Should I bring a gun with me rowing?

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.cheese.

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I can't use my knee for any exercise for a while according to the doctor. I had a bike accident as I mentioned in another thread.

So, I've taken up rowing/kayaking.

This is what I'm using:

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It's basically an inflatable canoe with an outer layer of kevlar.

I've got safety equipment taken care of mostly (automatic inflating vest, ropes, whistles, floating cell-phone case, even a flare gun in case I get carried too far out in the water), the only question was whether or not to take a gun with me.

I tend to think there is no need, as I'm only going locally and can't see having an issue come up where I would need one in self-defense against a person (I don't think pirates are going to board an inflatable canoe - plus I'm not going far enough out to worry about that).

Mainly my biggest safety issue is trying to avoid large boats with props, manatees, avoiding flipping over as there are on occasion sharks in the water (not lately though).

What I might have come up though, is that there is a park/recreation-area that I might go rowing in as it is calm waters. Basically it has swamp-like canals going through it and back into the main water. There are gators in that water.

So, I was thinking that I don't really need a gun for the most part, except for the rare incident of a gator encounter, in which case a .22lr snub nose revolver would be fine.

Should I take one, or just leave it and skip going through the park? Your thoughts? Bear in mind it's an inflatable boat, so a bullet could just as easily sink me as save me.

I tend to think I should just skip the park and skip the gun. Keep it simple - you know?
 
Me and my cop buddies usually just bring along a Kel-Tec P3AT or PF9. A smallish glock wouldn't be a bad idea either. If you and your buddies are going to be having a couple I would leave it at the house. If we are doing a party float all the guns stay at home. I would rather be robbed of everything than one of my friends get hurt because of the whole booze+guns combo.

Also, be sure to check the local regs and make sure it is ok.

As far as swamp like canals go, I would not sweat it too much. When I lived in MS and LA, I would kayak through the boonies without any kind of firearm and everything worked out. If you do live in an area where gators are present usually just making a scene will run them off.

Whatever you decide, remember safety comes first. Party Floats= no gun. Adventure floats= I pack.
 
oh I also forgot to mention I will have a Yaesu HT with me. Either a VX-7R or a VX-170, with the home base station set up to receive the emergency beacon signal in case of an emergency. I should be within range.
 
Cheese, I carry a firearm even if I go tubing down a river. Get a waterproof case/bag for your sidearm. Gators and snakes (and manatees?) are among the least of my worries. I've seen how dangerously some boaters and jetskiers behave around small, unpowered craft. They think it's cute playing drunken slalom with people's lives.

Although, a separate, handy .38 with snakeshot might be up there on my for navigating the swamplands.

Beautiful kayak, by the way.

-Sans Authoritas
 
Cheese, I carry a firearm whenever I go tubing down a river. Get a waterproof case/bag for your sidearm. Gators and snakes (and manatees?) are among the least of my worries. I've seen how boaters and jetskiers behave sometimes. They think it's cute playing drunken slalom with people's lives.
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Where are you tubing, SA? When I go tubing the river here in TX, its a lazy ride in an innertube with plenty of beer and plenty of friends, the former, obviously precluding carrying. But for that odd time I might go and not drink, how do you carry in a tube?
 
So, I was thinking that I don't really need a gun for the most part, except for the rare incident of a gator encounter, in which case a .22lr snub nose revolver would be fine.
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That's a terribly bad idea. A "gator encounter" is going to be a problem IFF you're in the water and think a gator is going to get you. A .22 snubie's only value would be if you used it on yourself in that situation. Forget the gun and keep a flare launcher handy or carry a firearm with a caliber big enough and with ammunition penetrating enough for a large armored predator.
 
The question was whether or not to carry a pistol with you on your boat. While it's nice that you'll have a radio, if you need a pistol, it won't do much good to point the radio at your trouble. I used to camp a lot, and there was a lot of equipment that I carried and never used, but if I needed it... it was there.

Pick a firearm that isn't going to get "water damaged", and follow the applicable carry laws to keep it on you in your boat. If you're rowing in interstate waters, you might need to have a hunting or fishing license from both states to be legal, or have a reciprocal carry permit. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE LAWS and comply with them. Most of the time, you'll be dealing with wildlife resources officers if you're in a boat, and they have strict rules for what you can and can't do in boats.

You'll need to learn a little about the wildlife laws too. In Tennessee, for instance, it's against the law to kill any snakes... poisonous or not... (if the law hasn't changed since 1990) so before you go banging that rattler into oblivion, you better know where you are and what the law is.

