Went Hiking, what would you have carried?

pesta2 · July 2, 2007, 09:04 AM

Steph and I went hiking this weekend at Dolly Sods here in WV. The purpose was to get away from work for a day and take photos. Even thought my brand new EOS 30D broke for the second time, back to be repaired again! It rained all day long off and on but was a nice hike and rewarded with an incredible view.

The biggest animal we could have run into would be a black bear. On the way out, we spotted a fresh track in the mud that was some sort of cat. We are thinking Bobcat but it was a big track I have a photo of it with Steph hand next to it. According to the DNR there are no Mountain Lions in WV anymore even though there have been sittings.

Along with my Camera equipment, I had to choice what revolver to carry, which was a big dilemma. Thinking about my 2” .357, small to carry and light but wanted something with a little more oomph. So that leaves me with a Taurus 4” .44 Mag. But it is on the heavy side. My Ruger Super Blackhawk 4-5/8”, once again I thought that was a little much. Plus I was thinking for black bear I don’t really need my .44 mags. Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8” .45 LC, still the size and weight was a little more than I wanted for hiking.

Well after all that I went with my Taurus 4” Tracker in .41 Mag. I thought it was the perfect balance between weight for hiking and cartridge power level. That is what I bought the handgun for anyways.

Steph carried our water, hiking maps and some snacks. She opened her pack and I noticed knives and forks she was carrying. Why I asked. She said incase we ran into Bigfoot, she heard they are tasty.

So what handgun would you bring?

Torghn · July 2, 2007, 09:27 AM

I'd go with the 2" .357 for sure.

fisherman66 · July 2, 2007, 09:34 AM

4" 357 (or a carbine if rifles are legal)

RonC · July 2, 2007, 02:44 PM

At one time, I would have carried my Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. Now, I'd likely carry an S&W 686 4". I have no justifiable reason except that I simply feel more secure with the extra 50-100 ft/sec of the 686.

I haven't lived in Virginia for 22 years, but I still fondly remember trips to WV to go backpacking in the Dolly Sods. We even did it in the Winter. We'd stop at Franklin, WV, then another stop at the old poor farm in the area (owned then by a friend), then off to the Sods. It always was a great trip.

Ron

Manedwolf · July 2, 2007, 02:58 PM

I'd suggest carrying some snakeshot rounds for that, too.

The Taurus Judge I have is really not that heavy at all, the .410 shells are perfect for snakes, and you can go to .45 LC for anything more serious.

ronto · July 2, 2007, 03:59 PM

I wouldn't bet my life that there are no Mountain Lions in Arkansas as the the Fish & Game Commission says in spite of sitings and photos of tracks...I carry my DAO 357 Ruger SP101 with 158gr. HP when in the woods... Any round good enough for a BG is good enough for a big cat...And take a dog with a good nose with you since you'll never know when a Mountain Lion is stalking you until he's got his jaws around your neck and ripping your guts out with his claws.

Playboypenguin · July 2, 2007, 04:05 PM

When hiking in WV I would feel a .357mag would be sufficient for any predator you might meet. If I was packing light I would carry my S&Wm60 and if I could handle something bigger I would take my S&W m686.

If the hike also involved camping then I would wear a better rig and take a .45colt with a longer barrel. Probably my Ruger Vaquero.

markj · July 2, 2007, 04:06 PM

My dog goes with, early warning system on 4 legs. The .44mag I just got, 4 in barrel.

Redneckrepairs · July 2, 2007, 04:08 PM

The same gun and loads i carry every day .. I dont hike a lot , but do a fair amount of horseback in areas where there is no cell service , and emergency services response can be mesured in hours rather than minutes . I carry the same 9mm as i do in town . 4 legged predators dont worry me much ... and my loadout is fine for any 2 legged i may find .

smallshot · July 2, 2007, 04:15 PM

I always carry something that starts with a 4. Usually my TR .44 spl 4". The S&W N frames are not the lightest, but (to quote Clint Smith), I don't carry because it's comfortable - I carry because it's comforting. I don't feel outmatched in the woods by two legs or four.

45Marlin carbine · July 2, 2007, 04:16 PM

National Forest has a restriction to .22 cal w/no longer than 6" barrel. At least here in WNC. Of the ones you list I'd choose the .357 if legal.

Playboypenguin · July 2, 2007, 04:20 PM

Of course I would also take my early warning system.

The 11lbs. of furry fury we like to call our MinPin Sam.

