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Understood, so I will ammend my previous statment to some degree.

I never go into the woods (if there is a good chance I will encounter bears and or cougars) without a weapon unless common sense and my god given rights have been suspended, in which case I don't go in the woods.

As to carrying a weapon, at least in Idaho certain species of animals are open to hunting year round. Coyotes are a good example, so as long as you have a valid hunting license you would be 100% legal packing a rifle.

I have run into rangers and wardens on several occasions while horse packing elk camp into our hunting area months ahead of the start of the season and have never had them even begin to question rifles on our person or strapped to my critter.

I've never had trouble from the Game Dept. either. I don't ~always~ pack when riding in the Forest, doing so carries it's own functional hassles and risks. For one, it's just something else to carry all day, and for another, I'm not sure I could fire from my horse and not end up on my ass. My best plan for avoiding wildlife encounters is in controlled retreat. But I have carried, when the perceived risks of threats both animal and human have made it seem worthwhile.

I just hate to see so many FReepers on this, and the earlier thread, who have disdain for the law that is born of ignorance. The law did not prevent this mother from being armed, other choices she made did. If I was camping at a popular campsite with two little kids and a bunch of other people around, as she was, I might not have had a gun within arm's reach either. This was a highly rare and unpredictable turn of events. If I were going to that Forest tomorrow would I pack? You bet. It's all about assessing risk and weighing risk against other considerations.

Idaho is one of few remaining American states.

But my guess is you're safer in the Idaho woods without a gun, surrounded by bears, and wolves and cougars than you would be in most neighborhoods in the major cities of America with a pistol.