Carrying a pistol while scouting

[Pikespeak]

I typically scout with my daughters, that are young so I don’t carry and never have in CO. As they get older I may just for continued safe firearms education.

Wouldn't that be a reason to carry? Predators go after young and unarmed there really isn't much you could do about it vs a big bear or mountain lion.

 

[CoStick]

Wouldn't that be a reason to carry? Predators go after young and unarmed there really isn't much you could do about it vs a big bear or mountain lion.

We camp in a small tent and fish/scout. Hard to make sure they wouldn’t have access. Far more kids are killed with unsecured guns than bears and mountain lions. When was the last time a bear or lion killed a kid in Colorado? I realize it is hard to keep emotion from overtaking the fact the kids are in more danger if I do carry Without a secure way to store my pistol.

 

[Flyjunky]

We camp in a small tent and fish/scout. Hard to make sure they wouldn’t have access. Far more kids are killed with unsecured guns than bears and mountain lions. When was the last time a bear or lion killed a kid in Colorado? I realize it is hard to keep emotion from overtaking the fact the kids are in more danger if I do carry Without a secure way to store my pistol.

I get what you’re saying but isn’t that part of the education, teaching them guns aren’t toys? Myself, and many others on here I imagine, grew up with unsecured guns in the house and it never occurred to me to just go “play” with one. Kids who are exposed to and taught to respect guns and the damage they can do are the least likely to do something dumb because they no longer have the curiosity.

Just my opinion

 

[CoStick]

I get what you’re saying but isn’t that part of the education, teaching them guns aren’t toys? Myself, and many others on here I imagine, grew up with unsecured guns in the house and it never occurred to me to just go “play” with one. Kids who are exposed to and taught to respect guns and the damage they can do are the least likely to do something dumb because they no longer have the curiosity.

Just my opinion

At what age can you trust a kid with an unsecured gun? Is 3 okay? Really to secure the gun it wouldn’t be accessible for us if needed for my personal preference, also is seems backwards to ignore the more probable to prepare for the less likely. To each their own. Part of my education for my kids is proper storage.

 

[Ratbeetle]

At what age can you trust a kid with an unsecured gun? Is 3 okay? Really to secure the gun it wouldn’t be accessible for us if needed for my personal preference, also is seems backwards to ignore the more probable to prepare for the less likely. To each their own. Part of my education for my kids is proper storage.

Are you trying to say a holster or chest pack isn't secured?

 

[CoStick]

Are you trying to say a holster or chest pack isn't secured?

We sleep in the same tent, I am not always wearing the chest harness. If it was day hike, sure that might work. Few days backcountry it isn’t that easy. Obviously to each their own

 

[CApighunter]

The JX Tactical low rider OWB holster works great for me. Drops the pistol beneath the pack belt and doesn’t interfere with anything.

 

[3325]

Springfield XD 10mm in a chest holster. The pistol in one hand and bear spray in the other is my preferred "prepare to repel boarders" option.

On the 10mm v .44 thread I made a humorous (intended to be) post about Bowie knives. I was sorta kidding, but not totally. I often carry a Cold Steel Trailmaster with a 9.5" blade. It's a very good outdoor tool and it is A LOT of blade. It would make a big, deep wound channel.

I think it's foolish to rely on a blade as primary but as a last line of defense in a Grizzly mauling I intend to try to get it out and bury it to the hilt v covering up and hoping for the best. No matter what you do, if it happens at bad breath range I think you're probably going to donate blood.

The joke is it will be a good death (Legends of the Fall). The reality is that Grizzlies have been stabbed during a mauling, broken off the attack, and later died (Ed Wiseman). The experience did involve a blood donation on Wiseman's part. He lived. The Grizzly died.

 

[CoStick]

The JX Tactical low rider OWB holster works great for me. Drops the pistol beneath the pack belt and doesn’t interfere with anything.

You sleep wearing it? At the end of the day I am not afraid. There are more bears and lions near the park and area my kids play daily than the mountains, more people as well.

Also they are more likely statistically to get hurt from an unsecured gun than wildlife. Play the odds…

 

[Ratbeetle]

We sleep in the same tent, I am not always wearing the chest harness. If it was day hike, sure that might work. Few days backcountry it isn’t that easy. Obviously to each their own

Of course, if you're not comfortable carrying then you absolutely shouldn't be. But you're coming off pretty condescending about the storage thing.

