Do you feel the need to have a weapon when camping

[Frankspinz]

Guns are not allowed in Canada & certainly not in Parks of any nature. I carry pepper spray & flare gun with bear bangers, for the pesky intruders (I have yet to encounter)...

This said, with some imagination, many common items can be used as weapons against human or other intruders, without getting in trouble with the law depending o where you are in the world.

Spray paint aerosol can (sprayed in the eyes of an aggressor- is a great deterrent), for example ...

 

[john101477]

Guns are not allowed in Canada & certainly not in Parks of any nature. I carry pepper spray & flare gun with bear bangers, for the pesky intruders (I have yet to encounter)...

This said, with some imagination, many common items can be used as weapons against human or other intruders, without getting in trouble with the law depending o where you are in the world.

Spray paint aerosol can (sprayed in the eyes of an aggressor- is a great deterrent), for example ...

Thats not entirely true there boss.
http://www.canadianlawsite.ca/gunlaws.htm

us americans LOVE to hunt in canada

 

[Payback]

I haven't read the entire 47 pages of this thread. So if this has been covered, I'm sorry and could someone point me in the right direction please.

What does everyone carry? I've seen several 12g shotguns, and a few handguns. Anyone else? What kind of rounds do ya'll use?

I've always thought that it would make sense to load buckshot (carrying a 12g of course) for the first round, followed by slugs. It doesn't really matter what's coming my way, or how many legs it has, my first shot probably isn't going to be as accurate as my second, or third, or fourth, or...

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I've got a little off brand .380..........

 

[BIGdaddy]

I haven't read the entire 47 pages of this thread. So if this has been covered, I'm sorry and could someone point me in the right direction please.

What does everyone carry? I've seen several 12g shotguns, and a few handguns. Anyone else? What kind of rounds do ya'll use?

I've always thought that it would make sense to load buckshot (carrying a 12g of course) for the first round, followed by slugs. It doesn't really matter what's coming my way, or how many legs it has, my first shot probably isn't going to be as accurate as my second, or third, or fourth, or...

no reason to alternate rounds. you're not gonna remember what you've got in there. Most say to load the rounds you think you'll use, that way you know what to expect.

When I'm camping in bear country, I don't bother with anything but slugs. It'll kill a small bear, a mtn lion, a person, etc. While I'm at home I use birdshot because I've got to be mindful of overpenetration with the way our bedrooms are layed out (not too bad, but stray rounds would not be good)

If I was movin' and groovin' due to a threat...chased by axe murderer, etc. I'd load buckshot, cuz it spreads to a larger pattern than slugs, but hits far harder than birdshot.

having read through this thread, I honestly am considering a change in my armament. Here's my thoughts:

-I want to keep the gun on me at all times. A gun in my tent serves no purpose...
-I want to be able to draw very quickly.
-I doubt my ablility to hit a bear with a gunshot while she or I am moving.
-I'm always going to be carrying a child or two.
-I'm more worried about tweekers than I am animals (with the exception of mtn lions)

With these things in mind, I'll probably carry these two things

-reliable, major caliber concealable handgun (9mm, .45, .40s&w)
-can of bear spray in a chest holster.

I'll likely keep the shotgun as a "oh crap" force multiplier that can be called upon if needed, but I see less and less need for it in a normal camp scenario...

 

[KG6BWS]

IVe usually got my .45 colt on me, with some heavy handloads in it. I feel confident that I can take down a bear, mtn lion, or person if need be. Plus the gun can be used at relatively close range to take down a deer if i need the food.

I also will carry a short barreled shotgun I have, its modeled after the old "coach guns". Ill carry birdshot, buck shot, and slugs with me. Usually a box of each. I find that for 2 legged defense, goose loads would be just fine. Extremely hard hitting but considering I dont want to ever have to pull the trigger, Im not worried about hitting them from longer range. If I pull the trigger its going to be because theyre right on top of me. From those kinds of ranges, even skeet loads would be fatal.

And I never conceal my handgun when Im in camp. My theory is that a person would see it, and think twice about doing harm. I dont want to have to pull the trigger on another human being so I would rather have it out and visible, and give them something to think about. THen for trouble to start because they didnt know it was there.

 

[jh504]

IVe usually got my .45 colt on me, with some heavy handloads in it. I feel confident that I can take down a bear, mtn lion, or person if need be. Plus the gun can be used at relatively close range to take down a deer if i need the food.

I also will carry a short barreled shotgun I have, its modeled after the old "coach guns". Ill carry birdshot, buck shot, and slugs with me. Usually a box of each. I find that for 2 legged defense, goose loads would be just fine. Extremely hard hitting but considering I dont want to ever have to pull the trigger, Im not worried about hitting them from longer range. If I pull the trigger its going to be because theyre right on top of me. From those kinds of ranges, even skeet loads would be fatal.

