CC'inng While Hiking

[roscoe]

"you pack your fears in your gear" .

That is a great line. And I agree - some folks are not happy without a 10mm and two reloads going to the laundromat. Despite knowledge of the statistics, it can be tough to make an objective assessment about what you might face, especially if the consequences of being wrong are grave. That being said, I always have some sort of firearm hidden on me in the woods (if in the USA), and it is always bigger with more ammo if my gene pool is along with me.

 

[brewer12345]

I open carry if I am in places where I do not expect to see anyone. Not that I much care what idiots think, but if lots of people are around discretion also means you are not advertising to miscreants that you are armed. When I choose to carry concealed, I use an older REI fanny pack. I stuff my carry piece in a minimalist holster and put it in the fanny pack (worn around front) and nobody has any idea. My fanny pack is relatively large, so it is pretty easy to stuff in anything you would like to bring.

 

[lefteyedom]

I too am a AT hiker "Flip-flop" 2011/12. I carried a Kel-tec P3at in the hip belt pocket of my backpack.

Open Carry on the AT is asking for more problems than it is worth. Too many people, too many jurisdiction.

My hiker trash buddies and buddettes carried mostly Glocks, 26, 19, 23, and one soul who carried his grandpa's Model 10. None of us opened carried.

The truth about long distance hikers is that we spend hundreds of dollars to save pounds and Thousands of dollars to save grams.

With that in mind, carrying weight of a pistol "or a Rambo knife" is a decision between a days worth of food, a warmer sleepbag or better rain gear.

It is true we pack for our fears.

Snoring Sarge

 

[Warp]

As pro-gun as I am, I don't care for open carry in general. I don't think it does the gun community any favors in any context. Here in Georgia, businesses that didn't have a problem started banning carry when open carry pushed people's limits.

What businesses? I am unaware of this.

But then I have, many times, open carried without incident at locations (multiple recurring times included) where the internet says you can't open carry because they'll tell you to leave lol. IME, lots of people without experience parrot incorrect-ness

I'm also an Appalachian Trail thruhiker(NOBO '13), and I admit when I see someone open carrying in the woods, I usually assume they are inexperienced or a yahoo. Plenty of my fellow hiker trash classmates when on to hike the PCT, CDT or both without ever carrying a weapon, me included. Many of them were former military so it wasn't that they were antigun either. That isn't to say there aren't times and circumstances that warrant it, but I think their frequency is overestimated, and a lot of the time I think that fire is fueled by people who haven't really gotten out there much

There are other people out there, too.

 

[Sour Kraut]

There's the Safepacker line of "discreet" holsters:

http://www.thewilderness.com/safepacker-concealment-holster/

They ain't cheap, but they are pretty versatile. At 1:14 on the video, they show you how it can be attached to just about any type of belt.

Another Safepacker fan.....

 

[ROCK6]

Another HPG Kit Bag fan...

I’ve tried several methods, including the Safepacker, but the best method for me is HPG’s Kit Bag. We do a lot of hiking and currently knocking out sections of the AT and usually doing 50-150 miles at time. This is “concealed carry”, but I’ve just found it the best way to carry with a pack without interfering with the pack’s belt and suspension yet still easily accessible.

I've just run the Kit Bag under my pack as a stand-alone. Even hiking in the 100+humidity/heat index of the SE, it's not bad; you're going to be sweating all over anyways! Just know that anything like this will trap heat and you will sweat, I’ve just found the Kit Bag the right sized platform that only covers a small portion of my chest.

This is by far the best CCW platform I've used for hiking/backpacking (and mountain biking and kayaking); I've done some technical hiking and longer distance stuff (nothing more than 100-150 miles) and it integrates well with a pack, doesn’t get in the way with hiking poles yet still allows fast access.

Although this is best used for concealed carry, it's actually just a solid platform that protects your pistol with fast access. I would add that you can also wade through river crossings above your waist without getting the Kit Bag or your pistol wet. I've also swam with the Kit Bag just to test it out...it's not waterproof, but doesn't bother you much if you use a side stroke.













http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/ROCK-á

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ROCK6

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

ROCK6, thanks for the pictures that's a pretty nice piece of kit that's pretty low key for backpacking. I usually use a fanny pack (5.11) up in front where it rides over the front of the hip belt. I'm not a big fanny pack guy for normal carry, other than working out, as it screams gun but in the woods it blends in. It can be a pain though and depending on the pack. That looks like the perfect compromise to keep it up out of the way while not screaming tactical or gun and bothering the poor liberals.

