This is a good topic and I'm glad it was started because this very thing has been on my mind more and more recently. I've owned many guns but never a handgun. I am now seriously considering buying one for cougar protection because about 75% of my fishing is via remote area bank fishing.......and I put on the miles!

Though I know some of the above posts are just kidding, this is a real issue and, I think, will become more of an issue over time.

Maybe it's just my own head games but as I go into remote areas, I find myself getting that "watched" feeling more and especially asking myself "if I had an encounter right now, how would I react and defend myself?" In many cases, I concluded that I would be at a decided disadvantage if not killed outright.......chilling thoughts.

I know I'm not going to quit fishing my spots but as I hear more tales of cougar encounters from friends and the media I think I will end up with some firearm before long.

Be aware and get educated on defense tactics.

P.S. I also agree with the above posts that say showing a firearm around humans usually causes more problems than it prevents. Keep it to predator defense or at the least, conceal it from humans.