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Protecting Yourself Hiking
With the recent increase in hiking homicides, short of not hiking or carrying a gun how can you stay safe when hiking on the trails?
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Protecting Yourself Hiking
Go with a big group? Myself, I always carry in the woods. You
never know when a predator, human or otherwise, will show up.
I've done this ever since a friend of mine told a story
about being stalked by a cougar after hiking to a remote
mountain lake to do some fishing. .40 S&W may not take down
a big animal but it's better than a rock or a stick.
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Protecting Yourself Hiking
Dennis CTB,
I would never recommend that a woman hike alone. And men should prepare themselves for a life in the wild when hiking. Unfortunately, it's not "just a walk in the park".
Though homicides do take place, the most common cause of death, when hiking, is getting lost and being overcome by the elements.
A dependable sidearm is just one of many tools a hiker should have available to him. A good map, a compass, fire-starting equipment, first aid kit, (as well as the skills to use these things)a hatchet, knife, mirror, and rain gear, are just as important.
I prefer to carry a simple revolver, chambered in .45 Colt, when camping or hiking. They are always dependable, simple to clean, and they won't freeze shut when wet and cold. Stainless is better than blued steel, but any revolver is preferred over a semi-auto gun.
Joel
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but any revolver is preferred over a semi-auto gun.Joel
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That's an opinion, not a fact. I'd rather have 15 rounds than 5-8, but each to their own.
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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.
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Ditto, I'll take my chances with a good auto.
A Glock 19 (9mm) for me, and a S&W 422 (.22) for her.
The 422 doesn't have stopping power, but will get off a clip full in mere seconds and since there's no recoil, it's a tight group even in her hands and I figure 12 LR hollow point .22's will put a dent in the enthusiasm of most things.
If nothing else it would give us 12 shots at dinner, literally!
Best of luck.
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Yooperpete,
Many thanks.
I have a semi-auto Springfield 1911 in .45 ACP for home defense. The thing is always dry, and I can disassemble and clean it while I have other firearms at the ready.
Disassembling a semi-auto in the wild can be quite a chore, especially when wet, cold, and while wearing gloves. Revolvers are so much easier to maintain in the wild, due to the fact that no disassembly is required.
Revolvers also come in calibers that are much more powerful than those available in the semi-auto guns.
Regardless....homocides are very infrequent. The biggest danger hikers face is injury, or getting lost. Even in these cases, a firearm can be a life-saver....if for no other reason than as a signaling device.
Three rounds, fired one minute apart, is the international signal for SOS. (This doesn't help much, if the people who hear the shots have never been made aware of the international distress signals.)
Joel
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In omnia paratus. Numquam non paratus. Yes I carry in the woods too(auto). Where I am there are no areas large enough to really get really lost for more than an hour or so. I watch the news and see shootings at schools, religoius facilities etc. Heck I carry to church. I guess most us live somewhere a bit rural but in the concrete jungle, it is often a felony to carry in the large parks when hiking and often the only predators are rabid raccoons and people. I say leave the I-pod at home. I just cannot be comfortable with things in my ears preventing me from hearing my surroundings. Mace, electric stunner, knife, some martial arts training on top of all the things previously mentioned.
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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.
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In addition to all the above here's mine, I agree with most as to what to carry, (whatever you are comfortable with) and willing to use gun,knife, walking stick, mace, stun, and the info on getting lost etc..., the biggest thing is awareness and confidence,
Human and animal predators each sense weakness or weak will and will act accordingly,
1. when approached frontally make and maintain eye contact, greet with hello and keep going. Dont fall into a conversation or fall for the "do you have the time? match? whatever" it is the oldest trick in the book to allow them to distract and evaluate you while seeming harmless.
after speaking pass by, and be aware if they keep moving, or stop behind you. If they do stop or follow, turn and confront directly, do not allow to follow without them knowing you are aware and willing to defend yourself.
2 if from behind and it is obvious they do not intend to pass, step to the side, and allow to pass while speaking and making eye contact, be aware if pacing you to the rear or in front, could precipitate an attack.
3 If you have not developed an combat mindset, then do so or be prepared to go down without a fight and hope the predator dont eat you.
If attacked or even had your safety zone violated react immediately, fight, flight, do not freeze, that is what they want.
repel the assault, gain ground, counter assault.
develop a plan of action for yourself and family, IE. They need to know to run, hide, etc in threatening situation if you need to stay to repell the assault
Jus my 2 cents worth.
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