Concealed Carry or Open Carry While Hiking Public Trails

[Kleanbore]

And the area you friend worked in is exactly the kind of place I don't go if I can avoid it (which I usually can).

It's called "the outdoors". National forests, state parks, .....

 

[DocRock]

In my area of Colorado, the threat matrix is valid across the entire range, excluding Brown Bear (for now) and waterborne (snakes, gators):

I have watched mountain lions over the sights of my sidearm. My father had to fire his to scare a cat away on one dusk hike.

I have watched 400+ pound Black Bear over the sights of my sidearm and long arm.

As a young teen, I discharged my sidearm to stop a dog attack.

As an older teen, I stood in the tree line of our campsite clutching a loaded and chambered Lee-Enfield as armed dirt bikers tore through the area near our location blasting away with shotguns at 1 am.

The density of vagrants and criminals occupying public lands has exploded over recent years.

The net result is that I will be armed when out and about in the boonies, and will probably be OCing, unless its illegal or some super congested area. I don't really care about offending the other recreationists, who would be smart to be doing the same.

Very well reasoned and stated.

 

[WrongHanded]

It's called "the outdoors". National forests, state parks, .....

Sure thing. I know you know better than I do. My apologies for having no negative and aggressive social experiences in all the time I've spent hiking, camping and climbing in National Parks, Forests, and Wilderness.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

It must suck to want to go spend a little time out in the woods, and have to be watching your back constantly for unpleasant people.

Actually no. It may sound weird to some people but part of the excitement of being out in the wilderness is the feeling of being alone and totally self reliant and yes even the possibility of encountering dangerous situations. If I wanted to be complete safety, relaxation & comfort I would stay home on my easy chair, next to my refrigerator and my TV.

What would a few days in the wild be like if there were no challenges to face? Even if people were all angels there are still many other things that can kill a person if they are not careful or if ill prepared. I don't think anyone would downplay or call paranoia being prepared for possibilities like hypothermia, snake bites, breaking a leg or twisting an ankle so why is being prepared to deter a dangerous animal or human criminal element be any different? It really isn't at all.

 

[Kleanbore]

My apologies for having no negative and aggressive social experiences in all the time I've spent hiking, camping and climbing in National Parks, Forests, and Wilderness.

What conclusions would anyone draw from that?

 

[Buckeye63]

Seems like some here have a big focus on bumping into a meth-head. I know a few spots in my area where that might be likely, and I simply don't go to those spots.

Usually I don't see undesirables on the trails I walk. Just average outdoorsy city folks looking for time in nature. I keep my head up, but I don't worry too much. On occasion I'll sit off to the side of a trail and glass an area looking for wildlife. People usually don't even notice me unless I move.

I feel bad for you guys who have to worry about junkies when you're out on the trails.

Meth heads and druggys are everywhere any more ... Beats all I ever saw ...

 

[WrongHanded]

What conclusions would anyone draw from that?

I think the better question is why can you not accept that there are some areas of the country that don't have a big problem with dangerous and aggressive people hanging out in public lands waiting to prey on people?

I feel like you're looking for an argument where there really isn't one.

Actually no. It may sound weird to some people but part of the excitement of being out in the wilderness is the feeling of being alone and totally self reliant and yes even the possibility of encountering dangerous situations. If I wanted to be complete safety, relaxation & comfort I would stay home on my easy chair, next to my refrigerator and my TV.

What would a few days in the wild be like if there were no challenges to face? Even if people were all angels there are still many other things that can kill a person if they are not careful or if ill prepared. I don't think anyone would downplay or call paranoia being prepared for possibilities like hypothermia, snake bites, breaking a leg or twisting an ankle so why is being prepared to deter a dangerous animal or human criminal element be any different? It really isn't at all.

Charlie, I go into the wilderness for adventure and excitement, so I understand exactly what you're saying. I just don't feel like the extra hazard of a human criminal element would add to my enjoyment. Hence, I think it would suck to have to constantly watch my back for human predators. If you like that sort of thing, good for you, I guess.

 

[Alte Schule]

I think some of you are overthinking this subject way to much. To borrow a phrase from J.B. Books (John Wayne) in The Shootist "Do what your insides tells ya".

I say if you carry what you want, how you want, pay attention to your surroundings and follow the applicable laws you'll be fine.

 

[35 Whelen]

I think some of you are overthinking this subject way to much. To borrow a phrase from J.B. Books (John Wayne) in The Shootist "Do what your insides tells ya".

I say if you carry what you want, how you want, pay attention to your surroundings and follow the applicable laws you'll be fine.

Finally. And yes, another example of folks spending exponentially more time talking about something than actually doing it.

Excellent post.

35W

 

[Trey Veston]

Actually no. It may sound weird to some people but part of the excitement of being out in the wilderness is the feeling of being alone and totally self reliant and yes even the possibility of encountering dangerous situations. If I wanted to be complete safety, relaxation & comfort I would stay home on my easy chair, next to my refrigerator and my TV.

What would a few days in the wild be like if there were no challenges to face? Even if people were all angels there are still many other things that can kill a person if they are not careful or if ill prepared. I don't think anyone would downplay or call paranoia being prepared for possibilities like hypothermia, snake bites, breaking a leg or twisting an ankle so why is being prepared to deter a dangerous animal or human criminal element be any different? It really isn't at all.

