The thread on protection against cougars got me to thinking. How many of you pack some kind of handgun when fishing?

I dont waste my time with those little pea shooters. It's cannon balls for me. Am looking to pick up one of those TOW rockets or possibly one of those Exocets if I can ever get the paper work filled out right.

I said "never".....not quite true....I haven't when fishing. I do have a concealed permit and pack from time to time, for whatever that's worth.

Yep! A nice little .38
Cougar seen on the upper Trask last weekend!

I have never carried anything more then a knife with me (and not for protection) but back in Nov. while fishing the Sky. I had a close encounter with 2 dogs, 1 pitbull 1 rottweiller, I saw them coming from about 100 yards away and actually had my hand on my knife, the rott ended up being friendly but the pit kept its distance, they eventually wandered off. That was the 1 and only time in 25+ yrs. of fishing that the idea of packing a gun ever crossed my mind.
As for protection from cougars, I'm more worried about a bolt of lightning striking my graphite rod.

AK kings - I once was fishing out on the sound during a lightning storm. My graphite rod shocked me - your post was the first rational explanation that I have heard. Do graphite rods conduct electricity?

I have several hand guns, but they are just used to punch paper. Hopefully I never need to use them at home. I pack a 22 autoloader when I'm hiking in the back country, but I consider it more for entertainment than protection. Like Silver Hilton said " put a lot of rounds thru it".

My brother earns his keep fishing for bass in AZ and CA. He was just telling me this evening of a day in September of last year on Bartlett lake. It was the end of monsoon season and there was a bunch of thunderclouds building. He picked up his graphite spinning rod to fish and it started "humming". He said at first he thought it was the wind making the line whistle but when he put the tip straight up in the air he got a shock. Nothing big, but he definitely felt electricity..... Needless to say the fishing stopped for a while while the storms played themselves out.

I always pack when I bank fish. It's not about the Cougars, though. It has more to do with those pesky two legged predators. There's WAY too many Crank addicts roaming the woods down here.

D.

Frequently.
It's nice to see so many people here exercising their rights.

1911 Colt .45, here kitty kitty!

Graphite conducts electricity very well. I found out while climbing under an electric fence once.

S&W 9mm - kitty/crankhead want some candy...

No need for firearms as long as you have a roll of aluminum foil.

I pack a snubnose .38 sometimes when I'm banking it alone in remote areas, especially on the peninsula where the kitties are thick. It's always within arm's reach when I sleep in my truck too.

In thick cover, it wouldnt matter if you had 4 guns. I was there. Tracking a big buck injured when it tried to jump over a car doing 45mph. I followed the blood to an area with very dense growth. The cougar was also tracking. I decided to leave, but on my way out untill I was clear of the thick stuff I realised the cougar had a big advantage. Noise was probably a better tool than a firearm in that situation.

A Beretta 40 cal. or a S&W 9mm with some Black talons. Here kity kity

Colt Delta Gold Cup 10mm

I usually pack a sawed off Winchester 12 gauge pump when I fish the rivers. Shoulder strap...Works good for Grizzlies in Alaska with slugs but buckshot is fine for around here.

M-1 30 caliber carbine... with two 30 round jungle clips..

Steely Slamer

Don't pack any type of firearm, believing the best way to avoid trouble is to not get into the bad position to start with.

If a cougar is he11-bent on attacking, a stick, rock or anything else handy could be used. Nope, not near as good as a handgun...but it would work in a pinch, if need be.

Cougars, being predators, are not going to let themselves get into a "fight" that might get them injured. They know if they get hurt their hunting ability goes way down...so they avoid dangerous situations. So, make them know they are geting into a dangerous situation.

Waving big sticks, acting aggressive towards the cougar (not getting too close, however!) will make it re-think its intentions. Don't show fear, but anger and let it know that IF it gets too close your gonna whip its booty. (It doesn't know you can't...).

Spent a lot of time with my older sister who has professionally raised, trained and worked with many a large cat, and was the curator of Wildlife Safari there in Roseburg, OR. for several years after she left San Diego Wild Animal Park. This included cougars, African lions, bengal tigers, cheetah's, etc. Picked up a thing or two from her, and she was never once injured by one of her critters (save a raccoon who bit her once..LOL).

If all else failed, I would draw my knife and prepare for battle. Personally, no desire exists to kill a cougar. I don't like the meat, and don't need the hide...but, if it wants to fight...well...somethings you just can't avoid.

Then I might wish I had opted for the .40 cal...

