Do you carry firearms in the wilderness? And why?

Do you carry a firearm in the bush?

  • Yes, always

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Yes, when on trips more than a night

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Yes, depends on where I'm going

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No, or very very rarely

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Nope, I can't!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
I would(I even know which one), but 'cause I live in Germany this is out of the question.:(:mad::thumbdn:

Peter
 
When I'm in the woods I like to carry a 22LR pistol because I like to plink. I have a 41 mag if I expect hogs around. I carry but not because I feel threatened. Maybe because I am generally on private land.

I have a CCL but don't normally carry in town because I again don't feel threatened (too old to hangout in the middle of the night).

Traveling, then that is a different story.
 
Attej, respect for others ways is probably the best path to follow in this conversation, or any conversation on any site for that matter. Most countries don't like the fact that we Americans have such liberal gun laws and that's fine. But I expect them to keep their opinions to themselves if they disagree while visiting one of our sites, where guns and their usage are discussed. Just like I would keep my opinions, or voicing how we do it here, to myself, if I were visiting one of their outdoors/gun related sites.

Not saying that I agree with the shoot first, ask questions later scenarios, but circumstances dictate how we react and if there were a situation where a man/woman walked up to the ATM, while I'm using it, they would get a stern warning, while I placed my hand on my firearm. If they continued to push my buttons, I'd be pulling my trigger. The 21' rule, does apply.
 
d_filgate said:
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.
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Good idea. You might consider placing '00' Buck in the chamber and follow it up with slugs. Seems to work well on bear in Alaska. Put the buckshot in their face and then put the slugs where they will do the most damage and drop the bear the quickest. Also, you won't need a bird barrel for the job you are describing. If the gun you buy is a sport gun, with long barrel, get a short (18-20") smooth bore barrel. The shorter barrel will aid in handling of the gun when you use it. Smooth bore, because you can shoot both buckshot and rifled slugs from it. But a rifled slug barrel doesn't shoot buck or other shot worth a darn.

I just recently put a 20" smooth bore barrel on mine and I like how it feels a lot better. BTW, open bore or improved cylinder chokes are probably best for buckshot.

P1040517b.jpg
 
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Fear should never be a motivator for carrying a gun. Awareness of potential danger is quite another matter. Some of us who spent any time in the scouts as kids still remember the motto "Be Prepared". One of the most useful things I ever learned as a kid.
 
longbow50 said:
Attej, respect for others ways is probably the best path to follow in this conversation, or any conversation on any site for that matter. Most countries don't like the fact that we Americans have such liberal gun laws and that's fine. But I expect them to keep their opinions to themselves if they disagree while visiting one of our sites, where guns and their usage are discussed. Just like I would keep my opinions, or voicing how we do it here, to myself, if I were visiting one of their outdoors/gun related sites.
Click to expand...

Im honestly sorry if I've been disrespectful in any way. However, I do feel that I have the right to express my opinion in any matter that is being discussed here, no matter what's my nationality. If there are special rules for people that are not US citizens, I must have missed them. Since the topic is "Do you carry a firearm, and why", I thought I could answer "No", and explain why I dont. Im not the one who brought up carrying a gun in an urban environment.

And anyway, this discussion is not about gun laws, nor have I criticized your gun laws in any way. Your legislation is yours, and since I dont live in there, it's all the same to me.
 
HighDesertWalker said:
Fear should never be a motivator for carrying a gun. Awareness of potential danger is quite another matter. Some of us who spent any time in the scouts as kids still remember the motto "Be Prepared". One of the most useful things I ever learned as a kid.
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I disagree. Fear is probably the most useful response that mammals have, because without it, few would survive for very long. It's how one handles fear that defines responsible or irresponsible use of a firearm.
 
I carry one in the woods, camping or travelling in unfamiliar territory/out of town. Usually it depends on where I am going if I am in town. It also depends if my wife/children are with me. I am however looking into getting my Conceal Carry Permit. These days you never know, but I do not feel naked without one. (I am told once you get in the habit of carrying, you will feel naked without one). From time to time my S&W 686 will ride on the seat next to me.
 
I don't really understand too much some folks motivations for carrying. I've lived in the big bad city all my life, a place with more than it's fair share of violent crime, never carried, and managed to never put myself in any life threatening situation. So I tend to be somewhat incredulous when folks mention they've been in such situations several times as part of everyday life. My first thought is, you must really be doing something wrong, or hanging out in the wrong places. Seriously, if I'd been threatened with my life on more than a couple occasions, my sense would tell me that arming myself isn't sufficient. A serious life change and/or move would be a better strategy. Arming myself without such a change would still be tempting fate.

