Wild animal defense…NOT A WHAT GUN FOR BEARS THREAD!

[Armored farmer]

I bought this one-strap sling pack when I had shoulder problems.
It's a good day pack with a separate compartment for a velcro holster. My sr9c fits perfectly.

Not exactly fast-draw though.

 

[buck460XVR]

What really saved the three girls was being aware of what was going on around them. They saw the Lion BEFORE the situation turned bad. That has always been and always will be, the first line of defense, against wild animals, domesticated animals and human animals. Far too many folks walk thru life looking at the ground or not paying attention to their surroundings. Why so many folks get lost also. Having the proper tools(like bear spray/aggressive behavior) doesn't work if the bear(or lion in this case) is already chewing on your face.

 

[H&Hhunter]

What really saved the three girls was being aware of what was going on around them. They saw the Lion BEFORE the situation turned bad. That has always been and always will be, the first line of defense, against wild animals, domesticated animals and human animals. Far too many folks walk thru life looking at the ground or not paying attention to their surroundings. Why so many folks get lost also. Having the proper tools(like bear spray/aggressive behavior) doesn't work if the bear(or lion in this case) is already chewing on your face.

The first rule of self defense is to be aware of your surroundings which for the most part negates the need for any hands on self defense.

 

[Seedy Character]

Twice, I have been stalked by a bobcat. Both times, I seen them, before they located me and my rifle ended the situation, post haste.
I have seen mountain lion tracks, around my pond in the back pasture. I have lost 2 calves, in 3 years. S-i-L was riding 3-wheeler and saw a mountain lion, crouched under the cedar tree, on top of the dam. I do not go to the pasture without a firearm. Rattlesnakes are a real threat, though I have only seen 1 in 12 years. Our biggest threat, 1 believe, is dog packs.
3 times, I have encountered a pack of dogs. Running is definitely going to end badly. Standing your ground is probably not going to intimidate a pack of domestic dogs gone bad. Having a gun of any type is the only solution.
We were headed to our deer lease one summer, to clean up camp, let the kids ride 4-wheelers and just relax in the woods. As we got to camp, a buddy as leaving and warned us about a pack of wild dogs, 12-16 it had been reported, running in the area.
Our second night, I was awakened about 2am. My Labrador was barking, plus I could hear some other growling and snarling. The 3 kids were asleep in the cabin, Wif and I were in the Suburban ( with A/C ).
I look out and could see ( full moon ) my Lab, at the back of the Suburban in a defensive posture. A pack of dogs running in a circle around the truck, like Indians circling the wagons.
I had grabbed my 1911, when awakened. I opened the door and jumped out ( smart or NOT, I did ). I started shooting and hit 3 dogs. They scattered. I see a large white dog (reported as leader of the pack) running down a wide trail, where we 4-wheeled, with a black dog ( my Lab) giving chase. I take aim and call my Lab to heel. At which time, I get cold nosed.
Instant mag dump! Here I stand, middle of camp, in my tighty-whiteys, thinking I am watching my dog chase a wild dog and my dog has my back.
So happy cell phone cameras didn't exist. Wif still laughs about it. Kids slept through it all.

