Do you carry firearms in the wilderness? And why?

[Cpl Punishment]

Yes, I carry, all the time.
In the woods mostly for fun and hunting. Some for protection, there's water moccasins, feral hogs and some feral dogs about.

Have any of you been in a situation where you might or you did need your gun?

Yes. I had to shoot my way out of a fishing hole with a buddy of mine (water moccasins). I haven't had to USE a gun against people int he woods, but I've met some unsavory characters who looked really out of place that I suspect were cooking meth that I happened across. I have a feeling that having both a kukri and a rifle visible kinda put the gentle in them.

Now, in the city, had to use (not fire) a firearm four times: 2 attempted carjackings (fired in one), one attempted break in while I was home and one actual break in while I was home. Screw the city, I like it out here in the boonies better,

Anyway. Statistically Im more likely to slip on the sidewalk, hit my head and die, than be mugged. And since Im not about to wear a helmet while walking my dog, I kinda figured Im not gonna need a gun neither.

No offense, to each his own and all that, but statistically, I'll never need a firearm in my lifetime, either, yet I had 4 instances of needing them because of people problems. Statistics are great, unless you're part of that .05%. . .

 

[CShepherd]

I carry in the woods for the same reason I carry all the time anyway.

There are people and things out there who wouldn't hesitate to hurt me. Until they begin to post where they will be and at what time so I can avoid them, I will be prepared to deal with them.

Charlie

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Yup. Because I'm Alaskan, and that's what we do in Alaska! GRRR!!!

First of all for protection, from bipeds or quadrapeds. Secondly for knock around plinking, and thirdly for procuring a bit of food in a bad situation.

It's a pretty scarce chance of ever needing one, but if a person does, they're gonna reed it really, really badly.

 

[Fraser]

Yes, always. For protection against 2 legged creatures.

 

[on_the_edge]

Have any of you been in a situation where you might or you did need your gun?

A co-worker of mine was at a walk-up ATM one night when he saw a hooded fellow approaching him quicky from behind. The guy was quiet enough that my buddy did not see him until almost the last second or two. He spun around drawing his pistol and while pointing it at the guy asked, "may I help you?" The guy changed course slightly, did not acknowledge my buddy, and kept on walking right past him.

IMO, had that guy been a law abiding citizen, he would have at least stopped momentarily, and likely would have said something like, "whoa!" or "wtf?" Instead, he was not even phased. I think that says a lot.

 

[hollowdweller]

I think I've said this before but when I first started backpacking I carried a .45 auto. Then over time I went down to a 9mm. Then after I had gone like 15 years I switched to a 6" barrel Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22 mag. Finally after a particularly tough trip, overloaded I got a NAA mini master .22 mag.

As I have gone on and on the gun keeps getting smaller and smaller because I see it's not needed. Haven't brought myself to not bring it at all yet though.

Although that's only on long trips way back. Hardly ever have one car camping or hiking in my woods.

 

[knifehunter50]

Yes always in town and in the woods.
to many crazes in this world today.

 

[the possum]

I always carry a gun when out & about the woods, for a number of reasons. Firstly, because I like 'em. Plinking/practice. Targets of opportunity (coyotes, mainly). Because here in Illinois, I don't really get to carry them much anywhere else. Hunting in season. I don't really carry for defensive purposes, but figure a gun would be handy to have if I ever found myself in such a situation.

Have I ever really "needed" a gun? Well sure. Every time. That tree stump needed a few holes put into it. So did that dirt clod way out in the clearing. I'm being serious here. Why does no one here ever ask if you really need to be out in the woods in the first place? Have you ever been in a situation where you almost certainly would have died, like right now, if you didn't get out into the woods? Guess I'm just trying to say, I do need my gun every bit as much as I need to spend time outdoors in the first place, for mental health.

 

[attej]

...He spun around drawing his pistol and while pointing it at the guy asked, "may I help you?" The guy changed course slightly, did not acknowledge my buddy, and kept on walking right past him.

IMO, had that guy been a law abiding citizen, he would have at least stopped momentarily, and likely would have said something like, "whoa!" or "wtf?" Instead, he was not even phased. I think that says a lot.

Yes, drawing a gun to a stranger who hasnt done anything illegal, just 'cause you're scared, does say a lot about this issue. I wonder how many "muggers" are shot and killed this way each year.

 

[attej]

No offense, to each his own and all that, but statistically, I'll never need a firearm in my lifetime, either, yet I had 4 instances of needing them because of people problems. Statistics are great, unless you're part of that .05%. . .

None taken. I didnt mean that just due to some statistics, you will not need a gun, ever. I meant that in here, statistically you're more likely to need a helmet on the street, than a gun.

 

[J. Doyle]

Yes, drawing a gun to a stranger who hasnt done anything illegal, just 'cause you're scared, does say a lot about this issue. I wonder how many "muggers" are shot and killed this way each year.

I wonder how many innocent citizens are mugged, raped, or robbed because they naively assume that all hooded figures approaching them quickly in the dark at an atm are engaged in law abiding, "normal" activity and have good intentions.

