First of all, Happy New Year to everyone!!!!

Ok, here is my question. Do you carry a firearm when you go fishing?

I have never thought about it, but a friend at work was saying he always carries a pistol when he fishes. I asked him if it was because of wild animals, and he said partly because of that. But he also said because of some of the idiots out there.

He said he has to draw his weapon once in 2001 because of some overzealous fisherman thought the spot he was fishing was his. When my friend told the guy is was not on private property, the guy immediately got out his filet knife and came toward my friend. My friend warned the guy that he was armed, but the guy continued walking toward him in an aggressive manner. My friend reached under his waders, pulled his revolver and pointed it at the guy The guy did stop, backaway and gathered his stuff and left. My friend does have a concealed pistol permit.

Anything like this happen to anyone else here??? Is it worth it to carry? I also have my concealed permit.

No but your scenario makes me wonder if I should. I've always avoided scrapes with people due in large part to the fact that I don't like to fish where other people do and I'm a pretty nice guy. Over the last decade though I have seen enough human trash and heard of encounters friends have had that make me seriously consider it.

On the other hand, I'm one of those karma guys.....if I buy one, it will invaraibly invite trouble and get myself in a situation I would regret later.

always but have not had a pull it

I keep one stashed, not on my person. But I do camp/sleep in some remote spots, and I sleep better with a .45

C/22

Nope.
Never felt the need. If I did get one I would probably end up shooting myself in the foot anyways. Or terrorizing some poor soul across the water from me

I don't like guns and would probably be too tempted to shoot it a bunch if I packed a handgun around in the outdoors...I don't feel any need to pack a gun really either...

I have never packed while fishing. But when ever I am up scouting before hunting season, I am always armed.

I have ran in to some things in the woods that makes you a little nervous sometimes.

Neither of you are old enough to legally pack heat anyways so it doesn't matter

I've encountered a small number of weird situations while fishing, but it ain't likely a firearm would have improved or solved them. I felt like there was a cougar around once on the OP, but firearms aren't allowed in the ONP, and again, a gun wouldn't have solved anything. Cougars that attack don't advertise their presence.

i do a 9mm.. or if im up in the little river i carrie a m1 30 cal carbine..

No.

Do a search here and on the other BB's to find the other 34 times this comes up...all the threads go the same, every single time, no matter what BB they are on...it's way more entertaining than the "lami v. loomis", "what hook?", "what line?", or "what drift boat?" threads...way more.

Fish on...

Todd

I've brought my shotgun and AR-15 on many trips when casting and blasting. Got lots of ducks, one coyote, but no humans..... yet. During duck season the shotgun is always in the boat.

From time to time I'll bring along a sidearm, but never consistently. More often than not it is when the boys are with me.

Most times out I am armed, just out of habit, I fish/hike/hunt alone alot. Never had to use it. Hopefully never will.

I used to work in some Bear infested remote parts of Katmai National Park, I had quite a few run ins with nasty, bad attitude bears. We could not carry firearms in the park. Pepper spray is worthless on a bear with bad intent. I probably would have shot a few had I been packing. I packed a gun in areas where it was legal, and Bear activity mandated. This picture of the cub and mama was taken after the cub charged, as the Sow watched from the bank. The cub in the pic stood sideways about 3 ft from me, snarling and growling. I was a little more worried about upsetting him more and having mama come down and show us whats up..

Matt

I have my permit, but I have never had an encounter while fishing when I needed it. Shooting someone over a dispute of a fishing hole is just not worth it, too many other holes to fish.

I would have Pissed myself if a bear got that close to me. as for a gun on the river no need for it around here .

if i ever get my permit i will carry. to many bad run ins with people.

ive had guys threaten to drown me, threaten me with thier dogs, actually sick their dog on me, throw rocks at me from across the river, the funny thing is this all happened up at rieter from the intake down to the cable hole.

funny how that works.

the biggest problem is you never know if a person is packing....and you never know how far they are willing to take something...even though you have all intent to walk away sometimes those people wont take "ok im out of here" for an answer

ive had drunks [censored] with me while camping, and scouting, and fishing. ive had people drive buy and shoot bottle rockets at me and roman candles. while i was walking down the road to the next fishing hole.

you never know when things will happen. and it only takesone bad experience to get a bad taste in your mouth. and make the choice to start packing. that one time you have it and need it you will be glad you had it.

oh yeah and you can pack a gun while fishing even without your cwp...but you have to have it out in the open.

and that right there although legal is just asking for problems...not my the law but from fellow fisherman.

not many people are comfortable with guns just being out in the open in places where they arent really needed. and fishing really isnt one of them to have a gun just displayed.

BUT you would get all your fishing spots lmfao

i know that if a big kitty put me on the menu, i'd likely never see it coming until it's too late, anyway. if worse came to worse, i do keep a very sharp tactical knife in the pocket of my vest for a last ditch scenario. hope it never comes to that though.

the only nasty confrontation with 2 legged vermin i've had was this past summer with some hack guide that decided to drop his kicker and pull bait divers in front of me on a 50' wide section of river while i was fishing.

i've never really felt the need to carry, i wouldn't be opposed from bringing a rifle in some areas i fish, though.

I know all to well the kind of scum that haunt secluded spots and act predatory when they think they have someone poor guy outnumbered or outmuscled. So yes, I carry, but I keep it concealed. No sense in them playing nice then running back to their rig to raise the ante. I'd rather them show their stripes before the cards are laid down.
Best plan I have is to take their keys and cellphones, toss em in the river, and beat feet.