OK. I said I would summarize the gun responses and report on my conclusions. So here it is. I posted the original question on April 18, asking for responses from people who carry guns regarding what they carry, where and when. I knew, of course, that I would get "more" than that, and I did, but not nearly as much more as I expected. There were a total of 37 direct responses to my post. In addition, there were 13 posts in what I would call "spin-off threads" -- renamed but responding to the original in some way. Of the 37 direct responses, 13 were "off-line" -- to me personally. The remaining 24 were on PW. I'll report on the 13 private responses first. Of the private responses, only 3 expressly said they carry: one carries a shotgun; the other two carry pistols (one said his/her paddling partner carries it). The shotgun person suggested that a gun is not needed in Maine. The pistol carriers appeared more concerned with people than animals (a common theme). Only 1 person responding privately was definitely opposed to carrying a gun; that person was more concerned with legal complications and practical concerns than "philosophy." The remaining 9 people offered varying responses. Most said, in effect, that while they (mostly) support the idea that a person should be able to carry a gun, they simply didn't think it made sense, for various practical reasons, and/or it simply isn't needed in Maine. At least two people said they were wondering about the same question themselves. . . Thus, in private responses, in effect, 1 out of 13 opposed carrying a gun; 2 out of 13 said they carry a pistol; 1 said they carry a shotgun; 9 out of 13 ranged, but most simply don't think it's practical or necessary to carry a gun, at least not in Maine. I would also like to say that the private responses were really great. People really offered thoughtful, intelligent suggestions, advice, etc. Several of them explicitly said they were responding privately to avoid flames. I understand the point that the group is for discussion, but some things are really more private to some people than they are to others. I sincerely thank the private responders for their responses (even if I haven't managed to find time to respond personally to all of them). Of course, no one's privacy will be violated. All emails will be deleted. You've all had the opportunity to read the posts to PW, so I won't go into great detail about them. In sum, of the 24, (as I read them) 7 said they sometimes do (or would) carry a gun. At least 2 (maybe 3) of those prefer a pistol; the others either said a rifle or shotgun or didn't specify. In addition, at least 3 people said they used to carry but don't any more (some people weren't entirely clear). Most of the other responses involved anecdotal stuff and didn't really take a definite position. The vast majority of the responses consisted of sincere, pragmatic discussions, like whether it is really necessary for the type of paddling at issue, or whether it is really likely to be effective under relevant circumstances. There were only two "sarcastic" responses, which I take to indicate that there is a sense of humor on the list, and which did not offend me in the least. In addition, there were at least two relevant spin-off threads. These discussed in pragmatic terms issues like whether pepper spray is an effective deterrent to bears, or whether firing a shotgun from a kayak is something that requires good rolling skills <g>. So, those are the "factual" aspects of the responses. Basically, a small but significant minority of paddlers on this list admit to carrying a gun, at least some of the time, while paddling. I would say a majority believe it is a personal decision and would not condemn a person for carrying, so long as the person was responsible and competent with the gun. A very small minority appears to be opposed to guns altogether. Beyond that, further comment runs the risk of being presumptuous. But hey. . . life it all about risks, right? So. . . I was really pleased with the responses overall. (Try asking on one of the sailing groups any question at all about guns -- and don your flame suit immediately.) Most everyone offered serious and helpful thoughts. Probably the most basic is the notion that for the type of paddling I intend to do (ie, not in polar or grizzly territory), a gun isn't necessary, at least as far as four-legged creatures go. The idea of having protection against the two-legged variety remains an issue. For me, the latter is something I would be unlikely to do while paddling (or hiking) solo. OTOH, I would be reluctant to go very far into the backcountry with a female companion and *not* carry a pistol. Think what you will. I've had a least one serious encounter in the woods where the pistol probably saved my life and that of my partner. But that's an issue I can resolve on my own. The question I had was largely regarding wildlife, and I think that has been answered very well. I think the conclusion is that it's just plain (a) unlikely to be necessary in the woods of Northern Maine, and (b) unlikely to really save me in the event it does become necessary (ie, if I was really in danger from a bear etc., I probably wouldn't be able to deploy the thing fast enough, wouldn't be accurate enough, or it wouldn't stop the beast. . . ). Thus, carrying to protect myself from bears, moose and other wild creatures, in Maine at least, is almost certainly not something I will do. I would add one further comment, and this is my sole venture into the philosophical here. Several responses, both privately and on PW, discussed how difficult it can be to kill an animal in the wild -- emotionally, not physically. For hunters, this may seem silly. I don't fault hunters (well, some kinds of hunters I do fault, but we'll perhaps leave that alone). But as a personal matter, to me, the idea of killing a wild animal is very very upsetting. One person responded that he had done so, to protect his family, and felt horrible about it later (although obviously recognizing that it had to be done). I sympathize. I go into the wild to experience the natural environment, not to kill it. And I believe it is my duty to try to make my visits as low-impact as possible, and to avoid upsetting the creatures that live there. A number of things suggested in these threads have helped to educate me a little more about this -- in the sense of highlighting the need to learn about, and understand, the habits, fears and needs of the animals one is likely to confront in the region in question (eg, don't camp near obvious bear watering holes, which otherwise might appear to be perfect campsites). By doing that, I hope to be able to minimize the likelihood of getting myself into a dangerous situation, and to maximize the likelihood of knowing how to get out of such a situation without harm to the animal. Conclusion: I will not be carrying a gun on my solo paddles in Maine. Thank you all for your thoughtful and kind responses. Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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