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Thread: CCW and YOUR fishing "experiences".

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Lake In The Hills. IL USA
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    Default CCW and YOUR fishing "experiences".

    I happen to reside in the MOST RESTRICTIVE ( last to recognize a citizen's RIGHT) gun rights state in the union, ILLinois. Just recently, we have been "allowed" to protect ours and ourselves with the ability to carry concealed weapons. "That being said" the recent forced ( by Supreme Court decision) imposition of this right upon our legislators has caused some of "them" to seek all sorts of incidents/scenarios , TO NO AVAIL, to pose objections to and challenge that decision.
    I have applied for and WILL exercise this right, but that is not my main objective. In the last three years, open carry of firearms has been allowed ( with a healthy dose of COMMON SENSE) in our National Parks. I personally have had TWO very near ( underwear changing caliber) bear experiences in Grand Teton and Y'Stone National parks. At both of those incidents I had only my flyrod and a 2nd (NIdon) degree black belt in Judo as my protection. I could have nailed him with an Uchi Mata but that would have required a much closer and TOTALLY uninteresting to me confrontation. I am NOT a
    "walk 100 yds from my car" fisherman and thereby tend to wander many miles into possibly dangerous areas where a "meeting" can and has occured. And because it is now perfectly legal , I carry my S&W 44 MAG and a large canister of UDAP not TOTALLY depending on either singularly but as a combo JUST IN CASE.
    I have posted on this subject before and ruffled some feathers but since there are new folks herein,I post it again. If/ when you wander into "possible" confrontation territory, what precautions do you excercise ?? ( OR theoretically, if you were in those territories, how would you protect yourself?)


    Mark
    PS: John, TF, let it run :>)

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    We don't have griz around here. Well there are some in the North Cascades but I rarely get into their territory. We do have black bear and I will frequent their territory on a regular basis. I have a conceal carry permit but prefer to wear a side arm on my hip in full view. I have nothing to hide. My side arm of choice is usually a stainless .357 magnum with a ported barrel. I like this gun because of the ported barrel it is very loud and I will use it to "scare" blackie away. If a discharge of the weapon doesn't scare him then the "57" has enough snot to drop a black bear. I also like the stainless wheel gun because I can drop it into the mud, rinse it off in the river and start shooting. My second weapon of choice to carry when venturing into the back country is a Kimber 1911.
    "The reason you have a good vision is you're standing on the shoulders of giants." ~ Andy Batcho

  3. #3

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    I've always carried my .357 whenever in the back country. Bears are main threat, but people can get wonky when away from it all as well. I find an openly carried handgun to be a source of comfort to me and a gentle warning to anyone with evil intent.

    I like bears, and I hate to kill anything I don't have too, but I'm not going to allow one to damage me in any way. I'm not interested in 'learning' how to avoid confrontations, or how to keep from 'antagonizing' the bear. I walk where I will, fish where it's legal, and keep my eyes open. I've had to fire two warning shots to keep black bears from venturing too close. They have always ran away at that point.

    Personal choice here, of course. I know several fishermen that never carry a firearm anywhere.

    Buddy
    It Just Doesn't Matter....

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Woodland, CA USA
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    In CA anyone can carry, concealed or open when fishing, unless local ordinances forbid it. That said, I only have a .22, and have never seen a bear or any sign of it. the .22 would not help, in any case.

    Also, from what I have read, a charging bear is a tough shot with a pistol, and I would not want to make a near-kill and **** him off.

    but I will still probably carry my new pistol for snakes...
    ‎"Trust, but verify" - Russian Proverb, as used by Ronald Reagan

  5. #5

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    Most placed I fish, danger really isn't much of a concern. When in a new area where there may be mountain lions or bears, or sketchy folks, I always have something along. Whether a .22 or .45, something is better than nothing.
    The Green Hornet strikes again!!!

  6. #6
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    Default

    Uh....how about bear spray?

  7. #7
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    Are there laws against openly carried handguns, or is it only concealed? We have one when we travel, but I often wonder if I was driving alone, if it wouldn't be a good idea to just have one up on the dashboard? I'm woefully underinformed, like many people who carry guns, and at least the people with CCW licenses know a little more about them. If I went into the back country I would certainly go armed.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    I hope this post doesn't highjack this thread because I think this is an interesting and important discussion. This thread does, however, remind me of a story...

    One of my fishing partners is, quite often, carrying a side arm when we fish, which is fine by me. A couple of years ago we met in Montana to fish. We were going to be in definite "bear country". Before our trip I asked him if he would be packin'. He said he would be. I told him that was good, and by the way, I had just gotten a new .22 cal. pistol that I would have with me as well. Of course, his reply was, "What are you going to do with a .22 pistol if we encounter a bear?" My reply...

    "Shoot you in the leg!"

    Now back to more important discussions!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by herefishy View Post
    Are there laws against openly carried handguns, or is it only concealed? We have one when we travel, but I often wonder if I was driving alone, if it wouldn't be a good idea to just have one up on the dashboard? I'm woefully underinformed, like many people who carry guns, and at least the people with CCW licenses know a little more about them. If I went into the back country I would certainly go armed.
    Laws vary from state to state. The best thing to do is to investigate the laws in your state regarding open carry and conceal carry. For example it is illegal to have a loaded weapon in your vehicle in Washington unless you have a concealed weapon permit. And even then it is advisable to unload the weapon for safety reasons. Also in Washington if you are legally engaged in the activity of fishing you can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. However, if you do so and approached by a Fish & Game officer or other law enforcement you need to inform them immediatly that you have a concealed firearm. All of this is different depending on which state you are in.
    "The reason you have a good vision is you're standing on the shoulders of giants." ~ Andy Batcho

  10. #10
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    SO FAR all I've need worry about are moose. (That's why we fish where we do season wise. Stay out of bear territory always .... stay out of moose territory in the spring!) Guess I really shouldn't worry anyways ... I think I can still out run Cary!
    Trouts don't live in ugly places.

    A friend is not who knows you the longest, but the one who came and never left your side.

    Don't look back, we ain't goin' that way.

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