Scary NRA Militia types?!!

[pixelfrog]

Hi All,

I was on a beautiful hike this past saturday morning on the Bluffs Springs Trail in the Sups. The Temperature cooperated, the sun was behind clouds, there was a nice breeze and of course anyone who's been out there knows the scenery is increadible.

The only weird thing about the hike was on the way back to the trailhead at the end of my hike probably within a half mile of the peralta trailhead, I ran into these two guys that were all suited up for war games or something. Camo, Knives strapped to gear suspenders, a pistol at the older man's side who had so much facial hair, you could barely see his face.

As I passed them with my hiking poles out the older guy said to me all suprised, "Ski Poles?!!!" I quickly explained they helped the old knees on the way down after I noticed he had a gun at his side. I pretty much smiled and nodded then continued on my way.

Now I'm all for everyone's right to bear arms and all, but seeing this kind of freaked me out. I know it's legal to carry handguns in Arizona and that's fine, but I was thinking there isn't a very large reason to carry a gun out there, especially if you are with another full grown adult male.

I have no idea what their reason would be for bringing those types of weopons out there, and the whole incident was a bit disturbing. I was glad that I encountered these yahoo's close to the trailhead. Anyone else run into any of these gun toting militia type weirdo's?

Paul

[Cush]

I don't understand the fear of guns. And a knife is a must have survival tool. I've never taken my gun on a simple hike either, but I will when I am in bear or mountain lion country. I would rather have one and never need it, rather than not have one when I need it most. Did he say he was with a Militia? A lot of people wear cammo pants because they are cheap. I'm sure a lot of PETA members have beards too.

I hope you still enjoyed the hike.

Take care.

[Strand]

I wear BDU (military camo) pants at times while hiking. They're cheap/rugged and with all the pockets, I can easily do short day hikes with a simple camelbak and still carry a GPS, camera, phone, and some food in the pockets. Plus in other parts of the country, it's very nice to have those drawstring cuffs on pants to keep out ticks and other unwanted critters. You can get some versions in solid colors too, but they usual cost a bit more.

[azbackpackr]

but they usually cost a bit more.

You actually BUY yours? I have worn those for years. Fashion models for REI pass me on the trail and look at me funny. Gotta love it!

But I have never ever had to buy a pair. I have always known someone in the military who can get them for me. In fact, I need another pair, I should ask my daughter-in-law if she can get a pair of the newer tan digital pattern.

Strand, I hiked that Buena Vista trail on Wed. It's in very bad shape due to quads, although there are a gazillion signs that say it's non-motorized. I will be over there now every Wed. in the bus to drop kids at NPC. Will PM you.

[Strand]

Every time I get offered a pair, they're standard length (which leave my ankles exposed). So I bought two pair of the modern style (velcro and drawstring closures on the pockets instead of buttons) and one pair of the standard ones with buttons. I bought them for hiking and for riding the quad. Which I still can't understand why the morons have to ride them on closed trails - there are so many legal places to ride them up here. We use ours to explore the forest roads that are a bit too rough for a non-modified cherokee to handle safely or comfortably. It's amazing how much easier it is to deal with washboards and washed out sections of trail on the quad. We can go about 100 miles on the standard tank, or 200 with an extra 5 gallons. And being a modern 4 stroke, it makes less noise than a lot of the pickups around here. They are great vehicles, but like everything else, they're only as good as the person at the controls.

[Jeffshadows]

I wish I would have known, just threw about four pairs of the old woodlands and three-color deserts out the other day...

[Wild Bill]

I've hiked almost every trail in the Mogollon Rim and the Matazel wilderness area and I always carried a few weapons pistol/knive,(always visible) I've been approached by many types of wild life, Bears, Mountain lions and strange people, I feel it's just part of wilderness hikng equipment. Also there are alot of paint ball clubs who use the Tonto national forest to play their war games. maybe that is what people are seeing. No worries Protect yourselves

[joebartels]

In lieu of the overwhelming subject I overlooked the first line

I was on a beautiful hike this past saturday morning on the Bluffs Springs Trail in the Sups. The Temperature cooperated, the sun was behind clouds, there was a nice breeze and of course anyone who's been out there knows the scenery is increadible.

Aug 05 2002 10:44 am

[Miyamoto]

First off, the condom rule, "Better to have one and not need one than need one and not have one."
I understand that people, good honest people, can be intimidated by firearms, so that is why I prefer to carry concealed. And before you even start, I do understand the reason for carrying exposed, it can be a good deterrent, and I do carry that way ocatioanlly.
I would encourage more people to get the permit and carry concealed, you still get the peace of mind, and you don't freak out those that don't make the decision to be prepared!

[pixelfrog]

I would encourage more people to get the permit and carry concealed, you still get the peace of mind, and you don't freak out those that don't make the decision to be prepared!

Just because people don't carry guns while hiking doesn't necessarily mean that they are unprepared for wilderness travel, that's an ignorant statement.

[Jeffshadows]

It's a matter of perspective, not ignorance. I don't think he was calling-out people that are unarmed.

[dysfunction]

he's right though, it is flat out easier to carry concealed. I had an issue with a patron at a circle-k in about 98 or so... walked in carrying in a tactical holster... guy went off on me, so I tucked it in my waistband and asked if he felt better. The clerk just laughed. More often than not, I simply don't bother.. depends on where I'm going.

[hulagu79]

I love guns, and i just bought my second one today from Cabela's.
I carry my gun depending on the location and who is with me.If i am hiking with couple guys it is ok but if i am alone with my girl in the mountains i feel safer with a gun.
I prefer not to make my gun very visible in the wilderness because i know it scares some people and considering weirdos out there, they are right. I never carry a gun in the city and i dont like the people who does.(small......big ego applies here)
Pepper spray works sometimes but you have no chance againts a bullet......
Have a great day everyone...

[RickVincent]

I find that the steeper the trail is, the higher caliber weapon I need to carry!!

Funny! Must be operating under the theory that wackos get crazier as the air gets thinner.

[azbackpackr]

I think it's highly irritating that there are still Arizona hikers out there who would presume to ask, "Why are you carrying a gun?" That is just so flippin' rude. I rarely carry any more, but I definitely defend someone's right to carry, even if FOR NO REASON AT ALL!!! NONE OF THEIR FREAKING BUSINESS WHY YOU'RE CARRYING!!

[Dani45]

In response to jeremy77777:
I'm a single woman and I wouldn't dream of hiking without protection. Or overnight backpacking. I also carry a slim, easily concealed all metal medium length knife where it's easy to grab just in case. At night both weapons are beside my pad in the tent. Take heart jeremy77777, some of us women are very very careful. No need for anyone to be flaunting them like the two guys in the Supers, though.

[Jim]

Something tells me Jeremy 77777 isn't around these parts much anymore.

[azbackpackr]

Who?

[base871]

wow, i cant believe this post is still going

[SuperstitionGuy]

I carried for the first time in the Sups last October while guiding my three grandsons and let them shoot it to. 410 gauge, five shot, Taurus revolver called the Judge. Shoots the 3 inch shell making the cylinder itself 3 plus inches long. It looks like a cannon from the side view and the shot we used blew away whatever was in front of us as well. Purely a defensive weapon of course and best used for home defense which is what I really bought it for. Would I normally carry it backpacking? No way as it weighs a ton....

And yes this thread will probably never end....

[base871]

the judge is a great firearm! 410 ga and it shoots .45 lc. Ive been looking at them alot lately. dammit, another post!