JAXX · July 2, 2007, 04:23 PM

Since I usually "hike" from my saddle on top of a horse, then my scabbard is on board stuffed with my 30-30. So as far as a pistol goes, I carry my CCW wich is a USP 40c. Of course it's open carry while on horseback. I think someday I'll be looking into a 44mag to have on my hip while in the woods. Just not as much of a priority at the moment. My 30-30 does the job any hand gun could do, and the horse has to carry it, not me

Redneckrepairs · July 2, 2007, 04:46 PM

Jaxx i gave up the scabbard , but it does prove there is a place for them old slappy guns . I just gave it up cause my rope gets hung up on the butt when both are saddled . I gotta be doing something wrong , but i need the rope , the 9mm dont bind and will keep heads down while me and the pony egress stage back .

plom · July 2, 2007, 04:58 PM

Smith and Wesson model 65 with a 3" barrel and load it with a 357 mag 125 grs golden saber.

Justme · July 2, 2007, 05:01 PM

I've been hiking in WV and southern ohio since I was about 2 years old. I have never run into anything that couldn't be scared off with a slingshot, the idea that you need more "oomph" than a .357 is really laughable.

The most dangerous thing you can run into in the appalacian mountains is a human being, everything else will avoid humans. I would carry something very light that you could use to scare away people or euthanize a rabid coyote or dog or the like.

The SP101 sounds like a decent choice, and nobody is going to accuse you of being out poaching deer or the like. Well they could accuse you but they would look silly doing so.

Personally something very small and light in .22lr is probably an even better choice, but then I am old and every extra ounce counts when I am hiking. I consider the risk of overexertion and croaking of a heart attack while hiking a greater risk, for me, than the risk of being attacked by animals or bad people. Your mileage may vary.

AK103K · July 2, 2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

The same gun and loads i carry every day .

me too. I dont see any need to change.

Playboypenguin,
your dog looks like bait.

You need a real hiking dog, one that at least looks like a bear.

stevelyn · July 2, 2007, 06:26 PM

Having growed up there, I never saw anything that a .357 wouldn't take care of.

I think the .41 Tracker was a good call. I'd have some shot loads on hand to pepper Jake Noshoulders though.

BTW, take whatever DNR or F&G departments say with a grain of salt. They tried to tell a bunch of the local folks along the Koyukuk River that the musk ox they were seeing really weren't musk ox. They finally admitted to it later. Same with game departments down in the Lower 48. They'll lie to the public about certain animal species moving into different areas.

Justme · July 2, 2007, 06:34 PM

Just out of curiosity why do you feel a need to kill snakes when you are out hiking? I might understand if the snake is in your flower beds or you have kids and it's in your backyard, but not while hiking. I've never run into a snake while out hiking or hunting that I couldn't go around.

Indiscriminant killing of things like snakes upsets the whole balance of power. We have so many stupid coyotes in the east because people hunted red wolves until the were extinct in most areas. The red wolves were not a problem because they had large areas and were shy, the coyotes are a problem because they rapidly overpopulate and kill pets and such.

Just say no to killing anything you can avoid by some other means.

3 gun · July 2, 2007, 06:43 PM

The 2" 357mag loaded with 357 loads would fill the bill just fine. If you do have a lot of 4 legged problems in the area you might want to use heavier loads, 158s over 125 or 110s, and jacket soft points instead of hollow points. A first round of snake shot and the rest 357 rounds should work great. Just remember the snake load is only good out to about 20 feet max.

The Tourist · July 2, 2007, 06:47 PM

This debate has always pulled me both ways.

First, I live in Wisconsin and black bears and badgers are about the worst I'll run into. Care and common sense work just as good as anything in that regard.

However, since I do not live on the western edge of the country and do not have to encounter larger coastal bears I cannot begin to imagine the justified fear of that problem. A .454, a 500 SW or a 45-70 Guide Gun seem to be a good fit for that environment.

Keeping in mind my living condition, I carry a .380 Colt Government built by Terry Tussey. Of course, I will deny it.

(Look at the last 'knife' post. The little auto appears there.)

I feel the 'two legged' predator might be my biggest concern, perhaps feral dogs. My wife likes the little .380 and the Gold-Dots make it a viable option.

Kreyzhorse · July 2, 2007, 06:49 PM

I went fishing and hiking this weekend. This was my first time at this WMA so my Smith 637 was on hip in Galco High Ride holster. Easy to carry and easy to conceal. I especially prefer OWB on warm days and Sunday was a little warm.

