Sasquatch (Bear) Rifle – Part II

As it turns out, I just might really need a Sasquatch rifle. I’ll be hunting black bears on Vancouver Island in May. As any true Bigfoot hunter knows, there have been numerous sightings of Sasquatch on Vancouver Island. In fact the famous Thirsty Sasquatch is located in Vancouver. This could very well be where some of those sightings originated.

I imagine my chances of encountering Bigfoot during this hunt are somewhere in the low negative zero percent but you never know; a man should always be prepared. Right? It’s reported that grizzlies have been seen on the island too and I’ll be more concerned about them than an excessively hairy humanoid like creature addicted to beef jerky.

With the help of Empty Cases readers, I’ve settled on a rifle. I’ll be using the Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger with the laminated stock and fixed sights. (Amazingly, this rifle has a suggested retail price of only $ 580.00.) Empty Cases readers have also selected the riflescope I should use, which is a Swarovski Z6i 1-6X24. This seems like a perfect choice and since Patriot rifles come with Weaver style bases, it only makes sense to have an XS Sights Low Weaver Back-Up sight handy. It can be attached directly to the Weaver base after the scope – which will be mounted in Leupold QRW rings – has been removed. (I’ll have to remove the rifle’s rear sight of it to work.)

Finally, for ammunition, I contacted Neal Emery with Hornady and he is sending a full battery of loads for me to try. He’s also providing some dies, and bullets. This means I’ll be working up some loads for the .375 Ruger. I’m open to suggestions as to what you think the best load for this hunt might be. Black bears are not at all hard to kill but Sasquatch and griz…

The hunt is set, airline tickets have been purchased, and the gear is on order. Like most hunts, the preparation phase is one of the most enjoyable. I’ll keep you posted. In the mean time, I’ll continue to study my Sasquatch Field Guide. After all, Dr. Jeff Meldrum Ph.D. – the guy who wrote it – is a professor of Anatomy & Anthropology at Idaho State University. Interestingly, the good doctor does not mention baiting Bigfoot with Jack Links. I’m beginning to doubt his qualifications and experience.