But I'm with Wdlsguy... I'd rather have it and not need it than the other way around... just make sure what you do while you have it in your possession is legal. Most states confisgate anything "related to the crime" if they have violations of the wildlife laws, including your car, boat, and any equipment... and it can be a real "beach" to get it all back...

WT
 
That's a terribly bad idea. A "gator encounter" is going to be a problem IFF you're in the water and think a gator is going to get you. A .22 snubie's only value would be if you used it on yourself in that situation. Forget the gun and keep a flare launcher handy or carry a firearm with a caliber big enough and with ammunition penetrating enough for a large armored predator.
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Oh really? I was under the impression .22lr is what is typically used with gators.

I must have been mistaken.

Well, I also have a few .357 mag snubbies. That would be sufficient - no?

I don't have anything against taking a firearm with me as ordinarily I do carry one. In this case though, I just wasn't sure if it was overkill or not - and also I'd hate to get a gun submerged in salt-water.

I suppose whatever it is, it should be well-oiled.
 
well I don't expect trouble whenever I go to the grocery store either. I carry anyways. I'd say carry, because you can.
 
I agree with you. This was an unusual situation though as the only real threat I could foresee encountering was wildlife.

Like I said, I have no problem taking one. I just wasn't sure if it was overkill. I carry every day, so this certainly wouldn't be a problem, I'd just have to find a different way to have it on me as I will be in swim-trunks.
 
Oh really? I was under the impression .22lr is what is typically used with gators.
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No, it's generally .223, and even then, professional harvesters are generally using a "bang stick". It's basically a long pole with the cartridge/firing mechanism on the end of it. When you jab it against something, it discharges. Effective only at contact distance. Literally, I mean it better be touching. MAYBE they use a .22 for it, but I've never heard of that.

Also, the pilot in me has to warn you...That automatic inflating lifevest? Do NOT get one that is activated when submerged. I learned about that for flying. You don't want it inflating when you're not in a position to benefit from it, like stuck in a submerged cockpit. It can trap you.

Now, How is that relevant to you? Might not be, but I think you're better off with a manual inflation vest, where you have to pull the cord. Just prevents any surprises.

Good luck, have fun. I love kayaking, and I'd bring a little something along if I were you. BUG SPRAY!!!
 
Haven't you seen the movie Deliverance :eek:

Seriously, I'd carry not for the wildlife, but for the odd meth setup you might stumble past. A friend of mine stumbled across one on his land while he was home on R&R... there's a risk in just going into unpopulated areas beyond what Daniel Boone saw.
 
You're in an inflatable boat, so if a gator hits you, a pistol of any caliber isn't going to do you much good. Better to keep an eye open and avoid them, which is easy enough in the winter months, but a little harder when they're breeding. Plus if you shoot one you best have a license and a tag, or the game warden is going to get a little miffed.

However, I see no reason why you shouldn't carry one. I do. But that's mainly force of habit.
 
I can see the thread now: "What gun for manatee?"
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Nahh. :p They're just annoyingly curious. See this video for an example of how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv7xim_k1q8 I see them all the time going past the dock at my house. They smell awful too. Not something to worry about though as they're non-aggressive and do not attack.

Packman - that's exactly the kind I have. It's the most popular. Automatically inflates upon being submerged. I'll keep your warning in mind though, that's a good point.
Haven't you seen the movie Deliverance
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No, but I get the impression I should watch it.

Stay home and take up knitting.........
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Ahh. Thank you tpaw for contributing a low road comment completely devoid of any useful or pertinent information. I'm sure I have greatly benefited from it, although I will never know how.
 
I carry a G29 in a smart carry when I am canoeing. I find that my usual IWB holster interferes with my life jacket or vice versa.
 
I view this as a chance to buy another gun, your "kayaking" gun. Good choice on alternate exercise, my advice would be to watch a video or read a kayaking book to get the basics of the stroke down, get a good paddle, always bring the safety equipment you already bought, and have fun! And check the weather before you go!
 
Should you bring a gun with you rowing? No more so than you should bring a gun along while you do anything else.

The only reasons I can see for going unarmed is because you are going rowing in a courthouse or while voting in a government election, but maybe I just row in tougher neighborhoods than you do.
 
Quote:
Stay home and take up knitting.........

Ahh. Thank you tpaw for contributing a low road comment completely devoid of any useful or pertinent information. I'm sure I have greatly benefited from it, although I will never know how.
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Just don't want to see you get into trouble. Your adventure sounds risky. No ill message was meant. Whatever you decide to do, good luck...........;)
 
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