The biggest threat in southern Wisconsin is the BADGER. Luckily this variety of varmint usually sports a red and white sweater (the non-bullet resistant type) and struts around on its hind legs, so it is very easy to spot and thus avoid.
What gun for hiking in SE Wisconsin?
- Thread starter TomJ
- Start date
- Status
Terry G
Member
In the North West of that area I carry a CZ P-09 and a TX22 both with one spare magazine. I have seen one Black Bear and twice Wolves that ran away like their tails were on fire. This is in almost twenty years of hiking. You can see lot's of interesting wildlife, but as a threat? No. I carry so much metal because I like to. I did run into some character's that I think were cooking Meth in a cave, but never saw them again. That Wolves are some kind of threat to Humans is pretty far fetched but I keep my Dog close by. Enjoy yourself. Pack any sufficient man stopper. The thing is most two legged thugs are not keen on hiking and probably figure your packing and are not some easy target.
Howland937
Member
You failed to mention that their growl has been worse than their bite for a few years now, but they're probably still more dangerous than the wolverines in that other great lakes state. No firearms needed for protection. A passing game scares them away pretty easily.
JR24
Member
I have a couple wolverine pelts that used to hang on my wall, they amuse me.
Armored farmer
Member
Sometimes when I go "hiking", I also intend to do a little shooting too. If you're like me, there's nothing more FUN....than a cap n ball revolver.
RETG
Member
Last I read, there were NO wolverines left in any great lakes' states, other than those who live in Ann Arbor and go to UM. Possibly unconfirmed sighting in MI once in a while.
https://mnmammals.d.umn.edu/wolverine
Believe only wolverines left in the lower 48 are in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California and maybe Colorado.
https://mnmammals.d.umn.edu/wolverine
Believe only wolverines left in the lower 48 are in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California and maybe Colorado.
JR24
Member
Probably a good thing, we got one (I think) on a fox snare up in AK and it looked like a wood chipper hit the alders all around the circumference of the snare. A perfect circle of absolute destruction, no animal and no snare.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
That said!
It is really easy to stop those Bears in Illinois all you need to do is put up a Goal Post and End Zone. They will never cross it!!!
Go Packers. As far as a carry gun in much of the midwest and south. I still feel that the Judge and Governor have some value. 410 shot shells for snakes and 45 Colt for 2 legged critters.
Speedo66
Member
Or maybe a cheese driven cholesterol problem...
WisBorn
Contributing Member
The only problem I ever had with to much cheese wasn't cholesterol
JR24
Member
Most flatlanders I see (who run up north every chance they seem to get, and are a real hazard on the interstate
) ain't exactly paragons of healthy living in the cholesterol department either
WisBorn
Contributing Member
OK GUYS back on track.
While living in Wisconsin for 50 years & Illinois for 5 years I never felt I needed a carry gun for anything thing past personal protection from humans. I like a walking stick for snakes it is also a good tool for protecting oneself.
I had close encounters with bears & wolves but once they realized that I was there they took off.
While living in Wisconsin for 50 years & Illinois for 5 years I never felt I needed a carry gun for anything thing past personal protection from humans. I like a walking stick for snakes it is also a good tool for protecting oneself.
I had close encounters with bears & wolves but once they realized that I was there they took off.
JR24
Member
Yeah, the bears I've seen up here are pretty skiddish unless you're camping and have left food out. I don't worry about them unless I'm hunting with dogs since sometimes that can be enough to set off a black, especially if there's a cub around.
Only ever saw one wolf, in Richland Co back in the 90's deer hunting. Scoped it for a half hour or so wandering in my valley before it ran off.
2 legged defense is fine.
wiscoaster
Member
Actually - ticks & mosquitoes - I wasn't kidding. Mosquitoes are the #1 cause worldwide of human fatalities due to predatory critter attack. Ticks maybe not so fatal, but sure to create a lifetime of misery. When hiking in the north woods protect yourself against both!!
WisBorn
Contributing Member
And don't forget an EpiPen as Bee/Wasp stings can be deadly. While working in Adams County I was stung by a black & orange ground wasp. It put me down and to the hospital. EpiPen and I was good.
Howland937
Member
Have one all the time for my son with food allergies. Only time we've deployed it was a year or so ago... neighbor in his 50's, been stung several times by wasps over the years without issue. Got stung by 3 in the head/neck area at the same time and was anaphylactic in less than 5 minutes.
I'm react badly to wasp stings, but not like that. Not yet anyway.
Agree that a good bug spray may be more critical than firearm for self preservation in the OP's case. As for firearm, just make sure it's comfy enough to carry on a hike. Caliber isn't probably significant.
wiscoaster
Member
... and if you've got a rifle that shoots like this ...
View attachment 992756
... you can probably carry that to protect you against the BUGS, too!!
(courtesy of my "keyhole queen" - the Ethiopian Carcano 7.35 mm M38)
View attachment 992756
... you can probably carry that to protect you against the BUGS, too!!
(courtesy of my "keyhole queen" - the Ethiopian Carcano 7.35 mm M38)
weregunner
Member
This area is not known for many dangers so a Taurus 990 or 991 gets the call.
OP
OP
TomJ
Contributing Member
I think that your 9mm Shield is a great option for hiking in that part of the country. Your biggest threat is going to be of the two legged variety.
Of course if you are looking for an excuse to buy a new carry gun we can help you there
My Shield would be ideal, but it's my primary carry gun and I'm going to be doing a lot of hiking. I'm going to use either Buffalo Bore or Underwood 147 grain +P hard cast ammo when hiking in the unlikely even I run into wildlife I need to protect myself from. I think it's a better option for that than HST's. I don't want to keep switching ammo due to bullet setback issues. I have a 43X with the 15 round Shield Arms magazines which will be a good option.
Thanks for that reminder. I forgot about that.
Terry G
Member
Be advised, no Mosquito's yet, but Ticks are out in force.
weregunner
Member
Plenty of ticks out but no tocks.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
If you are looking for a little more energy a good choice would be a magnum revolver 357,41,44. Two other choices are 44 special and 45 colt. Loaded with hard cast bullets they will work on both four legged and two legged critters.
Good reason to buy an additional handgun
OP
OP
TomJ
Contributing Member
If you are looking for a little more energy a good choice would be a magnum revolver 357,41,44. Two other choices are 44 special and 45 colt. Loaded with hard cast bullets they will work on both four legged and two legged critters.
Good reason to buy an additional handgun
The bad news is that with the number of people fleeing Illinois and moving to SE Wisconsin I had to spend more money than anticipated for the house in WI and am selling my house for a little less than I thought. My gun budget is gone for a while. The good news is that I already own a Mountain Gun chambered in 45LC and a Model 60 in .357, so I'm set if I need those.
OP
OP
TomJ
Contributing Member
I think it's unlikely that I'll run into dangerous wildlife where I'll be hiking, but to be on the safe side I'd rather have hard cast ammo when hiking than the HST's I normally carry.
- Status
