What I learned today

Forget the purest theology. Being outdoor is about maximizing your fun. Take as many guns and knives as you can and enjoy them. I'll bet your buddies will want to share your toys.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Well, mostly... Bears are not all enormous man-eaters, despite what hollywood might have us believe. Remember that Canadian who stabbed a 200lbs black bear to death to save his dog? http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060722/bear_attack_060722/20060722?hub=TorontoHome
But yes, "fast on your feet" would be my recommendation :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Hey, there's always an exception. I remember reading about some old dude who took out an attacking cougar (the cat, not the prowling middle-aged vixen) with a slipjoint.
Before I started hiking in bear areas, I did a lot of research. I know they seldom attack people for food. But I did say "if a bear wants to eat you." ;)
Your best bet is to hike with a companion, and learn how to kneecap that person just before you sprint away. :D

Ironic... this was in today's news: http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...g-since-1986/2011/07/07/gIQAEMVn1H_story.html
And from about this time last year: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38451965/ns/us_news-life/t/dead-injured-montana-bear-attack/
 
I say carry a medium sized blade and save on the weight while still being able to baton
 
Guyon said:
Hey, there's always an exception. I remember reading about some old dude who took out an attacking cougar (the cat, not the prowling middle-aged vixen) with a slipjoint.
Before I started hiking in bear areas, I did a lot of research. I know they seldom attack people for food. But I did say "if a bear wants to eat you." ;)
Your best bet is to hike with a companion, and learn how to kneecap that person just before you sprint away. :D

Ironic... this was in today's news: http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...g-since-1986/2011/07/07/gIQAEMVn1H_story.html
And from about this time last year: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38451965/ns/us_news-life/t/dead-injured-montana-bear-attack/
Click to expand...
Now those are stories that the media loves! Thanks for sharing those.
I gotta say, I'm impressed when people don't seek retaliation against an animal that has killed or maimed a loved-one, or when officials let it be. I remember a "story" back in Portland,OR where a man was interviewed on camera with tears streaming down his face crying "murder" (his actual word) about how a coyote snatched up his puny 'dog'. From that to losing your spouse...

I want to read a truth about a hiker being attacked and killed by a bear despite his 10"+ blade... or despite the "bear spray", i suppose. Bear attacks are rare enough, how much do we know about what works to save your life when it actually happens, and what doesn't? If a traveler needs a "weapon" to feel more secure out in the "wild", which would people prefer to carry or prefer others to be carrying - a large knife, spray, or a gun?
Oh, and are the terms "cougar" and "vixen" mutually exclusive? We're mixing species... ;)
 
Many of the bushcraft guys advocate the use of an axe/saw. I think a 6-8" blade and a Pocket chainsaw could get it done in the bush. Doesn't mean I wouldn't want more in the way of chopping power.
 
chiral.grolim said:
Now those are stories that the media loves! Thanks for sharing those.
I gotta say, I'm impressed when people don't seek retaliation against an animal that has killed or maimed a loved-one, or when officials let it be. I remember a "story" back in Portland,OR where a man was interviewed on camera with tears streaming down his face crying "murder" (his actual word) about how a coyote snatched up his puny 'dog'. From that to losing your spouse...

I want to read a truth about a hiker being attacked and killed by a bear despite his 10"+ blade... or despite the "bear spray", i suppose. Bear attacks are rare enough, how much do we know about what works to save your life when it actually happens, and what doesn't? If a traveler needs a "weapon" to feel more secure out in the "wild", which would people prefer to carry or prefer others to be carrying - a large knife, spray, or a gun?
Oh, and are the terms "cougar" and "vixen" mutually exclusive? We're mixing species... ;)
Click to expand...

Well, they didn't let it be concerning the second link. That bear attacked a campground and killed a person inside a tent.
They set a pit trap and put similar tents over it. Same bear came back, attacked again, and was trapped.

I'll take the pepper spray. Research shows it to be the most effective. You don't need pinpoint accuracy. And it's your best bet for keeping some distance.

