Assume You're Not Confronting a Bear, Mountian Lion, Wolf, or Other N. American Predator ... ?..HG ?

[Aikibiker]

Most likely threats in my area are snakes, alligators, feral dogs, and people.

The snakes and gators are easy to avoid with even a little common sense. So it is the dogs and people that concern me most.

A 9mm 124 gr gold dot will do just fine for either, but since I will most likely be with my family on the rare occasions when I go into the woods, I want as many rounds in the gun as I can get. Mainly because if I can't take out the threat in the first two seconds of the gunfight, I want the ability to keep their heads down while my wife and child retreat to safety. If I can break contact fine and good, but my family's survival is my primary goal.

So my woods gun is a Glock 19 with a spare magazine or two, same as I carry in the city.

 

[herrwalther]

When I carry it isn't always for two legged predators. There are many times walking my dogs where some of the wild dogs in my area thought it would be a good idea to act aggressive towards mine or myself. Normally a few stern words or a flashlight shined at them (when dark) will get them scampering while I hold my dogs back on a leash. Other times when they felt "braver" I have pointed my carry weapon at them. Against dogs, my usual 40 or 9 carry will work just fine ballisticlly, assuming I hit them.

If the predator threat is anything bigger I would want one of my rifles, a shotgun, or 357 if I had to use a handgun.

 

[Milt1]

I just wish I had a piece of land (large) that I could go to and if I had to discharge my weapon against some of the "critters" that many of the responders have mentioned that it wouldn't raise any alarms from people living nearby.

 

[huntsman]

I like a revolver in the woods and a semi-auto in town, doesn't have anything to do with what I "might" encounter. Both .45 and .40 are capable to cover both situations but even a minimalist likes choices

 

[scaatylobo]

Woods guns are most often a wheel gun,in .357,.45LC,.44mag.

Otherwise its likely to be a Glock 23 in .40 S&W.

And the S&W.40 often see's duty when I am rifle hunting.

 

[Danoobie]

My woods pistol is a .44 Mag wheel gun. How much ratshot I load for snakes depends upon
the amount of rainfall we have had, lately.

 

[FL-NC]

The most likely predator is human. 9mm Glock with factory hollow points.

 

[RPZ]

Any reliable 9mm pistol or .357 revolver.

 

[WrongHanded]

People with violent intent do seem the most likely predator, especially given the list you've excluded.

However, I've walked up on a black bear in the dark whilst walking my dog by the river, in town. Also a raccoon family chasing a skunk towards me. But mostly it's transients down that way. We've got elk that seem to wander around in the colder months too, including males in the rut on the odd occasion. Plus there's always untrained and aggressive loose dogs to consider. Fortunately there aren't many of those.

I usually carry a 3" .357 these days. If hiking, I'll take an extra inch, or 3, of barrel length with a larger grip. Rarely do I feel the need for more, but hiking and camping in Grand Teton NP was certainly one of those times.

 

[RPRNY]

Two legged predators are the most likely and generally a very low level threat. Whatever firearm represents the best compromise between portability and accuracy is your best bet. If you believe a shootout with Mexican cartels is likely, you may want one of those plastic 9mm things with 30 round magazines shooting those tiny little bullets. Otherwise, something in one of the 45 or 44 caliber rounds, or if the weight matters, a plastic pistol in .40 makes good sense.

 

[Armored farmer]

Double post

 

[Armored farmer]

I think all of us with more than one gun (or if we are needing an excuse to buy something new) have played the Bear Game. It doesn't just have to be bears, of course. However we tend to load up to face some sort of calculated threat. It's not foolish at all. It's still very very unlikely. Let me be the first to admit that I am just as guilty as anyone of doing it

If I am hiking an unknown part of our little patch of dirt known as the Midwest, a 3" GP100 in .357 is my go-to. Packs well, shoots well, durable, powerful, etc.

If I am to do some impromptu sight seeing on a nature trail while on vacation, I'm perfectly fine with a 9mm single stack or even my pocket. 380. Gravel lined tracks don't require that I load for bear...when the nearest bear is 100 miles away

The only animal encounter that has ever startled me enough to start to go for my gun was when we stumbled upon a hungry coyote nipping at the heels of a doe while walking along the lake at my stepdad's cabin in the fall.

The deer shot past us and I could hear something coming after it, I thought we had spooked them bedding down for the day. The coyote came busting after it.

It alarmed me enough that I stepped in front of my 5 year old daughter and started to pull my micro .380 from my waistband. It wasn't needed...

My mother, ever the nature lover and standing an impressive 4'10 and 85lbs simple belted out, "Heyyy! Don't eat my deer!!" The coyote sort of stopped in his tracks, looked at us, and bolted 180. I think we sometimes project our own human malicious tenancy onto nature. Generally, nothing out there in nature that will specifically "get" us for getting us sake. Most critters don't want to mess with the smelly, noisy, crazy apes that bumble through the brush.

I don't hike off the grid. I don't have the time for it and my daughter is a bit young for something like that. The worst thing I'll run into is a creep. Regardless of what he may be on, if I feel OK packing a .380 in the city then the same bullets will behave the same way out in the boonies. Mama Nature and I get along just fine. I respect her and keep my eyes open. It's our lowest common denominator of humans that I'm not so sure of.

Well said.

 

[herrwalther]

Two legged predators are the most likely and generally a very low level threat. Whatever firearm represents the best compromise between portability and accuracy is your best bet. If you believe a shootout with Mexican cartels is likely, you may want one of those plastic 9mm things with 30 round magazines shooting those tiny little bullets. Otherwise, something in one of the 45 or 44 caliber rounds, or if the weight matters, a plastic pistol in .40 makes good sense.

