Camping with firearms

gregncat

gregncat

Joined
Sep 7, 2010
Messages
205
Just have a question, I guess geared more toward Americans than anyone else I suppose. Here in Canada our fire arm's law's are wonky and self serving to say the least. But I've seen many pictures of (typically American) guys going on a day hike or even an over nighter, and you have a rifle and/or a pistol with you.
Now I realize that you're carrying a firearm due to the threat from local wild life. But how do you react, or how have you reacted when you're deep in the brush, where there really isn't anyone around, and notice someone or even a couple people approaching you, rifles slung, maybe even tracking you for all you know. Would you shoulder your rifle and approach? Undo the holster snap on your pistol? Holler at them while they're still a good distance away? Or do you leave your rifle where it is and welcome them with open arms, even invite them to join you for coffee?

Here in Canada you don't typically see anyone hiking or camping with a firearm, outside of hunting season. If I noticed someone approaching with a slung rifle??....My guard would be way up, at least until I could ascertain his intentions.
What do you guys do, or what, (if anything) have you done in the past? Or have I just been watching too many westerns?
 
I don't see many carrying a firearm and I've done a lot of backpacking, hiking and camping. As I have a CCW, I typically keep mine concealed when hiking, as I assume do others. I have occassionally seen a person with a rifle slung while hiking, and I assume the do not have a CCW and don't want to OC a handgun. Never worried about their intentions, and never had any reason to. Many times its a couple (girl and guy) hiking and the guy has the rifle. As long as he doesn't unsling it when approaching, I don't get worried. If he were to unsling and start to point the muzzle in my general direction, then I would react, which would mean evade and avoid.

Oh, yeah. I am located in the U.S. in a very gun friendly state. Its not the wild west here, except in the worst parts of the inner cities where the inhabitants are possessing and using guns illegally. Don't go there.
 
It makes me nervous but I usually just greet them and be friendly.

We were in a shelter last year and it was raining and about six guys came up the trail and sought shelter there and one was wearing a pistol.

It's legal to open carry here and they seemed nice enough, even offered us some of the wine they were drinking going up the trail. We BS'd trail talk and after it rained they went up the trail. All was fine.

But just naturally when I see a bunch of armed people I don't know come up and set down with me there's a bit more sizing them up than if they are (seemingly) unarmed.

More of a psychological thing really since all or most people could be carrying concealed anyway.
 
well in the words of one of our greatest presidents, We Walk softly but carry a big stick. I'd acknowledge there presence (wave, say hello whatever...) and then see how it goes from there. normally 99% of the time, it wont be anything to worry about. (in my neck of the woods anyway YMMV) but you brandish weapons at someone like that and imho things are gonna go south REAL quick fast and in a hurry. I carry a Ruger Single Action 44 mag or hot 45 colt 4 5/8" bbl. in a simply rugged loaded pancake holster with a hang shirt. normally they never know Im armed. :thumbup:

Jason
 
Except for hunters, I cant recall seeing a hiker with a firearm.

I usually judge a book by its cover. Some people make me uncomfortable and others not.
 
The only time I would worry about people carrying firearms in the woods is when they're also carrying farming supplies and plants with strange leaves.
 
I don't usually run across armed people. Most people worry about me, as I am usually armed with a rifle -- often carried in the cradle position.

The times I have run across armed people, it never bothered me, even though they often had the rifle or shotgun in hand, as it wasn't pointed at me.

For the record, I don't carry for defense, I carry because it's legal to kill hogs year round here and I'm often looking for them. Which means I'm rarely on or near a trail, and usually don't run across others, and when I do it's because they are out here looking for hogs as well.

I don't worry about pot grows around here either, the foliage is so thick, they'd spend more time trying to keep the wild plants out of their "crops" than anything, and might as well go get a regular job if they have to work that hard.
 
Some cool responses!!
Yes I do agree that 99% of the time there's probably nothing to worry about, so it's just best to leave your guns be, and not go "poking the Bear".
It also got me thinking that if someone was approaching you with firearms, they would have to be aware of the fact that you could also be armed. So if they had ill intentions they would need to get in close. Once you've set up camp, (tent or shelter built, fire going, food on the cook) you've sort of established your territory. While there's no set boundary markers, any normal person would respect your space. So to just walk right in without being invited would be sort of like walking right into your living room at home. That's a bit of an intrusion, and would warrant a red flag. Still doesn't mean "go to gunz", but I would try to keep my distance, till I could feel them out.
 
The times they are a changing... At almost 50 years old things are different than they have ever been. I have a CCP. I am never more than a couple steps from a loaded weapon. If it isn't on my person it is in the room or vehicle I am in.
If I am in the woods - I am armed. It is concealed and of a caliber and mag capacity suitable to the environment and anticipated threat. I am far more concerned about the two legged than any other.
Things have changed and so have the times.
Sad but, true.
Forever vigilant is my motto these days.
 
I never encountered anyone carrying guns until about the last 2 or 3 years. Now I see it a lot. The gun culture is much more prevalent now than ever before.

Now I run into less people actually HUNTING than in the past for sure.:thumbup:
 
When I camp deep in the forest I always have a sidearm on my hip, I have crossed folks with guns and usually just nod and watch them pass. The only time I was really cautious is when I took my 9 year old son camping, we started down the trail to our spot and heard gun fire, just folks plinking but still not willing to take a chance so we turned around and went to a different spot.
 
