How do you keep yourself safe outdoors?

[baspinall]

Plain old street smarts.............

 

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[superfly]

Like many of you, I sometimes out off the beaten path. How do you guys and gals protect yourselves in the outdoors. Do you carry mace, pepperspray, tazer, stungun, picture of ex-wife (mother-in-law), etc. Just looking to see what everyone else does. Thank you.

that was good ron, about the pic of ex-wife, i laughed so hard it still hurts! i usually hunt alone,been doing it for 25+years. i always let my wonderful [new] wife know where im going and when i expect to be back. i will pack my 9mm in the woods only[wild dogs,poisonous snakes,etc.] having a cell phone,extra water,candy bars,so if things go south on me then hopefully rescue workers will find me before the buzzards do! you gotta love it...

 

[nhbenz]

I am fortunate to not have this issue where I live. But if you have concerns like this, just be sure to not to have credit cards etc in your wallet. Personalize your detector in some way that its absolutely unique for WHEN it shows up at a hawk shop (which will be near by, cuz the crackhead needs his stuff quick). The serial # on it is not an easy enough distinction. It'll show up.
If you don't put up a fight, you generally won't get hurt. A gun beats four aces in a card game, so if that's what your facing don't try to defend yourself. If I were this concerned I would get a concealed weapon permit, but stay safe.

I would like to meet the criminals that live in your state.If you really think you do not have to worry,you have a probelm.
I live in a rural area and work in a city that is not really that big.
Most of my hunting is done in out of the way places and even though there is not much crime i carry a gun also.
In the last couple of years around here crime against people has gone way up.Last year just up the street from where i work a women was attacked while running the track there.This place is in town and surronded by very busy streets.Even though she gave up her wallet they still attacked her and caused bodily harm.Then Friday night at a gas station right in the middle of town,while it was busy,a guy hit the clerk in the head with a gun and took all her money while she was at the gas pumps.
if these people now a days try to rob you they will not just take your stuff and go away.They do not want you top identify them or they just see your cooperation as weakness and beat you down for the fun of it.There have actually been 2 cases in Columbus Ohio where gangs of teens beat up people just for the fun of it.And one of the "gangs" were kids on there way home from a dance.None of them had ever been in trouble before.This was girls and boys.
Please be realistic.Anywhere we live and anywhere you go to hunt you can potetially be in canger and should be prepared to fight or flee.Cell phones are great but what are you going to do if it takes cops even 3 or 4 minutes to get to you

I guess I misunderstood and thought the subject regarded while metal detecting. I've neither detected while jogging in drag, nor at a gas station at night in a state with nine times the population of my own. I don't carry my purse in either situation. I'm sorry about your fear. I think I'll be OK. Are these gangs of punks running rampant through the corn fields over there?

 

[teverly]

I am fortunate to not have this issue where I live. But if you have concerns like this, just be sure to not to have credit cards etc in your wallet. Personalize your detector in some way that its absolutely unique for WHEN it shows up at a hawk shop (which will be near by, cuz the crackhead needs his stuff quick). The serial # on it is not an easy enough distinction. It'll show up.
If you don't put up a fight, you generally won't get hurt. A gun beats four aces in a card game, so if that's what your facing don't try to defend yourself. If I were this concerned I would get a concealed weapon permit, but stay safe.

I would like to meet the criminals that live in your state.If you really think you do not have to worry,you have a probelm.
I live in a rural area and work in a city that is not really that big.
Most of my hunting is done in out of the way places and even though there is not much crime i carry a gun also.
In the last couple of years around here crime against people has gone way up.Last year just up the street from where i work a women was attacked while running the track there.This place is in town and surronded by very busy streets.Even though she gave up her wallet they still attacked her and caused bodily harm.Then Friday night at a gas station right in the middle of town,while it was busy,a guy hit the clerk in the head with a gun and took all her money while she was at the gas pumps.
if these people now a days try to rob you they will not just take your stuff and go away.They do not want you top identify them or they just see your cooperation as weakness and beat you down for the fun of it.There have actually been 2 cases in Columbus Ohio where gangs of teens beat up people just for the fun of it.And one of the "gangs" were kids on there way home from a dance.None of them had ever been in trouble before.This was girls and boys.
Please be realistic.Anywhere we live and anywhere you go to hunt you can potetially be in canger and should be prepared to fight or flee.Cell phones are great but what are you going to do if it takes cops even 3 or 4 minutes to get to you

I guess I misunderstood and thought the subject regarded while metal detecting. I've neither detected while jogging in drag, nor at a gas station at night in a state with nine times the population of my own. I don't carry my purse in either situation. I'm sorry about your fear. I think I'll be OK. Are these gangs of punks running rampant through the corn fields over there?