Mike

When fishing secluded areas I always have a side arm. In an estimated 500 trips over the past 10 years I have pulled it once and unsapped the holster another. In the summer of 99 a bear had a strong interest in me. Yelling, stick waving, boulder tossing, and a warning shot had no effect in deterring the animal. Too say I wasn't scared would be a lie. I was scared shiatless. Let me tell you, a one minute stand off at twenty feet seems like all eternity. At some point in that ordeal the bear obviosly decided it was in his best interests to leave the seen. The unsnapped incident was when I was returning to my vehicle while fishing. I was about 100 yards out and was observing a car prowler at work, it was 6:00 in the morning out in the sticks. Fortunately there was no confrontation, he notice me coming and drove off.

When fishing populated areas I leave the gun at home. I have found that my two feet are my best defense, if a situation ever arises in one of these areas I walk away.

LT

uh...no...only during deer season. I have some privet land I can deer hunt/salmon, steelhead fish on. So most the time in the fall, I have my rifled barrel shotgun over my back with a hand full of sabot slugs close by.
Also buddy and I like to do an early morning fishing deal, then go hide the rods and gear and walk around looking for a grouse.
Only time I pack anything to save my butt is when fishing small streams in Alaska, and even then its still a short barrel shotgun over my shoulder.
Anyways, my hand gun is to big and heavy to pack around for just in case. Might as well pack a rifle
I'm not worried bout it, only when its time to fish alaska

Nearly every cougar attack to my knowledge has been on a child/small adult or someone "running" and acting like a prey animal. The California mtn biker probably fit this role well. I'm not an expert, but I have had a few encounters and know of others where the animal backed off pronto when the human merely stopped and faced it...

...not that I'm against thinning the cougar population a bit...

...But I'm not sure I like hearing about so many supposedly responsible (I'm sure You all are) individuals running around armed.


for the record I'm carrying my '06 for long shots and 870 pump with the extended tube for anything up close!

Lunch time,

I typically fish more populated areas...but then cougars can hang out there too, BUT, were I in your shoes I might do much the same and go armed.

I do all my hunting with longbow and cedar shafted arrows. Haven't had a handgun since I quit trapping a few years ago, and it was a cheap .22 that couldn't hit the same spot twice in a row if it was more than 15'.

As for the bear; fishing in fear does not sound like much fun. I think I would have given him his chunk of the river and moved on. If he didn't agree......you might have to poke a hole in his keester to get the point across, and if such was the case I would be sure to kill him and not leave him wounded in the woods.

Mike

Mike B. - There are a couple of reasons why I didn't shoot that bear. I have a Glock 27, 40 cal, 4 inch barrel and I can't hit the broad side of a barn twice at 10 feet. Second, I don't know if the ballistics of a 40 cal can nock a bear down. I didn't want to find out.

A second part to that story. After that bear finished his head swaying, sniffing, dancing I'm trying to intimidate you routine and headed back into the woods. He turned around and sat down at approximately 30 yds. He may have been re-thinking his decision on feast or famine. I didn't want to find out so I high tailed it out of there (bout 1/2 mile to the road). To shorten things up, that basstard followed me all the way out.

And yes, cats do inhabit more populated areas (reiter?). But the chances of being attacked are less than being mugged or mudered. I still opt to leave the pea shooter at home.

LT

I run the risk of wearing this story out so I'll make it brief.

I fish where there is one of, if not THE largest cougar populations in the state. Twice now I've seen cougar tracks in my previous days footsteps, once in my hours old footsteps.

Its pretty scary, especially if you've ever seen what a 150 pound cat can do to say, a calf elk. To me though, not as scary as what my fellow men are capable of.

I've said it before and it does bear repeating...................how many times has there been a recorded case of a man fighting off a cougar with a gun? None........not one.
Never.

A cat would likely strike before you had the chance to even put the gun in your hand.


With all due respect to those that do carry, its my opinion that a gun's primary purpose on the riverbank is to assuage the fear of its owner. By having their fears allayed they feel protected but are they really?

....and cupo-

The mere fact that we have the right doesn't mean we should constantly excercise it in every situation, right?

I mean, we all have the right to free speech........but even I've learned that there is a time and place to excercise it freely as well as a time and place for restraint.

In all the wilderness fishing I've done, including much in the backcountry of the olympics and cascades the only time I've ever wished I had a gun was while I was standing at Blue Creek ten years ago and that drunk yokel reached under his vest and cocked his hammer at me for 'losing his fish'.

