Re: Backcountry Meetings

I frequently carry a bear gun here in British Columbia as the number of Grizzlies and attacks has increased enormously over the past decade. I am an avid hunter, primarily a backpack hunter and carrying a rifle during the off-season is good training for the actual season.

I do not carry a pistol, although I have and am qualified to do so and can re-new my carry permit should I wish to. I also strongly stress that I have VERY thorough training and extensive experience with firearms and also working solo in remote wilderness. Generally, I do not think that most people should carry when backpacking and it is now illegal for non-Canadian backpackers to do so here, as it should be.

Guns are just another tool, as is my pack, sleeping roll or knife, no more, no less. I never carry unless my 50+ years of western-northern Canadian wilderness experience indicates to me that doing so is probably a good idea and so when doing so, I am usually in remote areas where encountering other people is very unlikely. Here, near Vancouver, amid truely spectacular mountains, where there are lots of bears, I never feel it's necessary.

I HAVE lived alone for three month stints in extremely remote Grizzly country, with no chance of rescue if injured and without break. I did this un-armed in 1972 and 1974, but, I was a LOT tougher and braver in my late 20s than now at 61, so, I do carry fairly often.

One point, I have a large and very valuable gun collection and shoot regularly and am very used to guns; yet, even with my Ruger Redhawk 5.5"-.44Mag. and my bear handloads, I DO NOT consider anyn handgun really adequate for bear protection and quit packing the heavy thing largely for that reason, something to consider, anyway.