Posted on 02/01/2016 8:48:58 AM PST by w1n1
I used to never think about packing a gun while fishing. I never had a reason to until several years back while out on the Green River alone. This would change my opinion on carrying a gun, and it still lingers in my mind some 15 years afterwards. I was wandering back to one of my "secret" holes, one I'd discovered as a teenager and had never, ever seen another angler or trace of another human at since the early 1980s. I'd only shown it to two of my fishing partners, both of whom were sworn to secrecy and who knew I'd disown them if word ever got out.
I was 20 minutes into the usual 30-minute hike on animal trails when a person appeared from nowhere. I literally almost jumped out of my waders. The dude, who looked strung out and definitely not a fellow fisherman, asked, "Hey, you got some smokes?" "Nope, I don't smoke," I said. "Do you have any money?" "Nope, I'm fishing."
"I need some money!" "Sorry, I can't help you." "Dude, you don't understand, I need money." "Sorry, can't help you," I said, and walked by him. Was I scared? Yes, sh*tless!
I reached my fishing hole but couldn't get the thought that he was stalking me out of my mind, or that I would meet up with him again on the way back to my vehicle. Neither scenario materialized, but afterwards I drove straight to a gun shop and purchased my first self-defense weapon. Now, if I'd been packing and ran into the guy, would I have drawn my weapon? No - I did not feel my life was threatened.
Would I have felt more comfortable? Hell, yes! Should my life have become threatened, I would have had the tools and knowledge available to use them. From that point on I realized that the outdoors aren't just filled with friendly fellow anglers and hunters. There are also tweakers and criminals out there.
I PICK WHEN to carry. If I'm alone, you can count on me being armed. If I'm with friends, it all depends. Drift boat or with a guide? Nope, I don’t see a need. Banking it? Yep, usually gonna be packing. And that brings me to another incident. Read the rest of the story here, what about you?, are you packing as well while out fishing?
He forgot his filet knife?
“I PICK WHEN to carry”
I hope that doesn’t come back to bite him one day.
Always. Even in camp.
Or his hook-removal plier?
Need a good retention strap.
Lest it gets lost in the river.
1. What are you fishing for?
2. What do bears eat?
If the answer to both questions is the same, pack.
Carrying is just like a tool in the toolbox.
In Kansas, before we got constitutional carry, you were allowed to conceal carry while hunting or fishing without a permit.
I used to bring along practically my entire arsenal along for fishing trips. Then, that tragic day that the canoe capsized.
you don't need no gun in the woods. We's harmless.
I even Freep armed....Never can be too careful!
I know, it is so sad. There are several FReepers who have had boating accidents, losing many firearms.
Or was it the other way around?
Whenever I went fishing, either in a boat or from the bank, I was packing. Particularly for offshore fishing, some of those fish just need to be shot before coming into the boat.
My good fishing buddy Chuck passed away. He was a 6 foot, 240, Black guy. He carried a .38.
The Tar Heels up on the Skagit are racist as hell, plus he’d been stalked by a cougar one afternoon, and had difficulty getting back to his rig.
You’re going to go swimming about once a year, or else you’re not trying very hard.
What happens to your semi when dunked?
"THERE ARE DANGEROUS people out in the woods..."
There are dangerous people wherever you go. Just because your (editorial you) previous experiences have been idyllic doesn't mean that the next trip won't have surprises.
In Southern Oregon I packed while hiking.
Cougar, bear, wolves, coyotes, and Mexicans.
I never answer my door unarmed. Usually concealed.
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