When you go hiking, knife or gun?

[cbxer55]

Haha, LA LA land you are correct. But the truth is there is so much beauty out here in Ca, and also other states. But the laws are very UN- reasonable without a question.

I know, I lived in CA from 1976 to 2002. Mira Mesa, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Rosamond. It was a good twenty six year run when CA was still what everyone thought it was in their dreams.

CA dreaming has ended.

 

[tsiloics]

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.

I don't think there's much risk in terms of trajectory, as long as she's firing down into resilient earth. I would definitely not be inclined to discharge a firearm in the proximity of a stranger's animals though, unless they presented a clear and immediate threat.

 

[axtalan0]

Are you really serious? Ever seen Deliverance?

Yeah, and I've seen Nightmare on Elm Street too, but I don't sleep with a gun! :yawn:

 

[axtalan0]

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.

Um, read my post more carefully dude. I said I am afraid of bears because I know they may attack. Still pretty rare, however.

 

[axtalan0]

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.

This is what happens when you watch too much evening news. America in general is a far safer place than channel 2, 4, 5, 9 news would have you believe.

 

[axtalan0]

You've obviously never been confronted by a pack of wild dogs or a group of people with ill intentions.

No, I haven't.. I don't live in the Australian outback nor in the "ghetto."

I have been an avid hiker for almost 15 years, and that 1 bear was the only potential danger I have ever come across.

 

[Guyon]

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?

I think a well-trained woman, in particular, might benefit from carrying. Try Googling "Appalachian Trail" along with "rape," "murder," or "robbery."

Besides two legged predators, I can think of plenty of other scenarios where a handgun could come in handy. Wild dogs, rabid animals, etc. Especially in Alabama, I hike in areas where wild pigs/boars have become more prevalent.

 

[Guyon]

My father liked to tell me things like "Be prepared" and "Better safe than sorry."

 

[elkins45]

My father liked to tell me things like "Be prepared" and "Better safe than sorry."

I don't mean to get into your bidness, but methinks you need a smaller knife and a bigger gun!

 

[Glock26]

how do i post pictures? Please fill me in.

 

[elkins45]

how do i post pictures? Please fill me in.

You have to post them on some sort of image hosting site like Photobucket (it's free) then use the little yellow button that looks like a photo of a mountain to wrap an HTML image tag around the photo URL.

Did that make any sense?

 

[axtalan0]

I think a well-trained woman, in particular, might benefit from carrying. Try Googling "Appalachian Trail" along with "rape," "murder," or "robbery."

Besides two legged predators, I can think of plenty of other scenarios where a handgun could come in handy. Wild dogs, rabid animals, etc. Especially in Alabama, I hike in areas where wild pigs/boars have become more prevalent.

I'm sure things are different in Alabama. I've never been there. As to googling, here is what I found, "The official website of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy points out that the number of violent crimes is extremely low when compared against the number of people (3 to 4 million) who hike on the trail every year." Emphasis mine. It's probably safer than an average city.

 

[Chewy1]

For me it's a knife a large hickory hiking stick. Tough as a baseball bat from top to bottom.

 

[Guyon]

I don't mean to get into your bidness, but methinks you need a smaller knife and a bigger gun!

LOL. I agree. I took that pic on a short hike down around my mom's place in Alabama. One goal was to try out the chopper. On a longer hike, I'd be more apt to go with a 4" to 5" blade and a folding wood saw. :thumbup:

I'm sure things are different in Alabama. I've never been there. As to googling, here is what I found, "The official website of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy points out that the number of violent crimes is extremely low when compared against the number of people (3 to 4 million) who hike on the trail every year." Emphasis mine. It's probably safer than an average city.

I don't doubt it. Especially on solo hikes, however, here's something about a firearm that gives peace of mind to many folks.

I've seen this topic come up on hiking boards, and usually, it descends into a shouting match between the anti-gun and gun crowd. I'm not telling anyone that they should carry a gun. If a person doesn't, that's his or her business. However, by the same token, I don't care to be told I shouldn't carry a gun when hiking in the great outdoors. I'm neither paranoid nor irresponsible. I've been shooting firearms since I was about 9 or 10 years old. I am a hunter and know the weighty responsibility involved in firing a gun at a living creature. I have taken multiple classes on concealed carry, and I operate within established laws. I try to live by the Golden Rule. Thus, if I want to truck the extra weight, then that's my prerogative and my business.

