Quote:
Originally Posted by pwd72s
There's a reason that Oregon archery hunters are allowed to carry pistols. Jeff should know if Washington "stick flickers" are allowed the same. I'm not sure..
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Yes, they are allowed to carry a defensive handgun. It hasn't always been that way, but I believe they gained that right over 20 years ago.
To me, it's just about being prepared. No one is "afraid" of anything simply because they choose to be prepared. To me, having a sidearm is as innocuous as the rest of the "ten essentials" that are so well know to backpackers. Just a tool like everything else. One we carry hoping we will never need, like the first aid kit and such.
In what are now 50+ years of actively roaming the wilderness at every opportunity, I have had my fair share of encounters with large predators. All ended peacefully, thank God, but I have to think my demeanor, propped up by the fact I had a large bore revolver pointed at said predator on more than a few occasions, may be what de-escalated the situation.
Animals are very, very good at picking up on that - is this a critter to be f'd with, or is it best that I move along? I have to think my steadfast, hold my ground, don't move an inch, show no fear demeanor in these situations carried the day. Granted, I was doing my best not to wet my pants (that would have been a dead giveaway), but that "not today" attitude comes through loud and clear in their world. Cowering in fear, shaking like a leaf, and other signs of weakness and fear are noticed immediately as well.
My most memorable was one time out deer hunting during a muzzle loading season. Armed with no more than my .50 caliber flintlock, I found myself face to face, at less than ten feet, with the cougar that had been following me all morning. We had a nice chat. Seemed to go on for hours, but I bet it was maybe a minute or two. I kept telling him that neither one of us wanted this... Firm, forceful, unyielding. I don't think I would have had the fortitude to do that had I been unarmed.
Of course, as I discovered later that morning, I actually was "unarmed". I had a good shot at a nice buck. That damn flinter didn't go off. Turned out I had not adequately cleaned out the touch hole. Damn good thing that neither that cougar nor I knew that at the time...