Hikers self defense

[Mobryan]

Not sure if it would be legal in Mexico(isn't there a restriction on military type weapons?), but for a carbine, I'd consider a Kel-Tec SU-16C, with the folding stock it's as close to a handgun as you could get. The SU-16D is even shorter, but more likely to be illegal. For a shotgun, I'd think about a side by side coachgun. If you are defending against cats, I doubt you'll get more then two shots before they cross effective shotgun range anyhow.

 

[Vicreo A Legarreta]

I am unfamiliar with Mexican firearm laws. I still think a .22LR is severely underpowered if you're trying to protect yourself against a mountain lion. I would bring the 20ga. Hopefully it does not have a 26in bird barrel.

I like the Mossberg 500 cus is in a 20ga

Not sure if it would be legal in Mexico(isn't there a restriction on military type weapons?), but for a carbine, I'd consider a Kel-Tec SU-16C, with the folding stock it's as close to a handgun as you could get. The SU-16D is even shorter, but more likely to be illegal. For a shotgun, I'd think about a side by side coachgun. If you are defending against cats, I doubt you'll get more then two shots before they cross effective shotgun range anyhow.

now that is a real cool one but is illegal here in mexico

I should have explained this better. The Takedown's ability to pack small and be unobtrusive would be good while driving to and fro, put in your pack when at public campsites or in known non-threatening (animal) areas, or when you just don't want people knowing you have a rifle.

Then, carry it assembled and slung around your shoulder (or however) only when you think it is needed...

Make more sense?

that is what I like of the takedown .22 to store away, will be nice it can be a shotgun, you guys are real help, any more suggestions out there.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

If I may insert some facts here: There is absolutely no reason to carry a firearm for self-defense against mountain lion attack, because it's not going to happen to you. In the last 23 years, nine people have been killed by mountain lions in the U.S. and Canada. Want a statistical comparison? An average of 13 people are killed every year by falling vending machines. Do you worry about being killed by a vending machine? You are hundreds of times more likely to hit a deer and be killed on your way driving to your hiking trail than to be killed by a mountain lion on the trail. Even non-fatal attacks by cougars are vanishingly rare.

The fatal attacks that have occurred fall overwhelmingly into two types. The first type is on people - especially women, who are smaller and closer in size to a lion's natural prey - who are jogging or bicycling in mountain lion habitat. Thus they are also moving like prey, and trigger a chase response. The second type is on children - again, prey sized - who become separated from adults in lion habitat. Usually it is young lions in edge habitat who are in poor condition that become trouble.

Some people each year are approached by lions who are either curious or hungry, and which are scared off by yelling and arm-waving. Normally these lions will be tracked and shot by wildlife officials, since their potential for future interactions is much higher.

I live in cougar country - they've shown up on the security camera we have in our driveway 100 feet from the house. We don't worry about being attacked. We carry handguns when we hike, but they are for the two-legged sort of predator.

 

[Vicreo A Legarreta]

If I may insert some facts here: There is absolutely no reason to carry a firearm for self-defense against mountain lion attack, because it's not going to happen to you. In the last 23 years, nine people have been killed by mountain lions in the U.S. and Canada. Want a statistical comparison? An average of 13 people are killed every year by falling vending machines. Do you worry about being killed by a vending machine? You are hundreds of times more likely to hit a deer and be killed on your way driving to your hiking trail than to be killed by a mountain lion on the trail. Even non-fatal attacks by cougars are vanishingly rare.

The fatal attacks that have occurred fall overwhelmingly into two types. The first type is on people - especially women, who are smaller and closer in size to a lion's natural prey - who are jogging or bicycling in mountain lion habitat. Thus they are also moving like prey, and trigger a chase response. The second type is on children - again, prey sized - who become separated from adults in lion habitat. Usually it is young lions in edge habitat who are in poor condition that become trouble.

Some people each year are approached by lions who are either curious or hungry, and which are scared off by yelling and arm-waving. Normally these lions will be tracked and shot by wildlife officials, since their potential for future interactions is much higher.

I live in cougar country - they've shown up on the security camera we have in our driveway 100 feet from the house. We don't worry about being attacked. We carry handguns when we hike, but they are for the two-legged sort of predator.

That is interesting and thank for the information, you are familiar with this type of puma and now what to do in this type of situation, my encounter with a puma was real scary, I have encountered coyotes and now how to deal with them but pumas big claws

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[txfactor76]

A sidearm is always nice to have, whether protection against a mountain lion, feral hogs, or other humans. Truth be told, in this part of the country I'm much more wary of a mama pig than anything else.

 

[Vicreo A Legarreta]

A sidearm is always nice to have, whether protection against a mountain lion, feral hogs, or other humans. Truth be told, in this part of the country I'm much more wary of a mama pig than anything else.

I have see some of those hogs or pig are nasty ones

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

That is interesting and thank for the information, you are familiar with this type of puma and now what to do in this type of situation, my encounter with a puma was real scary, I have encountered coyotes and now how to deal with them but pumas big claws.

Vicreo, if you are approached by a curious/aggressive cougar, the best response is definitely aggression, as has been well-proven. Yelling, arm-waving, rock-throwing, and indeed firing a weapon in the air are all advisable.

