Handgun Carry in the woods - what is your driver?

[Rob]

Just wondering...

Of the folks who carry a handgun in the woods:

1.  What is your primary motivation for carry?
2.  Have you ever needed it?  (not as a nice to have, but actually NEEDED it as in, I would have been hurt, killed or otherwise in  big trouble without it)

Not stiring the pot at all as I often carry a handgun while hiking.  I have my reasons and will share, but don't want to taint the waters up front with my opinion.

[Smossy]

Trail Robbers (Not talking about Racoons either), Wild Animals, Life or Death Survival needs to attain food if getting extremely lost.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Number 1 reason for me. I feel more secure. And yes, it has made me feel more secure having it.

I dont worry about bears and Cougs are to fast. So I wouldent count on it there much.

[Fishstiq]

I went for a hike once, wasn't carrying, and had a bad run in with a tweeker up near Wallace Falls.  Never again.


The way I see it, it's your responsibility.  There's no 911, no good Samaritan, nothing.  You are on your own, and should an emergency arise you have no one to blame but yourself if you are unprepared.  Not just tweekers, but whatever may happen out there.


IMHO, it's like carrying a 1st aid kit or TP.

[washelkhunter]

I went for a hike once, wasn't carrying, and had a bad run in with a tweeker up near Wallace Falls.  Never again.


The way I see it, it's your responsibility.  There's no 911, no good Samaritan, nothing.  You are on your own, and should an emergency arise you have no one to blame but yourself if you are unprepared.  Not just tweekers, but whatever may happen out there.


IMHO, it's like carrying a 1st aid kit or TP.

 



When you encounter another person(s) in the woods and they see your carrying a sidearm they tend to not mess with you. It's hard to tell if you avoided "big trouble" in those situations, but certainly no doubt you did.

[CP]

I just like seeing the way that the Subaru driving hikers react to it. 

[Smossy]

I went for a hike once, wasn't carrying, and had a bad run in with a tweeker up near Wallace Falls.  Never again.


The way I see it, it's your responsibility.  There's no 911, no good Samaritan, nothing.  You are on your own, and should an emergency arise you have no one to blame but yourself if you are unprepared.  Not just tweekers, but whatever may happen out there.


IMHO, it's like carrying a 1st aid kit or TP.

Yup. Heard quite a few stories of stuff like that. Drug addicts, Weird people, Trail Robbers.
People 5-10 miles out on a trail. With weapons, guns, whatever... Wanting all your cool gear you spent lots of money on.
They will put a gun in your face and take everything you own at gunpoint. Or just with sheer numbers and intimidation.
Same reason I have multiple knives all over me, I wont be getting robbed unless Im knocked unconscious or killed.
Knife and Bear mace on my hip, Kydex/Knife on my shoulder/chest. My Cold Steel Pipe Hawk, on the back of my bag within quick reach. No gun for me though.

[ghosthunter]

# 1 I carry for self defense from people,animals and snakes.
#2 I carry a judge for grouse while hunting.
#3 I carry to have a signaling device in case I fall and do not have my long gun.
#4 I carry because i love guns and want as many on me as posible.

[724wd]

i take my daughter bow hunting with me.  she's 5.  when it's dark and we're headed to or from the blind, i have her hand in one hand and my .357 in the other.  cougars, wolves, coyotes... where I hunt they are all real threats. 

[adamR]

It is possible that when I was younger, to young, I used to carry a pistol in my jeep while 4wheeling.  Once while getting a buddy unstuck in the middle of freaking nowhere a group of 15 or so Mexican guys in overalls with shovels and pitch forks came wandering by with two huge German shepards.  I had my pistol in hand as they walked by, whether or not I would have needed it I don't know but ever since then I refuse to go in the woods without it.

[Buckmark]

I live by the "Better to have and not need then to need and not have" rule.
I usually always carry but found that i want a smaller lighter gun so i wont leave it behind and always have it on me when in the woods etc.
So far other than some wild animals and one aggravated grouse i have never had to pull my weapon and hope i never do, but if needed i will feel better knowing it is available..even if just for my own piece of mind.

[Smossy]

# 1 I carry for self defense from people,animals and snakes.
#2 I carry a judge for grouse while hunting.
#3 I carry to have a signaling device in case I fall and do not have my long gun.
#4 I carry because i love guns and want as many on me as posible.

Just curious.. Whats a judge? Sounds like something Id want.

[Smossy]

I live by the "Better to have and not need then to need and not have" rule.
I usually always carry but found that i want a smaller lighter gun so i wont leave it behind and always have it on me when in the woods etc.
So far other than some wild animals and one aggravated grouse i have never had to pull my weapon and hope i never do, but if needed i will feel better knowing it is available..even if just for my own piece of mind.

Poor grouse.

[washelkhunter]

Have'nt heard of "trail robbers" before.

[Smossy]

Have'nt heard of "trail robbers" before.

Probably a good thing, Shouldn't be an issue doing back-country hiking/hunting. But me and my girl do allot of designated state recognized trails. I've read about this issue, and lots of car break ins. Which we all know about that one.