What are your thoughts about taking a rifle or shotgun on a solo backpack or canoe trip through crown lands? Interested in hearing from everyone. I have brought and I have not (bear spray and bangers were with me, for the have not).
When my wife and I are hiking off the beaten path I carry my guide gun - more for my wife's peace of mind than any perceived need I have. With the wind at my back its doubtful a bear will stick around. When the wind is down or in my face I try to make enough noise to spook anything I can't see down the trail. I occasionally bellow out Bob and Doug Mckenzie's call of the north if I'm blind or seeing fresh sign.
When there are people around the marlin stays in my truck.
It would be nice if we could have something like a trail carry permit. It sure would be nice to have something like a big smith on my hip.
Even when I go to set up targets on crown land I bring my rifle with me for the walk, one time I got in between a mother bear and her two cubs, nothing ever came from it but I felt way safer.
What are your thoughts about taking a rifle or shotgun on a solo backpack or canoe trip through crown lands? Interested in hearing from everyone. I have brought and I have not (bear spray and bangers were with me, for the have not).
Bear spray works. Better than lead, from the statistics. I only ever bring a firearm if I am hunting. But mainly b/c they are heavy and the area I am hiking/etc. is pretty populated (Kananaskis area, etc.) and I don't need the trouble...