The dogs were never seen on our lease again. They were reported being a couple miles away and 1 or 2 getting shot every so often.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Twice, I have been stalked by a bobcat. Both times, I seen them, before they located me and my rifle ended the situation, post haste.
I have seen mountain lion tracks, around my pond in the back pasture. I have lost 2 calves, in 3 years. S-i-L was riding 3-wheeler and saw a mountain lion, crouched under the cedar tree, on top of the dam. I do not go to the pasture without a firearm. Rattlesnakes are a real threat, though I have only seen 1 in 12 years. Our biggest threat, 1 believe, is dog packs.
3 times, I have encountered a pack of dogs. Running is definitely going to end badly. Standing your ground is probably not going to intimidate a pack of domestic dogs gone bad. Having a gun of any type is the only solution.
We were headed to our deer lease one summer, to clean up camp, let the kids ride 4-wheelers and just relax in the woods. As we got to camp, a buddy as leaving and warned us about a pack of wild dogs, 12-16 it had been reported, running in the area.
Our second night, I was awakened about 2am. My Labrador was barking, plus I could hear some other growling and snarling. The 3 kids were asleep in the cabin, Wif and I were in the Suburban ( with A/C ).
I look out and could see ( full moon ) my Lab, at the back of the Suburban in a defensive posture. A pack of dogs running in a circle around the truck, like Indians circling the wagons.
I had grabbed my 1911, when awakened. I opened the door and jumped out ( smart or NOT, I did ). I started shooting and hit 3 dogs. They scattered. I see a large white dog (reported as leader of the pack) running down a wide trail, where we 4-wheeled, with a black dog ( my Lab) giving chase. I take aim and call my Lab to heel. At which time, I get cold nosed.
Instant mag dump! Here I stand, middle of camp, in my tighty-whiteys, thinking I am watching my dog chase a wild dog and my dog has my back.
So happy cell phone cameras didn't exist. Wif still laughs about it. Kids slept through it all.

The dogs were never seen on our lease again. They were reported being a couple miles away and 1 or 2 getting shot every so often.

What part of the country are you in?

 

[Space Ghost]

I liked that the video covered being mentally prepared, but it didn't mention having good situational awareness while out in the field. This is always a #1 concern for survival in ANY location, even, say, downtown in a busy high crime area. I got a kick when the narrator asks what if I don't have time to draw my pistol? (wondering if bear spray is a better option) Then proceeds to show bear spray... also strapped onto a vest, and needing to be drawn to be used effectively. When the guy at the end tries to spray his (still on the vest) he fails with the remote controlled bear.

Personally, I'd want both, but If I was very concerned about being in bear country, I'd probably be hiking around with one, or the other out, and in my hand, or I'd go for the pistol, since I'm quicker with that. The speed these animals can be upon you is surprising.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I liked that the video covered being mentally prepared, but it didn't mention having good situational awareness while out in the field. This is always a #1 concern for survival in ANY location, even, say, downtown in a busy high crime area. I got a kick when the narrator asks what if I don't have time to draw my pistol? (wondering if bear spray is a better option) Then proceeds to show bear spray... also strapped onto a vest, and needing to be drawn to be used effectively. When the guy at the end tries to spray his (still on the vest) he fails with the remote controlled bear.

Personally, I'd want both, but If I was very concerned about being in bear country, I'd probably be hiking around with one, or the other out, and in my hand, or I'd go for the pistol, since I'm quicker with that. The speed these animals can be upon you is surprising.

It’s completely impractical to be hand carrying a pistol or bear spray all day long while you are hiking, glassing, hunting or just being in the back country. I know it sounds like a good idea but it simply wouldn’t work out for very long.

 

[WrongHanded]

It’s completely impractical to be hand carrying a pistol or bear spray all day long while you are hiking, glassing, hunting or just being in the back country. I know it sounds like a good idea but it simply wouldn’t work out for very long.

Yeah, I've found that to be true also. Even though when I carry a rifle, I often do so with it in my hands, I always use the sling at some point during the day.

Though I think there's some merit to discussing how spray or a pistol is carried. I didn't like the horizontal pouch the spray was in, with the retention strap. It's just one more thing. And horizontal chest carry just isn't for me either. Too much of an inward bend of the wrist to draw smoothly.

 

[Seedy Character]

What part of the country are you in?

SW Oklahoma

Most around here, GW included, sear there are no cougars in the area.

I am only 2 miles from Red River, lots of deer, hogs and thick cover. Several people have seen the big cats and captured them on game cams, too. A big, solid black cat has been seen multiple times, for the past 4 years.

