I envy you my American friends!

[GioTheGreek]

Thanks alot for your wonderful posts....

Iron Patch, I also do some prospecting... that's why I'm going into the woods and cruising along riversides...

 

[dazoff]

In all of Canada hand guns may only be carried by those that require one, police, armoured guards, and those licenced to move a hand gun from home to a gun range and back. Anyone else must prove the need to carry. Boarder guards have only recently been allowed to carry.

Rifles for hunting must be registered, with a back ground check and proof of an approved course in handling.
Part of that back ground check is to find out any mental issues or domestic violence issues.

Carrying a gun because it would be fun won't cut it, very few police die in Canada and the average citizen has little to fear.

 

[Monty]

I'd be interested in the stats on crimes committed against individuals with the bad guys in possession of guns since the gun laws were passed in Canada. Here in the USA where one can carry concealed in most states, those type of crimes have consistently gone down. Just curious. I have seen stats on gun related crimes in Australia since they passed strict gun control that show increases in crime. Ditto England. Does anyone on Tnet have those stats from the NRA or even the FBI ? I think most people would be surprised. Monty

 

[silverswede]

I've read so many of these "carry large handguns' to supposedly ward off attacts by large predatory animals. Here's a few suggestions to consider before getting into this mind frame. How many people (not only detectorists) in your area have been seriously injured or killed by animals in the wild? How many of all the members on this forum have ever been involved in a shootout with a bad person while detecting? How many would be comfortable aiming and firing a bullet into another human to prevent harm from a percieved threat. What if one of two legal permit holding hand gun owners feel threatened by the other and exhibits his gun? Here in the western states of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana where I have spent my entire adult life tens of thousands of hunters take to the woods for three months of hunting each carrying a weapon capable of killing any beast or person out there. How many hunters die from gunshot? Probably, fewer total than from bee sting any given year. Believe me, I have spent my life time in the outdoors and have run into both Grizzly and Black bears, Mountain Lions, Wolves, and Cow Moose with calves and have yet to have to do anything but respectfully back down. I have never carried a firearm for protection or been in a situation where I would have had to shoot anybody or any thing. I do make one exception though because I now live in a small town and walk and sometimes detect yards I do make sure I carry my small shovel for the most dangerous animal out there..The domestic dog!

 

[bigwater]

I've paddled the entire length of the Snake through Idaho, as well as the Salmon, and never seen a single critter anywhere other than a rattlesnake sunning itself on the rocks. The grizzly population was wiped out before the 1970's. There might be 600 of them left in the entire Yellowstone area... and that encompasses three states... three big states... including Idaho

If you don't have many critters and you aren't worried about coming up on something that's a more than you can handle with your digging spade, more power to you. Where I live there are roughly 1,500 black bears in the small 300 square mile area surrounding my house. I find them on my back deck trying to eat out of my bird feeder from time to time. The first time I saw that I screamed like a little girl and ran one direction while the bear, as scared as I was scrambled off in the other direction.

But the fact is, that while grizzly bears are more aggressive, they are herbivores and won't kill you for food. They'll stand you down and maybe make you climb a tree to keep from getting killed, but they won't eat you, even after they tear you limb from limb. Black bears are less aggressive, but they're omnivores, and they will eat you if they get a chance... every bit of you. A couple of pops out of a loud firearm will drive either one of them away though.

And if you think the most dangerous animal out there is the domestic dog... you have to wait until you see Rover encounter a moutain lion. He'll go running so fast back to whatever hidey hold he can find with his tail tucked between his legs that you won't believe it. Your spade may be the best defensive tool that you think you need, but for me my best defensive tool is lead and gunpowder encased in brass.

I've never had an life threatening encounter with another human, but yes, if it was a life threating situation I'd rather shoot him dead than be buried by his spade.

 

[texan connection]

In all of Canada hand guns may only be carried by those that require one, police, armoured guards, and those licenced to move a hand gun from home to a gun range and back. Anyone else must prove the need to carry. Boarder guards have only recently been allowed to carry.

Rifles for hunting must be registered, with a back ground check and proof of an approved course in handling.
Part of that back ground check is to find out any mental issues or domestic violence issues.