Not that carrying is necessarily a bad idea. "Be prepared" is a good motto. When out in the wilderness, I find a firearm tends to be dead weight, so I usually leave it at home. Around town, assuming I would bother, the same thing applies. I barely can stand carrying a cell phone. For all the extra weight, most folks would probably find much more utility and preparedness EDCing a Crescent wrench. And really, what kind of average person would do that?
 
gnius said:
I disagree. Fear is probably the most useful response that mammals have, because without it, few would survive for very long. It's how one handles fear that defines responsible or irresponsible use of a firearm.
Click to expand...

We do disagree, though we may be saying basically the same thing in different ways. To me, the awareness of danger coupled with a rational response is the best way to stay safe. Fear can trigger a responsible action, but, as much as possible, must be left behind when entering the woods with a gun. Otherwise, possession of a gun may lead only to sweaty fingers on the trigger or jerked off shots that serve only to annoy your opponent, whether it possesses four legs or only two. Raw fear can also lead to inappropriate or even illegal aggression. As homo sapiens, we have the ability to think through and manage our fears; that is why we are successful in occupying the top of the evolutionary ladder.
 
HighDesertWalker said:
We do disagree, though we may be saying basically the same thing in different ways. To me, the awareness of danger coupled with a rational response is the best way to stay safe. Fear can trigger a responsible action, but, as much as possible, must be left behind when entering the woods with a gun. Otherwise, possession of a gun may lead only to sweaty fingers on the trigger or jerked off shots that serve only to annoy your opponent, whether it possesses four legs or only two. Raw fear can also lead to inappropriate or even illegal aggression. As homo sapiens, we have the ability to think through and manage our fears; that is why we are successful in occupying the top of the evolutionary ladder.
Click to expand...

I agree. As you said, preparedness is a good motivator. Fear has too much tendency to cloud the judgment. This can be observed from the personal to the national level.
 
In the Bush, always, I rather have one and not use it than to need one and not have it.

Reasons:

1) Protection

2) Food

3) Signal
 
longbow50 said:
I just recently put a 20" smooth bore barrel on mine and I like how it feels a lot better. BTW, open bore or improved cylinder chokes are probably best for buckshot.

P1040517b.jpg
Click to expand...


Nice choice in shotguns ;) I`ve got it`s twin. I carry when I can, usually when hunting or wandering in the woods. Usually it`s my Kimber .45 or
Ruger .22

15p5o9i.jpg
 
shecky said:
I don't really understand too much some folks motivations for carrying. I've lived in the big bad city all my life, a place with more than it's fair share of violent crime, never carried, and managed to never put myself in any life threatening situation. So I tend to be somewhat incredulous when folks mention they've been in such situations several times as part of everyday life. My first thought is, you must really be doing something wrong, or hanging out in the wrong places. Seriously, if I'd been threatened with my life on more than a couple occasions, my sense would tell me that arming myself isn't sufficient. A serious life change and/or move would be a better strategy. Arming myself without such a change would still be tempting fate.

Not that carrying is necessarily a bad idea. "Be prepared" is a good motto. When out in the wilderness, I find a firearm tends to be dead weight, so I usually leave it at home. Around town, assuming I would bother, the same thing applies. I barely can stand carrying a cell phone. For all the extra weight, most folks would probably find much more utility and preparedness EDCing a Crescent wrench. And really, what kind of average person would do that?
Click to expand...

The lessons of my life have been quite different. I'll give a few examples.

I was a quiet, highly motivated kid walking from one class to another at the University of Texas when Charles Whitman began firing on students from an observation deck at the top of the UT Tower; the tower overlooked the entire campus. Before the rampage was over, Whitman killed 14 people and wounded 32 others. He was finally taken out by two police officers who had ascended to the top of the tower.

Later the same year, while serving as a counselor in a university approved dorm (private ownership), I was approached in my room by a very large male wearing a western shirt, jeans, boots, a cowboy hat and a single action revolver in a holster. I could smell the liquor on the guys breath as he asked for change for a dollar. I picked up my change jar but found only pennies there. "Sorry, I haven't got that much change". At this point, the guy drew his revolver, put the barrel in my gut and cocked the hammer. "Do you realize this gun is loaded?" I looked at the gun, then looked in his eyes and said, "Yes, I realize that." After studying me for a few seconds, he lowered the hammer on his revolver, returned it to his holster, and shook hands with me as he introduced himself. He stayed in my room for about 30 minutes chatting about deer hunting. Finally, the manager appeared at the door and informed "Jack" that firearms are not allowed in University Approved Housing. He apologized and left.

