| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
|
Protecting Yourself Hiking
Unfortunately their isn't much a person can do. The element of surprise is always the critical factor. Even if you have a gun, if the other guy shoots first, you are at a major disadvantage.
My suggestions:
1. Keep your distance from strangers.
2. If you happen to begin a conversation with a stranger always keep them within direct view and never beyond your peripheral vision. (i.e. eliminate getting clubed from behind)
3. If you have a big dog that generally helps, particularly if it acts agressively. If you make it appear that you have difficulty in controlling the dog while on the leash it also helps scare them away.
4. If you are not comfortable with carrying a gun, a large walking stick is helpful. Ken mentioned his .40 S&W which has about the same ballistics as a .45ACP or Joel's .45LC. All of these can take down a cougar or other predator. A .38 is the smallest I'd suggest in areas where large predators do not exist. Have extra ammo in reserve.
5. As Joel has mentioned, be prepared for the worst if you get lost. Be able to build a fire, have first aid, a flashlight, some snacks and water to get you by.
6. If you are going alone let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Protecting Yourself Hiking
Murf:
I didn't think they let you walk around in Canada with a pistol even in the remote North. I thought most of your gun rights had be taken away.
Of the dozen or so handguns that I have, I also have a S&W 422. It is prone to jamming particularly when shooting Remington and other cheap .22 LR ammo. It seems to work best with CCI Stingers. My wife used it during our course getting a CCW. I had schooled her on how to work it when it jammed and how to clear it. It jammed during her range time and she impressed the instructor. She outshot many of the guys during our qualification with it.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Protecting Yourself Hiking
Most of the time I go unarmed, while the majority of my hiking is on regular trails not far from my Condo. Black bears are know to be about 5 miles away from my location and have yet to see one. Likewise some cougars have been sighted about that distance away. Most of them are as scared of you as you are of them. Be careful of being in the area of their offs-spring, that gets their dander up. These are all in Northern lower Michigan. For bear, the minimum would be a .40 S&W/.45ACP or .45LC.
In da U.P. it is wild and remote and one could get really lost for a long, long time. In those cases, I take extra gear and the .454 Casull(that can handle anything in North America).
I read that NJ has a real problem with bear populations and the tree huggers that stopped the hunt. Another consideration is a flare pistol with mini 12 gauge shells shooting capsicum rounds (rock salt and mace). It is short range but was told it will take a grizz down, however, you need to run because when it gets back up it is really pissed. I have one of those and it must be about 10 years old now. Don't know if the ammo gets bad. Should try it on somebody!
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Protecting Yourself Hiking
Just remember that the gal that was recently killed hiking in Georgia by Mr. Hilton had a large dog and some martial arts belt. The news said a "Blue Belt". I'm not into that stuff so don't know if that is correct nor what level of skill it took. The news also indicated that she was alive for several days before she was killed.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 150281 Filter by Poster:
1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
DennisCTB
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
01-17-2008, 12:13 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us