Question only: bears & guns in backcountry

imported
#1

I’m merely curious about thru-hikers & bears, and I’m definitely & certainly not trying to stir up a debate on a controversal subject. The question: to anyone’s knowledge, do any thru-hikers going thru “griz” country lug along a high-powered handgun? Here’s the reason I’m curious: I worked at Tetons & Yellowstone as a backcountry NPS ranger in the late 60s and early 70s and we never, ever went into backcountry without a significant sidearm. I never used it, but I did sleep better, and there were also a couple close-encounter moments where I was very comforted with the notion that I could do sometime other than play dead (which was then-current advice if attacked.) Today, I wouldn’t bring a gun, for many good reasons – weight, not really very effective protection, contrary to my current outdoor ethic, illegal most areas, and some other reasons (though I might bring along a spray, such as “Counter Assault,” which seems to well-regarded in Alaska). Anyway . . . just curious about what the grapevine knows about current real-world actual practices.

McIntyre

#2

I always carry a firearm when I’m in griz country, period. So do most others in those parts of the West, hikers and non-hikers alike.

I also carry on the Appalachian Trail, though not as powerful a weapon is needed as in griz country. My eastern backpacking weapon is a Smith & Wesson 386SC .357 magnum, with a Scandium frame, and titanium cylinder. At 17oz, it’s light, powerful, and safe.

Clip

#3

It is illegal to carry in the National Parks - and that’s where the majority of the grizzlies are found.

Beyond that, I’ve never heard of any thruhiker who carried a gun on the CDT. For thruhikers, weight matters, a lot. Anything powerful enough to stop a charging grizzly would be much too heavy. Most don’t even carry bear spray.

Ginny