 

[ROCK6]

ROCK6, thanks for the pictures that's a pretty nice piece of kit that's pretty low key for backpacking. I usually use a fanny pack (5.11) up in front where it rides over the front of the hip belt. I'm not a big fanny pack guy for normal carry, other than working out, as it screams gun but in the woods it blends in. It can be a pain though and depending on the pack. That looks like the perfect compromise to keep it up out of the way while not screaming tactical or gun and bothering the poor liberals.

Yeah, I've tried the fanny pack, and it works but I just don't like much around my waist when backpacking (other than the pack's waist belt). I did like the same option of dropping the pack and still have my pistol which helps if you take a detour into town for a resupply or break.

I'm from Washington state originally and have hiked all over the PNW (Olympics, Cascades/PCT), but the AT hosts a wide variety of hikers. My wife and I never sleep in the shelters, but they do become a sort of social hub for hikers and I've never had more than a cursory glance at my Kit Bag and when asked, the middle pouch holds some snacks and my map...most think it's a pretty neat design, not knowing it houses my handgun.

It helps that some pack designs now have larger pouches to the front to help balance pack loads, so the Kit Bag gets the same assumption. As I've said, it's not for everyone, but I've found it works quite well for me and integrates well with all my backpacks.

ROCK6

 

[Mainsail]

Am I the only one who sees something dangerously wrong about this picture?

 

[toivo]

Am I the only one who sees something dangerously wrong about this picture?

Do you mean the fact the he's sweeping his own arm? That could be resolved by timing your movements: open the bag, drop your left arm, draw the pistol.

 

[Mainsail]

Do you mean the fact the he's sweeping his own arm? That could be resolved by timing your movements: open the bag, drop your left arm, draw the pistol.

Seriously? In a panic you're going to remember all that? Some chucklehead shoots his leg by improperly using a Serpa holster during a speed-draw, and the gun community blames (and shuns) the holster. Yeah, it definitely looks tactical, but since I'm not, I'll pass.

 

[Warp]

Seriously? In a panic you're going to remember all that? Some chucklehead shoots his leg by improperly using a Serpa holster during a speed-draw, and the gun community blames (and shuns) the holster. Yeah, it definitely looks tactical, but since I'm not, I'll pass.

Name me a belt holster that doesn't point at your own leg or foot while drawing and presenting.

The bad rep of the Serpa holster has nothing to do with where the gun points as it is drawn...that is no different than every other belt holster out there. The thing with the Serpa holster is pushing in with your trigger finger during the draw.

There is zero basis to compare that draw to people blaming the Serpa holster for negligent discharges.

 

[buck460XVR]

I'm also an Appalachian Trail thruhiker(NOBO '13), and I admit when I see someone open carrying in the woods, I usually assume they are inexperienced or a yahoo, and a lot of the time I think that fire is fueled by people who haven't really gotten out there much.

You sound just like the type of person the OP is trying to please by concealing his trail gun and just the type of person I could care less if I offend. The trails/woods nowadays are full of the New-World come of age "outdoors" people. Folks with their Eddie Bauer sunglasses and water bottles. They are wearing their florescent yellow toe-sandles, and have bird call aps on their cell phones so they can identify "forest sounds". At night, they have the "night sky" ap so they have help finding the North Star. That is when they have time to view 'em between the Facebook and Snapchatting. Again, these types of folks are scared of their shadow, much less a old man with a beard and a gun, who knows the birds sounds in the woods by heart and has found his way thru the woods many times at night with only the stars to guide him. They are not only intimated by the gun on his side, but by the air of confidence he holds and the look of contempt he has towards them. While I believe it is within everyone's right to use the outdoors, I sometimes think some folks have watched "Deliverance" one too many times. Again, don't bother me one bit to offend these folks. I will help them if they ever need it and I will respect their right to be there, but I ain't there to make them happy. You claim and I quote...." when I see someone open carrying in the woods, I usually assume they are inexperienced or a yahoo." Apparently you never been in the woods during a hunting season? You've only hiked in the recent years when CWC was legal everywhere? I carry a hunting type handgun almost year round in the woods because of some season or the other that is on. Same with many other folks around here. Believe me, they are not inexperienced or Yahoos. If anyone here is inexperienced it is you. Up till a little over 4 years ago, it was not legal to CWC in my state. So, any firearm taken hiking with you for SD either had to be unloaded and in a case, or carried openly. Again, not inexperience or Yahoos. Because of this, many of us still feel perfectly fine OCing in the woods at anytime.....and folks around here don't take a second glance. Well except for the Eddie Bauer, new age types. Just cause folks have been in the Military don't make them gun folks. I have several good friends that fought in VietNam that are not gun folks. One of them earned the Silver Star. Don't see the validity of young ex-military types automatically being great judges of gun toting character. Must be the inexperience or the not getting out much, eh?