 

[H&Hhunter]

SW Oklahoma

Most around here, GW included, sear there are no cougars in the area.

I am only 2 miles from Red River, lots of deer, hogs and thick cover. Several people have seen the big cats and captured them on game cams, too. A big, solid black cat has been seen multiple times, for the past 4 years.

A black one? If you can get some pictures it would be the first black Mt Lion ever recorded in history.

 

[Seedy Character]

Claim is it is a Mexican panther
IDK, but is around 175# they say

 

[H&Hhunter]

Claim is it is a Mexican panther
IDK, but is around 175# they say

Mexican panther? As in a Jaguar?

A Mt Lion is the same species whether it’s in Canada, USA, Mexico or South America and there’s never been a black coated one documented. It is a common myth however, right up there with big foots and chupacabras. Clay Newcomb just did a pod cast on the myth of the “black panther” in America. People swear up and down that they see black panthers all the time. The fact of the matter is there has never been a documented black Mt Lion.

As far as Mt Lions in SW Oklahoma goes I can guarantee you they are there. They are in Texas just south of you and I’ve seen one in the flesh down around Quanah/Paducah.

 

[Zerodefect]

It’s completely impractical to be hand carrying a pistol or bear spray all day long while you are hiking, glassing, hunting or just being in the back country. I know it sounds like a good idea but it simply wouldn’t work out for very long.

Double redundancy for my flashlights seemed too impractical to carry around on my cave diving rig. Until my light failed 432 feet under water.

My Gregory Palisade hiking backpack has a canister of bear spray on the left shoulder strap. Held on by a slice of motorcycle inner tube, exactly like a flashlight on a DIR scuba rig.

It's even easier on my Gossamer Gear ultralight pack. They have/had a little elastic strap in the same place specifically for that.

The Glock 23 is in a discrete looking holster on the right waist belt.

 

[Roverguy]

The three young ladies did rather well. Perhaps their knowledge of animal behavior as Vets in training stood them in good stead, but keeping their heads is to be congratulated.

I walk and hunt a great deal in the Rockies and was, for example, just this past weekend up in the Red Feather Lakes, northwest of Ft Collins. I saw mulies, elk, and some coyotes. Nothing of concern per se, but a few campsites that I steered well clear of. Black bear are a very minor concern, and then only during the weeks between waking from hibernation and food coming in, when mothers are hungry, as are their cubs. Mountain Lions are more of a concern. There have been numerous accounts of aggressive behavior. That famous video of the fellow running backwards with a mountain lion chasing him comes to mind and another fellow was attacked by and killed a juvenile in the Ft Collins area last year. They have been quite aggressive on livestock along the front range in recent years. Of course, humans remain my biggest concern when out and about in the wild.

Bear spray may or may not work. Firearms certainly will not work 100% of the time, but studies have shown that a large majority of bear encounters in which a firearm was discharged resulted in the possessor surviving the encounter. For other predatory animals, results should be similar. Each person should make their own assessment and decision on whether bear spray or firearms represent the insurance they wish to rely on.

I do not rely on bear spray.

 

[FL-NC]

The only land animals in NW Fl that are LIKELY to harm me are of the reptile/arachnid/insect variety. Yes, we have hogs, coyotes, and bears- in my experience, they are more afraid of me than I am of them. But if a bear or hog or yote REALLY wants a chance at the title, I carry a Glock 23.

 

[H&Hhunter]

[QUOTE="Zerodefect, post: 12062434, member: 9400]Until my light failed 432 feet under water.[/QUOTE]

That gives me anxiety just to read the words!

 

[Seedy Character]

[QUOTE="Zerodefect, post: 12062434, member: 9400]Until my light failed 432 feet under water.

That gives me anxiety just to read the words![/QUOTE]


If I am that far down, somebody has put cement boots on me. A flashlight ain't gonna help.

 

[Seedy Character]

Mexican panther? As in a Jaguar?