For my hike, the 637 was easy to carry and and very easy to forget it was on my hip.

stevelyn · July 2, 2007, 07:37 PM

Justme,

I'm not talking about going out and purposely hunting snakes and killing them. Although I did when I was a kid. I'm talking about having the means to kill them decisively if I happen upon them or if they wander into my camp.

I'm not responsible for the red wolf and the coyotes only started moving in because we made their traversing natural barriers a lot easier and all animals tend to expand their territories eventually. Look at us.
Besides we have boatloads of wolves in AK and that hasn't stopped the yotes from moving in and setting up shop. So I don't buy that arguement either.

Anyways, I've noticed we've gotten along quite well without them up here and there doesn't seem to be an imbalance of power in the natural world either.

Deaf Smith · July 2, 2007, 07:45 PM

Most of the guns mentioned would do fine if you can shoot strait and fast with something bigger than you charging and a rather breathtaking pace.

But if there are bears you are rally worried about, I'd get a inexpensive Mossburg 500, 18 inch 5 shooter, put a tac-star 4 shot side saddle, and a sling and just carry it (ok.. I'm a handgun guy and I'd carry a light weight pistol to just cause I feel naked without one.) Being lazy at cleaning, the 18 inch chrom mossie would be my choice. Very light weight.

No critter, two or four legged, can stand up to a good 12 (except mayby elephants and rinos but surely there arn't to many of those in West Virginia.)

crowbeaner · July 2, 2007, 08:00 PM

My absolute favorite carry gun was my 4 inch S&W M 57. As long as I was engaged in open carry, it went with me. I never had to use it but I sure felt better on the Finger Lakes Trail even though it weighed close to 4 lbs. loaded. The choice you made sure made me feel better. I always carried it with 3 midrange and three full power loads in it to meet any situation. I used the same cast bullet so the point of impact was real close with both loads.

July 2, 2007, 09:04 AM	#1
pesta2 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2006 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 1,532	Went Hiking, what would you have carried? Steph and I went hiking this weekend at Dolly Sods here in WV. The purpose was to get away from work for a day and take photos. Even thought my brand new EOS 30D broke for the second time, back to be repaired again! It rained all day long off and on but was a nice hike and rewarded with an incredible view. The biggest animal we could have run into would be a black bear. On the way out, we spotted a fresh track in the mud that was some sort of cat. We are thinking Bobcat but it was a big track I have a photo of it with Steph hand next to it. According to the DNR there are no Mountain Lions in WV anymore even though there have been sittings. Along with my Camera equipment, I had to choice what revolver to carry, which was a big dilemma. Thinking about my 2” .357, small to carry and light but wanted something with a little more oomph. So that leaves me with a Taurus 4” .44 Mag. But it is on the heavy side. My Ruger Super Blackhawk 4-5/8”, once again I thought that was a little much. Plus I was thinking for black bear I don’t really need my .44 mags. Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8” .45 LC, still the size and weight was a little more than I wanted for hiking. Well after all that I went with my Taurus 4” Tracker in .41 Mag. I thought it was the perfect balance between weight for hiking and cartridge power level. That is what I bought the handgun for anyways. Steph carried our water, hiking maps and some snacks. She opened her pack and I noticed knives and forks she was carrying. Why I asked. She said incase we ran into Bigfoot, she heard they are tasty. So what handgun would you bring? __________________ http://www.stevekonya.com http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/ Last edited by pesta2; July 2, 2007 at 09:36 AM.

July 2, 2007, 09:34 AM	#3
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 4,303	4" 357 (or a carbine if rifles are legal) __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

July 2, 2007, 04:20 PM	#12
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,516	I forgot to mention... Of course I would also take my early warning system. The 11lbs. of furry fury we like to call our MinPin Sam.

July 2, 2007, 04:23 PM	#13
JAXX Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Northwest Wyoming Posts: 371	Since I usually "hike" from my saddle on top of a horse, then my scabbard is on board stuffed with my 30-30. So as far as a pistol goes, I carry my CCW wich is a USP 40c. Of course it's open carry while on horseback. I think someday I'll be looking into a 44mag to have on my hip while in the woods. Just not as much of a priority at the moment. My 30-30 does the job any hand gun could do, and the horse has to carry it, not me __________________ Lifetime member of The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

July 2, 2007, 04:58 PM	#15
plom Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 478	Smith and Wesson model 65 with a 3" barrel and load it with a 357 mag 125 grs golden saber. __________________ If you can stay calm, while all around you is chaos...then you probably haven't completely understood the situation.

