Hiking with a handgun

Well, Once upon a time, I went hiking and needed a nap after a long day...

I leaned up against a rock with a nice southerly view and gentle breeze. Not long after dosing off, I began dreaming that my wife was getting fresh and I suddenly woke up to this>>>>>><<>>








550_bear-man.jpg
 
The chance of being struck by lightening is better than being attacked by a bear but I'd bring the .45 with a heavy hollowpoint bullet just in case. I live in WA state where there are a lot of bears and typically carry a .44 but I have carried a .40 CZ 75 and .45 while turkey hunting just in case as thats when they are leaving the den with cubs. During the 08 bear season a guy killed an wounded attacking black bear with a 9mm. I can't find the link but I'm sure it was a 9mm. As far as cats go I think a 9 would be fine but would still opt for the .45.
 
"As far as cats go I think a 9 would be fine but would still opt for the .45."

:)I just throw my cats out of the house when they cause trouble (although the one curled-up by my computer right-now sometimes gets preferential treatment)
 
"There are frequent references to wild dogs, feral dogs, mean dogs, and just general dogs on the loose."

I've done most of my hiking in SE Alaskan islands, and I've come across two packs of wild dogs. One pack was very large & rowdy, the other just a male & female out for a stroll. They were obviously not wolves or even half-breeds. My hiking buddy explained that wild dogs are more dangerous anyway - they don't fear humans.

I've come across plenty of people, some of them drunk & armed, and only seen one bear (black) at a distance. I generally carry a .357, and my wife wants to start carrying bear spray. I've seen tons of bear sign but have never had an encounter while hiking. We follow the usual etiquette - use a food canister, no cooking near the tent, don't camp near berry bushes, etc. - and I credit this for keeping us incident free. The gun is just to make me feel good.
 
In that part of the country I wouldn't be too concerned about bears, but in general when hiking in the mountains of Colorado a .357 Magnum, .44 Mag or .45 Colt is my choice of carry. The .357 is a good compromise in something like a Ruger GP100 or Blackhawk.
 
teach your wife how to use a glock, take your glock 36 let her carry the glock 19 so you both can face human threath and you'll be just fine.
Packing a 44 mag won't help you if you're not used to shoot this caliber. Revolver are great when you're used to shoot it.
The perfect combo would be you packing a 357 mag or 44 mag loaded with a good hunting round and your wife packing the glock 19.
But there again, if you're not used to revolver, stay with what you're used to shoot with.
 
Up here in Northern MN we have a healthy Black Bear population and the chances of running into one while out hiking or mt. biking are good. It's happened to me. I carry a .45acp loaded with Magtech Gaurdian Gold +p 230g jhp. I think it's still on the light side for really big bears. We get some 4-500 pounders. But, any black bears I've encounterd ran like they were shot out of a cannon the second they knew I was there anyway so I'll probably just keep using what I've got rather than buying a "bear gun".
I read that LAPD has been using one or another .45acp+P JHP with good results so I figure I've got the defense against human attackers side pretty well covered. Sad to say that's probably a bigger worry than the bears!!
 
I live in the SW but I think that .357 mag or 45acp would do the job on black bears. What I do think is important though is the kind of gun you get. If you are going to be hiking out of contact with other people for more than a day or two I would bring a revolver. I love autos and mine have never had any issues but still. Accidently lose a spring while your field stripping it and your totally screwed. Semi autos have alot of moving parts and I trust some but any kind of jam when being charged by a bear and your done. Revolvers may be primitive, but they are still being mass produced because of how well they work. Get a good S&W or Ruger for long/remote hiking. Either .357 or .44. If you are going to be places where you may run into something like a grizzly I would not feel comfortable with anything smaller than a .44, and much more preferable something like a Ruger Alaskan .454 or a S&W .500 magnum. If you are bent on a Semi Auto carry a nice 1911 or something just as reliable. I honestly would get a small caliber snubby to take too. I actually have it reversed. I carry a S&W 66-5 .357 4"bbl and I have a walther p22 3.4" in my pack(mainly for plinking but its always good to have a backup too) both great guns by the way
 
