Guns on the trail?

L

Lookin Sharp in MD

Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
3
I hike the AT a few times per year, and some other public trails and parks. I'm just curious after reading some threads here: what proportion of the hiking and camping population is carrying a sidearm, does anyone know? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it but it just never occurred to me that some of the people I meet might be carrying.
 
as is with carrying in urban places... the best way to carry is to not look like you're carrying. Anybody could be carrying... it doesn't mean that they intend to do you harm nor does the absence of a visible firearm mean that one could do them harm with impunity.
 
You never know who's armed....
 
Well, of the 5 murders I know of on the AT, 4 took place in a campsite and 1 on the trail.

I'd venture a guess that the AT thru hikers don't carry but that some of the section or day hikers do. Maybe 1-3 in 100 carry.
 
When the laws allow, I open carry my Glock 20 when in bear country. I also hunt with either my G20 or my S&W 610 (6.5" barrel, w/ 2x Burris). I have also (often) legally carry a concealed pistol on the trail...sometimes at the same time. Here's a link to my current G20 set up: (click here)

YMMV
 
I always carry in the woods and I have used a firearm one time (1) to defend myself while solo hiking on the AT in Pennsylvania. Two guys rushed me as if to attack, one had his hand on the handle of his knife. I turned and stood to face them ( I had been filling a canteen). They RADAR LOCKED on my holstered handgun and FROZE! The gun was a .22 magnum Ruger Single Six with a 6.5 inch barrel. On seeing the gun the guy with his hand on his knife let go of it all of a suddenAfter a long tense silence they tried to bluff it off as an attempt to "scare me".

I never drew the gun and didn't have to fire a shot. At the time I was shooting about 500 rounds a week with that gun so they both would have caught three.

I always carry on the AT though I must admit that open carry scares the sheep so to speak. I favor open carry where legal and yopu won't ruin other people's day in the woods. Concealed carry is a better option when around people though it is difficult to do comfortably.

If you do the math you will quickly see that only a few people are killed each year in Alaska by bears and many more are murdered by humans. By far the human being is the most dangerous thing you will ever meet in the wild. Mac
 
Well, I can't really say I do the whole "hiking" thing, but I do go for walks in our timber and woods now and then. I do not intentionally go without a gun, and I assume everyone I would meet in the woods also has a gun, at least around here. I don't worry about concealing it around here, and it's kinda hard to conceal a rifle or big pistol or two foot Bowie anyway. My roommate and I did go to Giant City State Park on a regular basis while in college, and we brought our shotguns along for squirrels. IIRC, we met a few hikers on a trail one day, and there were no strange looks exchanged. When it wasn't hunting season, I openly carried a fixed blade, and no one ever bothered me about it. (I don't think guns were allowed in the park out of season, and I honestly didn't feel threatened enough to risk the penalties.)
 
That's a sweet shooter, Chris. i often carry my 20 in a chest rig on the trail, and it always runs aloong as my back pack gun in the truck. 10m is the king in handguns. Too bad the MP10 is so damn expensive.
 
I spend about 50 days per year hiking/camping and some on the lower portion of the at (georgia). What I have learned is that 1). It does not make sense to carry a gun if it is concealed (i.e in your pack). It takes way too long to release your pack, unzip, retrieve your gun, and use it. 2). Guns are added weight if you are on a long hike ( assuming you are not in bear country, where guns can be useful) and 3). Probably 99% of the hikers/campers i meet on the trail do not even carry fixed blades, why would you need a gun.
I firmly believe that guns are fine if you want to do some plinking on your hike/camp, bit IMO it is not practical to go strapped like Doc Holliday. I have met many more families with small children and game wardens on the trail than I have crazy desperados looking to harm me.
 
If I was hiking with small children, it would be my responsibility to be armed, so I could protect them. It astonishes me that people venture into the wilderness without a gun, or even a good knife in many cases. Of course they are the first to demand changes when they are attacked, or need help.

To me carrying a good knife and firearm are second nature. I don't brandish them, indeed, I developed rigs to carry concealed and still have access. Those who wander without the proper tools our advanced brains gave us, are simply playing the odds, or ignorant to the dangers of the wild.
 
Warriorsociologist said:
When the laws allow, I open carry my Glock 20 when in bear country. I also hunt with either my G20 or my S&W 610 (6.5" barrel, w/ 2x Burris). I have also (often) legally carry a concealed pistol on the trail...sometimes at the same time. Here's a link to my current G20 set up: (click here)

YMMV
Click to expand...

Nice set up. But how in the heck do you hike with a drop leg holster? It would drive me insane.

I alternate between holstering on my backpack somehow or one of Robert's chest rigs. I'd like to try a bandolier style holster for my .44, seems like that would be fairly comfortable. Hard to conceal though.

To respond to the original post, I wish a lot more people were taking responsibility for their personal protection than appear to be, on the trail or off.
 
