Need for Guns?

Speaking of mountain lions I've read that there have been sightings in upstate New York. Gets pretty remote up there so it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Of course, there was a child killed in New York by a black bear about 2 years ago.
 
Longbow et al: O.K my tone was a bit over the top. I am willing to leave this as a cultural difference and accept that there are other ways of thinking about this issue. The idea of folks packing heat on the trail makes me feel uncomfortable as it is an alien idea to me. I might take some pepper spray and a knife and in true bear wilderness I have my 450 Marlin so maybe we aren't that far away. But I'm still glad not to have to worry about every 2nd hombre with extra gear money carrying a handgun on the trail.
 
Takujualuk said:
Longbow et al: O.K my tone was a bit over the top. I am willing to leave this as a cultural difference and accept that there are other ways of thinking about this issue. The idea of folks packing heat on the trail makes me feel uncomfortable as it is an alien idea to me. I might take some pepper spray and a knife and in true bear wilderness I have my 450 Marlin so maybe we aren't that far away. But I'm still glad not to have to worry about every 2nd hombre with extra gear money carrying a handgun on the trail.
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I use extra gun money to buy hiking gear ;) Seriously tho', you don't have to worry about honest men with firearms, and you really don't need to worry much about Black Bear or Cougar; what you need to worry about is bad guys who prey on folks out communing with nature because so many of the REI crowd don't and won't carry. I carry and no one I pass on the trail will know, so you don't need to worry about getting worried about me :rolleyes:
 
Unfortunately, what were once problems confined mostly to the cities have found their way to the country. I live in a fairly rural area (55 miles to the nearest traffic light), and do a lot walking on inactive logging roads. On several occasions I have witnessed activities that I believe to have been drug deals. I have also witnessed illegal dumping and poaching activities. Given that I'm usually on foot, I've always had the element of surprise on my side, and have avoided contact (and trouble) thus far. I have as yet not had any uncomfortable encounters with wildlife, save having the dog get quilled by a porcupine a few times. I once had a bad experience with a stray German Shepherd, which I drove off with a stick. I've had enough of these potentially dangerous human encounters that I recently acquired a concealed weapons permit. I don't foresee carrying a firearm becoming a matter of habit, I guess I'll let circumstances dictate.
 
Takujualuk said:
Longbow et al: O.K my tone was a bit over the top. I am willing to leave this as a cultural difference and accept that there are other ways of thinking about this issue. The idea of folks packing heat on the trail makes me feel uncomfortable as it is an alien idea to me. I might take some pepper spray and a knife and in true bear wilderness I have my 450 Marlin so maybe we aren't that far away. But I'm still glad not to have to worry about every 2nd hombre with extra gear money carrying a handgun on the trail.
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Of course you CAN still worry that in many, if not most cases, you'll never know! Paranoia strikes deep.......... :-)



Larry S.
 
Urban or backwoods, people are people; some good, some bad. Fewer witnesses and darned near no law enforcement presence in the backwoods. Happy hunting grounds for the lawless!

Also, while the percentage of folks attacked by a wild animal is extremely low, that's cold comfort if you're the unlucky 0.00001% in my view.

Carrying a compact sidearm costs me nothing, and just might save my neck.

No-brainer, huh?
 
takujualuk - no offense man, as not everyone can carry a sidearm in a lot of places... but for those that grew up with it, it's as comfortable as carrying a water purifier - years ago, you could drink out of many streams and lakes around the world... But not any more - according to the CDC, every body of water on this planet shows signs of giardia and other pathogens... carrying purification stuff is now de riguer for hiking. Well, the violence levels are rising in places that never had to worry about it before... so, it makes as much sense to protect yourself from whatever boogeymen might be out there...
And you'd be welcome to hike the trails of the great Northwest anytime!
:cool:
 
I won't try to pretend that my experiences are enough to make someone change their mind about packing, but I'm convinced it is necessary where I live.

1. While motorcycling in the mountains, came upon a man who had just backed his mare out of his horse trailer, had jumped up on a small step ladder, and was starting to drop his trousers. We startled him and he reached for a shotgun leaning up against the trailer! Although armed, we left in a hurry!

2. I've been stalked by mountain lions while hunting. I had my deer rifle at the time, but the cats don't know what days the hunt falls on the calendar!