Carrying a gun because it would be fun won't cut it, very few police die in Canada and the average citizen has little to fear.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa030500c.htm

Yes as you can see canada is a happy little flower throwing gun crime free country.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

There are wild hogs up in the mountains here around my house. I took my seven year old up there the other day and saw the tell tell signs myself. Being from Texas, their sign is unmistakable. My Mom totally freaks out about them and other folks, grown men fear them as well. Should I fear the wild hogs? Has anyone actually had a dangerous encounter with them?

 

[texan connection]

YES I have been Charged, most the time they run. I have friends That have been cut up when hunting them.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

YES I have been Charged, most the time they run. I have friends That have been cut up when hunting them.

Hey Tex,
You were charged? Once? Did it stop or did you shoot? Was it the big boar?

 

[dazoff]

I've paddled the entire length of the Snake through Idaho, as well as the Salmon, and never seen a single critter anywhere other than a rattlesnake sunning itself on the rocks. The grizzly population was wiped out before the 1970's. There might be 600 of them left in the entire Yellowstone area... and that encompasses three states... three big states... including Idaho

If you don't have many critters and you aren't worried about coming up on something that's a more than you can handle with your digging spade, more power to you. Where I live there are roughly 1,500 black bears in the small 300 square mile area surrounding my house. I find them on my back deck trying to eat out of my bird feeder from time to time. The first time I saw that I screamed like a little girl and ran one direction while the bear, as scared as I was scrambled off in the other direction.

But the fact is, that while grizzly bears are more aggressive, they are herbivores and won't kill you for food. They'll stand you down and maybe make you climb a tree to keep from getting killed, but they won't eat you, even after they tear you limb from limb. Black bears are less aggressive, but they're omnivores, and they will eat you if they get a chance... every bit of you. A couple of pops out of a loud firearm will drive either one of them away though.

And if you think the most dangerous animal out there is the domestic dog... you have to wait until you see Rover encounter a moutain lion. He'll go running so fast back to whatever hidey hold he can find with his tail tucked between his legs that you won't believe it. Your spade may be the best defensive tool that you think you need, but for me my best defensive tool is lead and gunpowder encased in brass.

I've never had an life threatening encounter with another human, but yes, if it was a life threating situation I'd rather shoot him dead than be buried by his spade.

I live in British Columbia we have far more bears and mountain lions , yes the bears wander my neighborhood all the time, I've only been charged once bear spray works. I've walked behind bears on many occasions moving them off the street and back into the woods. Mountain lions there is the odd attack but they always hit from behind pouncing, if I know there are sightings I take my rottie with me. Big cats don't like anything that looks hard to take.
As for trouble with people I never worry seems mostly its the gangs shooting each other over drug turf.

 

[texan connection]

I walked into a group of Pigs, I was charged by what I belive was a Boar, I ran and he followed a short distance (maybe 50 yds behind) then left, I belive he was just letting the others escape.

I was tracking the group, as I wanted a pig, I had seen them cross the road about 30 min b-4, so went back home and got my gun, but came on them unexpected. (after about a hour) I saw 2 coyotes also following this group, but I was in the woods and they escaped.

I did circle around(kinda got lucky on the circle around bit as I was a little shook up, and just wanting to get away) and got a 60#-80# (or so) pig, they were seperated from the bunch, it was a sow with babies.

If you want a easy pig I recommened Trapping them, Its better.

My friends that have been hurt were trapping, but not handeling the trap and trailor well. They do Live catches and folks Buy them around here if they are big and LIVE. Ive heard of folks catching them with dogs, and dogs getting killed. But by the stories iv heard, thats not for me. Im intrested in the meat not so much the adventure. When we get one in a Trap we just kill it and take it home. If its over 120 lbs or so I can call a buddy and he,ll give me 10 Bucks for it. then sale it for 50.00.

I really dont want to get in the Trapping buisness, couple 100lb or less pigs in the freezer a yr is good.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

I hear ya TC.
My folks are there in Milam Co. as well so yes I know folks do a lot of that.
Hey they spotted a family of river otters on the 12 acre tank a few times last summer. (Not nutra, not beaver) the little fellers turned their heads around 180 degrees as they were swimming.

