When you go hiking, knife or gun?

[JMAN86]

A gun for hiking?? Maybe if I am in lion country on the plains of the Serengeti, or going out to buy crack in dangerous part of town. Otherwise, what the heck for?

...A gun can... um... well it can... add extra unnecessary weight...

Bad things never happen to good people in "safe" places right? Wolves will pray on sheep weather or not they are behind fences my friend.

 

[A.P.F.]

I think bears are the only animal I would be afraid of, realistically. But even bear attacks are pretty rare, and often the result of the human acting stupid, and/or not being aware. I have only once run into a bear in Yellowstone, and walked away, not too fast, not too slow. It barely even acknowledged me.

From what I have read, mountain lions, cougars, etc. are afraid of humans and never hunt them. And from what rangers have told me, they are easy to scare off if you run into one.

Now I hear UFO abductions often happen in wilderness areas, however I have no idea how to protect yourself.

You clearly haven't been to BC, where cougar and bear attacks occur in populated areas and not only the deep woods. Did you know that a Grizzly can run 35mph uphill? We have a name for people who get attacked by Grizzlies - Dead. Son, I think that you had better do a bit more reading.

 

[jill jackson]

Cougar attacks are on the increase in the USA. A number of fatal attacks have occurred in the last decade. Many think it's a result of the ban on hunting the big cats (in some states) and the encroachment of people into their habitat. There's even been reports of them in my area. Deer are numerous and cougars are known to travel hundreds of miles, in search of new territory and food. So, even if it's highly unlikely I still like to be armed when out in the woods. It can't hurt and miles from anyone else I have only myself to rely on.

http://www.cougarinfo.org/attacks3.htm

 

[GRIM 62]

I pack my Ruger SP101 most of the time,loaded with Rem.125 gr.hollowpoints.

 

[bearcut]

I carry two knives and a sidearm at all times when hiking.
I've found a great use for a pistol is just to fire it, when any dogs come about my dogs. It's always been enough to send them packing and avoid having to deal with dog-fights. My dogs are used to me doing it and the sudden noise reminds them, that I am in charge and they don't need to do anything about the other dog(s).

You just fire a shot off in the air willy-nilly eh?

Ever wonder where that round goes?

That statement has to be one of the most irresponsable things I've ever read on this forum.

 

[dalefuller]

I carry both, as do my other family members.

 

[Lanza]

You just fire a shot off in the air willy-nilly eh?

Ever wonder where that round goes?

That statement has to be one of the most irresponsable things I've ever read on this forum.

Maybe she fires it in the ground.

 

[Ankerson]

I carry a large fixed blade and a walking stick, that's plenty enough for me.

 

[Tripton]

You just fire a shot off in the air willy-nilly eh?

Ever wonder where that round goes?

That statement has to be one of the most irresponsable things I've ever read on this forum.

Would you rather she bury the round in the middle of the other dogs forehead?

 

[Wanderlust]

From what I have read, mountain lions, cougars, etc. are afraid of humans and never hunt them.

The Above statement is actually very misleading. While Mountain Lions do not actually "hunt" humans, the only animal that does is Polar Bears, they do stalk and will attack humans. Now most of the time these attacks are by young cougars that have you confused with something else. Also if a mountain lion attacks you a firearm is mostly useless as they attack from behind and you never know its coming. Your best bet is to fight back like your life depends on it(it does) and attack. This will usually scare off the animal and it will run away.

BUT if your buddy is attacked by a bear or cat then a firearm is a GREAT idea. You can shoot it and get it off your buddy. Bear spray will also work for this.

As for a Bear attack, a gun will be pretty effective. There is a lot of disscussion of which is better a gun or bear spray but that's another topic.

and for the skeptics out there when I worked for the Forest Service in Wyoming they trained us extensivly in this, and I have encountered Bears in the woods and have been stalked by a mountain lion.

As far as what I carry. I always have a couple of knives on me, with at least one easy to get to. I never carry a gun but thats more because I don't own one, if I did I think I would carry it where it was legal.

sorry for the long post.

 

[Harayasu]

do you guys also have a firearm somewhere hidden in your back pac?

No, I am not allowed to carry a gun when I go hiking or camping.

 

[puukkoman]

Any more, I've only got long guns. So, no.

 

[pinhead]

If you don't carry a gun or see the need to carry one, that is fine. Just don't expect me to stop because you can't see the need. I'm not pointing fingers just making a general statement about how many view firearms.