FYI....when I see someone hiking with a pair of ski poles, I could think "Yahoo"/"inexperienced" too. Used to be, when the terrain got steep or slippery, you just cut a supple sapling to your length and moved on. You also could use it for a center pole with your tarp when you set up camp. But I don't. I respect the right of folks to use what they want and how they want as long as they are legal, safe and being responsible to the habitat. I don't look down on folks because they do things different. Don't know why some folks feel that need.

 

[yugorpk]

I dont care one bit about the other hikers. Usually a bunch of poorly equipped sandal wearing dufus's in this area. The bears I don't worry about either. They'll run like the dickens if they see you. Its the mountain lions I carry a gun for. Ive been stalked , or more appropriately, my youngest child was stalked by a cougar and it took a shot into a nearby tree to scare him off. What the other hikers think about me open carrying I could care less about.

 

[ROCK6]

Am I the only one who sees something dangerously wrong about this picture?

Yes and no...just a technique that reinforces finger off trigger as with any other engagement until you're on target. If you keep with elbow up for the off hand or you sweep all the way down to your side, you avoid any "sweeping" of the muzzle. This concealment method as with any other does have associated risks, you mitigate the risk through training. I've done timed drills and live fire exercise engagements. I'll stand by the fact that this system has been perfectly safe if you train and practice your part.

ROCK6

 

[Wishoot]

I respect the right of folks to use what they want and how they want as long as they are legal, safe and being responsible to the habitat. I don't look down on folks because they do things different. Don't know why some folks feel that need.

Well said. I know plenty of older hikers that did things as old-school as possible for a long time. Over the years, they've adapted newer, modern equipment because it works well for them. Poles, Boots, Guns....

The guys carrying guns don't carry for protection against 4-legged critters either. They aren't scared of their own shadow and they don't give the furry crack of a rats behind what others think of them.

 

[Tenncvol]

A number of years ago a tragic bear attack occurred in the Cherokee National Forest. On a trail from a popular camping area to a waterfall a black bear attacked a small boy. People shouted, threw rocks, and the boy's mother bravely fought the bear receiving severe injuries. The bear carried away the body which was found after the Rangers arrived hours later. This was a trail Cub Scouts, youth groups, etc. frequently use and there had never been any reason for concern. I say carry something in the woods - bear spray or a firearm suitable to use on a large predator. On that day no one would have minded if you open carried.

 

[Wishoot]

A number of years ago a tragic bear attack occurred in the Cherokee National Forest. On a trail from a popular camping area to a waterfall a black bear attacked a small boy. People shouted, threw rocks, and the boy's mother bravely fought the bear receiving severe injuries. The bear carried away the body which was found after the Rangers arrived hours later. This was a trail Cub Scouts, youth groups, etc. frequently use and there had never been any reason for concern. I say carry something in the woods - bear spray or a firearm suitable to use on a large predator. On that day no one would have minded if you open carried.

We hike this very same park. It's really quite beautiful.

While we've only been hiking it for a few years, we have yet to encounter any wildlife other than birds or squirrels. I know the bears are lurking in the woods somewhere.

