First time Backcountry camping

[Lamebeaver]

Grandpa,

In Grizzley country, I would carry pepper spray. Griz will sometimes do a bluff chrage, where they run right up to you and the stop short. This is the prefect range for pepper spray. With a gun, you'd better be prepared to shoot long before this point, and hope you get a change to get off a second shot before its on you. Was it a bluff charge? We'll never know. If I were going be carrying a gun, It would probably be a 12 gauge semi-auto shooting 00-buck and slugs alternately, and I would empty it. A dead bear will place you in some pretty hot water with the authorities too. I'm a fair shot, but I seriously doubt if I could make a killing shot against a charging bear.

To each his own. That's my .02

[Judy Ann]

Its been a strange year in the wild kingdom with multiple bears in Raleigh, mountain lions in car washes in Texas, and multiple cougar sightings across states where they have been thought long gone. Even the Momma Grizz are going crazy. I was afraid we might have a reinactment of the 1987 (?) killings in Alaska on our hands. Thank goodness those kids got out ok.

[dinosaur]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

Not sure if this post was ment to be tongue-in-cheek.

Well, of course it was! I don't know you. I was just yanking your chain to see how thick your skin is. The fact that you considered the possibility of it being a joke shows much promise since most people take immediate offense and become irrationally emotional. These are the people I don't want with me in the woods. A thinking man doesn't lose his head in an extreme situation.

As for weapons, I still carry them. You don't need anything until you need it.

[Lamebeaver]

Dino,

I used to carry a big gun too when I first started out. Eventually realized I didn't need it. But hey, hike your own hike.

[ghostdog]

Mr Digitech,

for the first time in the backcountry I say take whatever you want. If you start doing this more you will find the things you use and the things to leave home, making your pack more manageable and your experience the best it can be. Everyone has their personal list. That list can change in various situations. You just need some time in to decide.

Is it safe for a first time backpacker going into remote wilderness alone? I think that depends on the individual. I would not advise it to just anyone the first time out.

[Soldat]

I'm new here but I find it unsettling that so many people are so worried about a machete or hatchet. I've been backpacking my entire life. Not to mention the 24yr I spent in the military. I never go anywhere without my Buck 110 and my snubby .357. When packing, hiking, camping, surviving or just walking the dogs I add my K-bar and exchange the snubby for a full size .357 or my .45. If I can't carry that extra 2lb I shouldn't be out there. BTW, the dogs I'm walking are my two trained German Shepherds that I am never far from. I used to hike in bear country and I don't take chances. Now I worry more about the sickos out there with their meth labs far out in the back country. You only need to walk near one to get shot. I now live in KY and I kinda miss the black bears. They are much easier to deal with than dopers. I always hike or camp alone. I make sure I've researched the area as much as possible before trekking out. Since my boy scout days I still believe in their motto, "Be Prepared." If you don't feel comfortable about going alone, then don't. Then again, just my 2 cents.

[IndianaHiker]

Originally Posted by Soldat

I'm new here but I find it unsettling that so many people are so worried about a machete or hatchet. I've been backpacking my entire life. Not to mention the 24yr I spent in the military. I never go anywhere without my Buck 110 and my snubby .357. When packing, hiking, camping, surviving or just walking the dogs I add my K-bar and exchange the snubby for a full size .357 or my .45. If I can't carry that extra 2lb I shouldn't be out there. BTW, the dogs I'm walking are my two trained German Shepherds that I am never far from. I used to hike in bear country and I don't take chances. Now I worry more about the sickos out there with their meth labs far out in the back country. You only need to walk near one to get shot. I now live in KY and I kinda miss the black bears. They are much easier to deal with than dopers. I always hike or camp alone. I make sure I've researched the area as much as possible before trekking out. Since my boy scout days I still believe in their motto, "Be Prepared." If you don't feel comfortable about going alone, then don't. Then again, just my 2 cents.

Can't say that I am worried about the machete, hatchet, the kbar or even the gun. I live in Southern Indiana about 40 minutes from the river and spend a good deal of time in the back county. My days out include mainly Indiana, and Kentucky. I have just never seen the need to be armed while out on the woods. Given the choice of carrying extra weight of a gun, ammo, and a kbar, I would simply choose to care extra camera gear instead. That being said hike your own hike. All I ask (and not saying that you are not as I don't know you)that if you carry firearms just be responsible and follow proper safety guidelines. I really think if I were to carry I would be more apt to do so in what we call civilization as it isn't as civil as it used to be.