Exactly. What I've found hard to get flatlanders to realize is that out here on the edge of the wilderness, just going for an afternoon stroll in the Idaho back country can be deadly if you aren't prepared and don't have common sense.

Folks who grew up or live in areas where there is a house every half mile, or a town every few miles, have no concept of true wilderness.

I remember reading a story of a hiker on the Appalachian Trail who left the trail to relieve herself and got lost and died from starvation/exposure. They didn't find her body for over a year, IIRC. People were commenting about how you need to be prepared for the AT and how remote and dangerous it was.

I looked up where she was found on the map and she was a quarter mile or so off the trail. She could have walked a straight line in any direction and hit a paved road in five miles. Remote and dangerous? Please.

The firearms I carry for hiking may well be relied upon to save my life. More likely to defend against wolves in the event I get injured and appear as easy pickings to an opportunistic pack. Or to harvest game in the event I get lost for more than the couple of days worth of food I bring. Or to signal a search party. Having ample ammo on hand and of a sufficient caliber to defend against larger predators are more relevant to me than whether or not to carry concealed.

 

[Kleanbore]

I think the better question is why can you not accept that there are some areas of the country that don't have a big problem with dangerous and aggressive people hanging out in public lands waiting to prey on people?

I certainly accept that. But I do not think that one's not having been aware of the existence of a "big problem" in a particular area should influence what or how to carry.

If course, if a likelihood of trouble in an area is indicated--in areas known for pot growing, along immigration routes, for example--I agree with you: don't go there.

The same thing applies in town.

 

[luzyfuerza]

when out in the woods being unarmed is an open invitation for disaster.
CC or OC but never NC.

My thoughts are similar. I would generalize, though: "When out in the woods, being unPREPARED is an open invitation for disaster."

In urban environments, I generally CC IWB to maximize concealment. But when I'm in the woods wearing a pack with a waist belt, the CC mode changes. I've carried in pockets, fanny packs, the Wilderness pouch...they all work.

When I'm hiking with a pack with no waist strap, though, I'm willing to cut a few concealment corners to improve comfort. My favorite mode is a revolver in a strong-side pancake holster with retention. Still mostly concealable, but MUCH more comfortable when hustling (and sweating) down an outdoor trail.

Echoing Charlie Martinez and others in this thread, carry mode is MUCH less important than the fact of carrying...and of being prepared.

 

[WrongHanded]

I certainly accept that. But I do not think that one's not having been aware of the existence of a "big problem" in a particular area should influence what or how to carry.

If course, if a likelihood of trouble in an area is indicated--in areas known for pot growing, along immigration routes, for example--I agree with you: don't go there.

The same thing applies in town.

I agree with everything you wrote here. I'm glad we found some common ground.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

. I just don't feel like the extra hazard of a human criminal element would add to my enjoyment.

You either misunderstood what I said or you intentionally spun what I said. What I said was that the presence of criminals in the woods is just another dangerous possibility that the lone hiker must face. It does not add to my enjoyment anymore than having a bear chase me up a tree or maul me but it's just one of the many REAL dangers you face when you're alone in the woods. So if you prepare yourself to face every danger you may encounter (as you should) it is absolutely idiotic to ignore what is perhaps the greatest danger of all which usually comes from humans.

I'm willing to bet that you have never been attacked by a bear or a cougar but more than likely you carry bear spray if you're in bear country. So if you deem it reasonable to be prepared for the possibility of facing a nasty bear why not also be prepared to face a nasty human.
In the end whatever you do is fine. If you think you're 100% safe w/o a gun by all means leave it at home. But don't try to malign or ridicule those that do.
If someday you find yourself wishing you had brought your gun along instead of leaving it in your safe remember what Charlie from HR said:
"It's always better to have a gun & not need it than need it & not have it".

 

[WrongHanded]

In the end whatever you do is fine. If you think you're 100% safe w/o a gun by all means leave it at home. But don't try to malign or ridicule those that do.
If someday you find yourself wishing you had brought your gun along instead of leaving it in your safe remember what Charlie from HR said:
"It's always better to have a gun & not need it than need it & not have it".

What specifically gave you the idea that I ever do that? Or that I was in any way suggesting anyone else should?

If I misunderstood you Charlie, I think it's only because you must have misunderstood me first. I have not suggested anyone go out into the woods (or anywhere else they can legally carry) without a firearm. Nor would I ever do so.

 

[Sneakshot92]

Depending on where I am it's either open or concealed, mostly open carry as I live in the country and have stared down loose dogs and sometimes their angry owners. I say angry owners because I've drawn on a few dogs, thankfully without pulling the trigger and had owners come running out to yell at me for pointing my gun at their dog(s). I keep the non emergency number for my county sheriffs dept handy to report such incidents when they happen. It also helps to be acquainted with a few of the deputies in case one comes by the house later to ask a few questions.

 

[jstert]

there is the apocryphal tale from the late 1800s of an eastern travel writer who wanted to see the wild west before it was submerged by civilization. he went into a general store at the western railhead to buy provisions before heading out, and asked the proprietor if he should also get a firearm. the proprietor replied, after clearing his throat into a spittoon, “son, i do not know if you will need a gun or not, but if you do, you will dang sure need one in a hurry.”

 

[Picher]

In public parks and trails, check the regulations. In many public park/recreation areas, firearms are not legal. I just noticed the regs a few days ago and am somewhat surprised that it's illegal to carry in some fairly remote areas.