July 2, 2007, 09:27 AM	#2
Torghn Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Posts: 14	I'd go with the 2" .357 for sure.

July 2, 2007, 02:44 PM	#4
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 174	At one time, I would have carried my Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. Now, I'd likely carry an S&W 686 4". I have no justifiable reason except that I simply feel more secure with the extra 50-100 ft/sec of the 686. I haven't lived in Virginia for 22 years, but I still fondly remember trips to WV to go backpacking in the Dolly Sods. We even did it in the Winter. We'd stop at Franklin, WV, then another stop at the old poor farm in the area (owned then by a friend), then off to the Sods. It always was a great trip. Ron

July 2, 2007, 02:58 PM	#5
Manedwolf Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Posts: 3,266	I'd suggest carrying some snakeshot rounds for that, too. The Taurus Judge I have is really not that heavy at all, the .410 shells are perfect for snakes, and you can go to .45 LC for anything more serious.

July 2, 2007, 03:59 PM	#6
ronto Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: Smack Dab in the Middle of Nowhere. Posts: 267	I wouldn't bet my life that there are no Mountain Lions in Arkansas as the the Fish & Game Commission says in spite of sitings and photos of tracks...I carry my DAO 357 Ruger SP101 with 158gr. HP when in the woods... Any round good enough for a BG is good enough for a big cat...And take a dog with a good nose with you since you'll never know when a Mountain Lion is stalking you until he's got his jaws around your neck and ripping your guts out with his claws.

July 2, 2007, 04:05 PM	#7
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,516	When hiking in WV I would feel a .357mag would be sufficient for any predator you might meet. If I was packing light I would carry my S&Wm60 and if I could handle something bigger I would take my S&W m686. If the hike also involved camping then I would wear a better rig and take a .45colt with a longer barrel. Probably my Ruger Vaquero.

July 2, 2007, 04:06 PM	#8
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 734	My dog goes with, early warning system on 4 legs. The .44mag I just got, 4 in barrel.

July 2, 2007, 04:08 PM	#9
Redneckrepairs Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Posts: 625	The same gun and loads i carry every day .. I dont hike a lot , but do a fair amount of horseback in areas where there is no cell service , and emergency services response can be mesured in hours rather than minutes . I carry the same 9mm as i do in town . 4 legged predators dont worry me much ... and my loadout is fine for any 2 legged i may find .

July 2, 2007, 04:15 PM	#10
smallshot Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 37	I always carry something that starts with a 4. Usually my TR .44 spl 4". The S&W N frames are not the lightest, but (to quote Clint Smith), I don't carry because it's comfortable - I carry because it's comforting. I don't feel outmatched in the woods by two legs or four.

July 2, 2007, 04:16 PM	#11
45Marlin carbine Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	National Forest has a restriction to .22 cal w/no longer than 6" barrel. At least here in WNC. Of the ones you list I'd choose the .357 if legal.

July 2, 2007, 04:46 PM	#14
Redneckrepairs Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Posts: 625	Jaxx i gave up the scabbard , but it does prove there is a place for them old slappy guns . I just gave it up cause my rope gets hung up on the butt when both are saddled . I gotta be doing something wrong , but i need the rope , the 9mm dont bind and will keep heads down while me and the pony egress stage back .

July 2, 2007, 05:01 PM	#16
Justme Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,067	I've been hiking in WV and southern ohio since I was about 2 years old. I have never run into anything that couldn't be scared off with a slingshot, the idea that you need more "oomph" than a .357 is really laughable. The most dangerous thing you can run into in the appalacian mountains is a human being, everything else will avoid humans. I would carry something very light that you could use to scare away people or euthanize a rabid coyote or dog or the like. The SP101 sounds like a decent choice, and nobody is going to accuse you of being out poaching deer or the like. Well they could accuse you but they would look silly doing so. Personally something very small and light in .22lr is probably an even better choice, but then I am old and every extra ounce counts when I am hiking. I consider the risk of overexertion and croaking of a heart attack while hiking a greater risk, for me, than the risk of being attacked by animals or bad people. Your mileage may vary.

July 2, 2007, 06:26 PM	#18
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,096	Having growed up there, I never saw anything that a .357 wouldn't take care of. I think the .41 Tracker was a good call. I'd have some shot loads on hand to pepper Jake Noshoulders though. BTW, take whatever DNR or F&G departments say with a grain of salt. They tried to tell a bunch of the local folks along the Koyukuk River that the musk ox they were seeing really weren't musk ox. They finally admitted to it later. Same with game departments down in the Lower 48. They'll lie to the public about certain animal species moving into different areas. __________________ McCain/PALIN '08 Squished bugs on a windshield is proof the slow/heavy bullet theory works.