3. While biking in the desert, three of us ran up a blind draw thinking there was a way out. While we were turning around, a pickup pulled up behind us (still about 100 yards away) and blocked our exit. The two occupants grabbed an ax and a baseball bat and moved in our direction. I turned my bike sideways and put my hand on my Beretta 92FS. They stopped, spoke to each other, turned around and left.

4. Occasionally while hiking in the woods, some have come across private plots of marajuana. These plots, some very large, are occasionally guarded by armed men. They don't care whether you are a cop or a regular citizen, they don't want you eye-balling their crop!

5. Farm dogs occasionally pack up and get stupid, chasing domestic and game animals that they wouldn't do by themselves or in the presence of their owners. Sometimes they become agressive to humans.

These are all very real experiences, and although I don't go into the woods fearful, I pack so I can go into the woods confident.

Your mileage may vary.

Bruce
 
While 99% of the time, you never need to shoot at an animal or person, you sure want to have the means to do so if you do need to...
 
I heard of the fatality on Tuesday in New York State.

I just heard about a grizz attack today (Friday) where a hiker beat off the bear with an axe. Now the Fish & Game people are hunting a wounded bear.
 
Hello, MyopicMouse. I only carry a long gun when camping if I had intended to target shoot or hunt with it. If I simply want a firearm along as "insurance" then a pistol is plenty.

It seems that all kinds of "wildlife" are able to recognize a gun (and then think to leave you alone). Animals and criminals are not as dumb as most people think.
 
I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to ahve a cheap $100 one, though I still wouldn't carry in the city.
 
myopicmouse said:
I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to ahve a cheap $100 one, though I still wouldn't carry in the city.
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Sometimes a cheap handgun is worse than none at all. Look around for a used S&W revolver; there are lots of them available with a lot of reliable service remaining.

I found a used (carried a lot, fired little) S&W Mod 19 for $230. In CA that's a steal so I bought it. Great little middle weight, my first choice in a revolver for backpacking. My first choice in a revolver would be a Mod 27 -- significantly heavier.

A good semi-auto OTOH would be a Glock in .45, 10MM, .40SW or 9MM, in decending order of my preference -- YMMV. 1911's work good too, but they're heavier and don't carry as much ammo in their magazine.
 
With the huge number of used revolvers on the market cheap does not have to mean poorly made. I have purchased Ruger and S&W .38 Specials and .357 Mag revolvers for under $200.00 that were used but not worn out. Many Model 10's go for $110.00 to $125.00 around here. Single action used revolvers like the Blackhawk regularly sell around the $200.00 range in my area and they can be had in .44 Mag, .41 Mag or .45 Colt.
Recently I set up a lady friend of mine with a used Ruger Speed Six in .357 Mag we found in a local shop for $225.00 plus tax. It is stainless steel with Pachmyer grips and feels as though it has had an action job in the past, smooth as butter. Loaded with heavy 158 grain SWC .357 Mag loads it would be just the thing for the trail. Downloaded with .38 Specials she will be able to target shoot with comfort and confidence.
 
I would quite like to get a pistol, but they're almost impossible to get a licence for and there is no way on earth you could get permission to use them or carry them outside of a certified range.....maybe I need to move to America, get myself S&W .44Mag and a colt .45 auto, and maybe a 'cowboy' revolver...pearl handled of course!
 
MM,

Come on over. I would love to have a fellow Irishman as a guest to our small town. I have plenty of guns, so you could try them all at the local shooting range and have a better feel for which one suits you best. There is a lot of wilderness here where the Blue Ridge and the Appalachians meet.

Jon
 
In about 5-10 years time, I think I would consider immigration very seriously. Though it's kinda sad that I'd be moving country just for the guns :) I'd have to swap good food & drink/humour for guns. I've been in canada 3 tiems u see and was appauled at the mass market sort of food that people eat...i mean, cheese...in a tin that you spray like cream...and cream, from a tin instead of made up yourself!!
I also hear the ammo in america is cheap as dirt. One question...do you have to own the land to shoot on it or is there 'unclaimed land' that you can do whatever you like (as long as it's in season etc)
 
There's lots of land with public access: state forests, wilderness areas, some of the private timber company properties. Parks are usually strict regarding firearms. I prefer ranges, state forests and my backyard :)
 
I'd buy a nice run-down property, I wouldn't work but spend all day in a rocking chair on my poarch, with a shotgun in a empty bucket beside me. And wait.........until someone (i.e postman) comes so I can go "yous be trepassin" "get orff my pro-per-ty..you got till 10. 1-2-10!! balm!.....KIDS!! we're eatin tonight!"
 
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