What would you do?
 

Say you are going on a 15 day Archery Wilderness Bowhunt with only your wife, 14 year old son, and yourself in the mountains and will be backpacking 6-10 miles back in. Would you pack a handgun on either or both of the adults or go without the handguns and risk running into some freaks, meth heads, or other creeps that may be armed with firearms. What if the law states that you can't carry a gun while bowhunting? Do you carry it anyway? I have been in this situation and carried anyway. I feel that it is my right to protect my family and it is a choice if caught I will deal with. I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Let me know your views.

RE: What would you do?
 

My first reaction was to say bring plenty of birth control, but then I saw your son was coming along. I would pack heat. Less to deal with freaks but more for the creatures.

RE: What would you do?
 

I normally have a .44 mag somewhere on my person while hunting.

Washington State says no firearms allowed during archery season.

RE: What would you do?
 

In the situation you describe I am carrying a firearm. I am also carrying extra ammo for it ;). When hunting I would keep it in my pack and not on my person. When not hunting, the situation would dictate where it was.

RE: What would you do?
 

I carry one cause of bears and cougars here but its legal.

RE: What would you do?
 

Maybe you've already already considered it, but I personally would be more concerned with the fact that I am responsible for my family on a higher level:
Sat phone, GPS, first aid kit, survival gear, backing up your hunt plan with someone on the outside, and any other scenario you could possibly imagine should be considered and planned for. Play out any and all "Bad things" that could happen out there and how will you deal with them.

A gun is probably somewhere in the mid to lower area on my priority list but no doubt it would be in there somewhere. I have a carry permit and it is an option for me........make sure carrying is legal where you are and while doing what you are doing. Some states have laws against carrying guns while bowhunting.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful and "uneventful" trip but don't overlook the other things that will help ensure that it stays that way.

RE: What would you do?
 

I'm packin'

RE: What would you do?
 

Don:

Here's a good scenario of you and I seeing eye to eye.

I will NOT let a few lines on a sheet of paper stand between me protectingmy family (or not protecting them...at any cost and by WHATEVER means I deem appropriate). I'll tellanyone, right now....

I'd be packin.

RE: What would you do?
 

I seriously would have some protection - drugs are becoming very prevalent nowdays and wilderness areas are some prime locations to find some unfriendly peeps/ not to mention the critters and Matt had some great suggestions as well

RE: What would you do?
 

I'd pack and do the things Matt suggested too.

RE: What would you do?
 

In MN it is not legle to have a firearm in stand with a bow and arrow, but on that note you can sure as hell have one in the tent!

RE: What would you do?
 

What would I do?


I would carry my pistol and protect my family .....

RE: What would you do?
 

rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6...

RE: What would you do?
 

Nice I like that one.

RE: What would you do?
 

I think it would depend on the state and the area. Out west with big bears and cats I'd probably violate the law and stow something on my person. You don't have to have it strapped in the open and probably will never pull it out. Especially I would think since you'll be carrying food that tends to attract critters. That far back you probably won't have to worry about druggies etc as they won't and can't walk that far.LOL If you have a permit to carry in most states you're good to go. In NY without a permit you'll do time in the big house...it's automatic. All that said, you have to be ready and able to do the time if you do the crime. If it's not legal to carry it with you and you do... you're breaking the law.

RE: What would you do?
 

I personally wouldn't put my family in a situation that I thought would require me to carry a weapon illegally. Just my opinion though. If you feel this outing is dangerous enough to carry a concealed pistol maybe it just isn't worth the risk to begin with.

It would be nice if you new the penalty for the crime. If it's a misdemeanor than I guess it really isn't a big deal. If it's a felony or considering poaching then I would seriously rethink it. Not worth loosing my hunting rights, or the right to own a fire arm. And getting arrested in front of my family wouldn't be a real high point in my life either.

That being said I used to carry illegally all the time when I lived in southern California. I used to go to downtown LA and Compton a lot though. And it was around the time of the Rodney King riots.

Paul

RE: What would you do?
 

Don you're a big boy. You know about actions and the consequences of those actions. You have to weigh your priorities. My priority without question would be my family's safety. I would discreetly carry. Well, being a convicted felon, (part of my misspent youth), I wouldn't carry but I would make sure my wife did!

RE: What would you do?
 

Screw that law. Whos to tell me if or how to protect my family. I don't see a problem unless a bullet makes it way to the deer instead of that arrow.

I wouldn't worry about it until I getting caught. I don't carry b/c I don't have a pistol yet but you better believe I would if in your shoes.

Donnie

RE: What would you do?
 

If I actually thought I had to worry about some freeks, meth heads, or other creeps while out hunting I wouldn't go. I cherish my hunting rights and wouldn't riskthem just to carry a handgun.

As for bears and other animals, I would rather have a can of bear spray on me than a handgun.

RE: What would you do?
 