When I was about a week short of 21, I ran into a guy at a dance at a roller rink in Norman, Oklahoma. This fellow was going from one person to another saying "Hi Pussy". You guessed it, and I confess I bear some responsibility for the incident that followed. When the guy approached me with his rude greating, I responded, "Fellow, you're the biggest pussy in here". (After all, I was coming of age at the time.) Of course a fight ensued, and I succeeded in kicking his ass. But when I went to the Men's room to wash up afterwards I was accosted by six of his pals who returned the favor in spades. Turns out the first guy was the local gang leader. To this day I can't enter a public rest room w/o remembering the incident.

One more. I had an encounter in Houston with a guy who, realizing I was lost, offered to lead my young wife and I to the highway I was looking for. After following awhile I realized we were being led into the boonies, so I broke off and headed back to the city. Much later I recognized the individual on a cable crime program. Does "Henry Lee Lucas" ring a bell?

I realize the last incident was the only one in which a handgun might have been useful (I did not have one). My point is that the danger is out there, and it only makes sense to be prepared to defend yourself if the need arises. As a matter of character defense, I can say I've never been arrested, but have gotten a few speeding tickets. Also, I was a student at UT for ten years where I won a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. So I wasn't just wandering around foolishly looking for trouble. Just being alive means there's a statistical possibility trouble will find you at some point in your life.
 
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shecky said:
I don't really understand too much some folks motivations for carrying. I've lived in the big bad city all my life, a place with more than it's fair share of violent crime, never carried, and managed to never put myself in any life threatening situation. So I tend to be somewhat incredulous when folks mention they've been in such situations several times as part of everyday life.
Click to expand...

:) Just pointing out again, there's more/other reasons to carry a gun besides defense. Up to and including, "Just because I want to." Ya know, the same reason we usually go hiking, camping, or woods loafing in the first place.
 
I travel to some pretty unsavory places and I wish I could carry more frequently when I'm abroad. I live in St. Louis, and while I have my CCW, I don't carry everyday. I pretty much only carry it if Im in the boonies or up North. Abroad I've had more than one occasion where I wished I had it.

While I was in Mexico City I had an incident where I would have much preferred to have a gun over a knife. I was leaving a restaurant late in the evening after a meeting with my client. I was well dressed and by myself when I hailed a cab. I knew the route to my hotel from the restaurant so when he diverted off onto a side road I knew something was up. I'm generally very comfortable abroad as I speak Spanish and travel frequently. This situation however put me on edge.

I started to ask him why he was taking this route and he said that it was quicker- which was the furthest thing from the truth. I was literally a straight shot down the street to my hotel. I was 1 mile down the road on the same street as the restaurant and he took me way off in another direction for more than a mile.

One habit I've picked up when I travel in sketchy places and I have to taxis is to sit directly behind the driver. Especially in Mexico and Colombia, it is common for taxi drivers to pick up gringos and drive them to meet up with a group of buddies to mug his passenger. Knowing this, I started telling the story (which I made up), about how I had accidentally scared a taxi driver really badly once when he picked me up from the airport to take me to my hotel. I told him that I always memorize my routes when I travel and that this particular taxi driver started going in the wrong direction. I went on to tell this driver that I got nervous that this taxi driver from my past experience was driving me to some location to be mugged so I pulled out a knife as I sat behind him because I figured that if I was going to get mugged, I'd at least get a few good sticks on the driver.

While I was saying the last part I flipped open my Delica in view of his rear view mirror. My driver immediately returned to the main road.
 
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jlouis976 said:
....One habit I've picked up when I travel in sketchy places and I have to taxis is to sit directly behind the driver. Especially in Mexico and Colombia, it is common for taxi drivers to pick up gringos and drive them to meet up with a group of buddies to mug his passenger. Knowing this, I started telling the story (which I made up), about how I had accidentally scared a taxi driver really badly once when he picked me up from the airport to take me to my hotel. I told him that I always memorize my routes when I travel and that this particular taxi driver started going in the wrong direction. I went on to tell this driver that I got nervous that this taxi driver from my past experience was driving me to some location to be mugged so I pulled out a knife as I sat behind him because I figured that if I was going to get mugged, I'd at least get a few good sticks on the driver.

While I was saying the last part I flipped open my Delica in view of his rear view mirror. My driver immediately returned to the main road.
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Good thinking. I've traveled a lot overseas but never carried a knife of any size because I've never been sure about the local laws. Might be worth checking in advance. Great food for thought.
 
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