To carry a pistol in the backcountry?

[jjentringer3921]

Hey, just wondering who carries a pistol on their backpacking trips out into the wilderness? I've never carried, but now that I'm living in New Mexico it seems that most everybody seems to carry one with them. I'm not to worried about it when I'm out hunting cause then I have a weapon, but who carries when they are out picking up sheds, or just hiking and camping in bear or lion country? And if you do carry, what do you carry?

 

[Brock A]

I never do up here in WA or ID. If I was in a southern state near the border like NM or AZ I would for sure.

 

[jjentringer3921]

Why would you in a southern state versus a place like Idaho and Washington?

 

[Mtnboy]

Why would you in a southern state versus a place like Idaho and Washington?

Probably worried more about predators of the 2 legged variety rather than the 4 legged ones if I had to guess.

 

[5MilesBack]

I carry all the time anyway, why stop when I'm out in the woods? I carry a Glock 20. In Griz country I'd be carrying at least a .44 mag.

 

[Xtorminator]

I carry almost all the time now. Ran into some strange ducks a couple years ago elk hunting. A couple of days later killed a bull with camo netting from a grow stuck in his antlers. This was in Washington.

 

[Browtine]

Probably worried more about predators of the 2 legged variety rather than the 4 legged ones if I had to guess.

The guys in the border states have to worry about running into undocumented Democrats!

 

[jrice]

Too heavy unless you are horse packing. If you're bowhunting in grizz country bear spray is a good idea. For the average person, unless you shoot that pistol a lot, and are a cool headed customer, you're going to be much better armed with a can of spray then a pistol.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I don't when I'm hunting since I have a weapon of some sort. Otherwise I do.

 

[7mag.]

When I'm hunting I don't, because I have a rifle. On summer scouting trips, I take a side arm. I carry a 1911, .45 ACP. Not for any reason except it is what I prefer in side arm, and I am confident with it.

 

[fillthefreezer]

i carry all the time, so that is in the woods as well. my guns have to match my shoes so either a ruger lcp, hk usp, or sw 629/329

when on a multi day hunt i do leave it home

 

[Darren Best]

If I don't have my rifle, I carry my Glock.

Scouting, hiking, shed hunting, hunting, camping, berry picking, it doesn't matter.

It only takes one time of not being armed and running into a situation of needing to be, to cure you of it once and for all.

I got lucky, the grizzly left me alone and I got to go home to learn my lesson.

 

[dotman]

It is definitely a personal decision, I always carry when out, the added weight isn't bad for me. Chances you'll need it are probably less then .01%.

 

[bbrown]

I always do - town or the woods. More for the 2 legged variety though. Found a couple pot grows and even stumbled across an old meth lab so my Ruger LCR .357 at just over a pound is worth it to me - especially if the wife is with me.

 

[2rocky]

Lots of reasons, I would like to have a firearm handy when away from civilization.

aggressive black bears, or mountain lion
rabid critters
people who have bad intentions towards me and my family.
signal if injured
grouse collection in season or survival.
snake too close for comfort
fatally injured stock
mistletoe collection

It is just another tool.

 

[InDeep]

I will be this year! I had quite a year for interactions with predators and see the reason to carry ..Still haven't decided on my gun but will make my choice in a few weeks when my birthday comes around.. The wolves I saw this last year really helped my decision and my wife's to get on board with it !

 

[bbrown]

2rocky makes a good point about livestock.
A couple years ago one of the other guides I work with finally drew a good muzzy tag. He was packing in with a couple of his horses when one slipped and broke his leg. He ended up having to put it down with the muzzleloader. Got the job done but he was wishing he hadn't decided to leave his pistol at home.

 

[Bmcox86]

I carry now. I didn't to start the season but the I had a cougar get within 20 yards of me. No way I was getting my rifle up and in the scope before he would of been on me. Luckily he saw me and ran. I don't count it towards weight because it's carried in a thigh holster

 

[Brock A]

Why would you in a southern state versus a place like Idaho and Washington?

2 legged critters crossing the border with large sacks of that Mary Jane has me worried more than a bear or cougar.

 

[jmez]

I don't carry, have a permit but never carry a sidearm. Take bear spray in grizzly country and don't worry about much else.