Carrying a gun when canoe traveling just because

Well, the gun carrying debate could be divided into two categories: Canadian or American. In the US, it seems people have many possibilities for carrying, because of the relatively unlimited access to handguns. In Canada, although there was the remote possibility of getting a wilderness carry permit for handguns, the main gun carried was either a shotgun or rifle.

Recent policy from the Federal Government, once passed, will ban the sale of any new handguns in Canada, and the sale or transfer of them between people on a private level has been banned as well. So handgun ownership will end with this generation. I don't want to make this political, but suffice it to say, there has been a regimented attack on Canadian firearms owners, based on events that have occurred in the US. Canada already has an extensive and effective regulatory system for gun ownership and use, but Trudeau is using it as a wedge issue.

Currently, wilderness carry of a long gun for protection in Canada is permitted. The way things are going, I can see a time in the near future when this will probably be banned as well.

I'm not happy about many of the new regs, particularly the proposal to ban any magazine that holds more than 5 rounds. My Cooey model 60, a venerable Canadian made tube feed .22 will be made illegal under this proposal. I think this summer I will carry some form of rifle or shotgun on every trip, just because I still can.

Wedge issue! Guns? Everything is normal and logical down here. LOL. Too bad our government reps can't legislate for the 80% of the population instead of for the 5% fringe. At least down here I think most in the USA agree on most things or at least close enough to compromise but that doesn't raise money and motivate voters. I assume that is a human nature thing and not just a USA thing. Hopefully humans will figure it out some day.

DanG said:

A little more info: The bear on the roof has two yearling cubs who have learned to open car doors and ransack the interior looking for treats. They've also attempted to enter houses by pushing on doors and windows. One got in through a bathroom window and roamed the house while the owner was yelling at it. All these bears have been captured, tagged, and released by California DFW, but so far they haven't done sufficient damage to warrant euthanasia, according to the rangers. This is Sierra Madre, not a rural area, but it backs to the San Gabriel mountains and Angeles national forest. Residents are told to keep their garbage cans locked inside until the day of pickup, but as the picture below shows (taken 15 minutes after the cans were put out), the bears know the schedule as well as the residents.
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A little late to the conversation, but having shared living space with bears, this reminded me of a bit of bear trivia. We all got along pretty well, but "for the love of God" do not bring any fast food wrappers around or throw them in the trash. If there was McDonalds grease on anything the bears would get it.

I carry a .45 pistol all the time and when I am away from the van out of town, I carry a .45-70 rifle. I carry a gun when I am snowmachining, canoeing, hiking, fishing, hunting or on an ATV ride. I have only had a few comments. One man asked me what I was afraid of and my answer was "Not a dang thing." Most of the women that I ride with are relieved that I have a gun. The most popular comment is "What gun do you have there?", followed by them showing me their gun and then a discussion of guns, ballistics, different uses, etc.

The things one learns on CTN.

It's just shocking that . . .

pblanc said:

not all AEDs will recommend defibrillation for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia . . . [or] Torsade de Pointes

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. . . but it tickles my heart that . . .

dramey said:

Most of the women that I ride with are relieved that I have a gun.

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The most dangerous thing on a New England canoe trip would be a person carrying a gun because they were afraid of bears.

In Florida there have been numerous cases of alligators flipping kayakers. If a 7 foot or bigger one hit a canoe right, he probably could roll a canoe over. Once in a while a gator will get in a Jon boat, I would assume he could do the same with a canoe, although I've never heard of it. So here in Florida, if you're proficient, it might be wise to carry it on your person. If a gator gets you in the water, it might come on handy.

I think this is actually North Carolina, but you get the idea

The gators in this video aren't being aggressive but If they turned aggressive or if it were mating season (April May June) this would be a very dangerous situation

Pretty rare but a little scary. Not one of these folks were in a canoe, jon boat or kayak. July 4th 2015 Tommie Woodward was first fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. Tommie wasn't very smart and basically fed himself to the alligator.

August 30th 2021 was the first fatal alligator attack since 1774 in Louisiana.


Way more shark attacks.

Foxyotter said:

Pretty rare but a little scary. Not one of these folks were in a canoe, jon boat or kayak.

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According to the Wikipedia article regarding fatalities, you are right. But according to the article you posted some of the injuries were while canoeing per this chart.


The Skiing/Canoeing category is presumably water sking or canoeing. Still rare.

I have zero worries about alligators because if I am in Florida or any South Eastern state with alligators between June and August I am already dead. I detest heat and humidity and would welcome a quick death by alligator vs the heat stroke or fungus that would take me out other wise.

Foxyotter said:

List of fatal alligator attacks in the United States - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Pretty rare but a little scary. Not one of these folks were in a canoe, jon boat or kayak. July 4th 2015 Tommie Woodward was first fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. Tommie wasn't very smart and basically fed himself to the alligator.

August 30th 2021 was the first fatal alligator attack since 1774 in Louisiana.

Alligator Attacks on Humans in the United States

Encounters with alligators are increasing in the United States. Both severe injuries and fatalities can occur from an alligator attack. This study provides information on alligator attacks reported in the United States as well as infections that are commonly associated with alligator bites.

www.wemjournal.org

Way more shark attacks.

