Thoughts about armed solo trips?

DakotaMiles · #1 07-14-2014, 11:04 PM

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).

Fredo · #2 07-14-2014, 11:06 PM

Bear bell, whistle, Mare's leg.

Edit:
Most important : DOG !!!

Ithaca Dog · #3 07-14-2014, 11:15 PM

I never go into the woods without a gun. Never expect to use it but always have it.

bigd · #4 07-15-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DakotaMiles

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).

Solo or not, I'm always packin'

bergman · #5 07-15-2014, 09:10 AM

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/ar...m#.U8VD5EWn24H

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...

wolf308 · #6 07-15-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ithaca Dog

I never go into the woods without a gun. Never expect to use it but always have it.

Yup.

colroggal · #7 07-15-2014, 05:33 PM

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.

Colin.

Kevlak · #8 07-15-2014, 05:54 PM

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.

Kevin

colroggal · #9 07-15-2014, 06:43 PM

Not to bash kevlak's skills, but in my own experience the only time I've had a close encounter is when I'm not paying attention. Its happened maybe three times - only once seriously. Same thing, nothing came of it but a change of shorts.

I was probably due anyway

Colin

Kevlak · #10 07-15-2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colroggal

Not to bash kevlak's skills, but in my own experience the only time I've had a close encounter is when I'm not paying attention. Its happened maybe three times - only once seriously. Same thing, nothing came of it but a change of shorts.

I was probably due anyway

Colin

The cubs came wandering out of the bush, then looked over the other shoulder coming over the hill there was the mama, If say over a hundred yds. I just turned around and walked away. It happens, I've come across them a few times target shooting.

Kevin

colroggal · #11 07-15-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevlak

The cubs came wandering out of the bush, then looked over the other shoulder coming over the hill there was the mama, If say over a hundred yds. I just turned around and walked away. It happens, I've come across them a few times target shooting.

Kevin

Yeah, I was woolgathering. But mama was a bit closer. If something had happened it would have been my fault. .

They sure are cute when they're still too little to maul you though.

Colin

1shotwade · #12 07-15-2014, 07:45 PM

Its not the bears I worry about anymore! Had a nice size cougar follow me down the pembina south of wolf lake last week. Wind was on my back watched her follow my trail almost a quarter mile then I got up wind and let her know I was there!. Kinda hard to scout when your being watched!

Forest Techer · #13 07-15-2014, 10:26 PM

There has been a problem cougar in that wolf lake area for a few years now.

DakotaMiles · #14 07-16-2014, 12:12 AM

Good to know info like that. I do a lot of solo fishing and Wolf Lake area is on my summer list this year. A few years ago, my dad and I were fishing the culvert on Wolf creek and got attacked by wasps! We were very happy the van was close by.

.257Weatherby · #15 07-20-2014, 12:43 PM

Otherwise one may end up on the list like this guy...

http://news.ca.msn.com/local/calgary...ar-lake-louise

Anyone heard anymore on this particular report?
Tight Groups,
Rob

saskaman · #16 07-20-2014, 01:35 PM

just carry a back pack with your 10/22 takedown and if you happen to get in trouble 10 fast acting pills of 22lr can be put wherever there needed. and nobody will know your carrying

Steadyhigh · #17 07-20-2014, 01:45 PM

I always carry a gun while in the back country. If it was up to me I'd have one everywhere I go.

Flieguy · #18 07-20-2014, 07:11 PM

Read an alaskan study where bear spray was quite a bit more effective than guns....

that said, my 870 tactical brings a LOT more peace of mind than a little can.

carry both if you've got a canoe

3" slugs all the way, even 00 buck won't do enough damage to a big bear. F&W found that they simply bury themselves in the fat layer of a bear, and rarely penetrate to the vitals

dgreen · #19 07-21-2014, 12:12 PM

I usually just carry bear spray and make noise. Unless I'm actually planning on shooting something I don't really feel it's necessary.

SportHuntingHelp · #20 07-21-2014, 12:16 PM

More than one nasty cougar around Wolf Lake area. When I camp out that way I have a rifle with me. I have never needed it while camping but I always have it.

Hunter1602 · #21 07-21-2014, 01:34 PM

I always bring one when going out to crown land, ya never know if your going to come back to zombieland.. then what's that bear spray going to do?? Huh? Jk better to have it and not need it then to not have it and be **** outta luck.

Flatlandliver · #22 07-21-2014, 01:40 PM

There was a episode on one of the "shooting shows" a few years ago where they simulated a bear charge by rolling a big ball down a hill and had the guy shoot at it with a handgun. These were experienced shooters who knew it was a ball not a bear! That ball didnt have too many holes in it by the end of the day!

357xp · #23 07-21-2014, 01:49 PM

30-30 usually comes along with me regardless what season.

wasteland.soldier · #24 07-21-2014, 01:50 PM

I take my 12 gauge backpacker scouting, since I'm creeping along not making much noise. But two cans of bear spray are always on my chest if I'm in the bush, and they're my first line of defence. The shotgun is in case the spray fails to perform. To be honest a single shot break action with a 12 inch barrel wouldn't be my first choice for engaging grizz, but other guns are heavier.

openfire · #25 07-21-2014, 01:59 PM

I come from the other side of the outdoor world (mountaineering, ice climbing ect..)
Never even heard of anyone carrying a gun into the back country until I came on this forum, and we are talking about people that spend months in the back country every year.

It doesn't hurt to have it. It is just extra weight if you ask me though.
You can survive well enough with a knife if you get stuck somewhere.

SportHuntingHelp · #26 07-21-2014, 02:26 PM

I should mention that I bring my rifle along to target shoot while camping, I have bear spray with me and my dog. I sleep great in the bush and have never had an issue. With dog, bear spray and gun along I have some options if needed. I hope I never have to find out though.

wasteland.soldier · #27 07-21-2014, 02:34 PM

I'm surprised to see so many people considering dogs as bear defence. I always thought of it as a liability. Dog goes bounding off and finds a bear. ****es bear off. Dog comes run in back to you, bear in tow. Is that not how it would go down? Maybe I've just never had a dog trained well for the bush though.

Flatlandliver · #28 07-21-2014, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasteland.soldier

I'm surprised to see so many people considering dogs as bear defence. I always thought of it as a liability. Dog goes bounding off and finds a bear. ****es bear off. Dog comes run in back to you, bear in tow. Is that not how it would go down? Maybe I've just never had a dog trained well for the bush though.

Dog will know there is a bear in the area before you do.
Bears dont like dogs.

wasteland.soldier · #29 07-21-2014, 02:47 PM

Right but once the dog knows, isn't it going to rocket after it? And won't the bear chase it back?

Okotokian · #30 07-21-2014, 02:48 PM

Having a gun if you are camping out alone seems wise. Personally, I've never carried a gun in the wilderness except while hunting or target practice because I don't want to pack the weight. Bear spray is lighter, and I'm more confident I can hit a charging bear with a plume of spray than a bullet into the vitals.