what would you do for protection?

[Fletcher Knives]

My friend Donovan and I were forced to make the decision of "what to do" quite a long time ago. Both of us have EXTENSIVE experience and the decision was made in a terminator microsecond. We were out in a very remote area somewhat near Wild Cat Creek in North GA. Donovan and I have both always carried no matter the laws of a particular area due to how far out we like to go and the level to which we're usually cut off from everyone else. Anyways, so there we are strolling along. We heard a branch snap far behind us. We both stopped and looked back. Didn't see anything. Walking again, another snap behind us, this time closer but still far away. We looked at each other and both crouched down. We both knew that the chances of anyone else being anywhere near us, let alone on the same non-existant path were slim unless someone was trying to stalk us until they got us to an area where they could make their move, or worse, were trying to get into a position to put a rifle round in us and was taking their time moving in.Then we saw something. It was a dark figure crouched down moving from one tree to the next. The figure was obviously more concerned with the terrain for just a second and not paying attention to whether or not we were still moving. The second we saw them, I put my hand on my gun and looked at Donovan. He gave me the nod. Both of us drew sidearms and gumped it in different directions. We circled around at full tilt boogie and then closed in on the figure, flanking from both sides but still at an angle so that in the event of a firefight, we wouldn't be shooting over them at each other. We knew that the figure had taken cover behind a group of rocks once Donovan and I had started our persuit. We had them cornered. We started creeping, closing the gap. Once we got to a spot where we had the advantage, but wouldn't if we got closer. I sat my .45 on the ground in front of me and took my .22 handgun out of my side pack. At this point in time, Donovan and i were both pretty calm and I was sure that if some stupid redneck had in fact been stalking us, at this point he was probably sh!tting himself with how this was playing out. I decided to give them a little extra incentive to hightail it out of there and thereby giving us a shot on them. I put my glove over the barrel of the .22 and took aim at part of the rock right above where the figure was covered. I put a round off it giving a nice loud clink as it hit the rock. It did the job. At that point the animal that had been following us, probably out of curiosity, officially crapped a foot powered jet pack and took off. Neither of us were certain what brand of large cat it was, but we knew it was a fourlegged redneck instead of a twolegged dangerous kind so we didn't need to let the air out of it. Once the thing took off, we started laughing. For the rest of the day of walking we laughed and joked about how we had outflanked a big ass cat and that if it had been a banjo picking squeeler, we would have lit him up like a christmas tree, no doubt. The rest of the trip was pretty non-eventful, despite our wishful thinking.

Don't get me wrong. I am glad that nothing happened, but it was very nice to know that if something did, I had my sack together and so did Donovan. A little exercise to show each other that was just fine.

 

[Torm]

That's true, and in fact in the most Western province, BC, you can FAIRLY easily get a permit to carry a handgun in the bush.

Actually an ATC (authorization to carry) for a pistol is all but impossible to get in Canada unless you're a prospector, trapper, security guard, or a very short list of other jobs. Even for trappers or prospectors its only allowed when on your specific job site. I know, Canadian pistol laws are pathetic . That said, a shotgun or rifle can be carried anywhere outside of national parks.

 

[Leanwolf]

DON REARIC - "The inevitable march towards totalitarianism seems to be the worldwide blight."

Yes, and it is called Liberal Fascism. Been in the works here in the U.S. for many, many years.

Only the overpowering State can protect you, and you are totally incapable of protecting yourself. (Among the many other Liberal Fascist control tenets.)

L.W.

 

[Brian Jones]

Yes, and it is called Liberal Fascism. Been in the works here in the U.S. for many, many years.

Only the overpowering State can protect you, and you are totally incapable of protecting yourself. (Among the many other Liberal Fascist control tenets.)

L.W.

Yes, and as I said in my previous post, it's a discussion for the political forum and not the wilderness forum. Bad Wolf! Bad Wolf!

You have been spanked. If you enjoyed it, then I guess I'm sh** outta options...

 

[Leanwolf]

Ahhhhhhh, Brian, I didn't think that was "political." Just thought it tied into some posts above re other countries (and some U.S. States) not allowing a person to protect him/herself with a sufficient weapon when out in the Wilderness, camping, having fun, and practicing Survival skills.

Meant no hijacking of the thread. Mea culpa.

L.W.

 

[Brian Jones]

No biggie. Spark likes to keep the information on the forums at least loosely organized under the topics.

However, if it happens again, ye shall be sent, as a gift from me, a brand new Ass Rag for thoust next journey. And, upon first use of said Ass Rag, ye shall discover, to thoust intense dismay, that said AssRag has been secretly impregnated with Poison Ivy Oil.

 

[Leanwolf]

Imaltera, as for being out in the boonies and "wearing a tee shirt with "USMC" emblazoned on it, thinking that will scare off a bad guy, I have copied a portion of my post # 47 for you. This man was no wannbee Marine. He was a Captain in the USMC. Didn't bother the evil man (or men) who beat him and his wife to death.


"In 1983, in the beautiful, remote Clearwater country of north central Idaho, two people were camping. Robert Bravence, 27, and his wife, Cheryl Bravence, 25. Robert Bravence was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. According to the police reports, they were unarmed.

They were attacked and beaten to death by Mark Lankford or his brother, Bryan Lankford."

Nerver try and run a bluff on a bad guy, I say. Forget your macho tee shirts: wear a handgun and know how to use it.

L.W.