IMO, its a sign of mental weakness. Kind of like needing a bodyguard.

Where are you drawing that conclusion from? You have no way of knowing who carries and who doesn't. When you go out ANYWHERE you are probably around armed people but never know it.
As shown by this thread there are a lot of us carrying, yet it's unlikely you would ever know it by our appearance or actions on the river (or anywhere else). I really doubt that anyone here waves their gun around and threatens to shoot people over nothing like the guy who "cocked his hammer at you."
Owning and carrying a gun is a personal choice. Nobody can knock you for not carrying or owning a gun. That's your choice. But there are a lot more crazies around than you would think. Ask a cop. You're near Clallam Bay, ask someone who works at the prison if they think everyone is harmless.
Do you lock your doors at night and when you're away? Is that a sign of mental weakness?
I agree that the chance of using a gun to defend against a cougar attack is slim. You're more likely to run into a crank addict at the trail head. That's why I choose to carry.
IMO, most people preaching the evils of guns know absolutely nothing about them.

On the (Sultan) near 5 years ago I was interogated about the holes put into the chum salmon lying on the river bank. I said, " Uh, no."

Cupo, you put your finger on why I asked the question - it appeared that there were significant #'s of folks packing where I fish. This poll (very unscientific at best) seems to bear that out. My own beliefs are not the issue here, I really wanted to get a feel for ALL of the threats we face while fishing and how folks deal with it.

Well said cupo!

Glock 40 caliber. Close to my heart. Here little pussy puss.

cupo-

I don't have any conclusions. I have an opinion.

I have, own, fire and maintain guns of my own including a pistol. One time when I was young in the ways of the Hoh I pissed off a guide (crankster, no longer working in the lower 48)who threatened to shoot me and for a time after that I carried a gun in my boat.

Then after much consideration I decided that the only reason I was carrying the gun was because I was afraid of what might happen. I see that as a weakness....much in the same way I view your thoughts on meeting druggies on the trail....

...or any other unseen, unknown threat for that matter.

The odds of using your gun in self defense on the river bank are infinitessimal, in ten years of I have never heard of a self defense incident involving firearms on the river. I DO however recall reading at least ten instances where gun violence (which includes threats such as 'I'll shoot you') HAVE occurred.

What I am suggesting to you is that a truly honest reevaluation of the reason why you a carry a gun to the river will result in the answer 'because I am afraid of what might happen'.

IMO, that's a weakness.....not a fault, not something that results in you being a bad person, not something that would in any way reflect badly on what type of guy you are....just a weakness.

Similar to my own weaknesses for internet porn, young girls, scotch and Cuban cigars.

Do they make kevlar waders and fishing vests? Geez-this is fishing guys.

Well son looks like your all set to hit the river and enjoy this great sport--hey not so fast Johnny, her are those hollow points that Santa brought you this year. Silly boy

I see it the same way as locking the doors when you leave, wearing a life jacket, and wearing a seat belt. If you take any of those precautions, is it because because you are afraid of what might happen?
Like a gun, they might not work as intended when needed. Someone could break into your house even though your doors are locked and seat belts can't save everyone in every wreck.
Maybe fear of others waving guns around and being irresponsible with them could be a mental weakness too.
We're talking about carrying one of several tools that may be needed in an emergency. If you want to talk weakness lets talk about dope. And, by the way, if you can't pass a UA it's best to leave your guns locked up at home. If a gun is used there's a high probability the shooter will be tested.
When people ask me why I carry a gun my usual answer is, "why not?" I'm responsible, trained, and practiced. I don't find it inconvenient so I really have no reason not to.

Well burst my Bubble.... Those are my only strengths?

I think that if I was curled up in a fetal position with kitty teeth raking across my skull I would like to have that pistola to reach for. I doubt that would ever happen, so I dont think there is reason to carry for that purpose. If you do get attacked, maybe it was in your stars......

One of the major detrrents for cat attacks is size. They suggest if your with other people stand together or try and look bigger. As was mentioned in a earlier post the majority of attacks are on children and small women.

Perhaps a inflatable life vest with large eyes painted on it or blow up girlfriend.

IB

Glock 45 for me.

