their kids want " entertainment". The shouting
and yelling is plain stupid - but it does provide income for the locals who
run those tours.
Ken
Tom Gibson
# Does anyone know about the effectiveness of shotgun
# slugs against polar bears at close range? I can't imagine a polar
# bear taking 5 slugs from my 12 GA Remington 870, but I don't have any
# experience on the matter and I'd rather not find out when it's too
# late.
I've never shot a bear with a 12ga slug, but I'd bet that the scenario
you describe is nearly ideal for your 870. You're not hunting, so no
long range shots will be necessary. For bear defense (short range,
getting shorter) the 12ga slug would have to be an extreme deterrent.
You might even want to carry the gun with the second or third round as
some sort of large shot (smaller than 00--maybe #2 or #4?) for
potentially blinding a charging bear.
I lived in AK for 5 years and the guys who work on the North Slope in
the winter were always telling horror stories about Polar Bears. They
will stalk you. Unlike most other animals, Polar Bears apparently
don't have an inherent fear of humans.
In reality, you'd probably be lucky to even see a Polar Bear--and the
chances of being attacked by one have got to be rather slim.
Have a safe trip!
Tom G
Jim Dauven
When I was attending Idaho State University in Pocatello Idaho, two
students got beered up and let two big alaskan Brown bears loose
from the local Zoo. The Pocatello police dispatched both bears,
with 12 gauge shot guns firing slugs.
The Independent
SnipeUNblue wrote:
> ...
Carl Martin
Thanks for your informative and quick comments. I'm not a
Canadian resident so I'll pursue that information about obtaining the
required license to carry arms. I'll be travelling in a group of six
people, although none of us are native or experienced in the Arctic,
so perhaps the best course of action is to hire a guide. Are there
outfitting / guide services who do this regularly?
Thanks,
Carl
Mark Crispin
# By the way, you must realize that if you are not a Canadian you won't be
# able to protect yourself as planned. EVERYONE in Canada needs a "gun
# license" to carry even a shotgun or .22 rimfire rifle. Then of course the
# firearm HAS to be registered.
For non-licensee visitors to Canada, the "Non-Resident Firearms
Declaration" serves as both temporary license and registration
certificate. I believe that it also permits you to purchase ammo in that
firearm's caliber. You should get the form in advance (it can be
downloaded from the Internet) and a fee of C$50 is charged at the border.
Canadian law permits the use of long guns (*not* handguns!!) for defense
against wildlife in wilderness areas of Canada.
For more details, read http://panda.com/canadaguns
The official web page is http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca but you should read the
panda.com web page first for a practical overview of the what's involved
for non-Canadians (as in, "do you really want to go through this?").
Their number is 1-800-731-4000 in Canada and the US; elsewhere it is
+1-506-624-5380.
In addition, Canadian Customs has an excellent packet entitled "What you
need to know about bringing firearms into Canada", including a copy of of
the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration form.
Rumors to the contrary not withstanding, it *is* possible to bring in
handguns to Canada; it requires an added license which is issued at
discretion and generally only to participate in a competition or to
transport to Alaska. Yet another license is required to carry a handgun
for defensive purposes in Canada; this license is almost impossible to get
(if you're mining gold in the far north far from any law enforcement you
might be able to convince them to issue you one). For most practical
purposes, forget about handguns.
# Just looked at your signature line. I don't know if you are a canadian or
# not - it doesn't matter - you still need that gun license (either PAL or
# POL).
It's impossible to get a POL any more, and in any case only Canadians
could get it when it was available.
Non-Canadians can get a PAL; I have one, with the added endorsement for
restricted firearms. Licensees don't have to fill out the Non-Resident
Firearms Declaration form when entering Canada with firearms, nor do they
have to pay the C$50 fee. However, for a single short-term visit it isn't
worth the trouble (and expense) to get a license.
-- Mark --
http://staff.washington.edu/mrc
Science does not emerge from voting, party politics, or public debate.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.
-----------------------------------------------------------
jercamp45
> ...
I spent four years in Alaska.....never shot a bear, but saw several
out in the bush! Mostly I carried an 870 with Brenneke's. Common
consensus was that it was a great defensive/survival impliment for
Alaska. Using birdshot for small critters, buckshot for two leggeds,
slugs for big irate things, flares for signalling, etc.
I think I read some where that there is a 12 gauge round that
launches a blast of pepperspray!!! That might be a good first round,
it the range is close! But I would slick with the slugs ,you may not
have much time!
