What do you take on the trail for protection?

[BirdShooter]

I can’t see that the Swiss army knife offers much in the way of protection, so I guess I have to rely on some common sense.

[Tree Top Flyer]

30 % of the gear I carry on the trail has got to be a knife. I grew up too close to the area in which “Deliverance” was filmed, plus, I’m related to half of them. So, I strap a knife to just about every available sq inch I can. Squeal like a pig my…a**

[Guests]

A really BIG stick!

[TreeFrog]

I can honestly say that in my 20+ years of hiking and backpacking, I have never really been “afraid” and felt like I needed protection (ie. a gun). I’ve been with people who have carried them on our overnight trips, but am generally more frightened that they might accidentally shot one of us than of anything I have ever encountered in the wilderness.

[Guests]

Nothing. Honestly, as much as I’ve hiked and camped overnight in the backcountry – I’ve never had an issue. Charlotte (where I live) is 10x more dangerous in my opinion. All I run into in the wilderness are tired or thirsty hikers.

[Guests]

i hike a lot in Angeles National Forest, and have encountered Cholos (i.e. gang-bangers) on a few hikes. I mostly hike alone. I rarely (1 in 50) take a gun. Mostly because I don’t want to frighten other hikers. I do at times feel unsafe. It is true though, once you get far enough out, the idiots get lazy and thin out. As far as comments of “idiots” with guns, both of my parents were Detroit police officers. I learned how to shoot at an early age. I practice regularly.I do not hunt or kill anything but own about a dozen guns. I have NEVER pulled my firrearm on anyone. I have walked into some tense situations but, was smart enough not to escalate the situation by pulling a gun. some people are not that smart. Obviously, their behaviour has colored the opinions of some people. Don’t worry I won’t shoot you for calling me an Idiot.

[Guests]

I don’t know why so many outdoors type people are so frightened by guns or don’t want others to carry any in. I always carry a pistol with me when I go backpacking. I don’t display it though. You never know what’s going to happen. Granted, odds are you’ll more likely have trouble on the way to the trailhead than in the woods but, It’s no big deal for me to have one anyway. I’ve seen some funny goins’ on at some trailheads though, that made me glad I had one with me. The trailheads are where you are the most likely to have use of a gun.

[brad]

i carry an “airweight” 38 special. it is very small and lightweight with alot of knockdown power. i dont go anywhere without it. Thank goodness i’ve never had to use it.

[Guests]

Here’s the argument for packing heat on the trail. If these guys had a gun they probably would have taken this idiot out v’s the prison system letting him out in the first place:

Convicted murderer shoots hikers on Appalachian Trail

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20080508/4823cc40_3ca6_1552620080509-1503159410

[TreeFrog]

Looks like this attack took place just south of Perisburg not far from Dismal Creek Falls. Unfortunately his release from prison was mandatory:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.4113433/k.5D64/Pearisburg_Trail_Closure.htm

[Oshow]

I do carry a pistol on every hike, for probably 25 years now. I have only had to use it once, but I would probably not be posting here if I had not been carrying. I know it sometimes makes others hikers nervous, but bad things happen to nice people.

[Author]

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