Looking at the pictures some of you guys carry top notch high dollar edged hardware with those semi autos. My father (82'nd AA X2 tours in VN) was fond of saying 'knives don't jam'. My primary is still a revolver for now so I guess I can afford to skimp a little on a knife
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This is one of my favorite threads and been too long since I carried in the woods to be able to make an entry here. I need to do a better job of posting pics in the future.
Spent the past almost 10 days at my mothers in eastern Washington for Turkey Day. Knew from reading THR (thanks to the guys that posted those threads) that Washington recently changed their mag capacity laws. So opted for the sub-compact Berreta PX Storm in .40 S&W (carried in a BlackHawk leather holster) with 10-round max capacity mags X2. One in the gun and one on the hip.
Every day I'd take our corgis for a long walk in an area that Washington state developed as an outdoor recreational area with no motorized access...Several long and maintained trails meandering through thinned evergreen woodland with areas much thicker sprinkled throughout. Since my mother has the occasional bear on her property and this spot being about 2.5 miles away I thought it prudent to be carrying.
As luck would have it...the first day I showed up at the trail head a 20+ foot worn camp trailer with turbo diesel was parked there as well as a game warden with his window rolled down. I got out, put harnesses on the dogs and unloaded them and called over to the warden and asked if there was a hunting season going on. He replied "muzzleloader". I said darn because I wanted to go to the far end of the area on a rolling trail but didn't want to disturb any hunters (I just assumed that camper was there for hunters). He said I should be ok as mid-day its slow. He then stated he wanted to talk to the campers owner as it had been parked there for over the 16-day limit and had been waiting for them to come out of the woods. Well, I wasn't comfortable walking in with dogs if there was somebody in there with a gun. So I opted to stay in the open woodland and we walked around for 30-40 minutes. I should point out I was legally carrying concealed and never approached him so I didn't volunteer that info although I sensed he was looking to see if I was. First time in 2 decades I've seen a game warden there. He pulled out and left shortly after we started our walk.
Finished the walk and was coming back to my truck and off in the distance I heard a car coming down the gravel road. An old beater whose trunk wouldn't close (pretty sure it was a Saturn 4 door) and a tired P/U with an overhead camper rolled to a stop right next to the travel trailer in the Trail Head. A cloud of vape came out as the Saturn's door opened and right behind it came a mid sized pit bull. My youngest corgi let out a woof and one of the car occupants said something containing the vernacular of the peasantry and told the other guy to get his dog in the trailer. I pulled my hoodie back down over the PX Storm, walked to the truck, loaded up and left.
That afternoon I stopped by the local sporting goods store and paid $30 dollars for two flimsy bare bones hunter hi-vis orange hunting vests. One for me and one to cut up into strips to tie to the dog vests. Also was going to buy a can of bear spray just in case. More for the pit than bears really but I forgot to get a can.
Went back next day and passed the game warden at one end of the area before getting to the Trail Head. He was parked side by side speaking to a county Sheriff. Got to Trail Head and the camp trailer, cab over camper and Saturn were gone. A Forest or Parks/Recs employee was there putting up no overnight camping signs. Talked to him for a few minutes and he said those signs will be gone/ripped down within two weeks.
Continued to walk dogs each day for the rest of the time there without incident. Saw one fawn but then I wasn't particular about being quiet. I was glad to have the solitude with my dogs as that canine respiratory illness is going around and Washington state had already identified cases. Pulled up day before I left and you can't make this up.....someone defecated right in the middle of the path you have to take between the end of the fence and Trail Head board where you sign in at. Then tossed their baby wipes all around. This was obviously intentional as they could have walked 20-25 yards and been in cover. Since it was in the high 20's (frozen and easier to remove) and I had all the required stuff to pick up dog waste i.e….plastic bags and disposable gloves specific for task) I picked it up. I'm guessing it was one of those 'hunters' as it sure seemed it was left as a statement.