And I never conceal my handgun when Im in camp. My theory is that a person would see it, and think twice about doing harm. I dont want to have to pull the trigger on another human being so I would rather have it out and visible, and give them something to think about. THen for trouble to start because they didnt know it was there.

I cant believe this thread is still going....

Good info though.

 

[YJake]

This thread has been a very interesting read.

Personally, I keep a Marlin Papoose survival rifle in the Jeep while deep in the bush just incase I need to scavange food while out there. Never had to use it, but I practice with it at different ranges a few times a year to keep good mojo with it, it's fun to plink with while out camping. I like the little guy, I can feed subsonic rounds in it to keep from annoying others close by as well.

If I ever head into bear country I may buy a revolver in .357 or .44 but not sure whether it's really worth it or not. I currently don't concealed carry.

-Jake

 

[john101477]

As I have stated previously I carry a .45ACP on me. I also usually have one of three rifles depending on my mood and how close to deer season I am (don't want DFG thinking I am poaching). I have a 22-250 bolt that i love. I can literally shoot out the flame on a candle at 150yrds. I enjoy taking my 30-06 but rounds are expensive.
I also have a semi auto .22 I like to carry as it is light, accurate, and holds a butt load of ammo. If the first shot does not do the trick I have plenty of reserves to drive the first on through.
I have never been a shotgun guy really. My remington 810 basically collects dust since I stopped turkey and dove hunting.

 

[Wyowanderer]

I keep a 5" Smith & Wesson 629 stainless 44 mag on my hip at all times, BUT I'M PROFICIENT WITH IT. If you're going to have a weapon, please spend enough time practicing to be proficient. It's far better to have a smaller sidearm (yes, even a .380) you can shoot accurately than a big hog leg you can't control. Control and accuracy are everything when carrying weapons.
I'm with Big Daddy- a pistol (or revolver) bear spray, and a shotgun in the rig. Just practice using all three. OK, I'm done preaching.

 

[shawkins]

I haven't read all 48 pages, but I'll say that I am very rarely in the middle of nowhere without my H&K USP Compact 9mm. It is usually accompanied by my AR15 and enough ammo to wage a small battle.

You just never know what kind of crack heads you will run into out there. I'm not about to get car jacked and left miles from nowhere with their meth lab motor home!

 

[spacer]

If you choose not to carry a firearm or other adequate protection from critters, there are more politically correct ways of trying to stay safe.

Make your presence known, as theory has it, critters are likely to avoid you if they know you're there. Wear little bells to let them know you're coming.
Just in case, carry a small can of pepper spray.

It's easy to tell when a dangerous animal is in the area. You can either see their prints in soft ground, or examine the droppings they leave in the area. The spoor of dangerous animals is easy to spot; it has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

 

[john101477]

It's easy to tell when a dangerous animal is in the area. You can either see their prints in soft ground, or examine the droppings they leave in the area. The spoor of dangerous animals is easy to spot; it has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

Yep your just gonna look down at the hard packed man made trail and be able to see that a 6ft bear is around the corner.... :yikes:

I have heard that bells work but I have issues with that myself.

Another thing just because P.E.T.A. says thats the socially acceptable way does not make it "politically" correct.
Do yourself and every one else a favor. Go properly prepared or stay home. The last thing we need to do is pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to find you or your remains.
If your preference is to carry Bear spray - carry bear spray but carry a gun as a last resort. It is just not worth my dollar to go out and find you when you have been properly warned and where not smart enough to carry the proper tool for the job in the first place.

Proper Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance - Write that down

 

[KG6BWS]

It is just not worth my dollar to go out and find you when you have been properly warned and where not smart enough to carry the proper tool for the job in the first place.

Proper Planning Prevents P!ss Poor Performance - Write that down

x2

 

[jsmarine]

If you choose not to carry a firearm or other adequate protection from critters, there are more politically correct ways of trying to stay safe.

Make your presence known, as theory has it, critters are likely to avoid you if they know you're there. Wear little bells to let them know you're coming.
Just in case, carry a small can of pepper spray.

It's easy to tell when a dangerous animal is in the area. You can either see their prints in soft ground, or examine the droppings they leave in the area. The spoor of dangerous animals is easy to spot; it has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

I carry a Beretta 9mm with me whenever I travel, and its not the critters and animals I'm worried about. Its the 'wierdos' and 'creepos' that we all come across in the back-country!

I will probably get a Mossberg 500, short barrel 12 gauge to carry. Its a more effective weapon from the distance I would probably shoot someone from, and you don't have to aim, just point and shoot!