I've carried a .30-06 and a flare gun for polar bear protection while exploring abandoned buildings.

I probably wouldn't explore a location where I would need a gun for protection against humans.

Posted by Tupsumato I've carried a .30-06 and a flare gun for polar bear protection while exploring abandoned buildings. I probably wouldn't explore a location where I would need a gun for protection against humans.

Likewise, I carried bear spray when exploring in rural Montana because that's deep into Grizzly country- and a bear had already eaten one solo hiker the year prior. But that was so far rural it was almost wilderness, carrying a gun anywhere you might encounter people is just asking for trouble.

Like a few others here - a 12ga shotty & bear spray, cuz I'm in a very rural area. Hell, I bring my shotty with me to check the mail. Had a cougar follow me along a little ways, a few weeks back. Ya never know out here.

Posted by Ansion Like a few others here - a 12ga shotty & bear spray, cuz I'm in a very rural area. Hell, I bring my shotty with me to check the mail. Had a cougar follow me along a little ways, a few weeks back. Ya never know out here.

Funny how so many Americans think that everything in Australia kills you, whereas with the vast majority of us, the idea of carrying a gun to protect ourselves against the wildlife would never enter our head.

Although there are the Drop Bears, but even with a gun it's too late to do anything by the time you hear their screech.

Posted by Doug Funny how so many Americans think that everything in Australia kills you, whereas with the vast majority of us, the idea of carrying a gun to protect ourselves against the wildlife would never enter our head. Although there are the Drop Bears, but even with a gun it's too late to do anything by the time you hear their screech.

Yeah but at least our deadly wildlife doesn't hide under our beds and stays in the wilderness for the most part. Your deadly wildlife is small enough to sneak into houses. Though come to think of it, the same could be said for black widows and cottonmouths here...

Posted by Aran Yeah but at least our deadly wildlife doesn't hide under our beds and stays in the wilderness for the most part. Your deadly wildlife is small enough to sneak into houses. Though come to think of it, the same could be said for black widows and cottonmouths here...

Then there's sharks and crocs... but they don't eat too much.

Posted by Doug Funny how so many Americans think that everything in Australia kills you, whereas with the vast majority of us, the idea of carrying a gun to protect ourselves against the wildlife would never enter our head. Although there are the Drop Bears, but even with a gun it's too late to do anything by the time you hear their screech.

haha It's kind of a weird one, innit? I suppose it's because the things in Oz are small or slow/predictable. I wouldn't carry a gun there, either. Where I am in Canada (nope, I'm not American) there's only a few critters that can kill you - but they're all a lot bigger, faster, and often stealthy.

Thank God we don't have Drop Bears. However, we DO have Cobra Chickens. *shudders*

Posted by Ansion haha It's kind of a weird one, innit? I suppose it's because the things in Oz are small or slow/predictable. I wouldn't carry a gun there, either. Where I am in Canada (nope, I'm not American) there's only a few critters that can kill you - but they're all a lot bigger, faster, and often stealthy. Thank God we don't have Drop Bears. However, we DO have Cobra Chickens. *shudders*

Damn those Cobra Chickens. My cousin's aunt's uncle got pecked by one back in the day.

I blame dudes like Steve Irwin for giving the impression that wild animals interacting with people is an everyday occurrence.

Where I live is too cold for Funnel Web spiders, but they're scary farkers

Posted by Ansion Like a few others here - a 12ga shotty & bear spray, cuz I'm in a very rural area. Hell, I bring my shotty with me to check the mail. Had a cougar follow me along a little ways, a few weeks back. Ya never know out here.

that 12ga is a slug, not buck right?

Posted by OnlyFootprints that 12ga is a slug, not buck right?

12G just refers to the size of the bore diameter. You can shoot slug, 00 buck, bird shot, etc all out of a 12G.

Posted by Rinzler 12G just refers to the size of the bore diameter. You can shoot slug, 00 buck, bird shot, etc all out of a 12G.

Right, I was asking if the OP was using buck or slugs, since I've always heard buckshot is ineffective on bears unless at close range. Even 00 Buck.

Posted by OnlyFootprints that 12ga is a slug, not buck right?

Both! I alternate loads. First shot is 00 buck (2 3/4") then slug. Mine holds 8 rounds in the mag plus 1 in the chamber. Extra bit of wiggle room if I hafta fire one off quick, but thus far it's only been used as a sound deterrent. Twice so far in 12 years; a shot into the ground near them sends them running like their butt is on fire! haha Either way, 00 buck is plenty at close range. Slugs being the only thing that can stop a bear is an old trope. That said, if buckshot won't work with one shot, nothing short of a literal cannon would work with one shot anyway. Placement and/or surprise is everything.

I think its generally a good idea if you're exploring alone. When I'm with other people I tend to not bring it because my only real fear is just getting mugged by a homeless guy.

Posted by Zero .....'Merica....

seconded

Since this thread has begun, I have gone exploring with guns.

Posted by Steed Since this thread has begun, I have gone exploring with guns. https://www.daehan...70311jeonju/85.jpg[/eimg]

You've convinced me. Bringing my Airsoft Tommy gun with the drum mag on my next explore.

I know explorers who are convicted felons because they got caught doing active infiltration in a city with someone else who was carrying, and the prosecutor successfully convicted them as an accomplice to armed burglary. So I wouldn't carry while exploring anywhere near civilization, or even explore with someone who does.

Now in the wilderness like Abby Normal said? Totally different situation. You've got to read the room.

lol ofc AI bumped this old ass thread back into existence. strappin urself at every opportunity because some piece of paper said you could is like, smol pp energy. doin it while you're breaking another law, even smoller.

Posted by Aran I know explorers who are convicted felons because they got caught doing active infiltration in a city with someone else who was carrying, and the prosecutor successfully convicted them as an accomplice to armed burglary. So I wouldn't carry while exploring anywhere near civilization, or even explore with someone who does. Now in the wilderness like Abby Normal said? Totally different situation. You've got to read the room.

I'm with you. I wouldn't bother in the city & such. Asking for more trouble, perhaps mace would be smarter? IDK. But on my rural explores here in the remote northern Rockies, yeah a shotty is pretty much mandatory. I mean, simply going by animals I've run into on my own property, I rank 3rd or maybe 4th on the food chain. Although I always carry spray & reach for it first, it's not a guarantee that I'm upwind of the target.