To carry a pistol in the backcountry?

[ElkNut1]

Always carry when in the woods regardless of venture! .357 mag 5 shot S&W on hip holster, fits under pack waist belt & never know it's there! This is in non-grizz country.

ElkNut1

 

[nflesher]

I always carry. The only time I don't have my .40 is while I am in the shower or in bed. My family and friends ask why I always carry, and my response is why not always carry a gun? I trust no one. As a few have stated, whether it be an animal or human, when you start throwing lead and making noise, everything changes. I believe the 2nd Amendment is my right to carry, but do have my CC.

 

[kodiakfly]

Daily carry a G20 or 29. Always carry the 20 when in the field. I'm a big fan of what the 10mm can do, and it's range of usefulness.

 

[charvey9]

I do. Mostly because I've run into some real weirdos in the woods before, and an openly carried revolver usually makes those conversations pretty short. One look and they move on. I've also had some buddies get threatened or run out of the woods by other hunters who think they own public land. I made the decision, if I was going to carry it would be something worth carrying in grizzly country so I'm used to it once I do get the chance to head north. I carry a S&W 329PD .44 Mag. The lightest 4" .44 mag in existence at about 25oz empty. Its a handful, many people joke that the PD stands for palm destroyer.

 

[Bowtech]

I've never been a guy to carry a pistol while in the backcountry but last year I did a solo mule deer hunt in Wyoming and realized I was very under gunned sleeping in griz country with just a bow. I know that the next trip I make into bear country I'll be carrying .44

 

[Snyd]

I always have a backup gun on my hip here in Alaska. Custom 454 4" Redhawk. except when sheep hunting. But, last year I hunted sheep with handgun so the rifle stayed home.

 

[JJHACK]

Carried bear spray too. Until I used it and the breeze blinded me and my partner. Never again. Only thing worse then a dangerous animal threatening you is blinding yourself when it is happening.

 

[husky390]

I always have a backup gun on my hip here in Alaska. Custom 454 4" Redhawk. except when sheep hunting. But, last year I hunted sheep with handgun so the rifle stayed home.

Not to get OT, but what handgun did you use? Any luck?

 

[Bonedalien]

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.

exactly the same here,exept in archery season,bow only.

 

[Snyd]

Not to get OT, but what handgun did you use? Any luck?

Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter, 45 Colt, 2x scope, 355gr I cast and load.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?10059-A-Walk-in-the-Brooks

 

[Nosferatu]

I carry bear spray for negative encounters with the 4-legged critters and the Kimber 10MM for the 2-legged critter negative encounters. The weight is worth the piece of mind, to me. It's supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.

 

[JJHACK]

I do when I'm bow hunting. I carry a S&Wmountain gun in 44 mag. My walk in to the tree stand is about half mile. I hunt til dark, and that walk out is on the same trail my cameras are on. Every day there are bears on the camera and about three times a month cougars. It's an added piece of mind walking out in pitch black dark holding that revolver. It's got trijicon night sights and crimson trace grips. Not much good if your slammed from behind, however with my bright black diamond headlamp you can see eye shine a very long way off.

I usually check my SD cards while in the stand on my iPad. It's always weird seeing that the lion or bear walked on the trail just minutes, or even the picture before you are in it! There are also frequent wolf sightings here now, and fish and game have now posted signs about the wolves.

So speaking just for me, I like having the mtn gun in hand on the way out to the truck. Once you have had the wind or breeze blow pepper spray right back at you, promise it's the last time you use it! Not much worse then needing to defend yourself, and being blind at the same time!

 

[trophytaka]

Glock 20 in 10mm. rides on my hip belt in a Blackhawk Serpa holster.

 

[jpolson]

I don't often see people. Black bears don't scare me. I ain't going to stop a mountain lion. But I have had wild horses square off at me and get agressive. Now those things spook me. This past Fall I had a stallion and 2 mares a little pissed off with my presence. I thought I was going to have to put a partition in the stallion. The Utah West desert is full of wild horses.

Sounds weird...but that is why I always have a weapon.

 

[Bonedalien]

I don't often see people. Black bears don't scare me. I ain't going to stop a mountain lion. But I have had wild horses square off at me and get agressive. .

wow, that is crazy. i agree with you on black bears,although last season had a black bear slowly coming towards camp ignoring all my shouts at him. then i noticed the red tags in both his ears. i shot a stump near me a couple times with my 1911,that finaly convinced him to go another direction. the only weird encounter with a black bear for me.
and obviosly I was dealing with one of those rare "trouble "bears.

 

[Beastmode]

I think he would have taken a couple instead of the stump

 

[Bonedalien]

I think he would have taken a couple instead of the stump

oh man Beast, you know i was thinking about it!

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I do. Mostly because I've run into some real weirdos in the woods before, and an openly carried revolver usually makes those conversations pretty short. One look and they move on. I've also had some buddies get threatened or run out of the woods by other hunters who think they own public land. I made the decision, if I was going to carry it would be something worth carrying in grizzly country so I'm used to it once I do get the chance to head north. I carry a S&W 329PD .44 Mag. The lightest 4" .44 mag in existence at about 25oz empty. Its a handful, many people joke that the PD stands for palm destroyer.

Great choice, that's my sidearm too. Ya put the 500 grip on it and use the Buffalo Bore ammo made for it?

 

[justin davis]

People are the only things that scare me out in the woods. People are creepy.

Two times in my life I have been creeped out in the woods. One time I was out hunting. Had a weird feeling something was watching me. Heard a stick break right behind me but couldn't see anything. I was spooked and decided to leave the area. On the hike out I stumbled upon a deceased human with a bullet hole in the head. Still had that "hair on neck someone is watching me" kind of feeling. Grasped the bow a little tighter and left the area and reported it to police once I was back to truck and in cell range.

The other time I was scouting for elk and stumbled upon a compound out in the woods. I was on a hill watching as a gropi of 20 or so people standing in a line and firing crazy weapons when given the command (in a language I didn't know). I continued on my hike and then came upon a shack in the woods. I stopped in my tracks and then heard someone yelling at me. I froze didn't know what to do and skirted the camp. I had no weapons with me.

Creepy. But to this day when bowhunting I do not carry a pistol.

 

[Beastmode]

CA doesn't allow it during archery season but I still carry. Not for animals as much as people. I made a 2 hour super slow stalk in some heavy timber because I heard something moving around in a drainage. I made it within 75 before I got a visual on a Mexican with an assault rifle guarding a pot grow.

This is an epidemic in this state and the guys tending these grows have no problem pulling the trigger. I may get a ticket someday but the security is worth it to me with the situation I have faced.