SORRY, I thought you were going to pick up on the idea that you are mistaken about criminals,And my point was that you never know what can happen and just because you are in the middle of no where,in an area that you know, does not mean you are neccisarily safe.
From now on i will make my posts very simple and spell sloooooowly....

 

[Old Dog]

One quick note to all,

In any application it is wise to carry repellent as a weapon, ie.. pepper spray etc. Rather than a gun,
or a knife.
There will be that moment of hesitation where the gun should have come into play and didn't.
That is plenty of time to have a weapon taken from you and used on you in stead.

Please consider that in many cases to carry a weapon means you will use it .
It should never be used for intimidation purposes.
There is always that one chance that someone will not bluff.

You will end up being the victim of your own protective measures.
If you can't bring your self to use it... Don't carry it.

If it is so dangerous to hunt in these inner city parks,
Please find someplace else to hunt.
I value all of my TNet friends and wish no harm to befall even one of them.

Thom
OD

 

[Montana Jim]

One quick note to all,

In any application it is wise to carry repellent as a weapon, ie.. pepper spray etc. Rather than a gun,
or a knife.
There will be that moment of hesitation where the gun should have come into play and didn't.
That is plenty of time to have a weapon taken from you and used on you in stead.

Please consider that in many cases to carry a weapon means you will use it .
It should never be used for intimidation purposes.
There is always that one chance that someone will not bluff.

You will end up being the victim of your own protective measures.
If you can't bring your self to use it... Don't carry it.

If it is so dangerous to hunt in these inner city parks,
Please find someplace else to hunt.
I value all of my TNet friends and wish no harm to befall even one of them.

Thom
OD

Well said Thom... well said.

 

[Born2Dtect]

Thanks Old Dog, Thom.

I was beginning to think I was the only mild mannered aging guy in the crowd. I 100% agree. Plan for and use items for bugs, dogs, plants environment, but if your area is inhabited with 2 legged vermin, go somewhere else. Or plan around it. I have fired many weapons, pointed them at people but never have had to fire, I am glad I did not. Keep safe and hunt hard.

Ed D.

 

[tapoutking]

380 Auto with Mag Shock rounds and a .25 cal mini in my pack.

 

[daaaveman]

Bear repellent on my belt and a Lesche long-handled shovel in my hand.

 

[Bill G]

Wow, people from other countries must think we are still the Wild West. I just wonder where you all are detecting so I can stay clear. This is just a hobby for me and not worth dying over. I wouldn't do it any more if I had to go out packed like Rambo for some clad. I love my Minelab but don't think it is worth my life. I would just buy another one. I once lived in a bad area so I decided to move to where I felt safe. It's a big country. If I felt I had to walk around carrying a gun, it wouldn't be a safe enough area for my family to live. Unless you were robbing a criminal first, they would already have you lined in their gun sight, taking your detector and your gun. Do you really think you could out draw them? Just think, anyone desparate enough to rob a man of his detector at gunpoint for $50 at a pawn shop, is more than willing to use the gun on you. He needs the money more than you need your detector. Give it up and live to post another day. Good luck, keep your heads down and stay safe!!!

Well my friend, I see that you have bought in to the old myth from the left that people that carry legal or prepare themselves for the worst that can happen in life ( because it can and does) have something wrong with there way of thinking, so you need to stay away from them because they are bad. The truth is you do not get a second chance most of the time with today's violent criminals, that is a fact. The fact is in America no matter where you live even in the best parts of town bad things can happen by bad people period, so keep convincing yourself it could never happen to you because of where you live or who you are. So while you feel safe in the good part of town, if and when hopefully not, something happens to you; you can take your unprepared self and your point of view and try to talk your self out of the situation, I wish you luck.

A person that is aware of his surrounding that has training and Carries legal has the tactical advantage on a criminal in a lot of situations and can be prepaired and see the bad situation coming giving them a chance to flee or defend themselves depending on the situation and not be a victim like the people that think on the left of this topic.

Best of luck to you and I hope you never find yourself in this kind of situation for your sake. Its not a matter of saving your detector its a matter of maybe saving your own life, like you said (QUOTE) Do you really think you could out draw them? Just think, anyone desperate enough to rob a man of his detector at gunpoint for $50 at a pawn shop, is more than willing to use the gun on you ( POINT BEING WILLING TO USE A GUN) the criminal does not know you have a gun concealed, so yes by all means give him your detector and let him go unless he wants more like maybe to hurt you then you have to do something, without the means and the training you have no chance. I know and speak of this from personal experience and when it happens to you, trust me after it is over if you survive, your mind set and point of view will be changed forever.