 

[2025 deleted member]

Hopefully you are correct, but those nine people probably wish they carried something. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

If I may insert some facts here: There is absolutely no reason to carry a firearm for self-defense against mountain lion attack, because it's not going to happen to you. In the last 23 years, nine people have been killed by mountain lions in the U.S. and Canada. Want a statistical comparison? An average of 13 people are killed every year by falling vending machines. Do you worry about being killed by a vending machine? You are hundreds of times more likely to hit a deer and be killed on your way driving to your hiking trail than to be killed by a mountain lion on the trail. Even non-fatal attacks by cougars are vanishingly rare.

The fatal attacks that have occurred fall overwhelmingly into two types. The first type is on people - especially women, who are smaller and closer in size to a lion's natural prey - who are jogging or bicycling in mountain lion habitat. Thus they are also moving like prey, and trigger a chase response. The second type is on children - again, prey sized - who become separated from adults in lion habitat. Usually it is young lions in edge habitat who are in poor condition that become trouble.

Some people each year are approached by lions who are either curious or hungry, and which are scared off by yelling and arm-waving. Normally these lions will be tracked and shot by wildlife officials, since their potential for future interactions is much higher.

I live in cougar country - they've shown up on the security camera we have in our driveway 100 feet from the house. We don't worry about being attacked. We carry handguns when we hike, but they are for the two-legged sort of predator.

 

[SSF556]

If I may insert some facts here: There is absolutely no reason to carry a firearm for self-defense against mountain lion attack, because it's not going to happen to you. In the last 23 years, nine people have been killed by mountain lions in the U.S. and Canada. Want a statistical comparison? An average of 13 people are killed every year by falling vending machines. Do you worry about being killed by a vending machine? You are hundreds of times more likely to hit a deer and be killed on your way driving to your hiking trail than to be killed by a mountain lion on the trail. Even non-fatal attacks by cougars are vanishingly rare.

The fatal attacks that have occurred fall overwhelmingly into two types. The first type is on people - especially women, who are smaller and closer in size to a lion's natural prey - who are jogging or bicycling in mountain lion habitat. Thus they are also moving like prey, and trigger a chase response. The second type is on children - again, prey sized - who become separated from adults in lion habitat. Usually it is young lions in edge habitat who are in poor condition that become trouble.

Some people each year are approached by lions who are either curious or hungry, and which are scared off by yelling and arm-waving. Normally these lions will be tracked and shot by wildlife officials, since their potential for future interactions is much higher.

I live in cougar country - they've shown up on the security camera we have in our driveway 100 feet from the house. We don't worry about being attacked. We carry handguns when we hike, but they are for the two-legged sort of predator.

OK

 

[k9lestat]

the judge revolver .45/410

 

[robert]

The guy's in Mexico and said no handguns and that he's limited to shotguns and .22 cal rifles. Given his original question, I still stick by a shotgun of whatever flavor you have with some sort of buckshot. Chances of needing it, probably slim to none, but I would never begrudge someone for being responsible for themselves. I've never needed a gun in the outdoors either, but I've been damn glad to have it on more than one occasion.

 

[Ace Brown]

Very likely a folding stock is illegal in Mexico, but if not here is my suggestion. Get a standard Ruger 10/22 and replace the stock with a Butler Creek folder. Folded its about 24" long and can be used while folded.

Ace


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[Vicreo A Legarreta]

Vicreo, if you are approached by a curious/aggressive cougar, the best response is definitely aggression, as has been well-proven. Yelling, arm-waving, rock-throwing, and indeed firing a weapon in the air are all advisable.

Thanks Jonathan, I have done all except the throwing rock and firing a weapon, is way I was asking for advice on what type of weapon can I carry with the limited permission I have here in Mexico.

Very likely a folding stock is illegal in Mexico, but if not here is my suggestion. Get a standard Ruger 10/22 and replace the stock with a Butler Creek folder. Folded its about 24" long and can be used while folded.

Ace


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Ace I gonna have to do some research on this, to see if is legal to modified a weapon.

Thanks to all for the great advice you all have given me, I am still open more information and suggestions.


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[Jonathan Hanson]

Hopefully you are correct, but those nine people probably wish they carried something. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Scott, if you read the case studies, you'll find that not one of those nine people would have had a chance to use a firearm. As I mentioned, I carry a firearm when I'm hiking, but it's not for defense from cougars, because I know I won't need it. I think Vicreo started the thread because he genuinely wanted useful information, so I feel that pointing out simple statistics is useful. I do the same when threads go on and on about the best ammunition for "defense" against rattlesnakes.

Polar bears - now that's a different subject.

 

[scanny]

Scott, if you read the case studies, you'll find that not one of those nine people would have had a chance to use a firearm. As I mentioned, I carry a firearm when I'm hiking, but it's not for defense from cougars, because I know I won't need it. I think Vicreo started the thread because he genuinely wanted useful information, so I feel that pointing out simple statistics is useful. I do the same when threads go on and on about the best ammunition for "defense" against rattlesnakes.

Polar bears - now that's a different subject.

Statistic is useful mostly for politicians and insurance companies. I guess that people asks about carrying guns because they don't want to be part of statistic even if it's a very tiny part.