What do you carry while camping/hiking and how do you carry it?

[KING_PALM]

What I hike with for anything local.
And depending on how I'm camping or where I'm camping that setup changes drastically!

[ZirconJohn]

There'yago ^^^ that's a really good set-up there King

[nedro]

I have a question to debate.
I don't have a CCW, but I'm not stupid enough to go into illegal alien pot growing country without protection. Especially when my 9 YO daughter is with me.
Now, if I were a bad guy and wanted that sweet 357 that you have strapped to your side, I would shoot you before you ever see me because I see your gun.
If I wanted to rob a hiker in the woods, I probably wouldn't think about killing you first because we are out in the woods. I would want to rob you, so I might just come up to you casually and might even be seen by you before we were close to each other.
Ya, I know. There's a lot of ifs. But really, do you want to advertise your side arm in the woods were you might have a better chance at spotting danger if the bad guy didn't know you were carrying?

I bring it up because I see advantages in both concealed and open carry.
What do you guys think?

[Click Boom]

I have a question to debate.
I don't have a CCW, but I'm not stupid enough to go into illegal alien pot growing country without protection. Especially when my 9 YO daughter is with me.
Now, if I were a bad guy and wanted that sweet 357 that you have strapped to your side, I would shoot you before you ever see me because I see your gun.
If I wanted to rob a hiker in the woods, I probably wouldn't think about killing you first because we are out in the woods. I would want to rob you, so I might just come up to you casually and might even be seen by you before we were close to each other.
Ya, I know. There's a lot of ifs. But really, do you want to advertise your side arm in the woods were you might have a better chance at spotting danger if the bad guy didn't know you were carrying?

I bring it up because I see advantages in both concealed and open carry.
What do you guys think?

I think you're watching too many movies.

Call the local Ranger's office to get clarification on carry options.

[nedro]

I think you're watching too many movies.

Call the local Ranger's office to get clarification on carry options.

I'm pretty sure I don't have options in a state park like Henry Coe. A park with lots of acreage across many mountainous hills.
And please explain the too many movies part. I rarely watch movies.

[bruss01]

Just curious what you guys carry when you're out and about on the trail or in the mountains? I'm also curious how you carry it. Backpack? concealed holster? or some other method.

Not asking for anyone to reveal any secrets. Planning some overnight hiking trips into the Sierras and Coachella Valley and trying to figure out the best way to carry with a 30-35lb pack plus camera gear.

I appreciate any tips and insights.

For trail use I have a Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum. The reason I chose this gun is that it has the ability to fire a large capacity snake-shot capsule. Since a snake is the most common hostile trail encounter, that's what I chose as the primary role for this gun. The first two chambers are loaded with snake shot capsules. If I could obtain a S&W Governor or Taurus Judge I would have those instead, sadly that's not an option.

In the event of encountering a bear or cougar, I can quickly pop off the two capsules in hopes of evoking a startle-response and driving the critter off due to surprise. If that doesn't work, I have four rounds of 44 magnum hunting loads ready to go.

This gun is on my CCW permit so I can legally carry it concealed in a backpack or on my belt under a long-tailed shirt so as not to alarm any other hikers on the trail or incite "man with a gun" calls to 911. I also have a low-chest rig (hard to describe, off-center and low) that can be worn under a light jacket. It's very easy to have the jacket zipped higher for concealment and still easily partly unzip if you need to be ready to draw, as in, when a threat first begins to manifest but hasn't actually presented yet. Such as if some rowdy trouble-makers are headed toward you on the trail... they might be a problem or might pass you right on by. Not time to draw your gun, but time to have it readily available, just in case.

If those other hikers prove to present a problem... I am inclined to think that seeing the Redhawk is likely to resolve that problem, if not, that's what the bullets are there for.

[Thanatos2203]

If you want to carry a gun a gun, go for it. A lot of my time in the woods is hunting, so I'm armed anyway. As such, I'd suggest carrying a .22 in whichever manner you prefer so you can add a little wild protein to your freeze dried chili verde.

I don't often hear about people getting into firefights with organized cartel members, organized gang members, or random hippies at an illegal grow.

I don't often hear about people getting eaten by anything in CA.

I don't often hear about people defending themselves from anything in the CA woods with their gun.

I do hear about people dying or nearly dying because they got lost without water, adequate clothing, and no method of making fire.

In most of CA, and for most of the year hear, I'd feel safer with an extra bottle of water than with a gun.

I agree with this with the exception that growing up in Gold River/Sacramento I recall several accounts of people getting mauled and sometimes killed by mountain lions. I know a couple were local but the others were probably not as close to home. I think this is more of a problem for joggers because they are alone at night without a backpack to make them appear larger, and they are running which activates predator's hunter-killer instincts. Like dragging a toy on a string in front of your house cat.

[Rgarbarino]

If I wanted to rob a hiker in the woods, I probably wouldn't think about killing you first because we are out in the woods. I would want to rob you, so I might just come up to you casually and might even be seen by you before we were close to each other.

And what would a hiker be robbed of...trail mix?

To each his own, I've just never felt the need to carry. I don't like to live my life thinking doomsday, worst case scenario stuff.

[KING_PALM]

And what would a hiker be robbed of...trail mix?



To each his own, I've just never felt the need to carry. I don't like to live my life thinking doomsday, worst case scenario stuff.

I carry a gun for Instagram likes.

[joefrank64k]

And what would a hiker be robbed of...trail mix?

To each his own, I've just never felt the need to carry. I don't like to live my life thinking doomsday, worst case scenario stuff.

I carry a gun for Instagram likes.

Aaahhhahahahaha!!!! K_P!

[shenanigoat]

Love my Hill People Gear Recon Kit Bag. Carried my Shield while fishing in the Sierras last month, and used it to carry my G19 while fishing around Bridgeport in June. Attached some split rings to the zipper pulls so I can throw a small combo lock on and be legal for transport. I don't have a CCW, so I'm using the "poor man's CCW" options. (Working on getting my hunter's safety course/license so I can carry most everywhere in Cleveland National Forest. They have a blanket ban on recreational shooting, so I'd have to make use of the hunting/fishing exemptions.)

I use this thing all the time for mountain biking, fishing, and hiking; it's just super convenient having access to stuff right in front of me. I even rigged up a velcro pepper spray holster on the internal loop strip, so I have some sort of self-defense tool when firearms carry wouldn't be advisable (regional/state parks, etc.). I've gotten some weird looks while biking around the beach and such but it's so practical for me I don't even care, haha. Fantastic piece of kit.

[BoJackUSMC]

My hiking gear...don't mind the weight.. used to carrying heavier weights in the service.

[BoJackUSMC]

I usually cover my shotgun by putting it inside circle hollow pvc pipe.

[MarinRange42]

Hey now ... rattlesnake in their own habitat need to live I'm talking about the NO legged kind, NOT the 2 legged kind

Uh I know how some of you feel about rattlers, but I need a pair of rattlesnake boots! It's nice to be the Apex predator. Try to carry under shoulder if you have a pack with a large waist band. Galco or others. Just obey the rules for the park you will be within.

[smittty]

Backpacking, camping, hiking, etc., means something different to everyone and as I've noticed here most replies are about something different than backpacking.

I use a scandium J-frame and usually carry it in my pocket or a black plain jane pouch on my hip belt. It looks like a small camera pouch. I bought a 3" LCRx but haven't figured out how to best carry it just yet but I like its bigger size for its light weight. I wont carry a gun heavier than 16oz but I'm talking about actually backpacking, not dreaming about it from my air conditioned living while room lounging on the sofa!