Iron Sights on a Black Bear

[teddy12b]

Hello,
   Well miracles do happen, and I may have a chance at a bear hunt this year after all.  If it works out I may take the Puma 92 in 44mag, but it has iron sights that are black.  Black sights on a black bear would make for a tougher shot than it needs to be so can I or should I paint the iron sights white or some other color?  I think it would make sense to paint the sights a color that I can see on a black background, but I don't have any experience at this.  I'm thinking about either some of my wifes white fingernail paint or some spray paint.  What do you all think?

[teamnelson]

Never shot a black bear, but I have shot a lot of silhouette - big black steel plates. And I use sight black on the front post to reduce glare, lots of folks do. The contrast between the black on the plates and the black on the front post is significant. That said, I would think a dot of white or neon on the tip of the front sight would work too and just leave the rear alone ... IMHO.

[Graybeard]

Will this be a hunt over bait? If so be aware your ONLY shot opportunity might come at last light when the sun is well down below tree level and the bait site is quite dark. A black bear in a dark shadowy forest is not the best place for iron sights of any kind really and black ones are the worst for such conditions.

I'm not sure if it's even an option or not but the Tru Glo sights that have tritium and fiber optics both seem to me to be the best choice for such situations if using irons rather than scope. If there is enough light the fiber optics will glow from it and if not then the tritium will glow like an illuminated reticle on a scope. That would be my first choice in irons for such a hunt.

[teddy12b]

I should have mentioned that earlier, but this hunt will be over bait in thick ontario bush.  I know a scope would be ideal, but if this works out I'll likely take two rifles, a scoped 30-06 that really long and heavy, and the puma 44mag.  When I travel I take two guns and I was also thinking that whatever I did to the iron sights of the puma would likely be of some help this deer season.

[mcwoodduck]

Ontario Canada?
You will have to pay for each rifle you take in.
I think it is about $10 bucks a gun fee.

[Redhawk1]

The cost to take guns into Canada is $50.00 if I remember correctly, you are allowed I think 2 or 3 guns on each sheet. Also make sure you have a custom form to bring back your guns to the United States.

As for hunting with iron sights, yes it can be done, but you will run out of light early in the deep woods, and that is the time most bear come out. But if you are going to have a back up gun with you with a scope, that would work.