Countering dangerous game while hunting

[pianoman9701]

Washelk, you're a charming hunting partner! And, I carry my .45 XD

[Broker]

To the op, I nearly always carry my 44 when hunting, mainly because I really want to take a bear with it.  I'd have zero concerns about hunting that area due to predators. I've seen one guy lightly mauled by a wounded black bear in 28 years of hunting.

I really fail to see the point of carrying a side are in Washington to protect  yourself from predators while hunting.  You are already carrying two weapons.  Firearm or bow and a knife?   Honestly you don't need to be afraid of them or worry that much.  Just be aware of your surroundings.  Remember when hunting you are moving like game.

As for the two legged, yeah I can see the point.  However, I do know of a guy the whacked a couple of tweakers with an arrow when he caught them braking into his truck.  Broads head do serious damage.  They tried to take him on when he confronted them.  They ended up going to hospital and getting some stitched and reported to the sheriff.  They claimed he attacked the two of them.  They had a history with law enforcement.  My friend had also reported because they did get away with some of his stuff.  The deputies seen the missing items in the cab of the tweakers truck.  The tweakers go a free ride to jail after the stitched.  So if you are an archer you have a very good self defense weapon in close reach for close quarters!

I misunderstood your definition of whacked and was wondering how they lived.  I take it he was actually holding the arrow in his hand and hitting them with it?

[dreamunelk]

To the op, I nearly always carry my 44 when hunting, mainly because I really want to take a bear with it.  I'd have zero concerns about hunting that area due to predators. I've seen one guy lightly mauled by a wounded black bear in 28 years of hunting.

I really fail to see the point of carrying a side are in Washington to protect  yourself from predators while hunting.  You are already carrying two weapons.  Firearm or bow and a knife?   Honestly you don't need to be afraid of them or worry that much.  Just be aware of your surroundings.  Remember when hunting you are moving like game.

As for the two legged, yeah I can see the point.  However, I do know of a guy the whacked a couple of tweakers with an arrow when he caught them braking into his truck.  Broads head do serious damage.  They tried to take him on when he confronted them.  They ended up going to hospital and getting some stitched and reported to the sheriff.  They claimed he attacked the two of them.  They had a history with law enforcement.  My friend had also reported because they did get away with some of his stuff.  The deputies seen the missing items in the cab of the tweakers truck.  The tweakers go a free ride to jail after the stitched.  So if you are an archer you have a very good self defense weapon in close reach for close quarters!

I misunderstood your definition of whacked and was wondering how they lives.  I take it he was actually holding the arrow in his hand and hitting them with it?

When he confronted they came at him.  He pulled an arrow from his quiver and started hitting them with it.  So think whacking something with a stick. 

As for packing your 44 that makes sense to me. 

[rtspring]

When I am hunting, I am hunting, meaning I am on alert level bravo delta 5!!!  meaning my nose, my eyes and hairs on my neck are all paying attention to anything and everything around me!

Do I think about cougars and such? YEP  but I will be ready should the need arise for combat!!

they have no effect on how or where I choose to hunt...


RTSPRING

[mazama]

From the description sounds like a bow hunter,i will be carrying a side arm because of the posabality of wild dogs in the in the area i hunt,iam not worried about bobo or courgers-i rifle hunt only so when meat is on my back got to have some protection.

[Old Man Yager]

I would hang a tree stand right above where you have your game cam, and kill that Cougar and Bear!!!!

[KFhunter]

I pack a sidearm when Im bow or muzzy hunting but if im carring a rifle or shotgun I dont. I figure if I got a rifle or shotgun it would be quicker than drawing a sidearm. Every bear or cougar I've run across has taken off in the other direction in a hurry.

I'm having to rethink that with the Eberlestock, the rifle is in the backpack and sidearm on my hip.

If I'm bird hunting or just holding a rifle (left the Eberlestock at home) then I won't bother either.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Don't worry about bears or kitty cats... If you're hunting them, you'll be ready. If you're not hunting them, if you're practicing good hunting tactics for whatever game you're after, you'll be ready for one of those other critters should one happen along.  Now... when you're cleaning an animal in the dark, You'll be watched. Mark my words. They know you've got dinner. But other than Wolves in a pack, or an inland Griz, even other predators here in Washington are more afraid of you than them. That said, I pack a handgun most every time I step in the woods, and most times I leave the house. I have my reasons.
 
I know I'm going to catch hell for the wolf reference, but some day some hunter is going to have a bad encounter with wolves in this state.

 
-Steve

[Skyvalhunter]

Bet there was lots of false triggers with those branches

[shredder4286]

Bet there was lots of false triggers with those branches

I would've thought so, too. We had 37 pix from that spot in a month and every one of them was a clear pic of an animal. Everything from bunnies to moose.


As far as the original discussion: Thanks to all who contributed their input from their experience. I will still definitely carry a sidearm along with my main weapon for hunting, but carry on with my hunt un-altered by the known presence of bears and cats. It's good to know that many of you have been out hunting in those kinds of areas and not had any problems with those critters.

I've heard a lot of stories from folks out here saying they've been stalked by a cat, or had a bear get confrontational with them. I'd like to think I can trust most people, but then again, hunters do have a tendency to exaggerate from time to time. 

[KFhunter]

Don't worry about bears or kitty cats... If you're hunting them, you'll be ready. If you're not hunting them, if you're practicing good hunting tactics for whatever game you're after, you'll be ready for one of those other critters should one happen along.  Now... when you're cleaning an animal in the dark, You'll be watched. Mark my words. They know you've got dinner. But other than Wolves in a pack, or an inland Griz, even other predators here in Washington are more afraid of you than them. That said, I pack a handgun most every time I step in the woods, and most times I leave the house. I have my reasons.
 
I know I'm going to catch hell for the wolf reference, but some day some hunter is going to have a bad encounter with wolves in this state.

 
-Steve

You are correct....until the day you are not correct. 

I, like you, never worried about cats, bears or animals of the such, until a cat stalked two adults and two kids and a dog out for half a mile when all I had was a big wooden club.   We weren't even suppose to be walking as I intended to drive to our destination but windfalls were in the way so we decided to walk the mile in to the huckleberry patch...a big group of humans and a dog what did we have to fear? 

Last time I went unarmed.

You might go your whole life and never need protection from any animals, until the day you do.  Same as tweekers.

[ICEMAN]

If you hunt in Washington state, you are near cougar and bear in most regions, you don't need a gamecam pic...

How many cougar attacks or bear attacks do you remember reading about? Not many...  I would not worry too much.

[KFhunter]

If you hunt in Washington state, you are near cougar and bear in most regions, you don't need a gamecam pic...

How many cougar attacks or bear attacks do you remember reading about? Not many...  I would not worry too much.

I can name three off the top of my head

[ICEMAN]

Those don't count.

[Alchase]

Better to have a side arm and not need it, then to need it and not have it.
I always carry, whether 2 leg or four I try to be prepared. Obviously those that go on 2 legs are the more likely a threat. Though I have walked up on a couple bears within chomping distance, LOL.
That can be pretty sphincter tightening when you hear the bear chomping at you, but can't quite tell where they are yet. And twice have had cougars show interest enough to follow.
The way I look at it, if weight is not a concern,
Plan for the worst, prey for the best.