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Even though rare. As for me, I will take any additional insurance that prevents me from winding up on that Wikipedia list, even if I don't use it.

I have a throwable floatation device in all of my boats. In the almost 60 years of being on the water, I've never once had to throw it to save someone in the water. But should an emergency situation arise I have it. I am familiar with it and know how to use it.

I have always maintained one fire extinguisher in my house and one in my garage, I have never had to use them, but should the emergency arise I have it. I am familiar with it and know how to use it.

It's been almost 30 years since I've had to change flat tire on the side of the road. But should the situation arise I have a spare tire (and AAA). I am familiar with it and know how to change it.

If carrying a tool that I am familiar, proficient and safe with, can possibly keep me from winding up on any fatality list like the Wikipedia list posted. I will take that tool with me, even if I never have to use it.

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Evernole I don't disagree with what you wrote and I am not against carrying a gun if given the "familiar and know how part" being the most important. With that being said your examples other then a gun rarely kill people accidentally, purposfully or other wise.

This video was very interesting. Good practice ideas and surprising suggestion on weapon choice. The video also has a crazy survival storie of guy that was attack by grizzly.

Canoes aside, maybe folks should carry guns near golf course ponds to give themselves a fighting chance against death by decorative alligators.

I missed this first time around, so apologies for the necrothread...

I'll not address any of the um... misinformed comments so as to avoid controversy at this late date, but I do have some hopefully useful information to add.

First, I'll nod to the OP. No, I generally don't carry a gun for protection on wilderness trips, with some specific exceptions. One of those being the Yellowstone area, where coincidentally two men were attacked by a grizzly and survived (with injuries) thanks to their handguns just a couple weeks after I was in the same area this summer. The other was after introduced wolf populations had grown rapidly in the area I was headed and before wolf hunting was allowed. The wolves there have since learned to fear man enough for my comfort. If I ever make it to Alaska, that holds another possibility.

I have, however, often kept a handgun with me while on the road across multiple states where I was making overnight stops. Once at or near my intended entry point, it's usually left in someone's care or hidden away in a locked and secured steel box. Having been targeted while traveling in the past, I think it's only prudent - as one trained and comfortable with defensive weapons. Related to that, there are a couple of reliable resources for staying out of legal trouble, which I'll list below.

But now a warning, prompted by a previous post. It's tempting to think that ignoring the law in a restrictive state is without danger unless one has to actually use the gun for defense. But you should be aware that there have been numerous cases (one famous one in New Jersey) where a gun that would have been legal to carry now in most US states was found by the authorities during the investigation of a traffic accident that occurred in a location where the law disallows it. It's easy to imagine other unexpected events (such as a medical emergency) that might expose the possession as well. My advice is to not tempt fate - whatever that means to you.

Resources:

Become proficient with firearms, practice using them and then do everything you can to protect yourself with your brain and your actions. The sue of a firearm is last resort, not your first defense.

My dog is my first defense, then having situational awareness is my second defense.

Two weeks ago I was drinking coffee at first light in the wood in the Sierra of California near Twin Lakes. I heard distinct growling in the willows beside the creek behind camp. I heard it again, and moved toward the truck about 30 yards away. I put a pistol in my coat pocket. Never saw the critter that made the racquet.

A week earlier a bear was euthanized in the same area after taking a swipe at a woman's leg. Be ever vigilant.

When I started doing significant solo off-trail backpacking in the Adirondacks, my dad was concerned, not about me being attacked, but rather my ability to signal distress or injury. GPS and personal beacons did not yet exist. He was well practiced with firearms, and so was I. I soon earned my Expert marknanship award as a flight crew member in the Air Force, and had to requalify every year as the only crew member who was authorized and responsible for safely carrying a .38 S&W Special revolver in my navigation bag on my military flights.

Living in NY, the land of heavy ownership restrictions on handguns, i was lucky that my dad was good friends and co-worker with a well known world wide hunter and published author, who was a certified permit instructor and also friends with the local judge who would grant my pistol permit. So my dad gave me his old .380 auto to carry. The only problem was it is quite heavy, especially if I carry enough amunition for signaling with how many 3 emergency shots per signaling attempt? So to please him I carried a few times untile I got tirerd of it and gained enough experience to feel I no longer needed it. I still have that handgun and a couple of others I inherited from Dad. I occasionally fire them just to keep a sharp eye, but don't normally ever carry while camping or canoe tripping.

.380 and .38 are too puny for the bush anyway.

ppine said:

.380 and .38 are too puny for the bush anyway.

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The .38 was the standard issue Air Force weapon of the day, meant for air crew cabin protection only. The .380 from my father was not meant as a weapon, it was to be a noise maker (3 shots at intervals) for rescue purposes. I have since acquired his S&W .44 magnum and Colt .45, which are WAY to heavy to backpack with.

I have searched for a backpacking pistol for years and found it. It is a little Ruger revolver. I think it is the Ruger LCR. It is a hammerless 5 shot revolver that comes in .357 mag. Loaded it weighs about a pound. It fits in the pouch on my pack waist belt.
Usually on canoe and drift boat trips I bring a Smith and Wesson 629, .44 mag in stainless.