Better to ask forgiveness than permission. Both adults should be packing.

RE: What would you do?
 

Your replies are appreciated. I think that the whole picture changes when you bring your wife/woman into the wilderness. If I was going with a guy/guys than I would not probably feel the need to carry a sidearm. Thanks again for posting your views.[/align]

RE: What would you do?
 

Just remember what they said in hunters education- SAFETY FIRST:D

RE: What would you do?
 

Where are all these meth heads at?

Like _danI would just not go. If you are packing I bet they are packing[&:]

RE: What would you do?
 

I like that. You are right. One has to do what one was taught.:D
Like a guy stated on AT. One does not lose his 2nd amendment right due to him having a bow in his hand.

RE: What would you do?
 

In Michigan if you have a CCW you can carry. I don't really regard laws like that and I open carry right on my thigh anyway. I will worry about choices and consequences when the time comes. Until then I can draw with very minimal time and protect myself if necessary.

Tom

RE: What would you do?
 

no doubt in my mind I would carry, probably have the wife carry somethin small in a backpack too.

I carry alot cause i get all kinds of screwballs on my property, thankfully Ive never had to use one, but sure was glad to have it at times.

Like the time I accidently snuck up on a bear [:-] Im too sneaky for my own good sometimes!

RE: What would you do?
 

packin heat, always

RE: What would you do?
 

A guy on AT just informed me that in CO you can openly carry while bowhunting. This was my reply,"My wife and I do carry openly while in CO elk hunting as it wouldn't do you much good in a pack. We just assumed it was illegal, but were afraid to ask as we planned on carrying anyway, didn't want to draw attention to ourselves with the question, and couldn't find it in the regs. I just called Durango DNR where we hunt nearby and they confirmed what you stated. Worrying about legal carrying over nothing. Thanks again."

RE: What would you do?
 

Well Don.....it would seem you would in NC. The LEGAL right to bear arms, anyway (during bow season).

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Sounds like we need attnys to challenge the DNR with these laws.

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At the end of day, Family comes first so I say take it.

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This guy said it VERY well IMO. However, I'd put a piece on the "higher" end of my priorities and I'd be carryin for sure. Like others have said, if not for the idiots...for the critters out there.

Another guy said it well too...a few lines on paper won't keep me from protectin my family.

But like Matt/PA said...haveEXTRA batteries/matches/etc on the essentials.

RE: What would you do?
 

I'll agree with most everyone on here who posted before myself.

A man's job is first to protect his family.. I would bring another weapon if I felt that I should have one.. ABSOLUTELY!

RE: What would you do?
 

It never dawned on me to carry for the fear of running into some bad guys. Maybe some wild animals but not people. I guess my head was in the sand a little.

Now that you posted the question, and made me think of some possibilities, then i'd carry for sure.

RE: What would you do?
 

I'd rather be tried by TWELVE than carried by SIX and that applies to my family as well.

I'm carying!!!!!

RE: What would you do?
 

I've spent a lot of time in the wilderness in the lower-48-statesin my 50-odd years, including 10 of those years in Colorado. And I believe we should have the right to carry and the right to protect ourselves and our families. That being said:

In all of my wilderness trips, I have never ever come close to needinga firearm for personal protection - either against animals or againsthumans.Consequently, I would question whether there really is a need to carry a gun for protection on a wilderness trip in the lower-48-states.

Also, IMHO, it is irresponsible tointentionally take my family into an area where a gun may be needed to protect them.Besides, how could avacation destination be much of a vacationif there is even a remote chanceI would have to shoot my way out?

I can certainly see some exceptions likeAlaska grizzly country, but it's in the city where I wouldfeel the need to pack heat for personal protection, not in the wilderness. The crack-heads and muggers are prowling the backalleys, not humping 60lbs of gear 5 miles to breath the fresh air and absorb the solitude. Also, there are probably better ways than a handgun to protect oneself in grizzly country, too.

But like I said at the top, I believe a person should be able to carry if a person feels the need to.

Just my personal opinion.

--twofer

RE: What would you do?
 

Don't know if it has been said.

But can you get around the law by keeping the ammo separate from the gun? The warden might be more likely to cut you slack in that instance, I don't know.

I like carrying my Buckmark 22 when out in the field/woods (mostly just for fun). But in my state all you can carry is a 22 with ratshot while bowhunting. I guess there are morons who would try to shoot a deer with a 22 pistol.

RE: What would you do?
 

Dan, just curious, you ever use bear spray on a bear ...if so how did it work?

RE: What would you do?
 

I always carry my Taurus .44 mag rev. with me when bow hunting or even taking a walk in our woods. Never know when you might run into a pissed off bear or some tree huggin hippie tresspassers (or one of them hunting net theives):Djk about the hunting net theives,Im sure none ofus here are theives.

RE: What would you do?
 

i always carry one