A holster is most defintely proper storage.

Pistol on body unless asleep. If I'm asleep then my kid is asleep and she's not crawling over me and getting inside an HPG kit bag without me waking up.

 

[Flyjunky]

At what age can you trust a kid with an unsecured gun? Is 3 okay? Really to secure the gun it wouldn’t be accessible for us if needed for my personal preference, also is seems backwards to ignore the more probable to prepare for the less likely. To each their own. Part of my education for my kids is proper storage.

I understand, and you have to do what’s most comfortable and best for you. I was picturing older kids.

 

[CoStick]

Of course, if you're not comfortable carrying then you absolutely shouldn't be. But you're coming off pretty condescending about the storage thing.

A holster is most defintely proper storage.

Pistol on body unless asleep. If I'm asleep then my kid is asleep and she's not crawling over me and getting inside an HPG kit bag without me waking up.

She could, and that is more probable than a bear/lion attack. I prepare for what is more likely. Not condescending at all, just responding to your questions.

 

[CoStick]

I understand, and you have to do what’s most comfortable and best for you. I was picturing older kids.

They are getting there age wise but still young, very accomplished outdoors though

 

[Ratbeetle]

She could, and that is more probable than a bear/lion attack. I prepare for what is more likely. Not condescending at all, just responding to your questions.

No. No, she absolutely could not. I would have to be dead.

I've lost count of how many backcountry trips we've had now. She is 4 and we've been doing multi-day trips since before her first birthday. Not once has this situation even come remotely close to happening.

 

[Gutshotem]

You sleep wearing it? At the end of the day I am not afraid. There are more bears and lions near the park and area my kids play daily than the mountains, more people as well.

Also they are more likely statistically to get hurt from an unsecured gun than wildlife. Play the odds…

The "odds" and "statistics" you're referencing aren't really applicable to anything in the situation being discussed here, with the exception of maybe trying to justify your reasoning.

Those tragedies don't happen because children crawl over their parents to get a gun while sleeping in tents. If you aren't responsible enough to keep your firearm secured during waking hours while out in the woods, well I think your decision to not carry is doing everyone a favor.

 

[CApighunter]

You sleep wearing it? At the end of the day I am not afraid. There are more bears and lions near the park and area my kids play daily than the mountains, more people as well.

Also they are more likely statistically to get hurt from an unsecured gun than wildlife. Play the odds…

No, I also don’t have kids. I posted that in response to the OP’s question of how to carry with a pack on, it seems you may have derailed this thread so far that you forgotten the original question… I’ll personally never waste a second of my breath justifying why and when I choose to carry a gun to anyone. Carry on doing what you please, I’ll do the same.

 

[CoStick]

No, I also don’t have kids. I posted that in response to the OP’s question of how to carry with a pack on, it seems you may have derailed this thread so far that you forgotten the original question… I’ll personally never waste a second of my breath justifying why and when I choose to carry a gun to anyone. Carry on doing what you please, I’ll do the same.

I shared what I do and others derailed the thread with questions. I just took the time to respond. Like I said to each their own.

 

[def90]

Those using a HPG kit bag, how are you carrying binos with them? The bag is normally where my bino harness sits.

They make a bino pouch that attaches to the front using the Molle webbing.

Range finder clips on the molle on my right side, I use the molle in the middle behind the bino pouch for pens, knife, tourniquet and whatever, molle on the left side has a call or two attached..

Here's mine:

 

[def90]

Safety wise with a kid, just don't leave one in the chamber, few if any small kids are going to have the ability either strength wise or knowledge wise to rack a round on a semi auto handgun, retention holsters as well, a lot of ways to go about it. My dad taught me about firearms when I was really young, I've managed not to shoot myself, anyone else nor even have a negligent discharge in the last 52 years. It's not that hard.

 

[aaronoto]

When I'm rifle hunting I don't carry my pistol, scouting or hiking I always do though. I find a chest carry rig easiest to wear with a pack when just scouting. It's either in a Gunfighters Inc. Kenai chest holster or if going low profile a Hill People Gear chest rig.