P.S I carry my Glock 27 or my KAHR PM40 with me while detecting no matter where I detect.

Take Care,
Bill G

 

[hipmount]

...... My Charisma ......

 

[SWATZO]

I have to agree with a lot of the others here, I have always felt it better to be prepared than sorry later..so I always have at least my little .380 auto in my pocket. I hope to never use it, but if things get nutty, I at least would be able to defend myself and whoever I may be with.
Best, Steve

 

[rmptr]

Hmmm. Safe... Outdoors?

I got really bad breath and am a notorious 'close talker'.
Generally only bathe once a month.

Don't have too many problems.

I suppose if I did I could let the little woman out of the car.
Tell her I've got a problem...
She's Irish, you know.

On a good day I might have time to give their last rites before they expired in agony.

 

[arizonaames]

I too stay qualified with my .380 Walther. Drugs have become rampant and there are those that will take advantage of an old man looking for dimes with a detector in the park. Do not think for a moment that an attack will stop if you put up no fight and give your wallet and detector away. You are a living witness that is now a liability. Graves are filled with willing victims. I would much rather have to fight a justified killing than to be the one killed or at least go down fighting. Just this Vietnam vet's opinion.

 

[DigginThePast]

I lawfully carry a handgun and am versed in the laws of my state as far as using deadly force. If a crook were to grab my detector or other property and run off, well then I'll be off to the pawn shops for retrieval and of course there will be a police report. If myself or loved one is threatened with deadly force I will respond in kind. There will be no warning shots or shoot to incapacitate. If I'm forced to draw on another human it will be by their actions and shots will be center mass. There will be no "other side of the story", "it was a misunderstanding etc." in court. Obviously a sidearm is also useful for attacking animals.

I would rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

 

[Mooa182]

I really do not have a need for it here, but then again I live on a military base where idiots are held out of the area by barbed wire fences and very bored military police armed to the brink with 9mm's and M4's with enough ammo to stop a elephant. I am very confident that they can get anywhere on base in under 5 minutes, and much faster at night. Now if I go off base, I don't have to worry too much either because in Germany, getting any type of gun is very hard. A can of pepper spray from my father (who is a police officer) would take care of most of the American drunk's.

For animals I have only seen a rabbit and a small red fox but nothing larger, but you never know what can happen.

 

[EDDE]

LOOK AT DA BONES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Massbaycolonist]

I have been advised by the locals up in the Northern mountains that I should carry a pistol with me for protection against the lions, tigers and bears. (and coyotes). I'm taking a pistol safety course now, and I will be purchasing a pistol for the back woods.

Like many of you, I sometimes out off the beaten path. How do you guys and gals protect yourselves in the outdoors. Do you carry mace, pepperspray, tazer, stungun, picture of ex-wife (mother-in-law), etc. Just looking to see what everyone else does. Thank you.

 

[Old Dog]

I lawfully carry a handgun and am versed in the laws of my state as far as using deadly force. If a crook were to grab my detector or other property and run off, well then I'll be off to the pawn shops for retrieval and of course there will be a police report. If myself or loved one is threatened with deadly force I will respond in kind. There will be no warning shots or shoot to incapacitate. If I'm forced to draw on another human it will be by their actions and shots will be center mass. There will be no "other side of the story", "it was a misunderstanding etc." in court. Obviously a sidearm is also useful for attacking animals.

I would rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

A gun in the hand is by far better than a cop on the phone.

 

[Johnnysan]

It isn't guns, it is the willingness to use guns.

If you are the type of person who would defend himself and loved-ones, you would do it with guns, knives, toothpicks or a candy bar. Some people believe that giving criminals what they want and calling the police is the answer; so for them, maybe this is the best thing. I find it difficult to judge people by their actions because all people are different. Personally, a .357 close at hand feels mighty comfortable; I know I would use it if needed. But, guns are like money: if it's not in your hand it ain't worth very much. And with a magnum, you don't need a cell phone; when the neighbors hear that noise, they call the police.
Several years back I lost my knife. I had carrried a knife since I was 16, and I was really surprised how naked and vulnerable I felt without it. I knew no one could tell I didn't have a knife (or if I did), but still I felt uneasy. $60 later I felt much better, thank you.
I rarely carry a gun on my person, but almost always in my car. Most cars made today can easily outrun my POS, so I might have to stand and fight.
Personally, I think mace and pepper spray are a big mistake. I've seen those cop shows where assailants don't even slow down when maced; it's about as effective as whispering Christmas carols at them. The same for stun guns; once the volts stop, the guy is madder than a wet cat (and who is closest to him?). I believe in doing a job right the first time.
To each his own. Keep your powder dry. And remember, your rights don't stop when you walk out your front door.