U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- On 21 August, 2020, at McKie Lack, Saskatchewan, Canada, a 44-year-old mother of two was attacked and killed by a large black bear as she talked on a satellite phone with her father.
The father said he was talking to her when he heard a gurgling noise, and was no longer able to communicate with her. Nine minutes later, his son-in-law, Stephanie’s husband, Curtis Blais, called him and told him of the attack. Curtis had tried bear spray, but it did not work, so he got a gun and shot and killed the bear. From cbc.ca:
After waiting two minutes, Esquirol disconnected and called back. No one answered. Seven minutes later, he got a call from his daughter’s husband, Curtis Blais, who had been in the cabin’s kitchen about 30 metres away.
“Curtis called advising me that a bear attacked her, that he sprayed the bear with pepper spray, and the bear got more angry.”
Esquirol said his son-in-law told him he got a gun and shot the bear twice before it went down.
“So by that time, Stephanie had no pulse. He gave her mouth to mouth, but she was injured beyond the point of recovery.”
Given Canadian gun control laws, one has to wonder how long it took him to retrieve the firearm and load it. Under Canadian law, every gun must be locked up and unloaded, unless actually in use.
The ammunition must be locked up in a separate container. There are exceptions for use during predator control and storage of a non-restricted firearm in a remote wilderness area. Even with those exceptions, the firearm must be kept unloaded.
Storage of Non-Restricted Firearms
5 (1) An individual may store a non-restricted firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is
(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device,
(ii) rendered inoperable by the removal of the bolt or bolt-carrier, or
(iii) stored in a container, receptacle or room that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into; and
(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition, unless the ammunition is stored, together with or separately from the firearm, in a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so that it cannot readily be broken open or into.
(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply to any individual who stores a non-restricted firearm temporarily if the individual reasonably requires it for the control of predators or other animals in a place where it may be discharged in accordance with all applicable Acts of Parliament and of the legislature of a province, regulations made under such Acts, and municipal by-laws.
(3) Paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) do not apply to an individual who stores a non-restricted firearm in a location that is in a remote wilderness area that is not subject to any visible or otherwise reasonably ascertainable use incompatible with hunting.
The bear was reported to be between 250 and 300 pounds.
The bear was not starving. Its stomach was full of blueberries. From foxnews.com:
He said a conservation officer told him the bear was unprovoked in the attack and that the bear wasn’t hungry. It had a stomach full of blueberries.
Given that Stephanie was attacked without warning, it is impossible to know if she could have been saved if the firearm had been available and used first instead of the bear spray.
We do not know how much time was consumed by complying with the Canadian government laws on firearms and ammunition storage.
We do not know how much time was wasted attempting to use the bear spray.
We know, with severe trauma, the first few minutes and seconds are extremely important. Any delay of the delivery of first aid can be fatal.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30-year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
To be unarmed in the present time we live in is foolhardy at best. This woman might be alive today had she been armed. Liberal politicians know didly squat and care even less about the people and the constitution they are supposed to serve. Our RIGHTS come from the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and, in this country, they are further written into law as the bill of rights, constitution and the amendments. There’s also the unwritten common law of man that is so obvious that only a politician could or would get all the above screwed up. Everyone has the right… Read more »
That is so sad! I know one thing i would never submit to unconstitutional laws! I would have kept a loaded gun within easy reach at all times in bear country!With conservation at an all time high these days there are even bear problems in my bluest state of southern New Jersey.If one is ever spotted in our area i will be keeping a loaded shotgun with slugs in it by the door some where!I already keep a loaded gun in the night stand next to our bed.The politicians dont care who dies as long as its not a criminal/Antifa… Read more »
People are being tricked into believing that we are so civilized
(all evidence to the contrary), that we are no longer on the menu.
This is what happens when liberals run your country!!
My first job after getting my BS-Forestry was on the Spotted Bear RD on the Flathead NF, MT in June 1963. At the time, it was the most isolated RD in the lower 48 states and probably still is. Over half of the district was within the Bob Marshal Wilderness Area. Grizzlies were common, black bears were more common. An old grizzle was shot the winter before I got to the district trying to get into the kitchen of the ranger station. While putting in timber sales, I saw fresh bear sign nearly every day in the woods. I had… Read more »
For 3 years in the 60s I was a Bush Pilot in Alaska . I have been confronted by a Polar a Gris as well as several black bears. Never had to fire a shot.
I often flew in Canada and always had at least two guns, one a long gun and a hand gun. Today, Canada has gone off the deep end of anti gun insanity.
Thank GOD for the 2nd Amendment and the NRA.