greenrvgreen
open road
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Joined: 09/05/2007
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Shooer--
That looks like an 870 with a mag extension. If so, I had the same "insurance" under my bed in Los Angeles for a decade (post-riots).
Apart from the risk of short-stroking, that is an ideal weapon for defense against bears, providing you are already pointing it at the bear before he starts charging you. Otherwise, you won't have time to swing it. And if the bear isn't charging you, but merely raiding your garbage, you would be commiting a felony be shooting it, and the LEO, when he did arrive, would take you in.
IMO, the iminent risk in the backwoods of the lower 48 is each other, not 400-lb rats raiding our food. There are much smaller tools to defend against each other, starting with our own brains. Forget whether you have a "right" to be somewhere--are you safe there, or would you be safer by retreating? And when it comes to the "last" line of defense, are you really defending your safety, or just your dignity?
I agree with the folks who say that firearms are better to have and not need. But very few of us ever think about the risks of keeping one, and prudent strategies for accessing one in time of actual need.
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shooer
ventura county
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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Mossberg 590, 9 shot.
1977 FORD 4X4
1980 LANCE
I keep 'em a while.
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pnichols
Santa Cruz Mountains
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Joined: 04/26/2005
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Browning four-round semiauto BAR in 300 Winchester Magnum (30-06 on steroids) ... but don't carry it in the MH ... would put us over the rig's CCC limit. 
(Instead, we have an extended range cell phone system and an axe in our rig.)
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 12:12pm by pnichols *
Phil, 2005 E450 Itasca 324V Spirit
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Joined: 03/10/2003
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My goodness, wasn't this discussed ad nauseum here?
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)
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nickelAF
Charleston, WV
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Joined: 02/01/2009
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Good Sam RV Club
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X2
07 Fox 31WRB
04 6.0L 4X4 Excursion
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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4runnerguy wrote:My goodness, wasn't this discussed ad nauseum here?
But that is what we do so well on this RV forum. 
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rolnrolnroln
WA
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Joined: 02/15/2004
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A couple of quick points: I just finshed writing an appeal from a guy that was sprayed by the policeman and then Tasered 3 times with multiple pulses on the third try. The guy still got up to wrestle even after backup arrived. Wasp spray? I won't bet my life on it.
Where we camp, it is highly unlikely that A. we can reach anyone, B. the responder could find us and that we'd still be sucking air when they got there. In this neck of the woods, you are your only protection.
I don't know, but I suspect a bear shot with 00 is just gonna be angry.
I've started concealed carry (with permit) because our major fun is riding ATVs. A couple of times a season someone stumbles across a marijuana patch in the woods. The operators of said farms are known to be unhappy with inadvertent discoverers. They are also usually on something and armed. ATVs cover a lot of ground and it just a matter of time before we come across a natural substance purveyor.
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shooer
ventura county
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rolnrolnroln wrote:
I don't know, but I suspect a bear shot with 00 is just gonna be angry.
Slugs would be a better choice.
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LenSatic
Hermosa Beach, CA
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Joined: 10/07/2007
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4runnerguy wrote:My goodness, wasn't this discussed ad nauseum here?
To be fair, the title of the thread is "Personal safety while boondocking". I find that to be a bit broader subject than just self-defense. I know that that seems to be the focus of the replies, but it doesn't mean that discussing first aid, self rescue, etc. is ruled out.
LS
2008 Casita SD 17
2006 Chevy Tahoe LT 4x4
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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I have no problem with guns, own a few and sometimes carry in MH. However in boondocking out in this country, I have no fear of a need to defend myself. People pretty well leave each other alone in these parts. Mostly don't see other humans when boondocking.
However, I am fatalistic about "bad guys", if they are out to get me, they probably will because the advantage is all theirs' simply because they know what they are going to do and I have no clue, thus unprepared.
Known a lot of folks that carry and who have worn out some pants pockets and belts and they have never drawn their guns out of necessity. I simply choose to be unarmed, carrying a sidearm is a PIA for me--literally sometimes.
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