July 2, 2007, 06:34 PM	#19
Justme Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,067	Just out of curiosity why do you feel a need to kill snakes when you are out hiking? I might understand if the snake is in your flower beds or you have kids and it's in your backyard, but not while hiking. I've never run into a snake while out hiking or hunting that I couldn't go around. Indiscriminant killing of things like snakes upsets the whole balance of power. We have so many stupid coyotes in the east because people hunted red wolves until the were extinct in most areas. The red wolves were not a problem because they had large areas and were shy, the coyotes are a problem because they rapidly overpopulate and kill pets and such. Just say no to killing anything you can avoid by some other means.

July 2, 2007, 06:43 PM	#20
3 gun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 1999 Location: N 041 24.700 W 081 43.900 N.E.Ohio Posts: 543	The 2" 357mag loaded with 357 loads would fill the bill just fine. If you do have a lot of 4 legged problems in the area you might want to use heavier loads, 158s over 125 or 110s, and jacket soft points instead of hollow points. A first round of snake shot and the rest 357 rounds should work great. Just remember the snake load is only good out to about 20 feet max. __________________ PM 4 details on how you can take a FREE Ohio CC class! NRA RSO & Certified Instructor in rifle, pistol, shotgun. An unloaded pistol is a paperweight. Opportunity knocks..Trouble kicks down the door.

July 2, 2007, 06:47 PM	#21
The Tourist Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2005 Posts: 2,027	This debate has always pulled me both ways. First, I live in Wisconsin and black bears and badgers are about the worst I'll run into. Care and common sense work just as good as anything in that regard. However, since I do not live on the western edge of the country and do not have to encounter larger coastal bears I cannot begin to imagine the justified fear of that problem. A .454, a 500 SW or a 45-70 Guide Gun seem to be a good fit for that environment. Keeping in mind my living condition, I carry a .380 Colt Government built by Terry Tussey. Of course, I will deny it. (Look at the last 'knife' post. The little auto appears there.) I feel the 'two legged' predator might be my biggest concern, perhaps feral dogs. My wife likes the little .380 and the Gold-Dots make it a viable option.

July 2, 2007, 06:49 PM	#22
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 5,661	I went fishing and hiking this weekend. This was my first time at this WMA so my Smith 637 was on hip in Galco High Ride holster. Easy to carry and easy to conceal. I especially prefer OWB on warm days and Sunday was a little warm. For my hike, the 637 was easy to carry and and very easy to forget it was on my hip. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

July 2, 2007, 07:37 PM	#23
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,096	Justme, I'm not talking about going out and purposely hunting snakes and killing them. Although I did when I was a kid. I'm talking about having the means to kill them decisively if I happen upon them or if they wander into my camp. I'm not responsible for the red wolf and the coyotes only started moving in because we made their traversing natural barriers a lot easier and all animals tend to expand their territories eventually. Look at us. Besides we have boatloads of wolves in AK and that hasn't stopped the yotes from moving in and setting up shop. So I don't buy that arguement either. Anyways, I've noticed we've gotten along quite well without them up here and there doesn't seem to be an imbalance of power in the natural world either. __________________ McCain/PALIN '08 Squished bugs on a windshield is proof the slow/heavy bullet theory works.

July 2, 2007, 07:45 PM	#24
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Posts: 1,506	Most of the guns mentioned would do fine if you can shoot strait and fast with something bigger than you charging and a rather breathtaking pace. But if there are bears you are rally worried about, I'd get a inexpensive Mossburg 500, 18 inch 5 shooter, put a tac-star 4 shot side saddle, and a sling and just carry it (ok.. I'm a handgun guy and I'd carry a light weight pistol to just cause I feel naked without one.) Being lazy at cleaning, the 18 inch chrom mossie would be my choice. Very light weight. No critter, two or four legged, can stand up to a good 12 (except mayby elephants and rinos but surely there arn't to many of those in West Virginia.) __________________ “We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality” Ayn Rand

July 2, 2007, 08:00 PM	#25
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,632	My absolute favorite carry gun was my 4 inch S&W M 57. As long as I was engaged in open carry, it went with me. I never had to use it but I sure felt better on the Finger Lakes Trail even though it weighed close to 4 lbs. loaded. The choice you made sure made me feel better. I always carried it with 3 midrange and three full power loads in it to meet any situation. I used the same cast bullet so the point of impact was real close with both loads.