ORIGINAL: bigcountry
Yea, know what you mean, those 2 legged preds is what I worry about too. I packed a pistol in all contenitial 48 states back when I traveled in a van for a living. All I can say was I was lucky. I had a friend, fellow Kentuckian, go thru the tolls in NJ, and it didn't take his money so he kept going. Well he got pulled over and one thing led to another and they found that pistol in his MCI van and he was locked up for a few days, had to get a lawyer and a big ole mess.
So here in MD, I worry more about johnnylaw getting bent by my pistol then getting mauled.
Remember there was only 17 incidents in 30 years with blackbears from Fl to Maine until recently. So you have more of a chance of getting snake bit.
Vermont has no restrictions on open or concealed carry, so I'm not too worried about the law hassling me. Although the suburban tourists will probably be freaked out.
I've had a few close encounters with bears but most of them were running the other way. I rounded a bend in a trail once and nearly stepped on a young black bear. It had probably just been run off by its mother and wasn't quite world weary yet. Still, it gave me a start.
Bears aren't my #1 reason for carrying, but I do want whatever gun I have to be up to that task. Why not, right?
Mostly it's because I just feel better when out in the woods alone with a gun. Coyotes and porcupines had better watch out, though.