Riding while armed?

[Bryan]

I used to hunt gunmen when I was in the Marine Corps. 0317.

Seriously, one time a group of us were riding and ran into some very hostile bunny huggers. If one of us had been armed, those very unkind folks would I'm sure found a way to be far less hostile.

I do hate how indignant those folks are. As if we have no right to ride because it is a multi use trail. We even stop and shut off our bikes to let them pass.

Grrrrrrrrr.

And they were probably hiking on trails that the motorcyclists built.

 

[bowhunter007]

I want a flamethrower...

 

[Clay]

I ride in very remote singletrack mountains of Eastern Wa. State. We have lots of bear, cougars and timber rattlers. I presently carry a light weight 38 +P, 5 shot hammerless revolver. When I'm on my 20 acre remote property, I carry a Glock subcompact .45. When I used to live up there I carried a .357 mag. with the first two chambered with snake shot. I'm seriously considering carrying a .44 mag. with the same loads since we ride in snake country and the .44 is better for bear. I run into black bear quite often and see cougar sign alot.
I've been a woodsman my whole life and deeply respect all animals and nature. I just like to be prepared.

Bigfoot? Carry a 44 mag!
I have a S&W 44 mag Airlite. I think the frame is scandium or some such light super metal. The thing is a real handful with full 44 mag loads but a lot of fun with 44 Specials. It 's very easy to carry all day.

 

[flybars]

I'll look into that one. A smaller lighter package for riding. It won't be a joy to shoot with mag loads, but U won't feel it if U ever have to use it. And I I'll have gloves on.

 

[GMP]

Ever shoot a Ruger Blackhawk single action .44 Mag? Can't be any worse than one of those with full loads. Lighter yes but the tiny grip on the Ruger is nasty after a box of rounds.

 

[johnnyo]

I have often wondered about this question. I am very pro-gun and a proud owner of many weapons and an NRA member but (as Clay stated) in this part of the country we mostly ride in areas that are either club owned or friends property. If not that, we are racing somewhere so I have never had a reason to carry on the trail.

I have often wondered about you guys that ride in areas where you may not be the top of the food chain. I know around here you can come up on deer and stuff pretty quickly but for the most part, they are off in a hurry.

My question is, do the "predatory" animals usually take off like that? I would hate to think of coming across a mad momma bear or something without any kind of firepower.

 

[GMP]

Johnny,

I'm in the rocky northwest corner of NJ. Black bears are an everyday experience, both on the trail and in my yard, sometimes in my garage! I have way more bear encounters than deer, because the terrain is perfect for them(rock caves, etc.) Almost always they will run, either from my pits barking or from a bike on the trail. If a momma has cubs, she will tree them and stand her ground, but thats only if they are off the mountain and in the neighborhood, in the woods there is no reason not to move on.

Now, the guys out west and north where there are brown and/or Grizzly bears have a lot more concern!

 

[Clay]

I guess out west you would always want to go riding with someone who is slower than you? You don't have to out run the bear, you just have to out run your buddy!

 

[Bryan]

I guess out west you would always want to go riding with someone who is slower than you? You don't have to out run the bear, you just have to out run your buddy!

Yep. I have seen more cougars (4 legged kind) than I remember when I was growing up. I think it has a lot to do with outlawing hunting them with dogs in Oregon and Washington. Same issue with bears.

The popluations of them seem to be growing rapidly as a result. Something has got to give to keep the popluations in check or the sightings will continue to occur more often in more popluated areas.

 

[GMP]

I guess out west you would always want to go riding with someone who is slower than you? You don't have to out run the bear, you just have to out run your buddy!

Thats exactly what we used to say about sharks when diving!

There have been some big cat sightings around here recently, and in PA. That gets a bit more serious as they are stalking predators. Probably smaller though like bobcats. I'm not a hunter(not anti-hunting either), and generally would rather not see a crowd of trigger happy city boys on the mountain overlooking my neighborhood looking for a bear rug, but if cats become common I'd be out there.

We do have some cougars, some very nice ones!

 

[Neil E.]

Ever shoot a Ruger Blackhawk single action .44 Mag?

Try a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Even though it's a large frame, the rubber grip assembly on it really cushions well. It's a very good carry gun if you want to go with a .44 cal.

 

[GMP]

What exactly can you guys in Canada own? Years ago I went on a fly in fishing trip to northern Quebec. It was also a bear hunting camp, so I wanted to bring a weapon. Handguns were out. So was a .30 carbine as it was too short. Only long guns and then a special permit and bear license, big $$. Ended up just carrying a machete around when outside the cabin at night.

Handgun, and gun sales in general here are way up. Everyone figures once Obama is done screwing up the big stuff he will start on the other stuff. Get it while you can I guess. Maybe not a bad idea. I should get a new larger cal automatic, sold my 1911 awhile ago. A guy I know got one of those Sega 12 semi-auto shotguns, 12 ga built on an AK frame. That is major fun!