Cougars can be vixens, but not all vixens are cougars.
 
Guyon said:
Well, they didn't let it be concerning the second link. That bear attacked a campground and killed a person inside a tent.
They set a pit trap and put similar tents over it. Same bear came back, attacked again, and was trapped.
Click to expand...
That's some scary ****. I wonder how much warning the slain man had, if he ever gained consciousness or only long enough to meet his fate...
and the bear returning to the scene? I wonder what was up. The other scary part about it - people talking about hearing the bear outside their tents and just keeping still, waiting for it to either attack or move on...

Guyon said:
I'll take the pepper spray. Research shows it to be the most effective. You don't need pinpoint accuracy. And it's your best bet for keeping some distance.
Click to expand...
That's the part I am interested in - what research? What data have we on the subject? I mean, if it's effective at repulsion I'm all in favor (esp. given ease of use), and I guess that that is the point: non-lethal repellant, keeps both the humans and the bears safe when one fails to avoid the other (as is ideal). :thumbup:
But I certainly understand those who feel more comfortable with that +10" blade on hand (despite how ineffective it might be in most hands) - reminds me of the quote from the Blizzard game 'Diablo' (not sure where they got it): "When all magic fails, rely on three feet of steel and a strong arm." :D

Guyon said:
Cougars can be vixens, but not all vixens are cougars.
Click to expand...
Are all cougars vixens or just the particularly foxy ones? ;)
 
Whats with all the redneck hate lately! I know a lot of guys that love drinking and shooting, and other redneck activities and they are some of the best guys you will ever meet.
 
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to using your equipment that works for you. I have seen people able to carry only a 3inch fixed blade, but most of them carry a primary tool such as an axe.

I have seen people getting fine without an axe and only a small pen knife in the wilderness, but they carry tinder or similar in their pocket.

It is good to experiment. There are two main schools of thought. One: Baton big pieces into smaller pieces, Two: Gather tinder as required (small dead sticks etc) but I feel one should include another. Carrying a certain amount of tinder in a waterproof container, a simple candle and a lighter goes a long way and I do advice this especially when you are going to be on water.

Personally. I will have an axe, knife and a candle with a lighter. A candle is an underrated thing.
 
Last edited:
Ya just need to be faster than the slowest one in your group :)
If alone YOU are the slowest in your group.
-carl
 
crm3137 said:
Ouch! Why would you admit to such a thing....
Click to expand...

Because it's the truth. Most of what I have learned as far as bushcraft, firestarting etc has been done with big blades. Im so used to batoning wood to make a fire, you can't really baton even light stuff with a mora. Ive seen too many broken ones to actually try it. Im just used to larger, thicker knives.
 
Frankly I wouldn't want to take someone along camping who was a bushcraft nazi or thought he'd die if he packed a hatchet. YMMV ;)
 
Whatever makes you feel comfortable. I am a firm believer in NOT using a knife as a self-defense weapon because I think it's the worse tool for self-defense. For me personally when I take knives to hiking/camping it's a tool/toy. If I was in your situation where I know the area is infested with scum bags I probably wouldn't go there to begin with. And if I was afraid of getting attacked by a bear or other large wild animals I would bring a gun with me. When it comes down to it, the best survival/self-defense weapon is your brain and your body. By carrying a big knife you're just compensating for a lack of something.... that's why you feel so naked/vulnerable without it.
 
For those hiking in areas with both black bears and grizzlys, here is some important info from the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch.

"Due to the frequency of human-bear encounters, the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch is advising hikers, hunters, fisherman and any persons that use the out-of-doors in a recreational or work related function to take extra precautions while in the field.

We advise the outdoorsman to wear little noisy bells on clothing so as to give advance warning to any bears that might be close by so you don't take them by surprise.

We also advise anyone using the out-of-doors to carry "Pepper Spray" with him in case of an encounter with a bear.

Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity, and be able to tell the difference between black bear feces and grizzly bear feces. Black bear feces is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear shit has bells in it and smells like pepper."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top