 

[lmalterna]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Personal-Defens...ZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/JOGGING-CYCLING...yZ102536QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2 examples of the device I mentioned. A trooper firend once told me on hearing an intruder entering the house, dial 911 and gently lay the phone down- then get to business. Dispatch will either here the ruckus and come on the run or they will come to the unresponsive 911 call to investigate. Either was, the calvary is on the march and I can concentrate on immediate matters. Whereas if I attempt to deal and am overwhelmed... I am on my own.

2Door

 

[misanthropist]

Actually an ATC (authorization to carry) for a pistol is all but impossible to get in Canada unless you're a prospector, trapper, security guard, or a very short list of other jobs. Even for trappers or prospectors its only allowed when on your specific job site. I know, Canadian pistol laws are pathetic . That said, a shotgun or rifle can be carried anywhere outside of national parks.

You should give it a try - pick up a Free Miner's license ($25) and apply to the CFO for your WATC (Wildernerss ATC.)

In BC it is still very far from impossible. As a free miner you can be prospecting virtually anywhere in the province, and there is no test or certification required to get your free miner's permit.

 

[Dr. Mudd]

Bottom line? There really are monsters in our world. Some of them look like men. These sometimes want to slaughter innocent people just to hear them scream and to see their blood spray. It's sport to them. Taking what their victims own is just icing on the cake. Of course, women usually have it even worse.

Look, intelligent people keep handy the tools needed to deal with whatever life might hand them that day. I keep a fire extinguisher inside our house, I keep another one inside my vehicle, and I keep basic tools there, including those needed to change a tire and jump-start a dead battery. I carry a cell phone to summon help if more is needed. I keep a knife in my pocket to open mail, cut threads off my clothing, clean my fingernails, and help prepare my lunch away from home if needed. I also keep on my person what I feel would be effective if I need to defend myself.

That seems simple enough to me. Acquiring and carrying the tools and weapons we might need is what made us become the humans that we are. An ape might fashion a stick to fish bugs out of a hole so he can eat them, but I have not yet heard of one carrying his bug stick in a bag slung over his hairy little shoulder.

 

[Terrill]

Maybe it is just my old age, but I am not a friendly person when I meet someone in the woods. Most of the time it is on my own land and they shouldn't be there. At the same time, it was just this past Summer that an elderly couple was killed up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (the guy was arrested later for killing a girl in Atlanta)
I never go out without a firearm, PERIOD! The best advice is to be aware of what is taking place around you (in the woods or in a city).

.22 pistol with some shot shells (snake shot). Can you imagine that being shot at an attackers face .

I don't want to hurt any feelings, but this is not the way to go. You may stop an attack at the moment but by the time you get out of the courts your life will be ruined. If you pull a weapon you must be willing to use deadly force.
I'll also add that taking the dog with you isn't a bad idea. Mine usually lets me know what is around before I can see or hear it.

 

[Torm]

You should give it a try - pick up a Free Miner's license ($25) and apply to the CFO for your WATC (Wildernerss ATC.)

In BC it is still very far from impossible. As a free miner you can be prospecting virtually anywhere in the province, and there is no test or certification required to get your free miner's permit.

Its worth a try. Thanks for the info.

 

[1Tracker]

Recently there seems to be a lot of talk about protection in the woods primarily from humans. Well I just finished watching the movie Zodiac (don't worry, I won't spoil anything) and there is a scene where two people are held at gun point in state park and then tied up. How would you react if this was you?? I know this is sort of practical and tactical, but as someone pointed out in another thread, this could happen in a camping or hiking situation (although hopefully this type of thing is rare and will never happen to any of us)

No one gets that close to me, day or night, without my permission, unless they want to be can openered I hear things at night that most people around me sleep right through...like a mouse on a counter 20 ft away. If you're quieter than that come and get me

 

[CanDo]

No one gets that close to me, day or night, without my permission, unless they want to be can openered I hear things at night that most people around me sleep right through...like a mouse on a counter 20 ft away. If you're quieter than that come and get me

Are you an insomniac?

I live right on the highway in a house with an oil furnace, pellet stove, and outdated water equipment. It's pretty cool though, even though I've been desensitized to all of those, I will wake up to the sound of a car's brakes (since they're only used here to turn into my house), and absolutely wake up if a car is pulling in (gravel driveway). Nonetheless, I take no chances, and have all of the doors and windows wired up to an alarm system.

 

[1Tracker]

Looking back on the whole thing, I have no doubt he was some sort of woods vagrant with plans to maybe cut our throats and steal all we had. It was kind of a "you would have had to be there" things to understand what I'm saying, but I do believe it was the down at the heels looking guy who would not make eye contact with us earlier. I'm not a person who is biased againt working class clothing, I'm a retired machinist and spent my working life in oil splotched work clothes. But this guy had a dirty on the run look to him, and he was as out of place at that trail intersection as a junkyard dog at the westminister dog show. If he was some on the run charater, what Danny and I had was a treasure to him. Food, down sleeping bags, tent, stove, money and credit cards. Don't forget the elderly couple killed in North carolina for the credit and ATM cards. Maybe enough to kill for. There's some around who will kill for less.


No, life ain't a Walt Disney movie, and I don't plan to be unarmed, rules or not.

Right there with you Jackknife, only I would've let the junkyard dog get within 10 ft then plug his A##:thumbup: My friends run Lewis Cabin Campground in SNP, and the stories they tell match your experiences. There are lots of legit dirty hippies mooching on the trail; and then there are the 'junkyard dogs' who need to be exterminated as varmints After 35 years in the bush myself I am a pretty good judge of what's coming at me from all directions, and react accordingly.

Most folks who've hiked with me know I show no fear of anything in the bush, save for strangers. Then it's not so much fear, as it is, uncertainty as to their lifespan