 

[MrCoffee]

Nope. Never needed one in 35+ years of outdoor travel/hiking/camping. But that isnt unusal in my area either. If I was out west, or in a more remote area, I would consider it.

 

[attej]

I wonder how many innocent citizens are mugged, raped, or robbed because they naively assume that all hooded figures approaching them quickly in the dark at an atm are engaged in law abiding, "normal" activity and have good intentions.

riiight... so pre-emptive gun pointing is the way to go? After all, its their own fault. People shouldnt be allowed to look suspicious! Let's just hope that the "suspicious" fellow isnt a "responsible" citizen too.

No but honestly... there are ways of being alert without pointing anyone with a gun.

 

[trkJr]

I wonder how many innocent citizens are mugged, raped, or robbed because they naively assume that all hooded figures approaching them quickly in the dark at an atm are engaged in law abiding, "normal" activity and have good intentions.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

"Law abiding" normal citizens don't quickly and quietly approach people from behind at ATM's here in the US. Maybe it's different in Finland but I'd use whatever I had to protect myself, whether it's a gun, knife, club, chair, etc....

but most importantly my own mental awareness of where I am and what/who is around me and a potential threat. to do otherwise is to live life unprepared and naively assuming that no one wants to do me harm. Sadly, statistics show otherwise.

 

[J. Doyle]

riiight... so pre-emptive gun pointing is the way to go? After all, its their own fault. People shouldnt be allowed to look suspicious! Let's just hope that the "suspicious" fellow isnt a "responsible" citizen too.

No but honestly... there are ways of being alert without pointing anyone with a gun.

Sorry, but the general human race has let me down too many times to trust my safety to "suspicious behavior"

If someone approaches me at an atm in the dark, they're gonna be staring at the gaping bore of my .45. And that will be my FIRST resort. Then I will ask questions followed by gunfire if necessary. Repeat steps 1-3 as needed.

 

[attej]

Ok, I can now see why you "need" a gun everywhere you go.

 

[CShepherd]

riiight... so pre-emptive gun pointing is the way to go? After all, its their own fault. People shouldnt be allowed to look suspicious! Let's just hope that the "suspicious" fellow isnt a "responsible" citizen too.

No but honestly... there are ways of being alert without pointing anyone with a gun.

One thing that you're forgetting here is that we're talking about a gamble with my life. If I hesitate too long, it's too late. Even armed with a handgun, if I let someone with the intent to harm me in too close it's likely I will get hurt as well. I may stop them, I may even kill them, but if they hurt or kill me as well, well then I've lost.

There is also the reality that a hooded individual, approaching at night, quickly is most likely not the welcome wagon. All due precaution is justified.

The individual who drew his handgun admitted that he didn't notice them until they were too close. Their only reasonable response was to present. To hesitate would have been foolish and risking their safety and life.

I'm very glad for you that things in Finland are better than here, but we live with the reality here that there are some very violent individuals who are looking for a victim. I personally do not want to be that victim nor do I want my family to be that victim. I choose to be armed and prepared.

No, I have never had the need to present my firearm much less fire it in self-defense, and I honestly hope that I never do, but if the circumstance arises that I do need it, I will certainly be glad that I have it with me. It's no different than carrying a first aid kit, I hope to never need the items in it but if I need them, I want them handy. Granted the likelihood of me needing the first aid is much greater, but the consequence of being unprepared when attacked is significantly higher.

Charlie

 

[longbow50]

Rarely, but there are some areas here in California that are less than safe and that's when I carry.

 

[fishshooter]

I almost always carry. Just as I always wear my seat belt in the car or truck, arm my home security system when I leave my house , wear a life jacket out on the boat while underway, and have fire extinguishers in all three. Have I ever NEEDED any of them? The fire extinguisher, once. I have had to fire a weapon to defend myself, once, nearly fifteen years ago. I can't imagine if something were to happen to myself or a loved one, and I had the means to prevent it and chose not to be properly prepared, especially something like a violent crime or animal attack. Not far from here, a woman was abducted from a hiking area and murdered. Not long after that and not far away, a man had to defend his son against a bear attack, with a stick of all things. Most the things we discuss here are of the "what if" variety and how to deal with them. Most here take the precautions,seek the knowledge and carry the tools to survive getting lost,hurt or stranded in out of the way places. Most the firearms I saw in the National Park thread were easily carried, effective weapons. No more, and probably less, obtrusive than a fixed blade knife. Small price for big piece of mind. The late Col. Cooper once said, "Our personal view is that the motivation of those would disarm us remains upon analysis to be sheer envy. The individual who owns his own personal firearms, and commands the skill necessary to use them well, owns a piece of mind that his adversaries cannot match". I think it is easier on the individual unable, for whatever reason, to possess such piece of mind that it is unnecessary, IMHO.

 

[d_filgate]

Just got a shotgun this fall. In the spring, I'm going to be taking it with me when
I go fishing to walk in and hard to get to lakes.
We've had a bit of a bear problem this past year. The number of attacks seems to be
on the rise, so I'm going to take the shotgun (with slugs) with me when I go out so that
I have some protection.