Why do you carry a pistol when you are out in the woods?

Why do you carry a pistol when you are out in the woods?

  • Predator – Bear

    Votes: 75 24.4%

  • Predator – Human

    Votes: 206 66.9%

  • Predator - Other

    Votes: 129 41.9%

  • I use it to Hunt

    Votes: 51 16.6%

  • I use it as a “finishing” tool when I hunt

    Votes: 36 11.7%

  • Plinking

    Votes: 69 22.4%
  • Total voters
    308
  • Poll closed .
I have "almost" zero worries about protection while in the woods. Not that my gun(s) wouldn't be used for that if the need arises but hunting and plinkin are why I carry. Voted "finishing" but in reality I often find roving bands of mutant pop cans that need put down (and then packed out) while hiking and canoeing. I've hunted with handguns but if I have a centerfire rifle anything more than a small pistol (.22 or .32) is dead weight IMO. If I'm hunting with a .22 rifle handguns stay at home as I am already carrying a "finisher".

LK
 
Pretty much all the listed reasons,I spend a great deal of time in the woods and for the most part have never had to shoot my way out of a bad situation.
But the main reason is I get up in the mornning pull on my pants ,clip my pocket knife in my pocket,put on my watch and slip my pistol into my waist band and start my day,just like every other day.Ive made it to 56 and If I stay on my toes mabe Ill make 76,could happen.
 
I used to only worry about human predators but now we have large cats moving into Indiana. There have not been any reported attacks on humans but I don't want to be the first statistic.
 
you never know when your gunna stumble upon someone doing something they dont want anyone else knowin about! im more scared of a meth head thats startled than any wild animal!!
 
Ever Since......

My sister and a girlfriend were canoeing on a river in the NC mountains years ago. While stopped for lunch on a rock, they spotted a man (straight outta' Deliverance) on the opposite river bank staring at them. Long and short of it, as he began to wade across the waist high water toward them with his pistol above his head, by fortune, some kayakers appeared around the bend. My sister shouted "OH THERE YOU ARE! HERE WE ARE!". The guy turned and retreated. Too bad I wasn't in the Kayak with my 357 or maybe I should thank God I wasn't. I will never go into the woods without a pistol. Ever.
 
For furry creatures that reside higher on the food chain. .44 Mag particularly useful when your muzzle loader becomes a .50 caliber club!
 
A favorite handgun is a comforting companion on outings--whether it be a target .22 or a 1911 .45. For 48 years, I've not ventured in the woods without some type of firearm. Today, I fear meth heads, imbeciles, and other incompetents that walk the Earth at our expense and occasionally sully our wooded areas. I live along the I-35 corridor that is the nation's main drug pipeline between Mexico and distant points north, and thus this location is a source for a few extra derelicts who have few good intentions.
 
i will be honest i am a little insecure
i always carry in the woods just for the simple fact that some logs are mighty offensive and so is a strangers marijuana patch my freind and i stumbled into a huge a patch back home turkey hunting on public land about 3 weeks later we saw in the paper that the cops found about 500,000$$$$ worth on public land at a trailer and on the land owners property all about 10 miles from what we found
it could have been some one else but it seems some what non coincidental to me
i dont trust the world with my kids my wife or my dog i have come to the conclusion that although it is illegal some people need to learn a hard fast lesson when they p off the wrong people i believe in a pecking order as well as justice
but non the less i obey the laws while im not in my home or on my own land
i believe it is an obligation to the amendments to exercise our rights and respect those that exercise them properly
 
In my area there are hikers, campers, and hunters attacked by Grizzly every year. This year a camper was dragged from her sleeping bag killed and partly eaten by a hungry sow and her cubs. Year before last, six hunters were attacked by bears that beat them to their kill. One of these was the Deputy Director of the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Fisheries. Only one of these attacks was fatal though. This being due to the presence of other hunters.

I camp in the Beartooths and Absarokee wilderness, and I carry a Mini-14 for bunnies and a Stainless Superblackhawk, 44mag. I have a load that I like, 300gr Sierra JSP at 1200fps, that should hurt. I really hope that I never have to shoot a Grizzly, because you absolutely have to show self defense,and are assumed guilty, until you prove yourself innocent. On a happier note, there is discussion of opening a Grizzly season here, controversial, but I would love a Grizzly hide in a blanket mount.
 
In my area we have black bears, coyotes, and rumored big cats. We also have 2-legged preditors too. I consider the 2-legged ones the most dangerous.
 
You really need an "all of the above" option, as all of these are reasons why I carry. I may be in the woods but not hunting, however if the meat locker is nearing empty and I happen across a target of opportunity then I would be happy to harvest it :D. That's the number one reason. Also for SD against the various predators, human probably being very low on that list of likely ones. I have also been known to do a little spur of the moment plinking on occasion, as well.
 
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