 

[Neil E.]

In Canada we're pretty much screwed. The only legal carrying that's possible is a long gun and you need the appropriate hunting permits. That makes a short barrelled 12ga with slugs the best choice (eg. deer or bear). For hunting larger game, there are lots of rifle choices. There are many restrictions as to how weapons are transported, so there is no "carrying" like you are used to in the USA. There are Canadian competitive shooters with carry permits for various US states. They get across the border and suddenly sprout hardware.
Owning firearms is possible as long as you have the required permits. Some handguns are banned. All other handguns are restricted.

 

[desertgasser300]

In Canada we're pretty much screwed. The only legal carrying that's possible is a long gun and you need the appropriate hunting permits. That makes a short barrelled 12ga with slugs the best choice (eg. deer or bear). For hunting larger game, there are lots of rifle choices. There are many restrictions as to how weapons are transported, so there is no "carrying" like you are used to in the USA. There are Canadian competitive shooters with carry permits for various US states. They get across the border and suddenly sprout hardware.
Owning firearms is possible as long as you have the required permits. Some handguns are banned. All other handguns are restricted.

That would way suck. In AZ you don't even have to a have conceal permit any longer to conceal and carry. I still renew mine every 4 yrs. just in case I get stopped. I would hope it would give the impression I still care enough to keep educated. Plus, I can walk out of a gun store with any new firearm and no back ground check with my permit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RablPaIREkk&feature=player_embedded

 

[noobi]

Without starting a whole Us v them and a whole pro/anti gun thing. This is what its like where I'm from.

In NZ, you can't 'carry' firearms on you, and they are not easy to get in the first place, handguns are only obtainable as part of a pistol club. Most farms have shotguns or rifles, I have one, for trap shooting.
There's a few hurdles to jump through to get firearms, you have to pass competency tests and prove you know how to handle, store and care for guns, as well as have a place to securely store them.

As far as carrying while riding, its well and truly illegal on someone else's land, as most rides are pre organised on one or many peoples land, and almost never public land that anyone can use at any time. The chances of coming across something you weren't supposed to, especially that the ride organisers didn't find first, are slim to none.
There'a also virtually no wildlife big enough to hurt you, maybe a wild boar, but they don't stay around loud bikes very long.

I suppose if you were riding in places that you technically shouldn't be, then the chances of bumping into someone and their 'stash' increases, but I dare say even they aren't stupid enough to build something like that right next to a track of some description.

I guess its just the whole idea of having to carry firearms for protection while riding is very foreign to me, and is just second nature to you guys. Although if I was confronted by a bear I probably would want more than a stick for protection.

 

[GMP]

I could be wrong but a few years back you could open carry in AZ easily. I went there for business, and at night out at the restaurant a lot of people were packin'. No trouble either.

I can't "carry" here but I can transport my weapons. Unloaded, in case(with copy of permit), ammo in different compartment of vehicle.

The nice thing here in the US is we have the CHOICE. Ownership is legal in all states as long as your not a nut case with a record. The NJ laws suck but they suck for all activities.

 

[bowhunter007]

What exactly can you guys in Canada own? Years ago I went on a fly in fishing trip to northern Quebec. It was also a bear hunting camp, so I wanted to bring a weapon. Handguns were out. So was a .30 carbine as it was too short. Only long guns and then a special permit and bear license, big $$. Ended up just carrying a machete around when outside the cabin at night.

Handgun, and gun sales in general here are way up. Everyone figures once Obama is done screwing up the big stuff he will start on the other stuff. Get it while you can I guess. Maybe not a bad idea. I should get a new larger cal automatic, sold my 1911 awhile ago. A guy I know got one of those Sega 12 semi-auto shotguns, 12 ga built on an AK frame. That is major fun!

I knew an aircraft mechanic in Juneau, AK. He always said..."When dealing with Brown bears, make sure to file down the front sight, on your pistol. It won't hurt as bad, when a bear sticks it up your arse" Gus swore by Rem 870s full of slugs.

 

[GMP]

Very versatile, the 12 ga. Works on sharks, birds, and everything in between.

 

[bowhunter007]

Although if I was confronted by a bear I probably would want more than a stick for protection.

I've spent time in Brown Bear country, without a confrontation. I have had many incidents with Black bears. Statistically, you are more likely to be attacked or killed by a Black bear. Up to, and incuding a situation, this past Sept. I managed each close encounter without having to shoot a bear, in self-defence. It does help quell the tide of panic, in order to think clearly, while holding "enough" gun to stop a speeding truck

 

[Neil E.]

"enough" gun to stop a speeding truck

I always get a chuckle reading stuff like this. A Volkswagen beetle driving at 30 mph has more total energy than a rifle bullet. It's more likely that you stop a vehicle by getting lucky and hitting an important component.