Big bend Texas

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
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My wife, son and I are thinking of a winter trip to the park. I already found out that the only gun you can carry is a disassembled one. I am not very happy about that.

Has anyone been there?

Any must dos or don'ts?

Thanks

Chris
 
Chris- if that's really the case, the NEF shotgun can be carried disassembled quite effectively. Hook the barrel on, drop a shell, and it's ready to shoot in about 5 seconds or less. You don't even need to have the forearm.:) ss.
 
I read years ago where a Bear was attacking a person and witnesses were helpless. A back packer that was passing by with his friend pulled out a .44 mag and killed the Bear. I don't really recall the park's name. It was over 7 years ago or so. I do know that it was prohibited for him to carry a gun inside the park and I am not sure if they brought up any charges on him. The news paper was stating how he saved the life’s of others who could had been the Bear's next victim. This was a rare occasion that had never happened in the past. I always say that it only takes one incident to put you on the daily newspaper. You could be on the Cover Page or the Obituary.
 
You have to weigh the consequences of your choices, preferable beforehand. So which is more likely to happen, spending a few years in the Federal Big House for felony weapons violations, or being attacked by a bear? They don't even have grizzly bears at Big Bend. Lots of LEOs though.

Imaginary grizzly bear, or real life Federal LEO? Not a tough choice for me...
 
I wouldn't worry about the Bears..its the MULES that might shoot YOU...now thats not your imagination! Your talking about deep in the country in TX...people die there all the time. Do what you think is right, and on a different note..although I have never been..I have heard that it is very nice there. And if you park your car and come back to it in after an overnighter...it will most likely be broken into by the border runners..I hate this subject, but its just the way it is along the border.
 
I would be more worried about drug smugglers than grizzly bears in Big Bend, that's for sure. :)

But still, weigh the consequences of breaking the law ~before~ doing it.
 
I would be more worried about drug smugglers than grizzly bears in Big Bend, that's for sure.
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Big Bend is one of the most dangerous areas on the southern border and is one of the centers of narcotic smuggling violence. Personally, I would never take my family there, and I have the ability to go armed (legally).
 
I'm planning the same type of trip when I redeploy; I'm going through a couple of Big Bend guide books right now charting a couple of shorter hiking trips. Same situation, it would be my wife, daughter (13) and son (8). I won't even address the firearms restrictions...but I'll be damned if I survive Iraq only to be threatened by drug runners back home (in a freaking National Park:mad:)...so yeah, I'll walk softly and carry a big CCW stick.

ROCK6
 
I've taken a couple of trips to Big Bend, one in the winter and one in spring. During the winter trip I spent all my time backpacking in the Chisos in snow and sleet. The spring trip was very nice, warm in the day, cool at night.

I would definitely recommend spending at least a day in Big Bend Ranch S.P, as there is very easy access to beautiful canyons and the river. Depending on where you plan to camp(desert or mountains) you should be prepared for pretty cold temps in the winter. Days will be reasonably warm in the desert and down by the river, but freezes often during winter. The mountains will warm up some on sunny days, but can be very cold if there's cloudcover(of course I went during a very cold stretch, upper 20s/lower 30s highs).

Depending on the age of your son there is plenty of good hiking in the park. The south rim trail is a very popular one(though it probably won't be crowded in the winter) and I think it's worth it to take the hike up Emory Peak(the highest point in the park) to get a great view of the park.

If you have any more specific questions about the area, just ask, I love West Texas.
 
Also, I forgot to mention that through most of the park you don't really need to worry about drug runners. I didn't see any while I was there on either trip and haven't heard of any real incidences there. It's not really that popular a crossing point for illegal immigrants as it is pretty harsh terrain. Definitely don't let talk about it deter you from going.
 
athrasher said:
I didn't see any while I was there on either trip and haven't heard of any real incidences there. It's not really that popular a crossing point for illegal immigrants
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Just because you didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't there. Big Bend is generally considered second only to Organ Pipe (which is currently closed to the public for safety purposes) in dangerousness by the people who do this for a living.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

I never go camping with out a firearm. I can't imagine going to BB without. You never know. Why would a park ranger do a serious search of all my gear? A family on a vacation is pretty innocuous. Another option is disassembling it in some token kind of way.

Anyone know of a place to go camping during the winter that is warm and turns a blind eye towards guns?
 
Has there ever been any violent incidences in Big Bend that can be backed up by a factual cite?
 
Suerte said:
Has there ever been any violent incidences in Big Bend that can be backed up by a factual cite?
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Yes, check this article from Guns & Ammo. http://www.gunsandammomag.com/gun_columns/border/august_1021DB/


It happened in 2003, and I remember the news reports (I live in San Antonio, and it was news here for a couple of days). There may be newspaper archives available online for further reporting.

We grew up camping in Big Bend in the 60s and 70s, but I think I'd only do day-trips there now, and not flirt with the border/river area. Too bad.
 
I am not sterring away from BB because of some drug dealer mystique.

That kind of thing can happen in any national park.

I try to pick ones where gun carry is allowed, like a national wilderness area and one that is definetely warm in winter time.
 
Suerte said:
Has there ever been any violent incidences in Big Bend that can be backed up by a factual cite?
Click to expand...

Suerte, please trust me that this subject is very near and dear to me. I'm not just repeating something that I heard from somebody else who heard it from someone who went there once or whatever. The NPS Rangers often wear camoflauge and usually carry M16s in BB. There are only a couple of places in the country where they routinely do that. BP also carry M16s or shotguns at all times and often drive armored "war wagons". That should be a hint.

It's your family and your life. Do what you want. But I won't take my family there. There are many other areas where I could travel and avoid the border crime, including most of the other parks and wilderness areas in the southwest. It's sad that it is as bad as it is.

Last post on this subject from me.
 
The border has gotten generally bad from Texas to California.

IMHO, I'd find a better place to take a vacation.
 
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