two fifty [b]Mountain Ninja[/b] post said:
I live in the Rocky Mountains, with black bears, grizzlies, and cougar in abundance. None of the locals hike or backpack with firearms. Some carry bear spray, some carry a black powder pyrotechnic device called a bear banger. The latter is the deterrent of choice, imo, and it weighs maybe 4oz with 3 rounds.
When folk talk of adding +2lbs of gun and ammo to their load for a backpack trip, or claiming to have a 25lb pack for a multi-day backpack trip (tent included), what I see in my mind's eye is an otherwise street-wise City Slicker whose become a Mountain Ninja. Fear of being out of one's comfort zone will do that I guess.
Before you head off down the trail consider how ridiculous you will look to the locals. The practical alternative is found at
http://www.bearsmart.com/backcountry...eterrents.html
I grew up in "The Great North Woods", where bears are more frequent than trash on the highway. I spent much of my childhood learning to stay comfortable, not just alive in the woods, often for days or weeks on end. So I understand "the locals" view on things like this. I 'grew up', to use the term loosely, and moved to The Big City and directly into the biggest slums in the 5 state area, as well as the domain of the "Timber Ninja" (no mountains here...
).... the fancy 'outdoor' shops (pssst.... it's cheaper
everywhere else), the friends who claim to 'pack light' and show up with 60lbs of gear, including two first aid kits (day kit and base kit...lol) and full surgical kit... so I know them now pretty well too... lol.... I love them both and I treasure my time in the woods with anyone from the redneck to the yuppie, so long as they respect the world around them....
I
never once carried for protection from anything in the woods when I was young. The only times I carried was because I was looking for food (or, in my very younger years, just blasting things). I encountered more bear in close (close enough) situations than I could possibly recall in this long winded post. I have successfully hunted for Black Bears, including a large trophy bear hanging on the wall behind me as I type.
I have never been threatened by anything in the woods, man or beast. But I am not naive enough, anymore, to believe it can't happen, and shouldn't be prepared for in some way. And the ways you suggest are
very valid, and indeed, more than many would trouble with.
I too may have been one of those 'locals' who couldn't understand the logic of the 'city slickers' who came up every weekend (if it is nice out... lol), if not for my other experiences as well.
My other experiences, albeit since moving to the corner of some sort of spontaneous informal penal colony, have proven beyond reasonable doubt that a person needs to protect themselves, cause no one is going to do it for you.
That being understood, and a LOT of trial and error, has proven to me that a firearm is the most logical way to accomplish a formidable protection against
whatever happens to be an aggressive problem in the woods.
I think your post was meant to be informative, but it is clearly condescending.... a trait I have seen from 'locals' more often than I have seen bears....
... if you choose not to have a real defense in the woods, that is all fine and well, but some people, myself included have made very well calculated reasoning behind why we feel differently (some of us may even look at you as being pretty naive just because you haven't experienced what we have, that justifies to us why we need to stay protected)
All of this aside, I would agree with nearly every word you said, just not the way you said it..... but I still carry in the woods... always.... and to this end I will try to help the OP in the way I best can, with my experience....
LONE GUNMAN---- GO LIGHT!!! I'm not sure why you want to use the .44 Mag. but that is a heavy gun..... if it is because it is the only gun you have available, and you don't think a lighter alternative (such as suggested two fifty) would suffice, by all means, figure it out and make it work.... but I would suggest lighter.... and I would guess you know why.....
I have tried most everything from the AR7 (.22 break apart floating ultralight rifle) to the AR-15 (heavy durable high power rifle) to the .357 Mag to the high capacity 9mm to what I have currently settled on...
.38 spec. snub nosed stainless steel/alloy revolver carried OC with in kydex paddle holster (go .357 if you feel underpowered).... heres why.... IT'S LIGHT (just like your first aid kit should be!).... it will scare away anything that threatens you that has any sense in it, without hurting anything (just seeing it does it for feral rednecks, the loud bang for bears and other creatures)... it is secure but accessible (kydex holster can be worn on pack belt, or pants belt as needed... and the gun 'clicks' in).... It's cheap!!! (don't have to worry about wrecking an heirloom)... It functions even if wet or grimy (not prone to many failures)..... it's available!! (carrying OC on your hip means you can get to it quickly with all your gear on... as noted, it isn't likely you will have time to drop your pack, or even open a zipper, maybe not even fumble with a flap)..... it can be hidden/concealed easily if needed (a simple shirt pulled over does the trick to all but the discerning eye)... and, in a worst case scenario, if all of that fails by some freak chance, well, it chucks hot lead that is sure to chase off all but the most ardent and insanely suicidal of attacks (a well placed shot or two should do the trick, and a .44 has little over the .38 if the shot is lousy)
Good luck, and most important, have fun!!!!