Like H20 said..Its a weakness

Steelhead dont carry "dehooking devices"

Bears dont carry bug spray or toilet paper

Cougars dont carry invisible dog fencing

So why do WE need a leg up, an advantage??
I see it as if you are going to go out into the sticks you play by THEIR rules. muuuhahahaha

Seriosly though.... I would pack if i thought there was a good chance of it saving my life someday. I think your more likely to fall in and crest the ol' hodgemans than being attacked by anything

Id rather have it and not need it, like having say, a spare tire or wearing my seatbelt. Does that make me weak? To each his own.

I would compare handguns to four wheel drive. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Wouldn' t you? As long as you aren't waving it around nobody will know you have it.

I never went to page 2. Didn't realize I was a copy kitty.....Sorry. I guess my post should have read something like "I agree with racerdan"....

36C blowup doll for me.

...and, Eric, I know a young Cuban girl from Edinburgh that occassionally uses cigars while doing adult web cam stuff.

I carried A 357 for A couple years when Fishing the upper Tolt and repelling into A couple spots on the South fork Snoq. Then the bear population went nuts. Weyerhauser was feeding 250 pairs up there to keep them from peeling the trees. I had one not so close encounter and several sightings so now when I am on the Snog. I carry A Ruger 480. Weyer. sold that area. We lost 5 great lakes and the upper Tolt river in that deal.two years later I am still in mourning.

Carry pieces, like 4 wheel drive, get macho guys into places they shouldn't be and situations that are hard to get out of.

I am totally pro-gun but there are people with CCP that shouldn't, just like people with drivers' license that shouldn't.
Cougars don't grow to adulthood making their intentions known so that some guy trying to catch a fish will have time or presence to pull and fire effectively.
You will never know you're being sized up for catfood.
Forget the carry for cougars...and bears.

never have, never will

Depends.....I have my CC lic. and when I fish by myself I carry. On one trip with a "board" fisherman, he said how did I know he didn't have buddies waiting for us at the launch ready club me and swipe my Jeep when we got off the water. He thought it was funny, I tripped, because he could have been right. Just because we had conversed via the net, he was in fact a total stranger. In less than two weeks I was licensed to carry concealed.

If I go with trusted fishin buddies I see no need while fishing, but I am prepared otherwise in the event to protect myself.

It takes more than a bat or stick to disuade a psychotic meth freak, bear or cat.

Wow! Just checked the results and after 108 votes it's 51/49, thouse that don't "pack heat" are slightly higher. Never thought it wouild be that high.

The thought of H2O with a gun is almost as scary as Howrd Dean as president.

Grandpa, although I have tried to stay out of the political threads, I just can't resist. Howard Deans' spectacle in Iowa was very calculated. He judged that America loves an out of control cowboy as President - thus the "Rawhide" yell. Just a thought......

S&W 3913 9mm
I have the permit.
I practice and enjoy the shooting sports.
I pack on the river or back county and trips to the "big city".

Actually Eddie I think Howard Dean is mentally ill... Remember Eagleton? I hear he is an NRA supporter...Imagine him with a gun??? OOOOOOOOHA Yippppeeee.bang bang bang bang.....Whooooopppeeee EEEEHA!!!

.Now Al Sharpton he's the man....I bet he packs heat.....

I do not see carrying a sidearm as a weakness. The chances are quite good a crank-head will rob someone in a remote spot. If I broke my leg in a canyon and had to spend part of the night for my bud to go get help, no inner"kung fu" mind strengh would eliviate my fear, a weapon WILL protect me. As far as a cat is concerned, gun or no gun, one is screwed, I would never see or hear it coming. Yes, the chances are slim I will ever need to use it, but the chance is of a high enough probability to pack.

The thought of carrying a gun for any reason other than hunting is strange to me. I have had a 9MM 2 inches from my head chambered and ready to blow my head off...I handled that situation without a gun and if I had one someone would be dead now.

Talljeeper...I would probably change my mind if I went fishing with some on this BB...Might have to pull the Winchester pump off the wall to take that risk

Eddie....when we go fishing this year I will only carry a roll of aluminum foil....no gun.

This story is quite dated (been out of Washington since 1984) but used to live in "Queensgate" area above the Sammy Slough.

Would drop down for an hour or so's fishing on Saturday and Sunday. One of the game checkers was a young lady and quite personable.

Anyway, her 'heat' was a ball point pen ... until one Saturday she showed up carrying a cannon on her hip. Obviously I asked the 'why' of that.

Apparently, right in downtown Bothell, she had bee accosted by two fisherment when doing her normal 'creel/licence' checks. Scared to po.. out of her. Bosses got her a gun to cary for self protection. In downtown Bothell .. cripes.