Luckily no one was attacked (just staying on topic).

 

[stefen]

BC residents, bear this in mind...

 

[bigwater]

Well whoever made that sign obviosly doesn't know what they're talking about. It's the black bear sh** that will have the bells in it, and the grizzly bear sh** with the berries

 

[stefen]

I'm out of there regardless...

When I see a bear taking a shlt in the woods, I really don't care to look at his fecal droppings before I determine if it's a black bear or a grizzley...

My feet are a bookin

 

[Rich in Texas]

You and me both Stefen!!!! I do however have a story that I shared on here years ago. I was detecting in woods near an old resort. I was confronted by a Rotty. I do have a CHL, and put a 45 in the dirt in front of this thing. It charged me and took 2 45's before going down. I love dogs and actually have 4. But once a big dog goes wild, all bets are off. I feared for my life, and the property owner thanked me for putting the dog down. It had killed two of his dogs. I can say that I think it is a God given right to protect yourself. And it doesn't have to be me with my fists against a perp with a gun. So I and my wife carry everywhere we go. We go to parks on the south side of San Antonio, and we carry there for good reason. I fully believe that average people can take training and carry a gun responsibly. I have been a soldier, correctional officer, and peace officer, but I don't think that it takes that amount of training to be able to protect yourself with a gun. Statistics are not the end-all either. If one in a hundred thousand people are killed at a certain park and I want to detect there, I have the right to not be "Mr. One Hundred Thousand". Maybe people think differently than in Texas, but that's the way I feel.

 

[dneyedli@res1.mts.net]

I have spent most of my life in the deep woods and have never needed a gun. I've encountered many black bears and have slept several times by myself in coyote country with many howling near my tent!
I can't see New Brunswick being more dangerous than Manitoba! I have absolutely zero fear out in the bush. I have even lived in the B.C. back country and have had bears steal my food bags while hanging up in the tree and have run into a 800 pound black bear head on (we were a couple of feet apart!). What you do is yield and realize that the bear is not moving from the trail and to go around him. Respect comes real fast! There are many precautions to take when dealing with bears.
In general, animal attacks are as rare as lightning hitting people with the exceptions of people wearing bacon necklaces or doing something stupid.
The only reason I would need a gun is if I go up north into Polar bear country. Heavy wolf population is also a reason but most cases they are more scared of us. I spend many days in the the deep woods and I carry a dull knife that couldn't cut butter, and a screwdriver. Sometimes a little shovel.
As far as crime, Winnipeg is the murder capital of Canada for many years running (at least in the past) and seldom it is a result of guns. Most deaths are drunks beating each other up or gang related. There is little reason at all to own a gun unless you want to be a hunter. I am not envious, as our media does not pump out nearly as much fear as the U.S. media does. I can say this for sure as most of our T.V. channels comes from America.
The only reason I would need a gun is if I wanted meat or if I am deep into Polar bear country.
I would not want mess with a Polar bear after it has awaken from hibernation in the spring. No thanks!

In conclusion, the expression "Fear of the unknown" best represents people's desire to carry a gun. Accustom yourself with the bush and a lot of that fear will dissipate. The same goes for the city.
In case anyone wants to debate me, you are talking to someone who has been cleaning out the "Hood" for years while most my fellow Winnipeg hunters are too scared to go there. More for me!
Dave.

 

[stefen]

It bears repeating

 

[dazoff]

love the sign.

 

[bigwater]

Well being a wilderness first responder, one of the things they taught us was that when confronted with a Grizzly bear, just stay still. Don't move an inch and they'll go on about their business because they don't want to eat you. They're aggressive when they feel threatened, but won't hurt you if you stay still. When confronted with a Black bear, run like hell. Find the tallest tree with the lowest limbs you can reach and scramble your butt up it, because if he's hungry enough a Black bear WILL eat you. Of course, no part of the wilderness first responser training ever covered unholstering a .357 magnum and unloading it into the Black bear... so maybe my thought process is flawed. I don't know where the Polar bears come into play in that scenario... never had to deal with them.