You can defend against a bear with a .22 if you're a crack shot. Shoot the bear in its eyes. Also, I've seen on tv that bears are attracted to pic-a-nic baskets.:D
 
I'd worry more about domestic K9's and coyotes than bears, (the AT right in front of my house) last year a few hikers were attacked and shot just across the county line here. The attacker was a paroled murderer that killed a couple of people on the AT back in the 80's....Yeah worry more about the two legged predators than black bears.
I pick up dozens of hikers and take them into "town" every year, most all are your run of the mill hiker/hippie. LOL
 
Having seen this website, I'm surprised that .357 magnum has been left out of this discussion.

Seriously though, I'll bet you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than being attacked by a black bear. As far as browns or grizzlies, there's a guy at my range that swears a .50 S&W will stop a grizzly, but I'd bet on the bear against any human with a handgun.
 
In Alaska, not one (read that again - not one) fatality when bear/pepper spray used against bears ever.
Click to expand...

I don't believe the same is true for Glacier NP but I don't have a citation.

A good book is "Bear Attacks: Their cause and avoidance".

You should do some research of the area you are going to. I see a lot of people on this forum say that they have hiked for years/decades and never had/seen an issue, however it really depends on where you are. I have camped quite a bit in northern CA, and most of the time didn't have any problems. Then, for a few years, there were a number of bear/human interactions that could have ended badly. Two involved people in tents. One, the person was asleep in their tent when a bear came by (twice, evening & early morning), and attacked the tent.

The second instance was a couple who fixed dinner and then went into their tent to eat. The bear came in one side and they went out the other.

Again, do some (current) research of the area you are going to. People who have been their recently can let you know if there have been any sightings, bear scat, etc. seen recently.
 
A couple of things to consider:

Depending on what state you are in, it may or not be illegal to carry in a state park. The whole national park thing seems to be in flux again.

How far do you plan to be hiking? Even a Glock with a extra mag will be close to two pounds, which if you are hiking any distance will be in addition to water, food, first aid, etc. Weight is the enemy. What you may not notice on your hip in the city you will definitely feel at the end of a long day of hiking.

As has been said many times, bear attacks are very rare. I live near the Great Smoky Mtns. and we have had one fatal bear attack in something like twenty years. And there are a LOT of bears in the park, and a LOT of people.

As for me, when I choose to carry while hiking, I normally pack a S&W 351PD: 7 rounds of .22 magnum, 10.5 ounces. If I ever have to use to defend myself it is, "Better than a pointy stick." One of the primary reasons I carry is to signal if I break an ankle, (I usually hike alone.), and it is certainly loud. I know it is a compromise, but one I'm willing to live with.
 
When worried about bears never forget about cats as well. To a bear you may appear as an enemy. To a cat you'll probably appear as a cheeseburger.
 
If your hiking here don't worry to much about the bears, but fear the moose and the Idiots that think they need two big dogs to live here, then think as soon as they leave the road they can let them run. Alex
 
hiking + handgun = win

Whatever you choose as long as 9mm or bigger will be just fine for most trips. Especially back east where the critters are smaller.

2 legged snakes will be your chief concern in all but the most remote locations. Animals tend to avoid most human hiking trails that are within 10 miles of a parking lot or trailhead.

Carry accordingly and be alert, but enjoy the fresh air.
 
whatever choice you make, you should strongly consider a bear canister for your food/scented items. In certain parts of upstate NY, and I would assume around the country as well, bears have learned how to get bear bags out of trees.

Sure canisters are heavier and less convenient, but atleast your food will still be there the next morning.
 
When I go up into the mtns of Idaho, Utah, Montana, or Wyoming I carry my 6 inch Anaconda loaded with 300 grain solids or soft points. I know that if I need to use them they will do what is needed when needed. Be it a 4 legged or 2 legged prederator the Anacoda will do the job.

I personaly sing christmas carols or just like to make as much noise as possible so I don't happen to stumble on a bear. If it is a cat you are on the menu noise or not. :) .

Have fun up in the hills or mountains and just make sure someone knows the general area you have gone into and when you will be coming out.
 
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