For those of you who go hiking.. What type of protection do you have?

I usually carry my .45 on my hip when I am out in the forest. Do those of you who don't carry a gun feel safer when you see someone who is carrying a gun?

If I seen someone in danger in the forest I would not hesitate to use my gun to save them. I feel safer if the people I am with are carrying. Even seeing a random person carrying. Of course I live in the sticks and most people have been hunting.. so there's that.

I know people in the city probably go target shooting at the indoor range if they own a gun.
I was watching some YouTube videos and I had thought about this and decided to ask you all.

Please don't turn this into an argument about gun rights and such.

Thanks in advance for your response.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

DrWatson · 70-79, M

It has never occurred to me to carry a gun on a hike.

And if I see someone with a gun, I am wary of that person, rather than feeling safer.

4meAndyou · F

@DrWatson I saw bear spray in action on television out in California. A Marijuana store was continually being broken into and robbed by the same gang of thieves, so the owner bought bear spray and placed cans of it all around the store for his manager and employees to use if they had to. ! It REALLY seemed to work!

robingoodfellow · M

@DrWatson in New York once I came upon 2 guys in full military gear with scope rifles. At first I thought I thought it was a military exercise of some kind. Then I saw one guy had a bag of dead squirrels.
They were squirrel hunting. In military helmets with scope rifles. I couldn't get past them fast enough and it actually kind of ruined my hike because it put me on edge.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@robingoodfellow I have happy memories of hiking in the Adirondacks in the summers during the 1960's. I recall hikers exhibiting good will toward each other. You could leave your gear in a lean-to, go on a day hike, and not worry about anything being stolen when you came back in the evening. There was a sense of camaraderie, a sense that "we're all out here together."

4meAndyou · F

@DrWatson The Adirondacks are in good area of the country as a general rule. Of course, those carefree days are over, as far as theft goes.

robingoodfellow · M

@DrWatson I think that's still the rule rather than the exception. Thankfully