If a shootout with a cartel is likely and unavoidable I am going to bring an AR. Ideally with a vest lined with ballistic plates and webbing for more magazines.

 

[WYO]

I agree with Sunray. Carry whatever you carry against bad guys and learn to be really good with it. This is especially true if you eliminate the critters listed in the thread title. People tend to obsess about hardware when they really should be focusing on mindset and practical capability with the firearm against a closing target that is shorter than you.

As for me, I don't switch guns just because I go to the woods. I don't even switch calibers if the woods have things in the thread title (no grizz in mine). In that event I will switch magazines from one loaded with Speer 9mm 124 grain Gold Dots to one loaded with Buffalo Bore 147 grain +P hard cast flat point.

 

[jmr40]

Regardless of where I am 2 legged predators are the most likely. But many places where I hike, camp and travel have large concentrations of black bear. And over the last 10-12 years there have been multiple incidents, injuries and 2 people killed by bear in areas that I frequently go. If I'm in an area where bear are a possibility my G29 loaded with DoubleTap 200 gr hardcast ammo is carried. A spare magazine with lighter weight HP ammo is there too. Usually a 15 round G20 mag.

I feel this is the best dual purpose option out there. I still have 15 rounds of ammo in a lightweight, compact semi-auto for the more likely problem with human threats. Yet with the heavier loads I'm doing better than heavy 357 mag loads and not as far behind 44 mag as a lot of people think.

If there is no possibility of bear one of the compact 9mm's is my choice, I'm really liking the Ruger LC9s. They are even smaller and more compact. And potent enough for anything else that would be a threat.

I don't concern myself with snakes. Venomous snakes in or near the house aren't tolerated. But all others are, and even venomous snakes get a pass in wild places. If I have time to see a snake, get out a gun, aim and shoot, I have time to step around it. It is the ones you don't see that get you and it is too late to kill it then.

 

[RPZ]

I just wish I had a piece of land (large) that I could go to and if I had to discharge my weapon against some of the "critters" that many of the responders have mentioned that it wouldn't raise any alarms from people living nearby.

Yes, I envy people that just have a piece of land somewhere that can shoot on period without the costs and downsides of shooting ranges.

But in regards to shooting critters; shoot a bear or other dangerous animal out of season, no hunting license etc in self defense and you may wind up having to hire an attorney as well.

 

[RPZ]

Just a specific in regards to black bear and defense. Every hunting writer and journal contributer I have read over the last 45 or so years have seemed to have been of the opinion that a wounded black bear will nearly always run. In other words, in regards to self defense - not actually hunting them - within reason what you shoot them with is not that critical.

Never shot one myself; the only time I have ever encountered one I was unarmed anyway.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The most dangerous thing around here is the common soccer mom, armed with a two-ton SUV and carrying a latté in one hand and a phone in the other. The best defense against them is a very loud horn!

OK, we do have coyotes, but pretty much any centerfire pistol will do for them. So far no close encounters though.

 

[Alte Schule]

Live in a fairly rural area by a large creek and about 100 + acres of woods.. Lot's of four legged critters around. Lots of deer. Coyotes I hear sparking off all the time but are only occasionally seen. Bobcats also seen occasionally but like 'yotes they keep in the shadows. Possum, raccoons and armadillos abound but unfortunately usually seen as roadkill. Copperheads and the occasional moccasin are fairly prevalent. If their trying to get away I usually let them go. If they want to curl up and get ornery a shovel or hoe will usually take care of that but I have used my old faithful Glenfield .22 rifle on more than one occasion. Rat and king snakes get a free pass.
Feral hogs and meth head thieves are my main concerns. Pigs can do some serious property damage. One of my revolvers in 38 +P and up are always close at hand. Lately my go to non CC pistols have been my Model 28 S&W .357 and Ruger Security Six .357.

 

[Rexster]

1. Feral dogs, and methalopes. (Methalopes are bipedal creatures that resemble slender humans, normally found in rural areas.) Snakes are rarely actually dangerous, and a stick is normally all that is needed to keep things peaceful.

2. In no specific order: 1911, .357 Magnum revolver, 9mm G19/G17. In some environments, a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan would be a candidate. On duty, it is likely to be Glocks, if I cannot reach my Benelli M2. (If I smell trouble, I get out of the patrol vehicle with the shotgun.) During personal time, in urban areas, the Glocks and 1911 are the most likely to be most available, with the revolvers being more likely in some rural environments.

 

[Leanwolf]

Feral dogs and meth heads.

Same here, but I'd add the occasional rabid raccoon, fox, or coyote. Colt's Lightweight Commander .45 ACP in a good holster is mighty easy packing ... and is quite sufficient for any threat I might encounter out in the boonies.

L.W.

 

[JeffG]

My urban carry is the G43 Glock (9mm) or G23 Glock(40). When I'm in the woods I like my 44 Vaquero, sometimes both, 'cause I just don't get to wear them. I see bears and coyotes, but for the most part they keep their distance. Coons get stupid once in a while, and I'll pretty much always avoid shooting a skunk. Unexpected, unannounced or unknown people in the woods are more likely to raise the hair on my neck.

 

[RPRNY]

But in regards to shooting critters; shoot a bear or other dangerous animal out of season, no hunting license etc in self defense and you may wind up having to hire an attorney as well.

Not if you're carrying a 'wonder nine'. The critter may require digestive and legal assistance, but you will have been sorted...

 

[Brian Williams]

I had the 65 built for woods walking

 

[Meplat 308]

2 legged varmints out in the woods concern me most.
I put my trust in John Browning's 1911 and nine rounds of Federal HST 230 gr