 

[toivo]

A number of years ago a tragic bear attack occurred in the Cherokee National Forest. On a trail from a popular camping area to a waterfall a black bear attacked a small boy. People shouted, threw rocks, and the boy's mother bravely fought the bear receiving severe injuries. The bear carried away the body which was found after the Rangers arrived hours later. This was a trail Cub Scouts, youth groups, etc. frequently use and there had never been any reason for concern. I say carry something in the woods - bear spray or a firearm suitable to use on a large predator. On that day no one would have minded if you open carried.

Yes. Black bears can be dangerous too. We had an incident at a summer camp around here 10+ years ago in which a black bear took an infant out of a stroller and carried her off. The bear was shot and killed by the responding officer, but the child was already dead. An armed person on the scene might have been able to save that child's life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/20/n...tches-infant-from-stroller-and-kills-her.html

 

[balin]

It is amusing to see how many posts are criticizing or busy trying to justify their own way of doing things. And all the post was about was how have you fellow gunners found that you like to carry concealed on trails.

 

[ROCK6]

It is amusing to see how many posts are criticizing or busy trying to justify their own way of doing things. And all the post was about was how have you fellow gunners found that you like to carry concealed on trails.

Well, the OP was looking for different methods of carrying on the trail with a preference towards CCW. I do agree, the debate between open carry and concealed carry often takes over the discussion...I prefer to stick with the old adage of "hike your own hike".

ROCK6

 

[Leanwolf]

Speaking of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts out in the woods, when I was a Boy Scout (Eagle Badge, 1952) we had a Scoutmaster who took us on many camps in the Ozark Mountains where I grew up. There were always a couple of .22 rifles or a .410 shotgun in camp. In season, cottontails and tree squirrels were fair for fare.

The Scoutmaster always had a Colt's Govt. Mdl. 1911 .45 ACP with him which he carried in a U.S. Army regulation leather flap holster on his belt. Sometimes where it was safe, he'd let some of us boys shoot it. Great fun! He had been a paratrooper with the 101st Div., Airborne, and had jumped at Normandy and in Holland. Fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a very good shot with that .45 ACP.

There were only a few Black bears in that part of the Ozarks then and no mountain lions. There were bobcats and some rabid foxes at times, but there were feral hogs and feral dog packs. Never hurt to "Be Prepared," as the Boy Scouts say.

Of course, back in those long ago days, no one ever gave a second glance at people out in the forests and hills who were carrying a gun.

When I'm out in the mountains here in Idaho, I carry openly in either a strong side holster or a shoulder holster. No one ever gives me a second glance here, either. Sometimes, however, depending on weather, my long tailed shirt hangs over the belt holster, or covers the shoulder holster. Then, I suppose, one could say I'm carrying concealed. I don't worry about it.

L.W.

 

[redbone]

Safe packer here too.

 

[22-rimfire]

I was hiking with extended family in CO and came across people open carrying. They had some very mean things to say about anyone with the audacity to carry a firearm in their presence, even out in the wild. The next few days were filled with rude commentary on how big it must make someone feel to frighten everyone else on the trail. There was no mention of of the dangers we all faced on the trail, or the legality of open carry, or even if it was a sound idea, but a lot of talk about small penises and racist politics.

Just because they won't say it to your face doesn't mean they didn't see your gun.

I would have to say, that would be the last time I hiked with them. We would just have to do something else if I had to spend time with them.

 

[dragon813gt]

For those that presented options I thank you. I'm having a hard time finding the correct open carry rig to use in conjunction w/ a child carrier. If you haven't used one the belts are large and entirely padded. The shoulder straps have a lot of wide padding as well. This makes it very hard to find something that works. I will be searching out all the options presented.

And I'm guessing most people posting aren't hunters. Seems that many are "freaked out" by firearms even though they own them. If it's legal and you are comfortable carrying that way than by all means do it. I could not care less if I "offend" someone. I've been stalked by cats while hunting. Terrifying feeling even w/ a rifle at the ready. I've been in a tree stand and had a black bear run up a tree next to mine in about half a second. Yet another terrifying feeling even though I had a big enough gun w/ me.

Wild animals are unpredictable and you should plan accordingly. In all honestly if you are in grizzly territory you should have a rifle w/ you. If you hike w/ dogs you owe it them to protect them as well. I believe the saying is "that's it better to have it and not need it". If I "offend" someone than oh well. I will be able to protect my loved ones and myself.