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I don't doubt it. Especially on solo hikes, however, here's something about a firearm that gives peace of mind to many folks.

I've seen this topic come up on hiking boards, and usually, it descends into a shouting match between the anti-gun and gun crowd. I'm not telling anyone that they should carry a gun. If a person doesn't, that's his or her business. However, by the same token, I don't care to be told I shouldn't carry a gun when hiking in the great outdoors. I'm neither paranoid nor irresponsible. I've been shooting firearms since I was about 9 or 10 years old. I am a hunter and know the weighty responsibility involved in firing a gun at a living creature. I have taken multiple classes on concealed carry, and I operate within established laws. I try to live by the Golden Rule. Thus, if I want to truck the extra weight, then that's my prerogative and my business.

Agree 100%. Well stated.

Andy

 

[Robert.B]

Are you really serious? Ever seen Deliverance?

^^^ EXACTLY!

I cant carry in my home country (banned), and when i move over here perm state law prevents me from carrying...I might be able to carry a hunting rifle if allowed in the area but definitely not a pistol until I'm a citizen eligible for CCW.

so i'll just get a big nasty camp bowie made in D2 and take along my RMJ forge tomahawk

 

[jill jackson]

I don't think there's much risk in terms of trajectory, as long as she's firing down into resilient earth. I would definitely not be inclined to discharge a firearm in the proximity of a stranger's animals though, unless they presented a clear and immediate threat.

It's on our farm and the dogs are most always large and looking for a encounter with mine. Shooting a handgun into the ground sends them off and it's a lot better than having one or more large dogs run up on mine and having to deal with a potential dog fight and breaking it up and still having to get the trespassing strange dogs gone. As well keep mine from chasing after them, when they do go. Firing a round gets them to leave, keeps mine back and saves me a load of trouble. I've repeated this quite a few times and it's the most effective method to deal with what is most of the time a pair of large dogs.

 

[stabman]

I have cousins from Canada, and they frown upon firearms, what is the deal with that for all you Canadian's?

Back it up a second and think how silly this sounds.
It sounds as silly as if I were to ask a question such as "why do all you Americans_____"(fill in the blank however you wish).
There ARE no pan-Canadian opinions, any more than there are pan-American ones.
Go to General Gun and Supply in Windsor and see how ALL Canadians frown on firearms ownership.

 

[Hitthespot]

This is what happens when you watch too much evening news. America in general is a far safer place than channel 2, 4, 5, 9 news would have you believe.

I can argue either way on firearms and hiking, however I believe just the opposite of what your saying. I believe it's much worse than the news or the goverment would have you believe.

There are approximately 2 murders every hour in the US.
There are over 800,000 aggravated assults every year.
Then there is burglery, rape, domestic violence............

Out in the wild I would be more worried about the two legged animals than I would the 4 legged, however both can be equally dangerous.

Guns, Knives, Pepper Spray, flashlights, are all tools. You may not need them everyday, but if or when you do need one, nothing else quite takes its place. I don't believe anyone should have to place themselves in harms way without being able to protect themselves. Bears after being absent in my state for a very long time are now starting to be spotted more and more. I always feel a bit on edge now when hiking.

Bill

 

[axtalan0]

I've seen this topic come up on hiking boards, and usually, it descends into a shouting match between the anti-gun and gun crowd. I'm not telling anyone that they should carry a gun. If a person doesn't, that's his or her business. However, by the same token, I don't care to be told I shouldn't carry a gun when hiking in the great outdoors. I'm neither paranoid nor irresponsible. I've been shooting firearms since I was about 9 or 10 years old. I am a hunter and know the weighty responsibility involved in firing a gun at a living creature. I have taken multiple classes on concealed carry, and I operate within established laws. I try to live by the Golden Rule. Thus, if I want to truck the extra weight, then that's my prerogative and my business.

See, the thought of you carrying a gun doesn't give me an uneasy feeling. You seem to know what you are doing and can responsibly and safely handle one.

What does make me feel uneasy is knowing that you are way outnumbered by the mall ninjas who carry one around "to feel safe." They are more likely to cause an accident through lack of training. When I am in a beautiful natural location with family (or anywhere really) it seems an unwelcome risk.