Agreed! I would think and hope most knife folks who don't see the need to carry a gun are nonetheless totally understanding and accepting of the right to carry a gun and the free choice of others - being that they must know a lot of other folks don't see any need to carry a knife. Unfortunately, outside of this little world, most folks seem to figure if they don't do something, or want to do something, other people shouldn't be allowed to either. Just look at all the vice laws if you want an example. I always carry a gun while camping and hiking, and a knife too for that matter, and my biggest concern is by far those critters running around on two legs, especially in remote spots. One of the first places I often hear about that the authorities check out when looking for fugitives are the campgrounds and popular wilderness areas.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

Greetings, i shall say i am glad i came across this website! I've seen a lot of awesome pictures of you all hiking out in the great outdoors. My purpose is to ask, the majority of pictures i see are nice pictures of your beautiful knives and what not posed in pictures, but do you guys also have a firearm somewhere hidden in your back pac? I know this may be a sensitive subject, but i'm just wondering out of curosity. I remember seeing some members posting their picture of their firearm along with their knife, that is awesome. So again, i wanted to see when you guys/gals go hiking/camping whatever outdoor activity it is, do you usually, occasionally also bring along a firearm. Thanks for listening.

I nearly always have a handgun and a knife or two with me. Just seems natural when bumbling about the out-of-doors.

Andy

 

[Hitthespot]

Now I hear UFO abductions often happen in wilderness areas, however I have no idea how to protect yourself.

LOL


Bill

 

[Ankerson]

Been going hiking all my life and never needed a gun not even once.

The only times I would carry a firearm out was when I was hunting and then was a rifle.

If I really thought there was real danger of being attacked by a bear, wolves or Mountain Lions I would take a medium or large bore rifle like a .375 Winchester, .45-70, .450 Marlin or .444 Marlin, or even a Short Barreled .12 Gauge loaded with slugs. Above all I wouldn't go out alone, always take someone with you in dangerous areas.

If people think their 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP are are going to stop a Bear, like a Grizzly from attacking you then I really wish you luck because all you will end up doing is making it mad, none of them have enough power to get through the fat layer and reach the vitals.

IF you do plan on going out in those areas speak with the park rangers before going out and listen to what they have to say.

 

[ajpalda]

Where I live the only concerns are pretty much coyotes and feral/aggressive dogs, possibly a bobcat if you are a small child. I haven't seen a 'yote yet in my short time in the area, but have seen several domestic dogs sent to the vet for emergency surgery due to smaller packs of aggressive dogs.

So I do carry a 1911 when hiking on the hills around my home, for both my own protection and my dogs. I also carry a 5.25 inch fixed blade and a folder.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

Been going hiking all my life and never needed a gun not even once.

The only times I would carry a firearm out was when I was hunting and then was a rifle.

If I really thought there was real danger of being attacked by a bear, wolves or Mountain Lions I would take a medium or large bore rifle like a .375 Winchester, .45-70, .450 Marlin or .444 Marlin, or even a Short Barreled .12 Gauge loaded with slugs. Above all I wouldn't go out alone, always take someone with you in dangerous areas.

If people think their 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP are are going to stop a Bear, like a Grizzly from attacking you then I really wish you luck because all you will end up doing is making it mad, none of them have enough power to get through the fat layer and reach the vitals.

IF you do plan on going out in those areas speak with the park rangers before going out and listen to what they have to say.

But why go defenseless into the world? Humans didn't reach the pinnacle of the vertebrate world by walking about unarmed.

I don't care what the rangers have to say. I do what my ancestors tell me to do, what worked for them.

Andy

 

[rmc85]

A gun for hiking?? Maybe if I am in lion country on the plains of the Serengeti, or going out to buy crack in dangerous part of town. Otherwise, what the heck for?

A knife can prepare my food, prepare firewood, pick a splinter, help build shelter in an emergency, mark a trail, and maybe even spear a fish. A gun can... um... well it can... add extra unnecessary weight...

There's all kinds of 2 and 4 legged creatures that can cause you problems while in the woods.

Wild dog's, hogs, coyotes, rabid animals, drug farmer's, and many more. Plus you can use a gun to signal you location is rescuers are near by.

 

[puyallupn8ive]

I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 and a one of my edc knives usually every where I go. Sometimes I will carry my SigSauer P228 9mm if I feel like it, and also that depends on what I'm wearing.