An acquaintence spent a large amount of money to get his Tag for
Polar bear(1977) and took a Sako .338 as I recall. Out on the ice,
with a guide, he felt his neck hairs tingling(spent decades in the
Border Patrol) and turned to see Mr Polar bear stalking them....the
bear charged at being seen and It took four of the five 338's to stop
it. It came to a rest, he said, less that 5 yards from him.
Do not know anything about Canadian guns laws, other than they
suck....but recall that short barreled shotguns were not in good
favor.
If I was to return that way...I probably would invest in a Marlin
Guidegun in 45-70. And a .460 Rowland conversion barrel for my
Government model....no, not adequate, but as the bear was beginning
his lunch I might be abble to give him a headache, or alter his dental
x-ray to make it tougher to eat me....call it the 'Last Great Act Of
Defiance' if you will.
Indeed...shoot for the shoulder, break the bone....with no support,
the weight will slow it considerably if not stop it....then finish it.
A large can of pepperspray that streams out souns like a good
addition to the kit, expecially in the Parks where firearms are not
allowed. It is light, small and it is supposed to work pretty good....
Polar's are sme of the toughest critters around, the are
intelligent, blend into their environment very well, and they
hunt....you!! Keeps your 360 situational awareness, lest you become
dinner.....for you are both chewy and crunchy and a welcome change
from seal blubber! Hehehe, I hope I am only joking!
Jercamp45
Hagar
# In article <bo2s7s$ktj$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu>,
# R.M.R. <Par...@webtv.net> wrote:
#
# #They are the biggest land killing machine known to man and earned that
# #status from millions of years of evolution.
#
# Sort of, but the polar bear itself is a recent species or
# subspecies, oldest known fossil is less than 100 thousand
# years old.
#
# On Svalbard, it seems like .30-06 and .338 Win is what's
# used, at least among the Norwegians. Met a couple of
# policemen who had one revolver each, didn't ask which
# kind, but that's not what they usually rent to tourists
# nor what guides carry.
#
30-06, .308 an 338Win are most used on Svalbard...very few have
high-power scopes...tricky to use in a stressed situation. When it
comes to revolvers .357 is most used...remember most of the times
firearms are used to scare the bear away, whitout killing the bear -
which is quite possible...
# There, the most dangerous ones are those you find far from
# the sea, as they're lost and hungry.
J. Del Col
# tomn...@mac.com (Tom Gibson) wrote in message news:<bo4hm0$lsh$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu>...
# > ...
#
# I spent four years in Alaska.....never shot a bear, but saw several
# out in the bush! Mostly I carried an 870 with Brenneke's. Common
# consensus was that it was a great defensive/survival impliment for
# Alaska. Using birdshot for small critters, buckshot for two leggeds,
# slugs for big irate things, flares for signalling, etc.
# I think I read some where that there is a 12 gauge round that
# launches a blast of pepperspray!!! That might be a good first round,
# it the range is close! But I would slick with the slugs ,you may not
# have much time!
# An acquaintence spent a large amount of money to get his Tag for
# Polar bear(1977) and took a Sako .338 as I recall. Out on the ice,
# with a guide, he felt his neck hairs tingling(spent decades in the
# Border Patrol) and turned to see Mr Polar bear stalking them....the
# bear charged at being seen and It took four of the five 338's to stop
# it. It came to a rest, he said, less that 5 yards from him.
# Do not know anything about Canadian guns laws, other than they
# suck....but recall that short barreled shotguns were not in good
# favor.
# If I was to return that way...I probably would invest in a Marlin
# Guidegun in 45-70. And a .460 Rowland conversion barrel for my
# Government model....no, not adequate, but as the bear was beginning
# his lunch I might be abble to give him a headache, or alter his dental
# x-ray to make it tougher to eat me....call it the 'Last Great Act Of
# Defiance' if you will.
# Indeed...shoot for the shoulder, break the bone....with no support,
# the weight will slow it considerably if not stop it....then finish it.
# A large can of pepperspray that streams out souns like a good
# addition to the kit, expecially in the Parks where firearms are not
# allowed. It is light, small and it is supposed to work pretty good....
# Polar's are sme of the toughest critters around, the are
# intelligent, blend into their environment very well, and they
# hunt....you!! Keeps your 360 situational awareness, lest you become
# dinner.....for you are both chewy and crunchy and a welcome change
# from seal blubber! Hehehe, I hope I am only joking!
# Jercamp45
Reminds me of Larson cartoon of the polar bears devouring an igloo.
"I just love these things, crunchy on the outside soft and chewy in the middle"
(Or something like that)
J. Del Col