A Mt Lion is the same species whether it’s in Canada, USA, Mexico or South America and there’s never been a black coated one documented. It is a common myth however, right up there with big foots and chupacabras. Clay Newcomb just did a pod cast on the myth of the “black panther” in America. People swear up and down that they see black panthers all the time. The fact of the matter is there has never been a documented black Mt Lion.

As far as Mt Lions in SW Oklahoma goes I can guarantee you they are there. They are in a Texas just south of you and I’ve seen one in the flesh down around Quanah/Paducah.

Those claiming seeing the "black" cat are "run across the highway, in front of my truck" or somebody making fun of the person sho encountered a cougar.

The "argument" has gone on for years
I know cougars are in the area. The black panther, I seriously doubt, but one could have escaped captivity. After all, we have a nut job that keeps tigers.

Maybe I should be carrying a Howdah, in the woods?

 

[H&Hhunter]

Those claiming seeing the "black" cat are "run across the highway, in front of my truck" or somebody making fun of the person sho encountered a cougar.

The "argument" has gone on for years
I know cougars are in the area. The black panther, I seriously doubt, but one could have escaped captivity. After all, we have a nut job that keeps tigers.

Maybe I should be carrying a Howdah, in the woods?

Howdah is a good idea. Maybe you could market the Joe Exotic Howdah!

 

[Seedy Character]

Howdah is a good idea. Maybe you could market the Joe Exotic Howdah!

Not interested in anything with that Jackass name on it.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Not interested in anything with that Jackass name on it.

Sorry for the bad joke, when I heard tigers and Oklahoma the remnant portion of my juvenile brain instantly kicked in.

In any case I have seriously enjoyed our members thoughts on situational awareness, preparedness and carry option.

One of my concerns in regards to this event is that it prevents these people and their class mates from enjoying the outdoors in the future. I’d hate to see that happen.

 

[Zerodefect]

Florida has/had black panthers IIRC. Endangered species.



I saw one at night in devils garden. Could not confirm if mountain lion or panther.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Florida has/had black panthers IIRC. Endangered species.

View attachment 1027167

I saw one at night in devils garden. Could not confirm if mountain lion or panther.

A “black panther” is the melanistic version of a leopard or a Jaguar. I’ll say it again there has never been a documented case of a melanistic “black” Mt Lion.

Jaguars have not been native to Florida since prehistoric times. Leopards do not exist in the Americas. They are an Asian/African species. So no Florida has not had “black panthers” living there since before recorded history.

 

[WrongHanded]

One of my concerns in regards to this event is that it prevents these people and their class mates from enjoying the outdoors in the future. I’d hate to see that happen.

I agree. I would hope that rather than dissuade them from outdoor activities, it would simply caution them to pay closer attention to the natural world around them. There's a great deal of potential exploration in that area, perhaps this event will actually encourage them to do so. They are in vet school after all, so they must have an interest in animals.

To be perfectly honest, I've been considering going up there again, before dawn. I've yet to see a Mountain Lion in the wild, and I'm kinda jealous.

 

[Seedy Character]

Sorry for the bad joke, when I heard tigers and Oklahoma the remnant portion of my juvenile brain instantly kicked in.

In any case I have seriously enjoyed our members thoughts on situational awareness, preparedness and carry option.

One of my concerns in regards to this event is that it prevents these people and their class mates from enjoying the outdoors in the future. I’d hate to see that happen.

No apology needed.

I WAS referring to said Jackass about the tigers. I had no interest in that show, that Jackass in his pathetic goobanatorial bid or approve of privately kept dangerous animals. Especially one of the top of top tier predators in the world.
I believe in to each his own. Don't tell me what I can't have or do and I wont mess with you. But, why anyone would want to have any exotic, especially a dangerous one, is insane. Having an iguana is one thing, having a tiger, python, cobra or rhino makes no sense. The Everglades is full of those exotics that got released.