I do some hiking/car camping throughout AZ. I also ride dirt bikes too. Most everyone I come across with has firearms in the rural areas I travel. I refuse to camp south of I-10 due to the border violence and drug running near interstate 8. I carry a glock 29 with several magazines and an Ontario SP8 in my backpack.
 
I always hike armed, usually a concealed pistol but sometimes with a rifle depending on various circumstanses. I cant say I have seen that many others armed outside of hunting but really whats the difference. Almost all folks you meet in the outdoors carrying are the friendly and respectful type. If I ever got bad vibes from one I would not stick around.

I honestly dont understand why people would go into out of they way places unarmed any more than they would without a first aid kit. I dont plan on having to use either but the point is you are on your own and you should be able to handle pretty much whatever comes along at least until you can get back to civilization. This goes double if you have family with you. Do you really think the police will be there to help you? Thankfully not that many granola eating sheeple types are assaulted each year but I have read some stories of this happening on the appalachain trail. Better prepared than sorry.

josh
 
I always take at least my G23 and usually my .22 for plinking or my 12 gauge. But in Oklahoma it is not unusual for people to be carrying.
 
I generally wear a pistol everyday, especially hiking or camping. It just makes good sense to me. Thing is, no one I meet ever knows. I conceal my sidearm under a shirt, vest, or jacket, and carry on like I have the right to do so. Mainly, because I do.

I see some guys that go way overboard, but, to each their own. I have never had any issues with anyone on the trail, and as far as wildlife, I have had to fire a couple of times to put a menacing critter off towards an easier, quieter meal. Nothing serious, just a stubborn bear or hog.

Most times, I never see them, they scatter long before I arrive to see the tracks.

I have always seen a firearm as a useless piece of equipment for most situations, but on the one chance it becomes the most essential piece of equipment, well, that's why I take it.

If I knew I was going somewhere I would need a gun, I wouldn't go.

Moose
 
The ones you see coming aren't an issue. It's the ones you don't see (and unless you have your weapon drawn, there isn't much you can do).

Me, I'd probably just stop and wait for them to approach.
 
I carry every day, hiking and camping is no different. I have a CCW permit and as such keep my firearm concealed. Even if I’m camping or out for a walk in the woods, I generally keep it concealed under my shirt or jacket because it’s just business as usual, I just happen to be camping or whatever.

Carrying a firearm on your belt or on a sling over your shoulder and approaching me is about as intimidating to me as walking up to me with a coil of rope in your hand. If I let you get close enough, you could strangle me! It’s a person’s mannerisms and behaviors that are threat indicators, not what gear they’re carrying, at least for me.

If someone (or a couple of people) were following/tracking me, I’d handle it just the same as I would if I were on the street, in a parking lot, etc. It’s all part of a defensive mindset and situational awareness. First thing I would do is change my route to a route that no one would follow unless they were intentionally following me. Whether it is on a new spur of the trail or walking the long way around to my car in a parking lot, same deal. At the point I start getting wary of their intentions and am certain they aren’t following me by chance I would politely but firmly ask “Can I help you?” If at night, I would pair this with a white light to the face. If they have no poor intentions, I apologize for the light and am on my way.

There are a lot of factors here to consider. Disparity of force is one; multiple attackers, even if they’re unarmed, against me as a single individual, an elderly person vs someone much larger in size and stronger, a female against a large man, etc.

This post transitioned in to a defensive mindset rant. Part of the territory as a CCW instructor I guess. :D

One thing I’ll add is that I don’t carry for defense against 4-legged creatures. Not an issue here in MO really. Very few mountain lion sightings here and there, so other than coyotes we don’t have any even mid-size predators. However, there has been more than 1 story of guys hiking and bumping in to meth cooking camps, pot grows, etc. One guy a couple years ago walked in on a meth camp and after snooping around a bit (no one was there) he noticed a still lit cigarette sitting on a stump. He carried every time after that.
 
TN_KNIFE said:
The ones you see coming aren't an issue. It's the ones you don't see (and unless you have your weapon drawn, there isn't much you can do).

Me, I'd probably just stop and wait for them to approach.
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Agreed. If someone has bad intentions they probably won't just come strolling up.

I'm in Idaho. Running into people in the woods packing firearms is the norm. That being said - I could really do without the idiots that seem to have no manners about it. If you are packing concealed, just keep it that way. However, if you are actively using your firearm and you come in contact with others - stop and make it obvious that you are respecting their safety. Especially with lawmen. Any time I run into a fish and game officer or police officer in the woods, I empty my gun (not the Glock on my hip, that's never empty :)) and lock back the slide or bolt (whatever the case may be). It just really sucks to run across someone that can't even keep their muzzle pointed in a safe direction. It means you have to clear the area.

Respecting the rights of others is essential to maintaining your own rights.
 
Also, Adaman04 makes some great points. I would think that most of the time, if I thought someone was following me in the woods, I could pretty easily give them the slip (if they have bad intentions and are right up on you, it's probably to late to evade). Then I would just turn the tables and become the observer rather than the observed.

I love spending time in Idaho's backcountry. You rarely see another person, and if you do - 99% of the time, you've just made a friend.
 
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