Robert H-
Being armed is not a guarantee of being able to protect anything. I own over 30 various guns, but that does not mean I can look into someone else's eyes and take their life. I like to think I could if needed, but I have never been in that position. I have friends in law enforcement who have drawn weapons in the line of duty, but to this day say that they dont know what it would take to get them to kill someone...and these are poeple who train everyday for these situations.
I personally have had a ruger 9mm pulled on me at a bar before. I told the guy he had 3 seconds to shoot or I was going to kick the $hit out of him...he promptly turned and left( thank God). Being armed does not automatically mean you can protect anyone.
My point was simply that of millions of hikers on trails a small minority find it necessary to carry guns. You can check www.thebackpacker.com they had surveys up recently. If someone really wants to get you on a trail, a concealed weapon is not gonna help, there are too many places of ambush etc. You better be hiking with your gun in your hand with the safety off if you want to defend yourself against these people.
I have spent many days with my family (small children included) on the trails of the southeast. Unless I was hunting I have never felt the need to take a gun. I can also say that I would be hesitant to share my campfire with someone openly carrying a firearm.
If you carry one in your pack, or concealed, more power to you...I just hope you dont think that will protect you in the woods in an emergency situation.
 
I have to agree with Robert H, but I will say most hikers and fellow campers are pretty decent people. When I'm out with my family...it's MY responsibilty for their protection...I'm trained, and reasonably confident if I had to use them. I don't like to pick and choose when or when not to carry concealed...I've been too many places on this planet where Mr. Murphy always strikes when least expected. I attempt to carry any and everytime I can.

I do think those that desire to carry a firearm, carry it concealed...out of sight, out of mind. A lot of sheeple are uncomfortable, and I will respect that. I feel comfortable carrying concealed, their comfortable not seeing firearms...

As to the extra weight? Backpacking with a Kifaru EMR loaded to around 70-80 lbs is an absolute pleasure compared to a 50-60 lb Ruck with an additional 40-50 lbs of LBV, Body Armor, and weapon in MOPP Level 2! I don't think a small Airweight J-Frame or even my little Kimber Ultra Carry will make any difference on an extended hike :D

ROCK6
 
AT = Appalachian Trail

The AT starts in Springer Mountain, GA and gos all the way to Mt. Katahdin, ME. and covers over 2000 miles. I have only hiked parts of it, but someday one of my goals is to Thru-hike the trail.
 
Just some additional AT info.

The 2 women murdered in Virginia by a single bad guy were in their campsite, backpacks on the grounds, tents set up. Had one of them been carrying a firearm on their person maybe the end result would have been different.

A solo female AT hiker was attacked at her campsite near Front Royal, VA by the same bad guy noted above. She survived and he was caught.

The man and woman murdered in Pennsylvania were also in their campsite. Same deal. The bad guy was captured miles away in Harpers Ferry WV. How many people walked past this double murderer?

The solo female murdered in New Hampshire was hiking on the trail, about 200 yards from a main road (Kangamancus Highway?). Still unsolved.

Interesting to note that the majority of victims were females, in camp. Also interesting that a solo attacker went after doubles. Maybe there is no safety in numbers.

I know people in Alaska hunting bear who wear a magnum in a shoulder holster while sleeping in their tents. They are never without firearms around the campsite, not even when answering the call of nature.

Then there was the LEO who I ran across on the AT while day hiking with my little daughters 25 years ago. He asked if I was carrying a firearm. I said no. His reply "You should."
 
Just to clarify one point. Concealed carry does not necessarily mean in your pack. I have found a good way to carry is with a cross draw holster in the front below my pack belt. In the summer I often will carry in a regular hip holster with a T-shirt slipped through my right shoulder strap covering the gun and holster, sort of semi-open carry. Only do this if yo have a CCW.

I strongly disagree that a firearm gives you no advantage. If you are looking at it from a purely tactical persepctive, as if you are actively being hunted by men with rifles or are subject to an "ambush" at every turn then yes a handgun is a poor excuse for a weapon. However, 98% of defensive gun uses take place much like what happened to me. Some idiot will get agressive or start to attack to find himself up against an armed victim and then he backs down, no shots fired.

If you have not settled the moral issue as to wether you could take a human life when threatened with your own death or grave bodily injury then you have no business carrying lethal force. Carrying a gun is not for everybody but if you do you really need to wrestle with the moral implcations beforehand.

I have never felt I needed to defend myself against other hikers. I have only ever had problems with locals who are going to the same wilderness areas to drink heavily and cause trouble. One last point. As soon as you get far enough into the woods to loose a cell phone signal there are no police, firemen, or EMT's to come to your aid. You are on your own. Mac
 
I can't imagine not carrying something on the trail. Be it a .357 Mag revolver, a 1911 or a Glock. Bad things happen when you aren't prepared. 99.44% of the time the gun will make the trip undisturbed, it's that other .56% of the time you gotta prepare for.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top