Hiking, dog walking, and open carry of a handgun (to buy, college)

[fishnfool]

bear jerky=

of course most things taste good in jerky form.

[Be Free]

Originally Posted by NewNHguy

My original post, the reason for this thread was to find out who carries, who does not, and to find out the legitamicy of carrying....to protect myself and my family and dogs.
Dogs are curious animals, and on the outside chance we came across a mother and cubs, it has the potential for the pucker factor to shoot waaaaaay up.

NOT to stalk and hunt bears, not to intimidate other beings.

Thanks again to my fellow responsible firearm owners!

Hi NewNHGuy. I'm in the Lakes Region and I carry. My husband and I just got our CCLs last week and did the Wally World Walk first thing (gun forum readers will know why).

As to the legitimacy of open carrying, it's absolutely your right by law. Not enough people know that, including some police officers. If you carry in public places, expect the occasional hysterical phone call to them to result in an officer attempting to question you or accuse you of creating a public disturbance. Can't remember where I read it now, but there was an incident where a LEO actually arrested someone for that, but it didn't stick. The court ruled that another person's alarm at you exercising your right to carry does not constitute a public disturbance (paraphrasing). But as I said, not enough LEOs know this yet. It doesn't hurt to carry a copy of the NH gun law with you so you can politely educate them, if it happens.

I haven't open carried yet. When spring comes and I start hiking in the woods more, I will. It's just too hard to hide a 4" revolver in my summer clothes and my smaller gun would be useless on a charging moose or bear. A cow moose with a calf is probably one of the most dangerous critters out there. And not ALL bears run away, just as not ALL gun owners are criminals with some evil intent or something wrong with them mentally. Pepper spray would be my first choice for bear defense, but it only works when the wind is in your favor. I really wouldn't want to shoot a bear or moose out of season, but the penalty beats being mauled or trampled to death.

So if any NH residents who have preconceived notions about gun owners run across a middle aged woman hiking with a black lab and a .357, no need to flee. I've managed to own guns for 30 years without killing anyone, I probably won't start now.

Just as an FYI - NH and VA are both loaded with people who have concealed carry permits. In fact, Americans have been arming themselves by the millions since just before the election (wonder what Obama thinks about that?). Chances are, you probably walk by people with guns just about everywhere you go. You're in no more or less danger if we carry them openly than you are if we're all concealing them. At least with open carry, you have the opportunity to retreat if you don't like being near guns and you can see and react if someone's reaching for theirs.

[Juggernaut1547]

Originally Posted by Be Free

Just as an FYI - NH and VA are both loaded with people who have concealed carry permits.

Here's one, and I am certified to hunt in NH (went to college there).

[Huckleberry3911948]

bear gun will do ya but i hear they are smart and sneak up behind.

[NewNHguy]

Hello Be Free;

I've done just that, copied and "shrink to fit laminated" the law, so it will fit in my pack. Better to be armed with the law also, as well as the revolver. My choice is a 2 3/4" .357, built by Ruger.
The moose you listed is another viable situation, as where I am there are track everywhere, and in the short time I've been here, I have seen three! Imagine, I've camped and vacationed here since I have been 5 years old, and now at 45, I see three in the short of two months.

Thanks for your input, and congrats on your CCW.

[Be Free]

Juggernaut -

NHguy - the police chief in Gilmanton IW told me there's about a dozen moose in this town. And some lady near here has wolves too. He said you can hear them howl at night. She used to have buffalo and they escaped constantly, now she has wolves.

Ruger was my choice too (Security-Six). That thing's a fire-breathing dragon! I wasn't sure I could handle .357 in a snubby, so I went with the 4". I'm thinking about getting some Buffalo Bore ammo for hiking. They claim it gives .44 mag performance in a .357.

Huckleberry - "stalking" is what the occasional pedatory bear will do. As the Alaskans always say, a grizzly will kill ya, but a black bear will EAT ya. Playing dead isn't advised with them. It really doesn't happen very often, but it'd be just my luck to run into the one predatory bear in the northeast.

[NewNHguy]

yep!!!

it's the Security six, stainless, 2 3/4" barrel. I put a set of Hogue rubbers on it, and a set of Millet sights...Sweeeeeeeet!
The Buff bore is good stuff, as is any of the corbon offerings. I handload, and made up some 180 grain hardcast...they really work well.

[grimstuff]

Originally Posted by Be Free

Juggernaut -

NHguy - the police chief in Gilmanton IW told me there's about a dozen moose in this town. And some lady near here has wolves too. He said you can hear them howl at night. She used to have buffalo and they escaped constantly, now she has wolves.

Ruger was my choice too (Security-Six). That thing's a fire-breathing dragon! I wasn't sure I could handle .357 in a snubby, so I went with the 4". I'm thinking about getting some Buffalo Bore ammo for hiking. They claim it gives .44 mag performance in a .357.

Huckleberry - "stalking" is what the occasional pedatory bear will do. As the Alaskans always say, a grizzly will kill ya, but a black bear will EAT ya. Playing dead isn't advised with them. It really doesn't happen very often, but it'd be just my luck to run into the one predatory bear in the northeast.

I think you got that backwards.

[Be Free]

grimstuff - nope, not backwards. Most grizzly attacks are territorial. They generally quit mauling when you quit moving. Most black bear attacks are predatory - killing for food.

NewNHguy - I have stainless and Hogue grips too. Still wishing for the Millet sights, but I'm working on getting some reloading supplies in first. I just bought a Lock-N-Load AP, but I haven't got the shell plates and dies yet. And primers are scarcer than hen's teeth. Riley's had a good supply of powder though, when I was there a couple weeks ago.

What mold are you using for the 180 grain?

[NewNHguy]

buying them here... a real quality bullet.
Beartooth Bullets > Home

Check out the forum, i mod there.

Shooters Forum - Powered by vBulletin

great people on the forum, no mall ninjas, or battle heros.